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Birthright Israel Foundation Blog

From Bat Mitzvah to Bar Mitzvah: One Man's Journey with Birthright Israel

August 29, 2019

From Bat Mitzvah to Bar Mitzvah: One Man's Journey with Birthright Israel

by Samuel Benji , 2019 Birthright Israel Alumnus

This may be a bit cliché because everyone who goes on Birthright Israel seems to say this, but it is because it is true…Birthright was a life-changing experience. I have many memories that are going to stick with me for the rest of my life. For example, getting to know all of the amazing people on my trip, walking in...

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Birthright Israel Was My First Journey In Recovery

August 27, 2019

Birthright Israel Was My First Journey In Recovery

by Rachel Kessler , 2015 Birthright Israel Alumna

I grew up in a small Jewish community in Northern California, where I had a broken relationship with my Judaism. After my Bat Mitzvah, I didn’t see any reason to continue with the Jewish community. I knew about Birthright Israel, but it was never something that I was interested in doing. After I became sober, I began to explore what...

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Rediscovering My Jewish Roots on Birthright Israel

August 22, 2019

Rediscovering My Jewish Roots on Birthright Israel

by Samuel Meller , 2018 Birthright Israel Alumnus

Birthright Israel was a life-changing experience for me. I found out about this opportunity by getting more involved with my Hillel branch at Florida International University. I had never been to Israel before, so when I learned it was essentially free, I jumped on it and signed up. I would recommend this trip to anyone who wants to connect with...

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How Birthright Israel Helped Me Embrace My Identities

August 20, 2019

How Birthright Israel Helped Me Embrace My Identities

by Jordan Daniels , 2019 Birthright Israel Alumnus

My Jewish background was hidden throughout childhood but has been brought forward as I’ve stepped into adulthood. When I was a kid, I was told never to disclose my Jewishness to people. As a mixed child, my family felt that appearing both Black and Jewish would subject me to too much discrimination, therefore, I kept my Jewish observation inconspicuous. Growing...

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August 14, 2019

How I Roll: Birthright Israel No Limits In Motion

by Naomi Hess , 2019 Birthright Israel No Limits In Motion Alumna

I can’t even fully explain how amazing my Birthright Israel trip was, but I’ll do my best. Birthright Israel No Limits In Motion is a trip designed specifically for young adults with disabilities ages 18-32. This trip promises a completely free and accessible trip to Israel. Each participant gets to bring a companion with them for free, so I brought...

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Then & Now: KC Yasmer

August 13, 2019

Then & Now: KC Yasmer

by KC Yasmer , 2000 Birthright Israel Alumnus

July 2000 My name is KC Yasmer and I am a junior at Stanford University. It was my good fortune to join the other hundreds of college students on the Birthright Israel 2000 trip. I was raised in Tucson, Arizona, a southwestern town with a small but cohesive Jewish community. Judaism was and is a part of my life, which...

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We Found Love In A Holy Place: How Birthright Israel Brought Us Together

August 7, 2019

We Found Love In A Holy Place: How Birthright Israel Brought Us Together

by Jenna Kay List , 2013 Birthright Israel Alumna

Finding Love in a Holy Place Back in 2013, I received a call that I could go on Birthright Israel, and of course, I took the opportunity and booked my flight to NYC. I had never traveled alone, and the anxiety and excitement were outrageous. When my peers and I arrived at the airport on the morning of our trip,...

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What are parents saying about Birthright Israel this summer?

August 1, 2019

What are parents saying about Birthright Israel this summer?

by Birthright Israel Foundation

"My daughter loved every minute of the Israeli people, places, food, information and experiences. She went in convinced that while the trip would offer exposure to valuable historical and cultural insights, she'd be bored. Instead, she returned in awe. The group explored from sunup to sundown daily, and my daughter felt like no sightseeing stone was left unturned. The education...

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My Spiritual Journey with Birthright Israel

July 10, 2019

My Spiritual Journey with Birthright Israel

by Alexis Vance , 2019 Birthright Israel Alumna

There’s a difference between being Jewish and being Jew “ish.” I was born Jewish, but I was not raised Jewish. Back in the 1940’s, my Ashkenazi grandmother was born and raised Jewish in Brooklyn, New York. Although it was very unusual for women of her time to receive proper Jewish education, she continued to practice Judaism well into her adulthood....

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