Imagine going about your everyday life. Then someone tells you something fascinating, for instance, like being told about an opportunity to go to a new country completely free with this organization called Birthright Israel. It almost sounds too good to be true, right? However, after doing some research, I realized it was good and true! Most of all, I realized… Read More
Melissa and Dor Flayshman met on January 9, 2009, a few days into their Birthright Israel trip. Dor was one of the Mifgash (Israeli soldiers) and Melissa remembers he spoke fluent English and was very funny. She specifically remembers being instantly drawn to him and by that first evening, the pair was inseparable. It was hard saying goodbye once their… Read More
Sara Armet is a 2012 Birthright Israel alumna who went on to found the luxury chocolate brand, Lady & The Chocolate. Having honed a career in specialty retail at Barneys New York and Bergdorf Goodman, Sara Armet woke up one day with a calling to make ‘the best chocolate you ever had'! Amidst a global pandemic, designing chocolate bark with… Read More
For most young Jewish adults who participate in Birthright Israel trips, it is their first time visiting Jerusalem. For possibly all of their life, Jerusalem was a dream, a place they heard about in school or the synagogue. That is until the generosity of Birthright Israel Foundation's nearly 40,000 annual donors make the dream of visiting Jerusalem a reality. To… Read More
Leadership & Supporters
Donald M. Ephraim on Why Birthright Israel Should Be On Everyone’s Charitable Giving List
Birthright Israel Foundation is proud to count Donald M. Ephraim among its most generous donors in Palm Beach. His name for many in Palm Beach and the Chicago area will be familiar - Donald has been and is a very generous, active leader in both Jewish communities. For decades he has philanthropically supported numerous Jewish and secular causes, from the… Read More
Spring has sprung. Passover is here and you’re already thirsting for the four promises of redemption. Although it’s tempting to think about reclining, everything will fall flatter than the bread of affliction without a little Passover planning. On Passover, we like to mingle the holiday’s greatest hits with a few contemporary recipes. Bubbe’s Matzah Ball Soup is a keeper, of… Read More
Israel is a young country with a flourishing modern culture. You probably already knew that, but it comes as a surprise to some Birthright Israel participants. Many of these Jewish young adults, aged 18-32, don’t give much thought to life in Israel or Jewish living. After the educational and experiential Birthright Israel journey, they enthusiastically embrace their Jewish roots. “Unless… Read More
For nearly all 20-plus years of Birthright Israel, Palm Beach area philanthropists and alumni have played a significant role in the organization. Nestled in Florida's Gold Coast, Palm Beach is home to one of America's largest Jewish communities making it an ideal place for nonprofits, such as Birthright Israel to thrive. Since the program's founding, over 4,000 young Jews from our Palm… Read More
I am Michael Messinger and I am proud to serve as Chair of the Los Angeles Leadership Council for Birthright Israel Foundation. This past year, 2020, began my first full year in this role and I’m humbled by the dedication of the Greater Los Angeles community to partner with me and all our council members, to generously support Birthright Israel… Read More
When my husband Ed became involved in Birthright Israel Foundation, I was less of a participant and more of a spectator. It wasn’t until several visits to Israel culminating in their 18th Anniversary Mission which took place in 2018, that I “felt it.” It was on that mission; I understood the passion that evolves from Birthright Israel Foundation. I have… Read More
My name is Matthew Labkovski, and I currently live in Boca Raton, Florida. I'm a 2019 alumnus of Birthright Israel, currently in a Post-Bacc program, preparing to go to med school (Jewish doctor, am I right?) and working at overnight camps during the summer. I love anything to do with kids (I want to be a pediatrician), sports and exercise,… Read More
