Welcoming New Birthright Israel Foundation Board Chair Michael Rashes

As he steps into his new role as Chair of the Birthright Israel Foundation Board of Directors, Mike Rashes spoke to us about the urgency of this moment for the Jewish people and his vision for the Generations Campaign and the future of Birthright Israel.

What sparked your connection to Israel and support of Birthright Israel?

I felt an immediate and palpable connection to Israel when, at the tender age of 35, I visited our homeland for the first time, with my wife and three young kids. This attachment grew even stronger when we returned five years later, on the occasion of my father’s 70th birthday, with our parents, siblings, and our fourth child in tow, for their first Israel trip. I had never imagined such a strong attachment to the people, the land, the culture, the food, and the living history of a place that was simultaneously so new and innovative, yet so ancient and monumental. I had heard of Birthright Israel, and we saw many participants on the ground throughout our travels, but it was only later that I learned of Birthright’s unmatched success in providing the gift of meaningful Israel experiences to young Jewish adults and I was hooked! I love the idea of Birthright as a gift to the Jewish people from the Jewish people, and I am committed to doing everything possible to provide this gift to each and every young Jew who wants to visit their ancestral home.

Why did you decide to become Birthright Israel Foundation’s Chair of the Board of Directors at this moment?

Recent events have demonstrated, time and time again, the necessity of connecting the next generation of diaspora Jews with their faith, their homeland, and their people.  We are at a critical inflection point where we can no longer idly stand by; we must act to ensure that future generations understand the beauty, purpose, and meaning of our tradition and community. 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, and I believe that serving as Chair of Birthright Israel Foundation is the most impactful way for me to promote these connections.  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. Our community has no choice but to assist the next generation in navigating the unique challenges they face and, by doing so, we will positively change the trajectory of Jewish identity and Jewish pride for generations to come.

How do you see Birthright Israel evolving to meet the needs of today’s young Jews?

We are already evolving and will continue to do so. The ways that young Jews hope to experience Israel and establish bonds with Israelis has changed since the first Birthright trip in 1999.  The classic, ten-day trip will continue to be our hallmark program, but we also have Onward and Excel offering uniquely immersive opportunities for summer-long internships in Israel.  And our Volunteer program, launched only weeks after the devastation of October 7, has already brought almost 20,000 participants to Israel to help nurture, support, and rebuild Israel in myriad ways. Our offerings must and will continue to be more adaptable, more inclusive, and more service oriented, all while preserving the core spirit of the experience. We will continue to build and grow in new ways, as exemplified by our recently launched partnership with JFNA, which will connect generations of the North American Jewish community with the stories of Israel, the Jewish people, and one another through meaningful volunteer service.

What gives you confidence that our community will support the Generations Campaign to bring 200,000 more participants to Israel in the next five years?

What gives me confidence is the unwavering commitment of the Jewish community and its belief in the power of Birthright Israel. We are the most rigorously analyzed Jewish communal endeavor in the history of the Jewish people and we have the data to show that our programs work! We have already transformed the lives of nearly one million young Jews, but this is just the beginning. The Generations Campaign is not just about numbers; it’s about building a stronger, more vibrant Jewish future, one journey at a time. I have faith that our community will join together to meet this moment because we all understand that this is a necessary and wise investment in our future. Our success will forge strong and proud future generations of diaspora and Israeli Jews and, quite frankly, we cannot afford to fail in our efforts.

How do you hope to engage donors, alumni, and community partners in meaningful, personal ways?

At a very fundamental level we all share the same hopes for our children and future generations of the Jewish people. That they are proud of their rich history and culture. That they cherish tradition and want to celebrate holidays and mark rites of passage as our ancestors have for millennia. That they find a partner in life who shares their desire to build a Jewish home filled with love and warmth, teaching the lessons passed from generation to generation. That they have a love of Israel, a connection with its people, and the knowledge and confidence to speak up on behalf of both. The mission of Birthright Israel is to build the authentic, lasting relationships that connect diaspora Jews deeply to their people and their homeland. Donors, alumni, and community partners are not just supporters, they are part of a movement. The tangible impact of their contributions is the lives they are impacting—one trip truly changes everything!—and their support is a bridge between the past, present, and future of Jewish identity.

Is there a particular story that best captures the impact of Birthright Israel for you?

It’s difficult for me to narrow this down to one story. My wife and I have had the good fortune of traveling on several Birthright Israel donor missions and have thoroughly enjoyed all the time we have spent with participants. We’ve been kept on the edge of our seats by the stories of bravery told by the Mifgash soldiers, we’ve been reduced to tears seeing a previously unaffiliated Jewish child of an interfaith marriage dancing the hora after being bar mitzvahed near the Kotel, and we have completely lost track of time chatting with volunteers in the South about what motivated them to drop everything and come to Israel in the middle of a war while picking kohlrabi on a farm that had lost all of its foreign workers after October 7. But the most impactful experience was a music activity we did with a group of participants from Argentina on an Accessibility and Inclusion trip. Seeing the joy in the eyes of both the young adults and their trip leaders and staff, and hearing the beautiful voice of one young man who was moved to sing the morning liturgy as we overlooked the Old City in Jerusalem, really resonated with me and drove home the overarching idea that the gift of a Birthright trip is for everyone—for the Jewish people, by the Jewish people—and we can’t afford to leave behind even one young Jew who wants to travel to Israel.

What would success look like at the end of your term as Chair?

Success, to me, would be seeing the Jewish community—both here and in Israel—more connected, more united, and more passionate about preserving and strengthening Jewish identity. I want to see a generation of young Jews who feel empowered to lead with a sense of purpose and a deep love for their faith and traditions. If, at the end of my term, Birthright Israel has played a role in that—if we’ve helped nurture and grow a vibrant, confident, and interconnected Jewish community—I would consider that a tremendous success.

What message would you share with someone considering a gift to Birthright Israel?

Please join us in supporting Birthright Israel.  This is our moment to stand together as a community and guarantee the intergenerational connection between the Jewish people and Israel. We can’t accomplish this without your investment in our mission.