July 3, 2023
On the first day of school, nearly every year, each of my classes handed out the infamous questionnaire designed to introduce students to one another. Everybody is aware of the daunting feelings brewing inside of the person whose turn is approaching as they prepare to compile brief answers about their personal lives and interests. “Where are you from? What is...
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June 29, 2023
When people talk about their Birthright Israel success stories, you’ll usually hear about someone who had no previous connection to Israel returning with a newfound love for their homeland. My Birthright Israel experience, however, instilled in me a sense of responsibility to stand up for its existence. In 2019, I filed a lawsuit against NYU for failing to protect its...
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June 15, 2023
Katie Spector is originally from Northeast Ohio and lives in Cincinnati today. She is the Director of Engagement at the Hillel at Miami University in Ohio. She's passionate about providing Jewish students a place to find their Jewish identity and creating spaces where all Jewish students are welcome. When she isn't working, she is either crocheting, reading a book, or...
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June 14, 2023
Homeland, miracle, and start-up nation. As a kid growing up in New Jersey, these were the words used to describe Israel — by both my parents and my teachers in Hebrew School. After visiting Israel for my brother’s Bar Mitzvah, I thought I understood the importance of the Promised Land as the safest place in the world for the Jewish...
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June 12, 2023
When young Jewish adults travel to Israel through trips presented by organizations such as Taglit-Birthright Israel or Jewish National Fund-USA, they are usually looking for meaningful connections to their heritage and religion. However, some participants on these trips found something more in addition to connections to Judaism and Israel: their bashert (soul mate). There are Jewish married couples in the...
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June 9, 2023
For nearly 20 years, Birthright Israel has partnered with the Gift of Life Marrow Registry, encouraging the young Jews who participate in trips to Israel to register and potentially help those with leukemia, lymphoma and other blood-related diseases. The groups recently hit a milestone: 100,000 who have offered to serve as donors. The 100,000th is 20-year-old Mitch Linefsky of Fairlawn,...
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June 6, 2023
Birthright Israel is a gift that kindles a spark of shared cultural identity in the hearts of Jewish students, fostering a sense of community that transcends borders and lasts a lifetime. This invigorating experience empowers Jewish youth to explore the profound significance of their cultural identity and gain a newfound appreciation for their Jewish heritage. Through this journey, students can...
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June 1, 2023
Birthright Israel Foundation today named Elias Saratovsky its next president and chief executive officer. Saratovsky will assume the role on September 1 after 21 years at the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC), where he served in successive leadership roles across the organization. He will succeed Israel “Izzy” Tapoohi, who is retiring at the end of the year. Saratovsky is...
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May 31, 2023
I’d like to share with you how a Birthright Israel trip transformed my life. I grew up in Queens, raised by a single mother. We had Passover seders and lit candles on Hannukah but not much else. When I was ten years old, she told me I’d start going to Hebrew school at the local Reform synagogue. I had a...
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May 17, 2023
Scott Friedman is a Birthright Israel alum of the classic 10-day trip who is one of our most generous alum supporters. On a family trip to Israel with his wife Kara and children, Scott remembered the impact of his Birthright Israel trip and wanted to ensure young Jewish adults today receive the same experience he did. His gift to Birthright...
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