Birthright Israel Foundation Blog

You may have signed up for your Birthright Israel trip to have fun but probably quickly realized you were learning more than you'd ever thought. The goal of Birthright Israel is to help young Jews, like you, elicit an inner journey to discover what your Jewish identity and Israel means to you. We hope that when you arrive back in… Read More 

Many of the names below may surprise you, but with 800,000+ trip participants, several of them have risen to fame, and a podcast comes with fame. The Birthright Israel alumni below cover various topics from entrepreneurship to art and comedy. We also have a roundup of the best Jewish and Israel-themed podcasts on the planet if you're looking for even… Read More 

It is hard to believe that a year has passed since we lost Sheldon (z’l).  As we observe the yahrzeit (anniversary) of his death, while we are saddened by his absence, we must celebrate his life and the impact he has had on the Jewish people and the State of Israel. Nothing would make Sheldon Adelson prouder than watching the next… Read More 

While Jewish Americans and Israelis are kindred spirits, you were likely in for a culture shock the first time you visited the holy land. Americans, for instance, tend to sugarcoat things. Israelis tell it like it is. As one Birthright Israel trip provider puts it, “If you want the hard truth (or even if you don’t), Israelis are more than… Read More 

This summer, Birthright Israel is back and Israelis everywhere are saying Bruchim Habaim: "Welcome Home." As trips resume after a pause due to the pandemic, young Jews in the Diaspora are not the only ones ready for the journey — Israelis are too! They play a crucial role in the Birthright Israel experience, from El Al flight attendant Ortal, to Luba… Read More 

How do you feel about the future of the Jewish people? Worried? Hopeful? Unsure? At Birthright Israel Foundation, we feel excited. We know the future will be bright, as long as we continue to raise funds in the US so that nearly 50,000 Jewish young adults get to experience Israel and its people every year.  The life-changing, educational Birthright Israel… 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 centuries the Jewish people have been dressing up to celebrate Purim and pay tribute to the bravery of Queen Esther. The festivities of the holiday include reading of the Megillah, shaking our groggers, and eating delicious hamantaschen. Are you ready for some Purim fun? Take our quiz below to see how much you know about the Jewish holiday of… Read More 

Are you a fan of the hit reality TV show 90 Day Fiancé? Well, if you are, then you're probably familiar with the most famous Birthright Israel love story ever - Loren and Alexei Brovarnik. In 2013, when Loren (Goldstone) Brovarnik, a Birthright Israel alumna, volunteered to be a madricha (trip staff) and boarded a plane bound for Israel, she… Read More 

On December 29, 2020, the world lost a gem with the passing of Bob (Robert) Beleson. He was a beloved brother, husband, and a dear friend to so many. When Bob’s brother Rick and husband Steven were looking to honor his legacy, they wanted to ensure that whatever contribution they made would be everlasting, just like the mark Bob left… Read More 

The one thing everybody looks forward to on Purim is eating hamantaschen. This is why we're partnering with Birthright Israel alumna and chef Alexis Sicklick to bring you unique and easy hamantaschen recipes. Keep scrolling for Chef Sicklick's Blackberry Mojito and Delicata Squash hamantaschen recipes. History of Hamantaschen Hamantaschen are known for their unique triangle shape representing the 3-corners of… Read More