September 11, 2020
Each year as the summer winds down, the Jewish community prepares to observe the High Holy Days. The evening breeze, the anticipation of fall, are all part of the build-up to Rosh Hashanah. We enjoy the last minutes of summer, we prepare our children and grandchildren to return to school, we shop for dresses, ties, and shoes to add to...
Read More
September 10, 2020
Rosh Hashanah is first referred to in our texts as Yom HaZikaron - the Day of Remembrance. It is not until the Talmud that the idea of the “new year” is even associated with the day, and liturgically speaking, many of our prayers describe Rosh Hashanah as one of memory - a reflection on the past rather than an aspiration...
Read More
May 27, 2020
Whether you haven’t pulled an all-nighter since studying for your college exams or you stay up studying Torah every year, the Jewish festival of Shavuot is a smorgasbord of delicious food. The holiday is known, after all, as the Feast of Weeks. While blintzes and cheesecake are often the stars of the show, they’re far from the only Shavuot recipes...
Read More
April 26, 2020
Every year Jews in Israel and around the world celebrate Yom Ha'atzmaut, Israel Independence Day. Yom Haatzmaut marks the establishment of the modern State of Israel. Today, in Western Jewish communities, Yom Haatzmaut is incorporated into Jewish calendars and a public celebration follows. This all marks and of course remembers the original date when Israel's Declaration of Independence was signed...
Read More
April 6, 2020
Dear Partners & Supporters, This year, instead of asking why this night is different from any other night, we may be asking ourselves, “why is this Passover different from any other in history?” The answer is that more people than ever before are sharing a “virtual” Seder with family and friends. In the true spirit of community and faith, we've...
Read More
December 2, 2019
I went on my Birthright Israel trip in 2011 at the ripe age of 19. Like many participants in this demographic, I was excited about the experience (who doesn’t love the rare gift of free travel?) and eager to explore my Jewish identity more. My Jewish upbringing wasn’t atypical for an American Jew; I went to synagogue on the high...
Read More
November 20, 2019
Let’s add a little Israeli flare to Thanksgiving this year and serve a delicious Israeli salad. So many of our participants not only discover the history of Israel but the flavors as well, and we can almost guarantee that after their Birthright Israel trip, they love Israeli salad. What You Need 2 plum tomatoes, seeds removed and diced 1 bell pepper, diced 1/2 cucumber, diced Juice of one lemon 1/4 cup chopped parsley 2-3 tablespoons olive oil Salt and pepper (to taste) What You Do Add all vegetables to a large bowl.
Read More
November 13, 2019
Latkes are a staple in Jewish households during Hanukkah, but have you thought of serving them on Thanksgiving? Many of us eat sweet potatoes on Thanksgiving, drizzled with melted marshmallows, in a casserole or in a sweet potato pie, but this year we encourage you to serve our Spiced Sweet Potato Latkes. Why? Because who does not love the goodness...
Read More
October 21, 2019
How do we address our challenging world through a Jewish lens? As we live in a complicated world, we look to the ancient wisdom of Jewish texts for inspiration. Preparing for the Yamim Noraim—the upcoming Days of Awe—I opened my favorite Jewish text, Kohelet (Ecclesiastes). We read this text each year during Sukkot. It reminds us of the fragility of...
Read More
October 21, 2019
Every once in awhile I am reminded of the power of miracles in the world. I have yet to witness a miracle as described in lore, like streams changing their currents for example, but every time I am in Israel and see a bus-load of young adults of all backgrounds and Jewish upbringings, wearing the easily recognizable Birthright Israel nametag,...
Read MoreWithout 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