Birthright Israel Foundation Blog

Birthright Israel Foundation's June 2024 Donor Mission to Israel was an unforgettable experience. The mission highlighted the impact of Birthright Israel’s programs and how the educational components of the trip have shifted since October 7th. Mission attendees interacted with hundreds of Birthright Israel participants from the 10-day trip, Onward, the Volunteer program, and Excel. They shared dismal stories about the… Read More 

Did you know that 13,500 Jewish young adults will take part in Birthright Israel programs this summer? More over, our participants have volunteered 222,032 hours to date. Following a turbulent year on their college campuses, during which they faced unprecedented hatred for being Jewish, Birthright Israel provides today's Jewish young adults with a safe haven for dialogue, support, and the… Read More 

Earlier this week, Shirin Yadegar, the founder of LA Mom Magazine and a Birthright Israel parent, hosted an insightful Instagram Live with Elias Saratovsky, President and CEO of Birthright Israel Foundation. Their conversation delved into the critical significance of immersive Israel experiences for today's young Jewish adults. Against the backdrop of rising challenges such as antisemitism and anti-Israel sentiment on… Read More 

After 20 years of activism across the country, anti-Israel groups appear to be one step closer to achieving their stated goal of forcing universities to boycott, divest and sanction (BDS) Israel. All across the country, schools are capitulating to the demands of protesters waving flags of Hamas and Hezbollah. The protests have been led by students and professional activists in… Read More 

Birthright Israel's summer season is officially underway, which means thousands of young Jewish adults are ready to volunteer, bear witness, and connect to their Judaism and ancestral homeland like never before. Thanks to your generosity, 13,500 Jewish young adults will participate in our program offerings (classic 10-day trip, Onward and Excel). As many of our participants prepare to leave their… Read More 

The energy at our annual Long Island event last week was electric! It was a night filled with inspiration as we celebrated the evening's honoree, Phil Barnett, and the importance of passing on the torch of Jewish resilience. A Night of Reflection and Celebration We were reminded of the power of Birthright Israel to ignite passion and dedication in young Jewish adults.… Read More 

Since our program’s inception, the Cohen Center for Modern Jewish Studies at Brandeis University has rigorously evaluated Birthright Israel’s impact on participants once they return home. New research from the Summer 2023 cohort underscores the transformative impact of Birthright Israel on our participants, particularly after October 7th. Compared to Birthright Israel applicants who did not participate on a trip last… Read More 

Antisemitism on college campuses has seen a sharp rise since 10/7, fueled by events like the encampment at Columbia University that spread across the US. Jewish students are witnessing administrations and peers tolerating, and endorsing, antisemitic rhetoric and support for Hamas terrorists. However, this has ignited a spirit of resilience. Birthright Israel alums, representing the program's diverse offerings — the… Read More 

Passover this year begins at sundown on Monday, April 22, and Birthright Israel has everything you need to make it a delicious and meaningful celebration. Whether you're a seasoned seder host or just starting your Passover traditions, this blog is your one-stop shop for resources. Recipes for a Delicious Passover Looking for new recipes to tantalize your taste buds? Look no further!… Read More 

Passover is a time for celebrating freedom and sharing traditions with loved ones. A central part of the Seder meal is the symbolic charoset, a dish representing the mortar used by the Israelites during their enslavement in Egypt. While Ashkenazi charoset often features apples, nuts, and wine, Mizrahi traditions offer a vibrant twist. This recipe for Mizrahi charoset incorporates the… Read More 

Six months ago, our world was forever changed.  We woke up on October 7 to the news that 1,200 innocent Israelis were murdered and 234 were kidnapped by Hamas.  Homes and families were destroyed as our homeland was under attack. Quickly, we understood the substantial impact these horrific attacks would have on Israeli society, its economy, and Jews around the world.… Read More