Lindsay & Alex Shapses Inspire Fellow Alums to Pay It Forward

Lindsay and Alex Shapses’ Birthright Israel trips had an everlasting impact on each of them. In recent years, especially as the demand for the classic 10-day trip is at an all-time high, Alex and Lindsay have made Birthright Israel Foundation a priority. Alex Shapses is an active member of the Long Island Leadership Cabinet, where he works with fellow lay leaders to grow support for Birthright Israel’s program.

For Alex, Birthright Israel was his first visit to Israel, and to this day, he feels it is one of the most unique experiences someone can have in their lifetime. Lindsay, who is the granddaughter of Holocaust survivors, shared that Israel was a significant priority to her family, and it played a pivotal role in her wanting to go on the trip. When we asked Alex what his most significant takeaway was from the experience, he shared that the trip rekindled the idea that he can be passionate about being Jewish in his own unique way. Lindsay shares this feeling with her husband and said that the sentiment she got was that you should love Israel and be proud of being a Jew.

More recently, the Shapses hosted an event at their Long Island home with a keynote address from alum and social media influencer Lizzy Savetsky. Nearly 50 guests joined the Shapses, along with lay leaders Amy and Scott Jaffee, Susan and Jon Held, and Sabrina and Jahn Levin. Alex opened the evening with beautiful remarks about his experience and what it means to be a donor and make a difference in the lives of young Jewish adults through Birthright Israel. Lizzy then spoke about how Birthright Israel changed the trajectory of her life and led her to where she is today. Jon Held addressed the guests sharing his motivation for supporting the program and explaining why he helped create the Long Island Leadership Cabinet in response to his daughter not being able to get on a trip many years ago.

Birthright Israel Foundation thanks Lindsay and Alex Shapses for their generosity and for being role models for fellow alums to pay the experience forward.

Photos from the Shapses’ Long Island Event