Birthright Israel Showed Me A Country That Refuses to Be Broken

My name is Adina Fridman. I am originally from Toronto, Canada, but am currently a sophomore at New York University. I am majoring in Politics with minors in Public Policy and Hebrew and Judaic Studies. Naturally, I am interested in current events and government, with a focus on international relations and international politics. I have always attended Jewish schools, where I learned Hebrew and Jewish history. When I arrived at NYU, I realized that I still wanted Judaic Studies to be a focal point in my education.

Outside of school, I am very passionate about music, as I have been playing piano for 17 years and used to teach it to young children. I was also a competitive skier and a ski instructor. In the future, I hope to pursue a career in international relations and policymaking, whether through diplomacy, law, or global governance. My academic and extracurricular interests all contribute to my curiosity about the world—whether through studying political dynamics, exploring Jewish history and culture, or expressing myself through music and sports.

I always knew I wanted to participate in Birthright Israel. In Fall 2024, I became NYU Hillel’s Israel/Birthright intern, where I was tasked with recruiting students to go on Birthright. Naturally, I attended the trip as well. Applying for the internship was truly one of the best decisions of my life because it brought me to Birthright. Prior to the trip, I hoped to have an incredible time in Israel and meet some incredible people. That is exactly what happened.

Stepping off the plane into Ben Gurion Airport was amazing—I wish I had a better word to describe the feeling other than “amazing,” but it was simply that. Normally, when you arrive at an airport that is not in your home city, you can feel like a stranger. However, when I arrived in Israel, I felt like I was coming home. The immense feeling of comfort took over me, and even after a ten-hour flight, I felt happy and beyond excited for the next ten days. Looking back, those ten days were more than just a trip—they deepened my connection to Israel, strengthened my Jewish identity, and introduced me to lifelong friends. Birthright Israel was everything I had hoped for and more, and I know this experience will stay with me forever.

In all honesty, I met some of my favorite people on my Birthright trip—both Americans and Israelis. From the moment we arrived in Mitzpe Ramon after landing in Tel Aviv, we created amazing memories together. I remember on our first night, which also happened to be Shabbat, a bunch of us walked five miles just exploring and taking pictures together. That truly was an amazing night. Afterwards, we explored together, laughed together, and just enjoyed the amazing country together. I am so grateful that I had such amazing friends by my side and we supported each other.

I wholeheartedly believe that there could not have been a better group of Israeli soldiers than those who joined our trip. They blended so well with us, and we often remarked how it felt like we’d known each other for years, rather than just for a few days. I still talk to several of the soldiers daily and they have become my really good friends. I’ll always remember blasting Israeli music over the speakers on our bus and singing at the top of our lungs together. I speak for all of the American students when I say that the Israeli soldiers made our trip unforgettable. I don’t remember what it felt like not to have these amazing people in my life, and I am eternally grateful to Birthright Israel for bringing me such amazing friends.

Perhaps the most meaningful moment of the trip was going to Mount Herzl (הרצל הר) with the Israeli soldiers. It was an incredibly emotional experience to hear them share their stories from October 7th—their firsthand accounts of the horrors of that day, the friends they lost, and those still held hostage or recovering from their wounds. I don’t think there was a dry eye in the group. It meant so much that the soldiers trusted us enough to share such deeply personal memories and stories. I will forever carry the stories of their loved ones in my heart.

Visiting Nova and Hostages Square was another profoundly moving experience. As strange as it sounds, visiting the Nova Festival site with the other American students genuinely brought us closer together. Standing in the places that symbolize both unimaginable tragedy and an unbreakable spirit, I felt the weight of history in a way I never had before. The pain was overwhelming, yet so was the resilience.

At Hostages Square, I saw families and friends refusing to let the world forget their loved ones. I saw strangers embracing and comforting each other, united not by politics, but by shared grief and determination. There was something deeply powerful in that unity—an unwavering commitment to stand together, to fight for justice, to remember. What I witnessed in Israel was not just mourning, but also strength. Though people were grieving, they were also rebuilding. There was a collective sense of purpose, and I saw a country that refuses to be broken.

This trip changed me. I now carry irrefutable evidence of what happened on October 7th, and I refuse to let anyone rewrite history. On my college campus, where so many seek to deny or distort the truth, I will speak up. I will show the images on my phone and I will tell the stories of the soldiers. I will not allow their pain to be erased.

This experience also reaffirmed my commitment to standing with Israel—not just in times of crisis, but always. It reminded me why Israel exists, why it must always exist, and why we must never take it for granted. More than ever, I feel a responsibility to share what I’ve seen, to amplify the voices of those who can no longer speak, and to honor the resilience of a people who refuse to be defeated.

To the donors who made my Birthright Israel experience possible, thank you. This trip changed my life. It connected me to the most amazing people, provided me with the most amazing experiences, and created a closer connection to the most amazing country.

Since returning to New York, I have made it my mission to tell every Jew I know to go on Birthright Israel so they can experience the most incredible trip. Because of Birthright, I am now looking at internships in Israel so that I can come back for the summer. Because of Birthright, I now text and FaceTime my new Israeli soldier friends every day. Because of Birthright, I feel a greater connection to my Judaism and will continue to wear my Magen David necklace with pride. I will forever be indebted to the people who made this trip possible and am overwhelmed with gratitude.

To someone who is considering making a donation to Birthright Israel, just know that this trip changes lives for the better. It connects young Jews to their heritage and provides them with a sense of community. Know that if you donate to Birthright, you are going to be making a difference in the lives of so many. The opportunity to travel to Israel is not accessible to everyone. By giving more individuals the opportunity to participate in Birthright Israel, you allow Jewish young adults to finally come home.