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Birthright Israel Foundation Blog

700x500_Adina-Fridman
Alums Trip Highlights

February 12, 2025

Birthright Israel Showed Me A Country That Refuses to Be Broken

by Adina Fridman , 2024 Birthright Israel Alumna

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...

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700x500_Zach-Wainright
Alums Trip Highlights

February 11, 2025

How Birthright Israel Helped Me Opt In to Judaism

by Zach Wainright , Birthright Israel Alumnus

I grew up in the suburbs of Chicago, in Highland Park, which is a very Jewish community—about 50% Jewish. I came from an interfaith household, and my Jewish experience was more cultural than religious. My mom’s whole family, the Jewish side, had come over from Eastern Europe, but they had passed away before I was born. Judaism wasn’t something I...

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700x500_Amberley-Gin
Alums Trip Highlights

February 10, 2025

I Left a Piece of My Heart in Tel Aviv, Thanks to Birthright Israel

by Amberley Gin , Birthright Israel Onward Alumna 2022

My name is Amberley Gin, and I am from Delray Beach, Florida. I am a recent Spring 2023 graduate from Florida State University, and I currently work as a public relations specialist at an agency in Tallahassee, FL. My passions include singing, dancing, art, fashion, etc. – basically anything creative. I love animals, nature, traveling, and going to EDM music...

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Birthright Israel Hosts 25th Anniversary Celebration in Miami
Alums Events

January 28, 2025

Birthright Israel Hosts 25th Anniversary Celebration in Miami

by Birthright Israel Foundation

This year, Birthright Israel proudly celebrates 25 years of life-changing programs, and what better way to kick off this milestone than with an incredible alumni event in Miami? This past Saturday night, we marked this historic occasion in the vibrant Miami Design District. Thanks to DACRA’s generous venue donation, the stage was set for an unforgettable evening. The event brought...

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700x500_Gideon-Feit
Alums Leadership & Supporters Trip Highlights

January 27, 2025

Why I Became Birthright Israel's Newest Regional Director

by Gideon Feit , Birthright Israel Regional Director for the Pacific Northwest

In the aftermath of the October 7th attacks, Birthright Israel was one of the few bridges connecting Israelis to Jews in the Diaspora. Although the signature 10-day trips were paused, Birthright Israel quickly launched its Volunteer Program, offering participants like me a way to support kibbutzim affected by the war. Birthright Israel’s pivot deeply inspired me, prompting a career pivot...

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700x500_Elora-Sussan
Alums Trip Highlights

January 22, 2025

Yesterday’s Seedling is Tomorrow’s Tree

by Elora Sussan , 2024 Birthright Israel Alumna

“People who don’t know their past—their present is vague, and their future is a mystery,” my Birthright Israel madricha told us at Ben Gurion Airport. This not only became the theme of my trip, it resonated as the theme of my life and the enduring story of the Jewish nation. I was born in France to a traditional Sephardic family,...

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700x500_Share-Your-Story
Alums Trip Highlights

January 7, 2025

Help Us Celebrate Our 25th Anniversary and Share Your Story!

by Birthright Israel Foundation

Since 1999, Birthright Israel has served its mission to bring Jewish young adults to Israel at absolutely no cost to them—regardless of their means, background, religious beliefs or practices, political views, sexual orientation, racial or gender identity, or disability status. All we ask of our participants is curiosity, an open mind, and an interest in exploring Israel and their Jewish...

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700x500_Dana-Zach
Alums Love Stories Trip Highlights

December 23, 2024

Falling In Love With Israel—And Each Other

by Dana Halpern and Zach Parilla , 2021 Birthright Israel Alumni

Dating in New York City in your mid-twenties is no easy task. People are looking for different things. It’s difficult to make a meaningful connection last longer than a few dates. We—Dana and Zach—both wanted to find someone who felt a strong connection to Israel and wanted to pass it on to their future family. We've loved Israel deeply throughout...

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700x500_Baruch-Lane
Alums Trip Highlights

December 20, 2024

Why Would I Not Be Here?

by Baruch L. , 2024 Birthright Israel Volunteer

October 7th happened and honestly, what else could I do but help? I mean, really. I tried the whole tech company thing first. Remote support, helping companies whose employees got called up. It made sense on paper. I have the skills, they needed the help. But it felt... distant. Theoretical. Like I was playing at helping instead of actually helping....

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700x500_Michele-Abraham
Alums Trip Highlights

December 9, 2024

Reclaiming My Path Back to Judaism

by Michele Abraham , 2024 Birthright Israel Alumna

“Purpose of visit?” the Israeli customs agent asked. “Taglit,” I said, smiling. I was the last person from my UJA Birthright Israel group to head to baggage claim. As I stared at the young thirtysomething, his eyes lit up with pride, beaming that I was heading into the Holy Land. “Welcome home,” he said. Upon hearing this, I almost cried....

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