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Birthright Israel Foundation Blog

Finding My Jewish Identity Through Birthright Israel Excel

July 24, 2020

Finding My Jewish Identity Through Birthright Israel Excel

by Alex Levitt , 2012 Birthright Israel Excel Fellow

As a child, being Jewish was easy– mostly because it was gently forced upon me by my loving parents and grandparents. However, what really did not come easy to me was figuring out what my Jewish identity meant to me once I flew out of the nest and later on in my professional career. Figuring out what my Jewish identity...

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How to Prioritize The Jewish Organizations You Support

July 23, 2020

How to Prioritize The Jewish Organizations You Support

by Birthright Israel Foundation

Tzedakah is a Hebrew word that resonates for most American Jews. Perhaps you remember collecting coins in a blue and white pushke as a kid. Or maybe you learned about mitzvot as a young adult on a Birthright Israel trip. The closest English translation is philanthropy, but tzedakah also ties into justice and righteousness. Pursuing social action through mitzvot like...

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Arlene Kaufman & Sandy Baklor and Their Unwavering Support for Birthright Israel

July 21, 2020

Arlene Kaufman & Sandy Baklor and Their Unwavering Support for Birthright Israel

by Birthright Israel Foundation

When Arlene Kaufman and Sandy Baklor married over two decades ago, they both not only shared an undeniable love for each other but an undeniable love for Israel and Jewish people. Anyone who has had the pleasure to meet Arlene and Sandy knows firsthand their focus is on securing the Jewish future - whether through Birthright Israel Foundation, Masa Israel...

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Birthright Israel to Atlanta: How I’m Still Reaping the Benefits of My Trip

July 20, 2020

Birthright Israel to Atlanta: How I’m Still Reaping the Benefits of My Trip

by Jordan Shipowtiz , 2014 Birthright Israel Alumna

In summer 2014, there was ongoing rocket fire from Hamas into Israel, and like many Jewish people, this was weighing heavily on my heart. Sure, being in the US as this was happening, it's easy to sort of tune it out since quickly, these situations in Israel can become like any other news cycle. However, for me, this was different...

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Meet Sam & Jared: Atlanta Alumni Who Were Transformed on Birthright Israel

July 13, 2020

Meet Sam & Jared: Atlanta Alumni Who Were Transformed on Birthright Israel

by Birthright Israel Foundation

This past year Atlanta natives and best friends Jared Siegel and Sam Baroff decided it was time to claim their birthright. During their junior year at the University of Georgia, they signed up for a Birthright Israel trip together, hoping to further their understanding of Israel. Like many, Sam had initially heard of Birthright Israel through his mom. While Jared...

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How Birthright Israel Has Been Preserving Jewish Heritage for Decades

July 10, 2020

How Birthright Israel Has Been Preserving Jewish Heritage for Decades

by Birthright Israel Foundation

Ashley Horine was taught about Israel and claiming her birthright by her grandfather, a Holocaust survivor she affectionately refers to as Poppy. Even so, for much of her life, she considered her Jewish heritage a “thing” without meaning. After Poppy passed away, however, Horine spoke with his rabbi who reiterated Poppy's desire to see his granddaughter go to Israel, sharing...

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Why Birthright Israel Prepared Me For Seminary

July 9, 2020

Why Birthright Israel Prepared Me For Seminary

by Sheyna Ryvkin , 2019 Birthright Israel Alumna

Before I went on Birthright Israel, the organization seemed just like any other Israel travel company. To me, Israel was Israel and just the country of the Jewish people. However, this all changed after my trip. I can now say, Birthright Israel was an incredible experience, and Israel is home. It also prepared me for my year in seminary, which...

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How Birthright Israel Foundation Changes Lives…Tens of Thousands at a Time

July 6, 2020

How Birthright Israel Foundation Changes Lives…Tens of Thousands at a Time

by Birthright Israel Foundation

Every year, tens of thousands* of Jewish young adults are gifted with a life-changing journey to Israel. Before their enlightening Birthright Israel expedition, they tend to take Israel for granted. Like the generation before them and the generations to come, these individuals have little concept of a world without a Jewish homeland. Everything changes, however, once they accept their birthright....

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Birthright Israel Connects Long Lost Siblings to Their Jewish Heritage

July 2, 2020

Birthright Israel Connects Long Lost Siblings to Their Jewish Heritage

by Jennalyn Samson , 2018 Birthright Israel Alumna

Jennalyn Samson grew up not knowing much about her Jewish heritage and was inspired to go on Birthright Israel when a long lost sibling reached out. Her brother Matt, who she only found out about a few years before her trip, mentioned "this thing called Birthright." Through the trip, Jennalyn and her brother Matt had an opportunity to spend more...

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Meet Birthright Israel Miami Alumnus, David Bitton

June 30, 2020

Meet Birthright Israel Miami Alumnus, David Bitton

by David Bitton , 2006 Birthright Israel Alumnus

What made me love Birthright Israel is probably precisely why everyone loves it – it's life-changing. I signed up during my sophomore year at the University of Miami, and I thought it was a dream to go to Israel on an all-inclusive trip. Little did I know how much these 10 days would influence my life in the years to...

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