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Birthright Israel Foundation Blog

VIDEO: Elias Saratovsky on CNBC Squawk Box
Leadership & Supporters

May 27, 2026

VIDEO: Elias Saratovsky on CNBC Squawk Box

by Birthright Israel Foundation
Birthright Israel Foundation President and CEO Elias Saratovsky made an exciting appearance on CNBC this week, making the case for why firsthand experience in Israel matters more than ever. In...
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An Evening with Birthright Israel Storytellers in Miami
Events Leadership & Supporters

May 15, 2026

An Evening with Birthright Israel Storytellers in Miami

by Birthright Israel Foundation
On May 6th, Jane and Amir Gold in Miami hosted a special gathering in celebration of Birthright Israel Storytellers. Jane Gold, Miami's Cabinet Co-Chair, opened by sharing what drove her...
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Boston Celebrates Birthright Israel and Honors Barry Shrage
Leadership & Supporters Events

May 11, 2026

Boston Celebrates Birthright Israel and Honors Barry Shrage

by Birthright Israel Foundation

The Boston Jewish community gathered on May 6 for an evening of celebration, inspiration, and commitment to the Jewish future. The event was held to honor Barry Shrage, whose decades of visionary leadership at Combined Jewish Philanthropies helped shape Boston's Jewish community and champion Birthright Israel from its earliest days — legendary philanthropist Dr. Miriam Adelson presented the award alongside...

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Cooperman Family Announces $10 Million Gift to Birthright Israel
Leadership & Supporters Events

May 6, 2026

Cooperman Family Announces $10 Million Gift to Birthright Israel

by Birthright Israel Foundation

Livingston, NJ (May 6, 2026) - Nearly 400 guests gathered last night at Crystal Plaza for the Birthright Israel Foundation New Jersey Gala, marking the organization’s largest event ever in the state.The evening honored the Cooperman family - Leon Cooperman and Toby Cooperman; their son Wayne Cooperman and daughter-in-law Jodi Cooperman; and their grandchildren Courtney and Kyra Cooperman - for...

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Birthright Israel Celebrates and Honors the Cooperman Family in NJ
Leadership & Supporters Events

May 6, 2026

Birthright Israel Celebrates and Honors the Cooperman Family in NJ

by Birthright Israel Foundation

The Jewish community gathered in Livingston, NJ on May 5 for a sold-out night of celebration, inspiration, and commitment to the Jewish future. Event co-chairs Evan Ratner and Erin Schonbraun welcomed a room full of passionate supporters, who heard from Birthright Israel Foundation President & CEO Elias Saratovsky, and alumni Samantha Felgoise, David Rak, Briana Halpern and Oran Goldberg —...

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“Birthright Israel is What Keeps That Connection Alive”: A Conversation with Steven and Jodie Fishman
Leadership & Supporters

April 24, 2026

“Birthright Israel is What Keeps That Connection Alive”: A Conversation with Steven and Jodie Fishman

Steven and Jodie Fishman are dedicated philanthropists and community leaders whose commitment to Jewish life spans decades. As Chair of the Los Angeles Birthright Israel Foundation Leadership Council, Steven greatly expanded the organization's impact. He holds leadership roles with Stephen Wise Temple, AIPAC, the Jewish Federation of Greater Los Angeles, ELNET, the national board of Birthright Israel, Hebrew Union College,...

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I’ve Led More Than 40 Birthright Israel Trips—It’s My Life’s Work 
Leadership & Supporters Trip Highlights

April 16, 2026

I’ve Led More Than 40 Birthright Israel Trips—It’s My Life’s Work 

by Rabbi Gershon Litt , Birthright Israel Madrich

I grew up in Houston, Texas. I went to Jewish day school at one of the largest synagogues in the country. I was very proud as a young Jewish kid. I went to Camp Ramah, Camp Tel Yehuda, I was in BBYO—I checked all the boxes. I had a huge passion for Judaism and for Israel. But I didn’t think...

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Lessons in Caring From a 13-Trip Birthright Israel Madricha
Alums Leadership & Supporters Trip Highlights

April 14, 2026

Lessons in Caring From a 13-Trip Birthright Israel Madricha

by Sadie Hilf , Birthright Israel Madricha

I was born and raised in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. I am a former pre-professional ballet dancer with an intense love for reading and writing, a soft spot for crafts, and a burning passion to see and change the world. My Jewish identity was rooted in questioning, learning, and a strong but impersonal connection to Israel. I grew up being told Torah stories...

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Birthright Israel Is a Jolt of Jewish Identity
Trip Highlights Leadership & Supporters

April 14, 2026

Birthright Israel Is a Jolt of Jewish Identity

by Rabbi Peretz Shapiro , Birthright Israel Madrich

I am a Chabad rabbi living in Dallas, Texas, though I’m originally from England. I work primarily in Jewish adult education. My parents were both from South Africa, and I grew up in a Zionist family. After I met my wife, who is American, I moved to the U.S. in 2002. I wasn’t raised observant, but I became observant in college....

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Why I Keep Coming Back as a Birthright Israel Madricha
Alums Trip Highlights Leadership & Supporters

April 13, 2026

Why I Keep Coming Back as a Birthright Israel Madricha

by Haddie Daner , 2022 Birthright Israel Alumna

My twin sister, my brother and I were adopted from China and grew up in San Luis Obispo, California, near the ocean. My whole extended family is Ashkenazi Jewish, with a mix of Reform and Conservative. We kept kosher strictly in my home and observed Shabbat, and I had my bat mitzvah and went to Jewish summer camp.  I started college...

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Palm Beach Celebrates Birthright Israel and the Jewish Future
Leadership & Supporters Events

March 25, 2026

Palm Beach Celebrates Birthright Israel and the Jewish Future

by Birthright Israel Foundation

On March 23, Birthright Israel Foundation brought together more than 150 supporters at the Norton Museum of Art's Great Lawn for its annual Palm Beach event, an inspiring night of community, conversation, and commitment to the next generation.Honorary Chairs Rita and Charles Bronfman and Co-Chairs Susan and Ronnie Pertnoy showed guests what 27 years of visionary philanthropy can build. National...

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Brandeis University: Birthright Israel Reverses Generational Decline in Jewish Identity
Leadership & Supporters Trip Highlights Alums

March 23, 2026

Brandeis University: Birthright Israel Reverses Generational Decline in Jewish Identity

Brandeis University has documented the sharpest decline in Jewish connection among young American Jews in 25 years. Without intervention, campus pressure, misinformation, and political polarization are pulling young Jews away from Jewish life.Birthright Israel is the proven solution: participants return more connected to Israel, more grounded in their Jewish identity, and more committed to the Jewish community.The impact doesn't fade...

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