November 23, 2020
Like so many young Jewish adults, I was raised in a mixed-faith family. With my mother identifying as Presbyterian and my father identifying as Jewish, it was up to them to decide how both my brother and I would be raised. Judaism is hugely important to my father’s side of the family and my parents decided that the best way...
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November 16, 2020
Julie and Asher’s love story began in Israel in 2015 on a Birthright Israel trip when a nice American girl met a nice Israeli boy. After the trip, Julie returned to New Jersey and Asher moved to Munich, Germany but the distance couldn’t keep them apart. Asher soon caught a flight to New Jersey to celebrate Thanksgiving and to hang...
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November 10, 2020
When you grow up in an observant family or community, Birthright Israel is something that’s on everyone's radar. So naturally, when I was an undergrad at the University of Michigan, I signed up for a Birthright Israel trip with the campus Hillel. The trip was really my first touchpoint to Israel and engagement in Jewish life as an adult. When...
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November 9, 2020
The Birthright Israel experience equally benefits young Jewish adults from the Diaspora and Israeli participants, known as Mifgashim. For many young Israelis, Birthright Israel provides an opportunity to understand Jewish life outside of Israel. More so, the 10-day experience allows them to see their country through someone else's eyes, which furthers their appreciation for their home. To date, more than...
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November 5, 2020
If it wasn't for Birthright Israel, I don't know if I'd still be Jewish ten years down the road. After being Bar Mitzvah'd, there was little that still linked me to Judaism besides food. For instance, eating latkes every April, fasting on Yom Kippur, and suffering through Shabbat services on the rare Friday night, I visited my grandparents and great-grandma...
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October 30, 2020
We often kvell about the impact of Birthright Israel on Diaspora participants like you, but did you know that you’re not the only ones who benefit from this transformational journey? Over the past two decades, we’ve also given 115,000 Israelis the opportunity to claim their birthright. The participants, known as Mifgash (Hebrew for encounter), are mostly young soldiers in the...
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October 19, 2020
When I realized that reading did not come easily to my oldest daughter Yahel, who is now 7, my heart broke just a little. I knew with the right support she could catch up. It was never about her being the brightest in class. Or a competition of who could read fastest. I was sad for the world I wanted...
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October 14, 2020
It may seem like Israeli and American Jews are worlds apart, but as Mifgash Shavit Rootman learned during Birthright Israel, we actually have a lot in common. When he stood with his group at Mt. Herzl, where fallen soldiers are buried in Jerusalem, he met another participant, an American Navy veteran. The two bonded over their reasons for service (Rootman...
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October 12, 2020
I am reminded of my Birthright Israel experience every day at work when I meet with donors and share my story. I attribute my passion for Israel and desire to do something for Israel to my Birthright Israel experience. It was during my trip that I found my life's purpose. It was those 10 days in 2015 that led me...
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October 8, 2020
Birthright Israel is truly a gift that keeps on giving. The Jewish young adults who we send on this free trip to the holy land return with a lifetime connection to their Jewish heritage. “I fell in love with Israel, the people, the culture, and what it stands for,” said Birthright Israel alumna Holly Millet. “I made Israeli friends, saw...
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