July 19, 2021
While Jewish Americans and Israelis are kindred spirits, you were likely in for a culture shock the first time you visited the holy land. Americans, for instance, tend to sugarcoat things. Israelis tell it like it is. As one Birthright Israel trip provider puts it, “If you want the hard truth (or even if you don’t), Israelis are more than...
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July 15, 2021
JERUSALEM – Arel Moodie, the son of a white Jewish mother and a Black father, experienced a core identity struggle through most of his teenage years. "It was one of the biggest pieces of turmoil in my adolescence," said Moodie, who was raised in a predominantly African-American neighborhood in Brooklyn and attended Jewish camps every summer. "I asked myself, 'Who...
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July 15, 2021
While everyone’s a bundle of nerves about meeting new people and making Jewish friends before their Birthright Israel trip, the fear quickly melts away when they instantly connect with their group. The 40 or so Jewish young adults from throughout the Diaspora and Israel grow as close as family as they embrace their homeland and heritage on this life-changing trip....
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July 6, 2021
My experience with Birthright Israel began as soon as I got on the bus in front of the Central Bus Station in Jerusalem, wearing an IDF uniform along with seven other Israelis. We were greeted by a group of about 40 Americans from San Francisco with cheers and stormy applause. It started at that moment, and not a minute before,...
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June 29, 2021
2017 Birthright Israel alumnus Aaron from Massachusetts, always knew he wanted to serve in the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and took advantage of the trip to further his desire to defend Israel and the Jewish people. Aaron returned home after Birthright Israel to finish his degree in mechanical and aerospace engineering before returning to Israel. In Israel, he became a...
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June 24, 2021
This summer, Birthright Israel is back and Israelis everywhere are saying Bruchim Habaim: "Welcome Home." As trips resume after a pause due to the pandemic, young Jews in the Diaspora are not the only ones ready for the journey — Israelis are too! They play a crucial role in the Birthright Israel experience, from El Al flight attendant Ortal, to...
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June 21, 2021
Do you know where Israel signed their Declaration of Independence? Or what the most common food in Israel is? Think you're sure? Well, then it's time to take our pop quiz and test your Jewish knowledge. We can't wait to see how you score! When you're done with the quiz, be sure to share your score on social and tag...
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June 18, 2021
This Father’s Day, we’re excited to feature an exclusive interview with Birthright Israel alumnus Alexei Brovarnik. Alexei participated in Birthright Israel in 2013, where he met Loren née Goldstone, who would eventually become his wife. The couple fell in love during their trip and would go on to have the most famous Birthright Israel love story in the program's 21-year...
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June 9, 2021
There’s no tastier perk on a Birthright Israel trip than the opportunity to eat authentic Israeli food. One bite of falafel and most participants are hooked. The 10-day trip completely immerses the group in the local flavors—entirely foreign fare for many participating Jewish young adults. “At home, my diet consists of chicken fingers and pasta, with the occasional vegetable thrown...
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June 8, 2021
Alex Lin-Goldsmith participated in Birthright Israel over 10 years ago and says he's still reaping the benefits of his trip. Like many LGBTQ+ participants, Alex discovered Israel's diverse culture and got an inside look at the country's LGBTQ+ community. From then on, he made lifelong friends and frequently spoke about his experience. In the years following his trip, Alex met...
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