Alums Trip Highlights

For This Alumna, Everything Changed After Birthright Israel

Everything changed after Birthright Israel. Judaism was pure boredom to me up until I stepped off the plane at Ben-Gurion Airport in 2014. I grew up in Florida and went to the University of South Florida, where I joined a Jewish sorority, with only four Jewish members. Chabad would ask me to attend Shabbat, and I honestly wanted to be… Read More 
Alums Trip Highlights

A Jewish Identity Centuries in the Making

We want to take you back in time to the 15th century. Imagine a small village in Spain, with stone pathways, the smell of Pescado Frito coming from the windows on Friday afternoons and Ladino was spoken on the street corner. This was probably daily life for the Jews of Spain centuries ago, that was until they were forced to… Read More 
Alums Trip Highlights

Finding My Place and My Voice on a Birthright Israel Trip

Where I grew up in rural Oregon people denied the Holocaust. I experienced a lot of antisemitism from people who really had never met Jewish people. I don’t identify as being religious, but being Jewish is an important part of who I am. I remember that starting around when I was just about 7, other kids would tell me I… Read More 
Alums Trip Highlights

Birthright Israel, Day by Day

Nine years ago, Eren Niederhoffer of Atlanta, GA, met 15 other people who also have Autism as he boarded a 747 to Israel. He had the pleasure to highlight pivotal moments on Birthright Israel in an article in The Jewish Georgian in 2011. However, most importantly, in the years to come after his Birthright Israel trip, Eren’s experience will never… Read More 
Alums Trip Highlights

Young Leadership Spotlight: Corey Dicker

Judaism has been an important part of my life for as long as I can remember. I grew up in Englewood, New Jersey and attended a Jewish day school my entire life. The significance of Israel was something I’ve been learning about since first grade and my family and many childhood friends travelled to Israel with their families at least… Read More 
Alums Trip Highlights

Reunited After 10 Years Because of a Craving for Falafel

Walking on the streets of Tel Aviv a few months ago on my way to get the best falafel in the city at HaKosem, I noticed a familiar face. A woman was picking something up off the street. Something about her seemed so familiar. Her face took me back nearly 10 years ago to my Birthright Israel trip. Something about… Read More 
Alums Trip Highlights

Birthright Israel Gave Me the Confidence to Explore My Judaism

I was raised in a Jewish family that was more traditional in our practice of Judaism. Only when I turned 12, I felt a spark and became more interested in Jewish learning and the religious aspects I had been missing. Eager to explore Israel as I learned more about Judaism, I set out for my Birthright Israel trip right after… Read More 
Events

Event Highlights: Mezuzah Hanging and Shabbat in Palm Beach

On Thursday, December 12, 2019, over 45 prominent supporters of Birthright Israel Foundation and board members of Temple Emanuel gathered at our Palm Beach offices for a mezuzah hanging. The gathering marked a significant moment in Birthright Israel history as our 20th-anniversary approaches since the ritual of hanging the mezuzah represents our commitment to future generations and passing on the… Read More 
Alums Trip Highlights

Alumni Profile: Marissa Schwartz

In 2009, Marissa Schwartz took advantage of the gift of Birthright Israel through the Chabad of Dartmouth with close friend Jenna Pfeffer. Years later, thanks to her firsthand experience of the country and culture, she is now Director of Business Development for My Israel's Miracle, a haircare line featuring organic ingredients from Israel with a goal to share great things… Read More 
Alums Love Stories Trip Highlights

Birthright Israel Love Story: Carly and Alex Vargas

Carly Rapaport and Alex Vargas met on their Birthright Israel trip back in the summer of 2014. Although they lived under 6 miles from each other in Boston at the time, they didn’t meet until their trip when they were over 5,000 miles from home! Carly explains, “Alex had wanted to go on a Birthright Israel trip for years, but… Read More 
Alums Holidays Trip Highlights

Birthright Israel Was My First Taste Of True Community

I went on my Birthright Israel trip in 2011 at the ripe age of 19. Like many participants in this demographic, I was excited about the experience (who doesn’t love the rare gift of free travel?) and eager to explore my Jewish identity more. My Jewish upbringing wasn’t atypical for an American Jew; I went to synagogue on the high… Read More 

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