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Birthright Israel Foundation Blog

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Alums Trip Highlights

April 7, 2025

Through Birthright Israel, I Finally Understood My Brother’s Choice

by Rina Factor , 2024 Birthright Israel Alumna

My mother is Korean and my father is Israeli. I grew up Modern Orthodox, in a Zionist home, waving blue-and-white flags at my Jewish Orthodox school on Yom Ha'atzmaut. Before October 7th, I grew up hearing stories of my grandparents who survived the Holocaust, and my grandfather who served in the IDF and narrowly escaped death several times fighting for...

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Alums Trip Highlights

April 1, 2025

Why I Became a Birthright Israel Volunteer at 49

by Felicia Dlugolenski , 2023 Birthright Israel Volunteer

I didn’t go on Birthright when I was younger. I had been to Israel once before — on a family trip in July 2023, just a few months before October 7th. That vacation lit a spark. But after October 7th, something shifted. The fire was lit. Honestly, it started with an Instagram ad. I saw something pop up about volunteer...

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Alums Trip Highlights

March 31, 2025

A Lifelong Commitment to Birthright Israel

by Jon Warech , Birthright Israel 1998 Alumnus

Jon Warech is the Executive Director of the Hillel at Florida International University. As the marketing material of Birthright celebrating its 25th anniversary began to go viral in the Fall, I started to do some math and got a little confused. I went on Birthright with University of Florida Hillel in December of 1998… 26 years ago. After an intense...

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Alums Love Stories Trip Highlights

March 28, 2025

We Became Soulmates On Birthright Israel

by Jenn and Elie Zussman , Birthright Israel 2000 Alumni

Jenn and Elie Zussman met as college students on one of the first Birthright Israel trips in 1999. They married in 2006 and live in Gaithersburg, Maryland, with their two daughters. Jenn: I grew up in Baltimore, Maryland, in Pikesville, with a strong Jewish community. My upbringing felt very natural and supportive. But when I went to the University of...

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How Donating to Birthright Israel Foundation Makes Life-Changing Experiences Possible
Alums

February 19, 2025

How Donating to Birthright Israel Foundation Makes Life-Changing Experiences Possible

by Birthright Israel Foundation

Growing up around Holocaust deniers and anti-Semites, Cole Keister often felt different because he was Jewish. The kids at his rural Oregon school called him a “kike” or a “dirty Jew.” One even gave him a bible and invited him to church to be “saved.” Upon returning from Birthright Israel in college, Keister no longer felt different. Instead, he said...

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How Birthright Israel Foundation Is Part of a Global Movement
Alums Trip Highlights

February 19, 2025

How Birthright Israel Foundation Is Part of a Global Movement

by Birthright Israel Foundation

Since it was founded over 25 years ago, more than 900,000 Jewish young adults from around the world have joyously claimed their birthright as part of a global movement to ensure a strong and vibrant future for the Jewish people. This educational and life-changing trip to the Jewish homeland is known as Birthright Israel. In the U.S., Birthright Israel Foundation...

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Benefits of Donating to Birthright Israel Foundation and the Fund for the Jewish Future
Alums Leadership & Supporters

February 19, 2025

Benefits of Donating to Birthright Israel Foundation and the Fund for the Jewish Future

by Birthright Israel Foundation

As the US fundraising arm for Birthright Israel trips, Birthright Israel Foundation aims to raise nearly $57 million every year to help nearly 50,000 Jewish young adults claim their birthright. This year, in celebration of our 25th anniversary, we've made a commitment to bring a minimum of 200,000 new participants to Israel by 2030. To help achieve this ambitious goal,...

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Alums Trip Highlights

February 18, 2025

Birthright Israel Connected My Soul to the Place Where My Family Got Its Name

by Laura Fasman , 2024 Birthright Israel Alumna

My name is Laura Fasman, and I’m from California. I am a yoga teacher, a nature and animal lover, and a Reform Jew. I went on my Birthright Israel trip in September of 2024. Before I visited, my connection to Israel was based upon the experiences of others, from my older cousins’ Birthright Israel trips to the lives of Israelis...

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Alums Events Leadership & Supporters

February 14, 2025

Birthright Israel Foundation Board and Alumni Gather in Sunny Isles Beach

by Birthright Israel Foundation

On February 10, the Birthright Israel Foundation Board Reception in Sunny Isles Beach, FL, brought together supporters, alumni, and leaders to celebrate Birthright Israel’s 25th anniversary and its lasting impact, recently confirmed by Brandeis University’s Jewish Futures Project. Hosted by Leslie Dezer and her family at the Bentley Residences Gallery, the evening featured inspiring remarks from Birthright Israel Foundation National...

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Without your donations to Birthright Israel Foundation, this gift isn't possible. Secure the Jewish future today by investing in this transformational trip for Jewish young adults.

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