Birthright Israel Foundation Blog

The Birthright Israel love story of Melissa and Alex Block was beshert from the beginning. Their story unknowingly began when Melissa volunteered to lead an LA-based trip in 2008, and Alex's plans of going on Birthright Israel with his cousin fell through. For Melissa, she was not initially leading the trip Alex was on. At the time, only a limited… Read More 

I was incredibly fortunate to go on a Birthright Israel trip in July 2021 when Israel opened its borders during the pandemic. I was eager to have this experience and am grateful to share more about it with you. Growing up, I was raised in a home that was a mix of reform, conservative and orthodox, from my parents and… Read More 

On Tuesday, March 15, 2022, Rhonda Small hosted an uplifting luncheon to benefit Birthright Israel Foundation at The Polo Club in Boca Raton, FL. Our warmest thanks to all who could join us for this event. Guests had the pleasure of hearing remarks from Izzy Tapoohi, President & CEO of Birthright Israel Foundation , and local Birthright Israel Alumna Alana Wortsman, and Mifgash Alumnus… Read More 

The Jewish holiday of Purim is Wednesday, March 16, 2022, and we already can't stop thinking about hamantaschen. From poppyseed to chocolate to Nutella, our mouths are drooling just thinking about which ones we'll bake. If you are just as excited about hamantaschen and of course, the story of Purim, then you must take our quiz. Are you ready to… Read More 

Thanks to all who were able to join us for a spectacular evening in celebration and support of Birthright Israel Foundation for our pre-gala celebration in Palm Beach honoring Charles Bronfman. We thank Lisa and Steven Tananbaum for opening their home and hosting such a beautiful event. It was such a special evening hearing from our four alumni speakers, Guido… Read More 

While I was in high school in the summer of 2012, I took my first trip to Israel with BBYO, the Jewish youth movement I was involved in. I was thrilled to be spending three weeks on a trip to Israel, but part of me was also a little sad — I knew that by going on this trip, I… Read More 

Going on Birthright Israel in the middle of a pandemic in the winter seemed like an intimidating trip. Although my trip was canceled and rescheduled many times due to COVID, the excitement of participating never left me. Once in Israel, I knew I was in for a fantastic jam-packed 10-day adventure. I could speak to many aspects of what Birthright… Read More 

Purim 2022 begins the evening of Wednesday, March 16, and ends on the evening of Thursday, March 17. Whether you're a fan of traditional hamantaschen fillings like raspberry or poppyseed, your taste buds won't want to miss this hot fudge filling. The filling recipe is composed of heavy cream, dark chocolate, and brown sugar to make it oh so decadent.… Read More 

Warning, the below Birthright Israel love story of Amanda and Nate will bring tears of joy to your eyes and will put a massive smile on your face. They, like so many other young Jews, never imagined they'd find their soulmate on Birthright Israel. Amanda and Nathan, unknowingly at the time, signed up for a New York City community Birthright… Read More 

I grew up on the North Side of Chicago but commuted to the south side to go to Akiba Schechter Jewish Day School for preschool and elementary school. My grandma was a teacher at the preschool and had all of my cousins and me as students. At Akiba, I came to value and love my Judaism. I would eagerly await… Read More 

Growing up in a Jewish household, I always heard about the Birthright Israel trips that my friends and family members took part in. What always shocked me was realizing the immense connections people would describe after the trip. When choosing where to study abroad as a Junior in college, I decided on Tel Aviv. I wanted to feel that same… Read More