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Birthright Israel Foundation Blog

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Leadership & Supporters

August 6, 2025

Elias Saratovsky on How Birthright Israel is Transforming Jewish Life (Podcast)

by Birthright Israel Foundation

Birthright Israel Foundation President & CEO Elias Saratovsky joined Jewish Funders Network’s What Gives? podcast for an inspiring conversation about Birthright Israel’s enduring impact and where we go from here. From his own transformative Birthright Israel trip in 1999 to leading the organization today, Elias shares how immersive Israel experiences continue to shape Jewish identity, pride, leadership, and connection. “The...

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Events Leadership & Supporters

July 29, 2025

Hamptons Community Gathers to Support Birthright Israel

by Birthright Israel Foundation

On Friday, July 25, we gathered at the Hamptons home of Lisa Kadin and William Spiegel to celebrate 25 years of Birthright Israel. William opened the evening with a moving story about his son Ryan’s Birthright Israel Excel experience. He announced that he and Lisa are increasing their gift this year to help more young Jews build strong connections to...

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Lori Komisar FEATURED v2
Leadership & Supporters

July 14, 2025

“If we’re not living for our children, who are we living for?”: A Birthright Israel Legacy Gift Story

by Birthright Israel Foundation

Lori Komisar has long been a force in Jewish philanthropy. As Vice Chair of Birthright Israel Foundation, she brings both strategic leadership and a fierce commitment to ensuring every Jewish young adult has the opportunity to visit Israel. But her dedication goes far beyond boardroom decisions — it’s deeply personal, and now, everlasting. Lori and her life partner, Morrie Silverman,...

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Ben Futoriansky FEATURED (1)
Alums Leadership & Supporters

July 8, 2025

Birthright Israel Sparked My Path to Jewish Leadership

by Ben Futoriansky , 2014 Birthright Israel Alumnus and Excel Fellow

I live in Manhattan, where I’m part of the leadership team at a software infrastructure and technology company. My family is originally from Kyiv, Ukraine. They fled after Chernobyl, first to Israel, and then finally to Toronto, Canada, where I was born and raised. I’ve walked a path that’s taken me deeper and deeper into Jewish life, something that truly...

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BIRTHRIGHT FOUNDATION
Events Leadership & Supporters

May 29, 2025

Powerful Reflections from Birthright Israel Foundation’s Guardians Society Mission

by Birthright Israel Foundation

Last week, Birthright Israel Foundation’s Guardians Society returned from an unforgettable mission to Israel. In just a few days, they experienced the solidarity, resilience, and hope that define this moment in Jewish life — and saw firsthand the power of Birthright Israel in action. The mission began in the Golan Heights, with a helicopter tour and meetings with IDF officers...

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NYC Birthright Israel Alumni Gather to Celebrate, Reflect & Give Back
Alums Events Leadership & Supporters

May 17, 2025

NYC Birthright Israel Alumni Gather to Celebrate, Reflect & Give Back

by Birthright Israel Foundation

On May 14, Birthright Israel alumni, supporters, and friends gathered at The Ivory Peacock to celebrate the program’s 25th anniversary and launch a new era of alumni leadership. From cocktails and conversations to inspiring remarks and a stirring alumni spotlight, the evening was a testament to what’s possible when young Jews step up to lead—and give back. Together, we raised...

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Events Leadership & Supporters

May 14, 2025

New Jersey Community Sends 142 Participants on Birthright Israel

by Birthright Israel Foundation

On May 7, the New Jersey Jewish community gathered at the Orange Lawn Tennis Club for an evening in support of Birthright Israel Foundation. Together, attendees raised enough to send 142 Jewish young adults to Israel — thanks in part to a generous anonymous matching gift. At an intimate VIP reception prior to the event, Dr. Zohar Raviv, International VP...

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Events Leadership & Supporters

May 12, 2025

Detroit Hosts Powerful Evening in Support of Birthright Israel Foundation 

by Birthright Israel Foundation

On April 23, 2025, Michigan’s Jewish community gathered for a meaningful evening in support of Birthright Israel Foundation. Hosted by Cathy and Charlie Schwartz together with Allie and Andrew Sherman, the event marked the 25th anniversary of Birthright Israel and celebrated its enduring impact on Jewish identity and community resilience. Charlie Schwartz opened the program with a moment of silence...

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Birthright Foundation Photos
Events Leadership & Supporters

April 3, 2025

Charles Bronfman Hosts Birthright Israel Celebration in Palm Beach

by Birthright Israel Foundation

On March 27, supporters of Birthright Israel gathered for a powerful evening at the Palm Beach home of Co-Founder Charles Bronfman and his wife Rita, celebrating 25 years of one of the most transformative Jewish initiatives in modern history. Ronnie Pertnoy, Chair of Birthright Israel for Palm Beach, spoke about the program’s global reach — more than 900,000 Jewish young...

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Birthright Israel Changed My Life – And Transformed My Generation
Leadership & Supporters

March 25, 2025

Birthright Israel Changed My Life – And Transformed My Generation

by Elias Saratovsky , President and CEO of Birthright Israel Foundation

This op-ed by Elias Saratovsky, Birthright Israel Foundation’s President and CEO, was published in eJewishPhilanthropy on March 11, 2025. I am honored to hear the same five words all the time: “Birthright Israel changed my life.” I can relate. I grew up in a home with no Shabbat candles and no Passover Seder. As a teenager, I felt disconnected from...

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