Menu

Birthright Israel Foundation Blog

jaredsapolsky-2013alumnus-featimage
Alums Trip Highlights

January 10, 2021

Why Birthright Israel is More Than a 10‑Day Trip

by Jared Sapolsky , 2013 Birthright Israel Alumnus

For countless Birthright Israel participants, the return flight home can be an overwhelming experience. After ten days of exploring the culture and history of your ancestors with 40 new friends, the thought of separation, and a return to normal life is daunting. With a new perspective on life, Birthright Israel alumni often find themselves asking, "what now?" On my trip,...

Read More
Jerusalem Wailing Wall sunset
Trip Highlights

December 28, 2020

Embracing Jewish Heritage Across Generations, in Israel and at Home

by Birthright Israel Foundation

Though more and more young Jews these days are conflicted about their heritage and faith, Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks z’’l was optimistic about the future of the Jewish people. “We are super-resilient people,” said the respected spiritual leader. “The more pressure we’ve been under, the stronger we’ve become.” Take Israel, for example. The Jewish State has faced unrelenting threats to...

Read More
Reflections on an Accessible Trip to Israel
Alums Trip Highlights

December 22, 2020

Reflections on an Accessible Trip to Israel

by Blair Webb , Alumna and Jewish Inclusion Fellow

I am a Jewish Inclusion Fellow at RespectAbility, but I’ve always had a complicated relationship with my Jewish identity. I have always enjoyed eating potato latkes at Hanukkah, and appreciated the ritual of reevaluating oneself during the time between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, but I know very little about Judaism, beyond these cultural touchstones. Some of this is because...

Read More
jillrobertsfamily-nantucket-featimage
Leadership & Supporters

December 17, 2020

An Interview with Supporter Jill Roberts on Her Unconditional Love for Birthright Israel

by Birthright Israel Foundation

How do you decide what organizations your philanthropic dollars will support? For Jill Roberts, Chair of Birthright Israel Foundation's New England Council and Birthright Israel parent, the choice of supporting the program is simple. Jill, like so many of us, wants a world free of hate and antisemitism. She’s a firm believer that the gift of Birthright Israel provides a...

Read More
Why Future Birthright Israel Participant Isabelle Remains Hopeful
Alums Trip Highlights

December 14, 2020

Why Future Birthright Israel Participant Isabelle Remains Hopeful

by Birthright Israel Foundation

As Birthright Israel entered its 20th anniversary year no one could have imagined a global pandemic would change the course of the program for the year. Young Jewish adults worldwide were disappointed as their trips were postponed and communities everywhere went into lockdown. Take future participant, Isabelle Wigon of Boston, MA who wasn’t surprised to learn her June Birthright Israel...

Read More
15 Ways Birthright Israel Exposes Participants to Life in Israel
Alums Trip Highlights

December 7, 2020

15 Ways Birthright Israel Exposes Participants to Life in Israel

by Birthright Israel Foundation

Birthright Israel participants are typically pretty clueless about life in Israel before their trip. They return from the Middle East with a visceral connection to the Jewish State and these 15 lessons on life in Israel. Life in Israel is modern ... When alumnus Nathan Lightman claimed his birthright, he was surprised to find that the streets of Tel Aviv...

Read More
marinayudborovsky_featimage
Alums Leadership & Supporters Trip Highlights

December 3, 2020

The Role Birthright Israel Played in Marina Yudborovsky's Life

by Birthright Israel Foundation

In 2004, a Birthright Israel trip inspired Marina Yudborovsky to reconnect with her Jewish identity, something it has done for 800,000+ young Jews worldwide. Marina, a Soviet Jewish émigré to the US, was then motivated to join the Genesis Philanthropy Group (GPG) in 2009 to help in its mission to strengthen the Jewish identity of Russian-speaking Jews around the world....

Read More
Why Detroit Natives Andi & Larry Wolfe Support Birthright Israel
Leadership & Supporters

December 1, 2020

Why Detroit Natives Andi & Larry Wolfe Support Birthright Israel

by Birthright Israel Foundation

Birthright Israel Foundation’s donors all have their own special and unique reasons for supporting the program. Many of our supporters grew up only dreaming of visiting Israel. Birthright Israel to them is almost a miracle. For others, giving to Birthright Israel Foundation fulfills their philanthropic priorities in supporting educational experiences for the next generation. Long-time Michigan donors Andi and Larry...

Read More
Meet Brian Shaw, member of Birthright Israel Foundation's Chicago Leadership
Leadership & Supporters

November 20, 2020

Meet Brian Shaw, member of Birthright Israel Foundation's Chicago Leadership

by Birthright Israel Foundation

Brian Shaw, member of Birthright Israel Foundation’s Chicago Leadership Cabinet, supports the program to combat misinformation about Israel. When Brian was in college, he did his thesis on the fall of the Ottoman Empire, a part of Middle East history many people are unfamiliar with. Brian feels very few people understand the relationship between the fall of the Ottoman Empire...

Read More

Donate Now

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.

Donate Now
Follow Us on Social
Facebook
Instagram
YouTube
LinkedIn
X
TikTok

Subscribe to Email Updates