I could write novels upon novels about how beneficial Birthright Israel is and how this trip changed my life for the better. Growing up, I really didn’t know much about Judaism or my culture. I am 100% Jewish on both sides, but I was not in touch with my roots. Because I didn’t come from a huge Jewish community, once… Read More
For Ian Persits and Mackenzie Samet, Birthright Israel was much more than a free trip—it was where their love story began. Although both from New York, the two of them were brought up in very different homes. Ian was born and raised in Brooklyn in a Russian-Jewish household. His parents immigrated to the United States in 1975 to build a… Read More
As we embark on this month of Jewish holidays, starting a New Year of an ancient people, I am honored to share with you a few thoughts. Our collective Jewish narrative arguably revolves around that seminal moment at Mt. Sinai, wherein a pulse of the divine merged with the human, infusing an eternal ethical backbone to govern mankind’s life on… Read More
Dear Friends, In 2018, we have a great amount to be appreciative for. Personally, I am extremely thankful for the incredible opportunities I have had and will continue to have on behalf of Birthright Israel Foundation. Every day I have the unique privilege of interacting with some our generations’ most prominent Jewish leaders whose vision and resources are providing the… Read More
When Birthright Israel participants travel to Israel, many imagine they will spend 10 days in a desert. While they are partly right, they are astonished to discover Israel’s amazing landscape is as diverse as its people. Let's learn more about the Galilee. In Israel’s northern region, pastoral green valleys and mountains define the area of Galilee. Participants have the opportunity… Read More
You may have heard us say this before: Birthright Israel is strengthening the Jewish future. But What Does That Mean? In many ways, the Jewish future is a numbers game. The longevity of our people is tied to the number of Jews who embrace our heritage in the years to come, enabling our community to grow and thrive. For that… Read More
From an early age, I knew Israel was an important place. My mother’s parents had both survived the Holocaust. After World War II, my grandfather, a survivor of Auschwitz, volunteered in a displaced persons camp in Germany helping other Jewish refugees get to British-controlled Palestine. While my grandfather hoped to also emigrate to Eretz Yisrael, his one surviving family member… Read More
A staff member observes how Birthright's Special Needs trips...aren't especially different from any other. Ben Gurion Airport, early in the morning, a group of young Canadian or American Jews get off the air-conditioned airplane straight into the hot Mediterranean climate, tired after a long flight, on their faces a mixture of pressure and excitement is evident. They place their suitcases… Read More
At Adath Israel, a typical day doesn’t really exist, Julia Campbell said. Campbell has worked as the program and marketing coordinator at Adath Israel for just over a year. At the Merion Station synagogue, you can find the 25-year-old organizing events, meeting with staff, communicating with congregants and, right now, planning for the High Holidays, in addition to many other… Read More
From June 24–28, 2018, we hosted our 18th Anniversary Mission to Israel and were joined by over 80 supporters who got to see, feel and experience the once-in-a-lifetime educational journey of Birthright Israel. The Mission kicked off with a Havdalah ceremony on the balcony of the Hilton Hotel in Tel Aviv overlooking the Mediterranean Sea. The following days were filled… Read More
During my time at Tufts University, I spent months considering whether or not to participate in a Birthright Israel trip. In weighing my decision, I decided that if I were ever to do Birthright I wanted my trip to be through an institution I knew would respect all sides of the geopolitical issue at play. As a recent graduate, the… Read More
