Birthright Israel Foundation Blog

For me to share more about my Birthright Israel experience, I need to start with one of my favorite stories. Here we go:  Once upon a time, there was a man who was walking along the beach early one morning after a big storm and found the shore covered with starfish as far as the eye could see.   Off in the distance, the… Read More 

Israel has always been a bit of a mystery to me, and I know I am not alone in that. Israel is often misunderstood, even controversial. I’ve long wanted to answer the questions and share what I know, but first, I needed to learn, experience, and understand the answers myself.   I grew up in a home where we celebrated… Read More 

#GivingTuesday is a global day of giving that helps people and organizations transform their communities and worlds. That is why I'm partnering with Birthright Israel Foundation to help transform our Jewish world and the future of our people this Giving Tuesday. As many of you know, eight years ago, when I volunteered to lead a Birthright Israel trip, I met… Read More 

In summer 2021, I went on Birthright Israel, an opportunity I am forever thankful for. For a little background on myself: I grew up in Greenwich, CT – a very un-Jewish town with a Jewish mother and a Catholic father, and while we were lucky to be members of an amazing synagogue, I always craved a larger Jewish community. This… Read More 

On Tuesday, October 26, 2021, Birthright Israel Foundation hosted an evening of inspiration featuring alumna Erin Schrode and world-renowned Israeli classical violinist Sergiu Schwartz. Ron Eichel, local philanthropist and member of our Atlanta Leadership Cabinet, generously hosted the event. Nearly 80 Birthright Israel Foundation supporters heard Sergiu perform and Erin speak about her life-changing journey with Birthright Israel. MAKE A GIFT NOW Our warmest thanks… Read More 

Allow us to introduce you to Abigail Dahan, award-winning pastry chef, Birthright Israel alumna, and “Chopped Sweets” champion. Abigail or as you may know her on Instagram as "Abby," participated in Birthright Israel in 2013. In the short video below Abby shares why she wanted to go on Birthright Israel and how the trip was in fact more than just… Read More 

Picture this: a small, enthusiastic group of seven-year-olds. Each child has a large poster with a collage of a different Israeli city. Then, they take off flying around the room on their way to Israel. This was Hebrew School for me; I was incredibly lucky to grow up in a very active Jewish community with a plethora of Israeli Hebrew… Read More 

On Thursday, October 14, 2021, Birthright Israel Foundation hosted our annual Long Island event featuring Dr. Zohar Raviv, Birthright Israel's International VP of Educational Strategy and alumna and influencer Elizabeth Savetsky. Elizabeth inspired the group of philanthropists by sharing how Birthright Israel changed the trajectory of her life and led her to meet her husband, Dr. Ira Savetsky. MAKE A GIFT NOW Barry Swidler was also… Read More 

In summer 2021, I had the privilege to attend a Birthright Israel trip thanks to the generosity of Birthright Israel Foundation’s donors. However, before I can tell you all about how important this trip was and how it affected me, I should tell you about who I am, and what led me to participate in this adventure. I grew up… Read More 

As someone who was fortunate to visit Israel frequently as a young Jewish adult, what was it like to witness your peers experience Israel for the first time while on Birthright Israel? Elizabeth Sutton: "My entire life I was immersed in a religious, Zionistic community. As such, I never realized how fortunate I was to have spent each summer growing… Read More 

My name is Ido Hayut and I'm 22 and grew up in Atlanta, GA. I have an 18-year-old brother in the IDF and a 12-year-old sister who just had her Bat Mitzvah in Herzliya, Israel. Our parents are Israeli and both spoke Hebrew at home to us. I was lucky to travel to Israel almost every summer to visit our… Read More