Birthright Israel Foundation Blog

Activist and mother Michelle Ahdoot is an alumna of one of Birthright Israel’s very first pilot trips in the mid 1990s, when founders and philanthropists Charles Bronfman and Michael Steinhardt first conceived of the program. Fast-forward a few decades, and it’s “full circle,” said Ahdoot, now Director of Programming and Strategy at End Jew Hatred, a grassroots Jewish civil rights… Read More 

Birthright Israel Foundation plays a crucial role in providing life-changing experiences for young Jewish adults around the world. Our dedication to fostering connections to Jewish heritage and the land of Israel has impacted countless lives. But how much do you really know about our work and the programs we support? This quiz will test your knowledge on Birthright Israel Foundation's… Read More 

Birthright Israel Foundation's June 2024 Donor Mission to Israel was an unforgettable experience. The mission highlighted the impact of Birthright Israel’s programs and how the educational components of the trip have shifted since October 7th. Mission attendees interacted with hundreds of Birthright Israel participants from the 10-day trip, Onward, the Volunteer program, and Excel. They shared dismal stories about the… Read More 

Earlier this week, Shirin Yadegar, the founder of LA Mom Magazine and a Birthright Israel parent, hosted an insightful Instagram Live with Elias Saratovsky, President and CEO of Birthright Israel Foundation. Their conversation delved into the critical significance of immersive Israel experiences for today's young Jewish adults. Against the backdrop of rising challenges such as antisemitism and anti-Israel sentiment on… Read More 

After 20 years of activism across the country, anti-Israel groups appear to be one step closer to achieving their stated goal of forcing universities to boycott, divest and sanction (BDS) Israel. All across the country, schools are capitulating to the demands of protesters waving flags of Hamas and Hezbollah. The protests have been led by students and professional activists in… Read More 

The energy at our annual Long Island event last week was electric! It was a night filled with inspiration as we celebrated the evening's honoree, Phil Barnett, and the importance of passing on the torch of Jewish resilience. A Night of Reflection and Celebration We were reminded of the power of Birthright Israel to ignite passion and dedication in young Jewish adults.… Read More 

Since our program’s inception, the Cohen Center for Modern Jewish Studies at Brandeis University has rigorously evaluated Birthright Israel’s impact on participants once they return home. New research from the Summer 2023 cohort underscores the transformative impact of Birthright Israel on our participants, particularly after October 7th. Compared to Birthright Israel applicants who did not participate on a trip last… Read More 

Antisemitism on college campuses has seen a sharp rise since 10/7, fueled by events like the encampment at Columbia University that spread across the US. Jewish students are witnessing administrations and peers tolerating, and endorsing, antisemitic rhetoric and support for Hamas terrorists. However, this has ignited a spirit of resilience. Birthright Israel alums, representing the program's diverse offerings — the… Read More 

Six months ago, our world was forever changed.  We woke up on October 7 to the news that 1,200 innocent Israelis were murdered and 234 were kidnapped by Hamas.  Homes and families were destroyed as our homeland was under attack. Quickly, we understood the substantial impact these horrific attacks would have on Israeli society, its economy, and Jews around the world.… Read More 

Roberta and Stanley Bogen generously opened their doors for Birthright Israel Foundation's annual Palm Beach event. Guests were treated to inspiring remarks by Roberta Bogen, Birthright Israel co-founder Charles Bronfman, and alumni, highlighting the program's profound impact. From Waitlist to Deep Friendship Chloe Bogen, a University of Texas at Austin graduate, captivated the audience with her story. Initially waitlisted for… Read More 

New Los Angeles Cabinet members Melissa and Roee Wiczyk generously welcomed more than 50 friends of Birthright Israel Foundation to their home on Monday, February 26. Guests had the privilege to hear from host Roee Wiczyk, Los Angeles alumna Drea Rice, and Dr. Zohar Raviv, the International Vice President of Educational Strategy for Birthright Israel. Roee opened the gathering by giving… Read More