Jake Cohen is a one-of-a-kind Birthright Israel alumnus and a nice Jewish boy. His recipes and words have been featured on Food 52, Huffington Post Taste, Food and Wine Magazine, and Saveur Magazine to name a few. Jake is also a NY Times best-selling author and recently published his first cookbook, Jew-Ish. Jake went on his Birthright Israel journey in… Read More
Get to my hotel. Informed my room is on the third floor. I know better than to accept a low room in Midtown Manhattan. Ask for a higher floor. Offered something on 10. “Anything higher?” I ask. The guy offers to show me a room on 22. “Great,” I say, and off we go. As we take the elevator up,… Read More
Rachel Belle is a Birthright Israel alumna, host and co-producer of the acclaimed podcast “Your Last Meal.” She’s a feature reporter on KIRO Radio in Seattle, and “Seattle Weekly” voted her the city’s best FM Radio Personality. and a feature reporter and talk show contributor. This Passover Rachel shares with us a memory from her Birthright Israel trip and her… Read More
Erica Eckman is a well-known foodie and founder of the brand Everything Erica. She and her husband went on Birthright Israel in Winter 2018-2019 and have found a new love for their Judaism ever since. We are delighted to share her Birthright Israel story and delicious Matzo Brittle recipe below! Erica’s Story I grew up in a fairly religious, conservative… Read More
1. It’s a chance to explore what Judaism means for you. I had a lack of knowledge about Judaism and felt a massive disconnect from religion. I was eager to find my Jewish identity and further explore what it means for me to be a Jew. 2. Being Jewish means something different for everyone, and that’s okay. One of the biggest takeaways… Read More
When did you go on Birthright Israel? In December 2011 and I remember we were lucky enough to celebrate the remaining nights of Hanukkah while on the trip – it was so memorable! Birthright Israel Foundation has given this gift to over 700,000 young Jewish adults from all different backgrounds and walks of life, what is your Jewish background? I… Read More
My journey to Israel started when I was only nine years old. I had just begun Hebrew school and found out what Israel was from my teacher. When I got home I asked my father if he had traveled there, he said yes and that I would “go home one day.” At the time, I didn’t understand what he meant.… Read More
I’m going to speak to you, yes you, the one who is curious how just twenty-four hours on Birthright Israel can change your life. Are you ready? Before waking up, let me paint a picture of the first few days of the trip. Forty people from different backgrounds and all over the world go from strangers to friends to family,… Read More
As told by Birthright Israel alumna and Tel Aviv local, Amy Albertson of The Asian Israeli. Israel might be the Jewish state, but in Tel Aviv brunch is like a religion. There are endless spots to try, each serving up their versions of the “Israeli breakfast” – a spread of eggs made to order, cheeses, dips, bread, and it usually… Read More
If you look at the first three-quarters of my life, you’ll probably agree that my journey to Israel is entirely unexpected. I grew up in Sacramento, California in a mixed family. One of my parents is Jewish, the other is Chinese, and they are both awesome, open, and loving. We celebrated Jewish and Christian holidays - Hanukkah and Passover, Christmas… Read More
"It’s hard to name one favorite memory from my Birthright Israel trip, however, for me it was exploring my Judaism. I had never had a Bar Mitzvah and I was able to have one on Birthright. It was a very special moment to be able to share with everyone in my group. For that I am very grateful!" – Samuel,… Read More
