Birthright Israel Foundation Appoints Michael Rashes Chair of the Board of Directors

Birthright Israel Foundation is pleased to announce a transition in board leadership and the appointment of its new Executive Committee, effective January 1, 2026. After four years as Board Chair, Philip de Toledo has concluded his term, with Michael Rashes assuming the role of Chair of the Board of Directors.

During his tenure, de Toledo helped guide the Foundation through an extraordinary period marked by the COVID-19 pandemic, the resumption and expansion of Birthright Israel trips, and the challenges facing the Jewish community following October 7. Under his leadership, the Foundation strengthened its philanthropic base, expanded national donor engagement, and achieved historic growth in fundraising, reinforcing Birthright Israel’s role as a cornerstone of Jewish identity, pride, and connection.

“Being Chair of Birthright Israel Foundation has been such a meaningful and rewarding experience,” said de Toledo. “It is always so impactful to see the magic of Birthright Israel in action. Everywhere I go, someone tells me how Birthright Israel changed someone’s life, their child, a friend, someone they know. That is very gratifying to hear. Birthright Israel will continue to change the Jewish world. Today and years from now, we will continue to have a stronger, more resilient Jewish community – people who are proud of who they are and prepared to stand up for it.”

de Toledo joined the Foundation’s Board of Directors in January 2020, later serving as chair of the Finance Committee before assuming the role of Board Chair. He will remain an active member of the Board and continue his philanthropic leadership on behalf of the organization.

Rashes brings to the chairmanship a deep personal connection to Israel and a longstanding commitment to ensuring that every Jewish young adult has access to educational Israel experiences. He steps into the role at a pivotal moment as the Foundation advances its Generations Campaign to bring 200,000 new participants to Israel between 2025-2029, an ambitious goal that will require raising $650 million in funds and $250 million in legacy commitments.

“The need for positive and meaningful immersive Israel engagement and encouraging an unbreakable sense of community between diaspora Jews and Israelis has never been more essential,” said Rashes. “Birthright Israel is a gift to the Jewish people from the Jewish people, and I hope to inspire others to stand up and make their own commitments, ensuring that every young Jew has access to this life-changing experience.”

Alongside the Board Chair appointment, Birthright Israel Foundation announced new members of its Executive Committee: Linda Solomon, Vice Chair; Barry Swidler, Treasurer; Mindy Schneider, Executive Committee Member; and Russ Robinson, Executive Committee Member.

“Phil de Toledo has been an extraordinary partner and leader, helping guide Birthright Israel Foundation through a critical period with wisdom, integrity, and deep commitment to our mission. His stewardship strengthened this organization and our ability to meet this moment for the Jewish people,” said Elias Saratovsky, President and CEO of Birthright Israel Foundation. “As Mike Rashes steps into the role of Chair, we are fortunate to have a leader with bold vision and a profound sense of responsibility for the future. With Linda Solomon, Barry Swidler, Mindy Schneider, and Russ Robinson on our Executive Committee, we have an outstanding leadership team that will carry Birthright Israel Foundation forward into its next chapter as one of the most powerful investments we can make in Jewish continuity.”

“Birthright Israel has become a global movement for Jewish pride. Our success depends on leaders who understand the weight of that responsibility,” said <strong>Birthright Israel co-founder Charles Bronfman</strong>. “Phil de Toledo brought care, judgment, and steadiness to our organization, and I am grateful for how he protected and strengthened what we built. As Mike Rashes becomes Chair, I see a leader who believes deeply in young people and Jewish continuity. That gives me great confidence in what comes next.”

“Phil de Toledo brought to his role as Chair a deep understanding of institutional leadership, philanthropy, and the responsibility of strengthening Jewish life. During his tenure, Birthright Israel Foundation achieved unprecedented results – enabling Taglit-Birthright Israel to impact the lives of tens of thousands of young Jews who came to Israel. For this, we owe Phil a deep debt of gratitude and appreciation,” said Gidi Mark, International CEO of Taglit Birthright Israel. “As Mike Rashes steps into the chairmanship, we look forward to working with a leader who brings strategic insight, experience, and a clear sense of purpose. I am confident that together we will continue to expand Taglit-Birthright Israel’s impact and strengthen its role as a cornerstone of Jewish continuity.”

Michael Rashes, Chair

Michael Rashes has served on the Board of Directors of Birthright Israel Foundation since 2020. He is Chair of the Investment Committee and a member of the Executive Committee, Finance Committee, Gift Acceptance Committee, Legacy Giving Committee, and Gala Advisory Group. Michael and his wife, Dena, are the proud parents of four children, including one who is a Birthright Israel alum.

Michael is Partner Emeritus at Bracebridge Capital, an absolute return fixed income hedge fund. He recently retired after nearly three decades of managing the firm’s sovereign rate and emerging markets credit investments, as well as supervising the development and implementation of its proprietary asset pricing and risk management models.

Michael also serves in a variety of advisory and leadership roles. He is a member of the Advisory Board of the Stanford Institute for Economic Policy Research, a co-founder and board member of the Stanford Jewish Alumni Network, and a member of the Stanford Parent and Family Advisory Board. In addition, he serves on the Board of Directors of Lives In The Balance.

Linda Solomon, Vice Chair

Linda Solomon joined the Birthright Israel Foundation Board of Directors in 2024. She serves as a member of the Gala Advisory group and the NYC cabinet. In addition to her work with Birthright Israel, Linda is the International Board Secretary of Israel Tennis and Education Centers (ITEC), where she has been on the executive board since 2017. She is also in her fourth year of serving as the Co-Chair of the King David Society for the UJA-Federation of New York. Linda has also served as Secretary for the Tree of Life’s Executive Board; Board Member of the Tree of Life’s Interim Governance Committee; Campaign Co-Chair for The Tree of Life’s Remember, Rebuild, Renew campaign. Linda graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Physical Therapy from the University of Pittsburgh.

Linda and her husband Jeff were both born and raised in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They reside in Larchmont, New York and have three grown children, one of whom is a Birthright Israel alum.

“Since October 7th, my husband and I have become more deliberate in our philanthropic giving in both time and money. Supporting Israel, fighting antisemitism, and ensuring Jewish continuity for generations to come are our three areas of focus,” Solomon said. “Birthright Israel has a proven success in providing an experience where participants return more committed, knowledgeable and engaged with Israel and their Jewish heritage. I am excited to be a part of the Birthright Israel leadership team and I look forward to encouraging others to learn about how an investment in Birthright Israel is an investment in our Jewish future.”

Barry Swidler, Treasurer

Barry Swidler has served on the Board of Directors of Birthright Israel Foundation since 2019. He serves on the Finance Committee, Governance Committee, Legacy Giving Committee, and Gala Advisory group. Barry is Co-Chair of Birthright Israel Foundation’s Boca Raton Cabinet and is the Founding Chair of the Long Island Cabinet.

Barry owns American Fire Restoration, LLC, a company that does cleanup after fire, water, and mold damage in the New York Tri-State area. Barry is the current President of St. Andrews Country Club in Boca Raton, Florida.

“Birthright Israel is ensuring that each generation understands what Israel stands for, what Israel looks like, and why Israel is important to all Jews in the world,” Swidler said. “The program assures the future of the Jewish people by connecting Jewish young adults to the past.”

Mindy Schneider, Executive Committee Member

Mindy Schneider has served on the Board of Directors of Birthright Israel Foundation since 2023. She is a member of the Gala Advisory group. Mindy is the Chairman/Treasurer of the Schneider-Lesser Foundation. The Foundation has endowed Birthright Israel's Schneider Lesser Social Diversity Module.

Mindy received her Bachelor of Arts from Brandeis University and Master's Degree in Public Health Administration from New York University. Mindy serves as Secretary and Treasurer of the Board of Trustees of the American Friends of Schneider’s Children’s Medical Center of Israel, an American non-profit organization founded in 1982 to support state-of-the art clinical services, research, training, and capital projects at Schneider Children’s Medical Center of Israel. She also serves on the Board of Brandeis University and the Board of Gift of Life.

Mindy and her husband Michael Lesser have two children, Katie, a lawyer, and Jake, a pediatrician. Katie and Jake are both Birthright Israel alumni.

“Birthright Israel Foundation provides an invaluable opportunity for so many thousands of young people to experience Israel firsthand,” said Schneider. “I am proud to help this effort in any way I can.”

Russ Robinson, Executive Committee Member

Russ Robinson joined Birthright Israel Foundation’s Board of Directors in 2023. He is a member of the Nominating Committee and Gala Advisory group.

Russ is the founder of Zinc Oxide LLC, which was renamed Zochem in 2017 after leading the acquisition of the Zochem facility in Ontario, Canada. He is currently the Chairman of the Board. Russ founded Steel Dust Recycling in 2008 (SDR) which included his development, ownership, and operation of a Waelz kiln in the U.S. Russ serves on the Board of the University of Houston Bauer Business School, Board of the Jewish Federation of Greater Houston, International Board of Moishe House, and Board of Governors of International Hillel.

About Birthright Israel Foundation

Since its founding, Birthright Israel has provided immersive educational experiences in Israel to nearly one million Jewish young adults worldwide. Birthright Israel Foundation raises philanthropic support to enable Jewish young adults to experience Birthright Israel, a transformative educational journey that strengthens Jewish identity, builds community, and fosters lifelong connection to Israel. Through the Generations Campaign, Birthright Israel Foundation aims to sustain and expand this impact for generations to come.