On May 14, Birthright Israel alumni, supporters, and friends gathered at The Ivory Peacock to celebrate the program’s 25th anniversary and launch a new era of alumni leadership. From cocktails and conversations to inspiring remarks and a stirring alumni spotlight, the evening was a testament to what’s possible when young Jews step up to lead—and give back. Together, we raised over $100,000 to support Birthright Israel’s mission and send the next generation on life-changing journeys.

Opening the evening, Alexa Schwab, a proud alum, welcomed the crowd with a reminder of how far we’ve come. “Birthright Israel isn’t just a free trip—it’s a life-changing journey. It’s identity. It’s connection. It’s pride.” She introduced the NYC 25th Anniversary Alumni Host Committee—30 strong—and called on her peers to take their place in shaping the future of our Jewish story.

Jeff Lipsitz, Chair of the NYC Cabinet, followed with an exciting announcement: every gift made that night would be matched dollar for dollar, up to $50,000. Whether $18 or $1,800, every donation would go directly toward helping send 32,000 participants to Israel this year.

Alum Oliver Gross, kicked off the centerpiece of the night, a powerful conversation between alumni advocates Adela Cojab and Zach Sage Fox. Together, they explored how their Birthright Israel experiences became the foundation for meaningful activism. Zach’s bold advocacy and Adela’s national leadership reminded us that our voices—as alumni—matter now more than ever.

As Adela put it: “With over 900,000 alumni worldwide, imagine what we could do if we all stood behind this mission.”

Closing the program, Birthright Israel Foundation’s Vice President of Donor Experience, Andria Aylyarov, reminded us that this is only the beginning: “As Birthright Israel Foundation kicks off the next 25 years, we want our alumni at the forefront of our mission.”

With energy high and stories still flowing, the night continued with informal storytelling, music, and meaningful connections.

Thank you to everyone who joined us, and to Jeff Lipsitz for doubling the impact of every gift made that evening. We hope you’ll save the date for our 25th Anniversary Gala on November 3, 2025. If you’d like to learn more about joining the NYC 25th Anniversary Host Committee, please contact Andria Aylyarov.

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