Birthright Israel Foundation Blog

Sarah Ackerman is the granddaughter of a Holocaust survivor and a proud Jewish American. She grew up in Palm Beach Gardens, FL, and currently resides in Orlando, where she is attending the University of Central Florida. Sara is studying clinical psychology with the hopes of graduating in spring 2023, where she will then get a master’s in clinical mental health… Read More 

On Tuesday, October 25, 2022, Birthright Israel Foundation supporter Viki Freeman hosted over 70 of the organization's most committed philanthropists from Atlanta. The event was exclusively for those donors giving $10,000 or more to Birthright Israel Foundation. Local Atlanta alumni also joined the donors to meet and thank those who made their experiences a reality. MAKE A GIFT NOW Atlanta musician and alum… Read More 

I didn’t want to go on Birthright Israel. It seems crazy to say now, but it’s absolutely true. An all-expenses paid trip to Israel was of little interest to me in my early twenties when I was just kicking off my journalism career. I was busy with so many things — road trips with friends, concerts, keeping up with my… Read More 

On Sunday, October 23, 2022, more than 60 guests attended a gathering generously hosted by Iris and Mikey Dardashti in their Beverly Hills home for an inspiring program to benefit and celebrate Birthright Israel Foundation. Mikey Dardashti spoke about how he and Iris deeply care about their community, Israel, and the Jewish people. He stressed how important it is to… Read More 

On Thursday, October 20, 2022, alumni and friends of Birthright Israel Foundation gathered at the home of Los Angeles Leadership Cabinet Members Lauren and Josh Diamond. The event, co-chaired by Hannah and Avery Rosin, highlighted the global and local impact of Birthright Israel Foundation over the past 22 years. MAKE A GIFT NOW Alumna Lauren Diamond shared reflections about her experience on the… Read More 

I can’t imagine what I’m about to tell you is markedly different from what thousands have said before me, but it’s worth repeating: Birthright Israel undoubtedly changed the trajectory of my life. I have been saying this to anyone who will listen since the day I came back: Birthright Israel is the single most important organization to build Jewish identity… Read More 

If there is one dessert you must add to your fall favorites, it has to be an apple crumble. It's a classic recipe that's the perfect dish for any family gathering. Whether you serve it at your Thanksgiving dinner or as a scrumptious Shabbat dessert, this apple crumble will sweeten anyone's evening. Plus, we've added a little Israeli flare to… Read More 

Justin Maybury is a recent Birthright Israel alum born and raised in Bermuda. He is 33 years old and is pretty sure he is the only Hungarian/Bermudian Jewish male in the whole world. He still resides in Bermuda and is a Corporate Assistant Manager at a Corporate Service Provider on the island. He loves sports, especially football (soccer), traveling, and… Read More 

It’s been almost two months since I got back from Israel after going on a Birthright Israel trip. This was my second trip to Israel. My first trip was more than twenty years ago over Pesach for my brother’s Bar Mitzvah when I was in third grade. This trip to Israel was different. You see, on the first trip, I… Read More 

Gabriela Cohen is a Birthright Israel and Onward Israel alum born and raised in Brooklyn, NY. Throughout her childhood, she spent a lot of time in Israel but felt Birthright Israel gave her a deeper connection to the country. After her Birthright Israel trip, Gabriela participated in Onward Israel. Upon returning from her internship, Gabriela finished her Sustainability Science and… Read More 

On Sunday, September 18, 2022, supporters of Birthright Israel Foundation gathered at Belmont Country Club in Boston, MA, to celebrate the program's educational impact. Sara and Leonard Aronson graciously hosted the evening. Guests had the pleasure of hearing from alumna Lauren Gruber who shared how her trip gave her the confidence to stand up against antisemitism on her college campus.… Read More