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Birthright Israel Foundation Blog

"Israel stitched friendships and memories forever woven into my Jewish identity"
Alums Trip Highlights

December 22, 2023

"Israel stitched friendships and memories forever woven into my Jewish identity"

by Nicole Lucas , 2022 Birthright Israel Alum

My name is Nicole Lucas; I am a Junior at Washington University in St. Louis (originally from Chicago) studying Global Health and Biology, hoping to become a physician. I am President of WashU’s AEPhi chapter, a research intern at Barnes-Jewish Hospital, and a volunteer at senior centers running improv workshops with Alzheimer’s and dementia patients. My parents have been involved...

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Hineini: My Quest to Embody and Find Humanity in War-Torn Israel
Alums Trip Highlights

December 21, 2023

Hineini: My Quest to Embody and Find Humanity in War-Torn Israel

by Andrea Rice , Birthright Israel Onward Volunteer

On October 7th, inhumane acts were committed against Israelis who, as a Jew, I consider extensions of my own family. These atrocities took place in a land that I consider a second home, the place where my soul resides. We have all experienced loss and heartbreak in our lives but on this day, something much deeper within me was broken,...

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United Under the Israeli Sun: How Birthright Israel Became a Beacon of Solidarity in 2023
Alums Leadership & Supporters Trip Highlights

December 20, 2023

United Under the Israeli Sun: How Birthright Israel Became a Beacon of Solidarity in 2023

by Birthright Israel Foundation

In 2023, Birthright Israel witnessed an extraordinary outpouring of connection and resilience. Over 27,000 young Jewish adults embarked on transformative journeys, immersing themselves in Israel’s vibrant culture and rich history through our programs. These programs, be they the classic 10-day trip, Onward or Excel, were more than just sightseeing; they sparked personal growth and ignited a sense of belonging to...

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Video: Inside Birthright Israel Onward's Volunteer Program
Alums Trip Highlights

December 5, 2023

Video: Inside Birthright Israel Onward's Volunteer Program

by Birthright Israel Foundation

Following the horrific October 7th attack, Birthright Israel Onward invited alums of all Birthright Israel programs and any young Jewish adult aged 18-40 to apply to volunteer in Israel. This program invites Jewish young adults to participate in the shared value of Arvut Hadadit (mutual responsibility) through volunteerism. In the video below, we invite you to meet several of the...

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Show Your Jewishness
Alums

November 27, 2023

Show Your Jewishness

by Isabel Allard , Birthright Israel Alum

As I write this, I’m looking at my hand, where scattered flecks of cobalt blue trace the outline of a Magen David. While this could be an ad for waterproof blue eyeliner – the pigment clinging on for dear life four days later – I find myself now wishing to retrace the lines when I get home. After all, for...

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Who We Are and How We Keep Going
Alums

November 27, 2023

Who We Are and How We Keep Going

by Risa Polansky Shiman , Birthright Israel Alum

I’m listening to a guided meditation, back straight, eyes closed, when the deep, soothing voice in my headphones says, “if you’re feeling agitated, if you’ve got lots of thoughts and feelings today, that’s OK.” This is not a reference to the war in Israel. But of course that’s the source of my agitation, of my endless thoughts and feelings. The...

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Do Anything and Everything in Your Power to Help
Alums

November 24, 2023

Do Anything and Everything in Your Power to Help

by Julia Pratt , Birthright Israel Onward Alum

Two weeks after the October 7th terrorist attack in Israel, I took to a stage in Miami and in front of 500 people screamed into the microphone, “My name is Julia Pratt and I am proud to be Jewish.” The events of October 7th shook me to my core. It was only two weeks after the bloodiest attack on the...

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Video: How Young Jewish Adults Are Assisting Food Rescue Operations in Israel
Alums Trip Highlights

November 21, 2023

Video: How Young Jewish Adults Are Assisting Food Rescue Operations in Israel

by Birthright Israel Foundation

Birthright Israel Onward launched a volunteer program, the first of its kind, to assist Israel's food rescue operations during the Israel-Hamas war. Young Jewish adults, ages 18-40, are volunteering for two-week periods on Israeli farms and in agriculture centers. Within the first two weeks of launching the program, thousands of young Jewish adults applied. Many of the applicants are Birthright...

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Birthright Israel Taught Me About Jewish Unity and Connection
Alums Trip Highlights

November 20, 2023

Birthright Israel Taught Me About Jewish Unity and Connection

by Jared Stone , Birthright Israel Alum

Just a few months ago I was in Israel for the semester during a fraught time in Israeli history with the democratic debate and protests surrounding judicial reform. You see, participating in Birthright Israel inspired me to live and study in a Jewish environment that met how I identify with Judaism: an Israel that is bright, boisterous, and confident. Birthright...

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Alums Events Leadership & Supporters

November 16, 2023

Video: Energized Birthright Israel Alums at the March for Israel

by Birthright Israel Foundation

On Tuesday, November 14, 2023, the Jewish community in the US had a monumental display of support for Israel. The March for Israel, the nation's largest pro-Israel rally, was organized with the firm conviction to remind the world about the kidnapped hostages and to confront antisemitism head-on. An impressive crowd of nearly 300,000 individuals convened at Washington, DC's National Mall,...

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