Birthright Israel Foundation Blog

In December 1999, as the entire world was preparing for the impending doom of Y2K, I received a phone call that changed my life. A new, innovative idea had just launched with the goal of reversing the decades long trend of young Jews feeling less connected to their Jewish identity and to Israel. On the other end of the phone… Read More 

Dear Birthright Israel Foundation Donor: Growing up, I was raised as a reformed Jew. I went to Sunday school and synagogue, celebrated the different holidays, and had a Bat Mitzvah when I came of age. As a Jewish teen, I knew I wanted to participate in a Birthright Israel trip to be able to explore the environment and culture of… Read More 

I heard about Birthright Israel from my friends in the army who participated in the program. They said it was their best experience during their military service and that it changed their entire view of the Jewish Diaspora. I thought they must be exaggerating. It's only a few days, how significant can the experience be? Anyway, I decided to try… Read More 

In the interview below, Birthright Israel alum Ben Khavkin from Las Vegas, NV, shares how his trip impacted his life. The 21-year-old participated in Birthright Israel in the summer of 2023 before starting medical school. Ben is now a student of medicine at Touro University in Nevada; his passions include medicine, science, and service. Q&A with Ben Khavkin What inspired… Read More 

The creation of my Jewish identity has been a rollercoaster of negative and positive experiences. I grew up at a reform temple in Indianapolis and always enjoyed dinner with my parents on Friday or Saturday nights. It wasn't a traditional Shabbat dinner, but it was a family dinner that reinforced the importance of togetherness, which is a critical component of… Read More 

On Tuesday, August 22, 2023, Indianapolis supporters joined us for an evening to celebrate and support Birthright Israel Foundation. The evening was hosted by donors Diane & John Abrams, Laura & Matt Burton, Iliana & Irwin Levin, and Autumn Welz-Cook & Bob Schuckit. Midwest Ambassador Council member and host Irwin Levin opened the program by sharing how the trip has… Read More 

It was March 2020. I had just gotten back from staffing my first Birthright Israel trip. I sat in the four walls of my room following posts on Secret Tel Aviv about the pandemic, wondering if I would ever go back. I had so much love for Israel, and nowhere to go with it. But, what were the odds that… Read More 

Located along the Sea of Galilee, the city of Tiberias stands as a living testament to the rich tapestry of Jewish history in Israel. Tiberias' history dates back over two thousand years. It first emerged as a significant city center during the Roman era, with its therapeutic hot springs and breathtaking views. Its importance to Jewish history lies not just… Read More 

Birthright Israel is more than just a trip; it is a life-changing experience that has the power to connect young Jewish adults to their heritage, community, and identity in ways that few programs can match. As a participant of Birthright Israel, Birthright Israel Onward, and Birthright Excel, I can attest to the transformative nature of each of these programs. A… Read More 

Dear Birthright Israel Foundation Donor: It all started when I hopped onto Birthright Israel's site, and it felt like trying to get Taylor Swift tickets. I needed to book this once-in-a-lifetime trip (I'll explain why soon.) Thank God, I secured my spot, and my journey back to Israel began. First off, I want to say thank you. Your contributions have… Read More 

The city of Tzfat (also spelled Safed or Zefat) is located high in the mountains of northern Israel, overlooking the Sea of Galilee. Tzfat holds a unique and significant place in the tapestry of Israel's heritage. The city has a vibrant Jewish history, mystical traditions, and breathtaking landscapes. Tzfat's history dates back thousands of years. In biblical times, it was… Read More