Birthright Israel Foundation Blog

Hailey Desser is a 2015 Birthright Israel alumna originally from Baltimore, MD who now resides in Boca Raton, FL. She's a full-time real estate agent who is passionate about pickleball, real estate, and fitness. Upon moving to Boca Raton, Hailey founded a Jewish Social Networking group on Facebook to help connect Jews of all ages to each other. In our… Read More 

For me to share more about my Birthright Israel experience, I need to start with one of my favorite stories. Here we go:  Once upon a time, there was a man who was walking along the beach early one morning after a big storm and found the shore covered with starfish as far as the eye could see.   Off in the distance, the… Read More 

Israel has always been a bit of a mystery to me, and I know I am not alone in that. Israel is often misunderstood, even controversial. I’ve long wanted to answer the questions and share what I know, but first, I needed to learn, experience, and understand the answers myself.   I grew up in a home where we celebrated… Read More 

#GivingTuesday is a global day of giving that helps people and organizations transform their communities and worlds. That is why I'm partnering with Birthright Israel Foundation to help transform our Jewish world and the future of our people this Giving Tuesday. As many of you know, eight years ago, when I volunteered to lead a Birthright Israel trip, I met… Read More 

It is the time to give thanks and Birthright Israel Foundation is excited to give a huge Toda Rabah (thank you) to our donors. Thank you for your unwavering support of our mission and your investment in our future. We are proud to say our family of donors is 40,000 people strong and growing. Your generosity is what ensures young… Read More 

On Thursday, November 11, 2021,  Birthright Israel Foundation hosted a spectacular event, chaired by Alyce & Philip de Toledo, Dorit & Shawn Evenhaim, and Lexie & Michael Messinger, to benefit our mission in Los Angeles. We were honored to have as our keynote speaker, Ambassador of Israel to the United States and the United Nations, Ambassador Gilad Erdan on his first visit to Los Angeles. Ambassador Erdan is a huge proponent of Birthright Israel and shared that the program "does not… Read More 

In summer 2021, I went on Birthright Israel, an opportunity I am forever thankful for. For a little background on myself: I grew up in Greenwich, CT – a very un-Jewish town with a Jewish mother and a Catholic father, and while we were lucky to be members of an amazing synagogue, I always craved a larger Jewish community. This… Read More 

On Wednesday, November 3, 2021, nearly 100 Miami donors joined Sharon and Howard Socol, Miami Leadership Council Co-Chairs, for a virtual event about the importance of Birthright Israel. The event was an evening of insight with Dr. Zohar Raviv to benefit Birthright Israel Foundation's mission. Dr. Raviv, International VP of Educational Strategy at Birthright Israel, in conversation with Howard Socol,… Read More 

Curious what a diamant cookie is? Well, diamant is French for diamond and a diamant cookie is usually referred to as a French butter cookie. The cookies are coated in coarse sugar which makes them look as if they've been coated in diamonds. Sounds delicious, right? Well, Birthright Israel Foundation is excited to partner with pastry chef and alumna Abby… Read More 

On Tuesday, October 26, 2021, Birthright Israel Foundation hosted an evening of inspiration featuring alumna Erin Schrode and world-renowned Israeli classical violinist Sergiu Schwartz. Ron Eichel, local philanthropist and member of our Atlanta Leadership Cabinet, generously hosted the event. Nearly 80 Birthright Israel Foundation supporters heard Sergiu perform and Erin speak about her life-changing journey with Birthright Israel. MAKE A GIFT NOW Our warmest thanks… Read More 

Allow us to introduce you to Abigail Dahan, award-winning pastry chef, Birthright Israel alumna, and “Chopped Sweets” champion. Abigail or as you may know her on Instagram as "Abby," participated in Birthright Israel in 2013. In the short video below Abby shares why she wanted to go on Birthright Israel and how the trip was in fact more than just… Read More