An Evening with Birthright Israel Storytellers in Miami

On May 6th, Jane and Amir Gold in Miami hosted a special gathering in celebration of Birthright Israel Storytellers. Jane Gold, Miami's Cabinet Co-Chair, opened by sharing what drove her to this work: her son at Penn wrote a heartbreaking article about Jewish students leaving their Star of David necklaces on their bedside tables, unable to wear them on campus. "Nothing shapes Jewish identity like seeing Israel with your own eyes," she said. Jacqueline Korren, Founder and Director of Birthright Israel Storytellers, introduced the fellowship that gives Jewish creators across every field — sports, food, fashion, wellness, music — the skills and confidence to bring their Jewish story to their audiences.

The highlight of the night was a live podcast recording moderated by Kayla Streibstein, a Storytellers alumna who started Friends of Kayla, a podcast about Jewish identity, after October 7th. She was joined by Nicole Bendayan, an alumna of Birthright Israel's classic trip, Volunteer, and Storytellers, with over 1 million followers in women's health; and Jeremy Abramson, who has over 2 million followers in wellness and entrepreneurship. All three were honest about what speaking up in support of Israel cost them — followers, friends, business — and clear that it was absolutely worth it. As Jeremy put it: "We're 0.2% of the population globally. If we're blessed enough to have a platform, we have an obligation to use it." Jane closed by calling on the room to support the Generations Campaign, which aims to bring 200,000 young Jews to Israel by 2029. "Private philanthropy is not a supplement — it is essential." She and Amir announced they are sponsoring 15 participants this year and invited others to do the same.

For nearly 30 years, Birthright Israel has been the most proven way to build the next generation of Jewish leaders, parents, educators, and philanthropists. Nicole said it best: her Birthright Israel trip was "the most meaningful, transformative experience of my life — and it really showed me how important it was to show up as a Jew."