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Birthright Israel Foundation Blog

NYC Birthright Israel Alumni Gather to Celebrate, Reflect & Give Back
Alums Events Leadership & Supporters

May 17, 2025

NYC Birthright Israel Alumni Gather to Celebrate, Reflect & Give Back

by Birthright Israel Foundation

On May 14, Birthright Israel alumni, supporters, and friends gathered at The Ivory Peacock to celebrate the program’s 25th anniversary and launch a new era of alumni leadership. From cocktails and conversations to inspiring remarks and a stirring alumni spotlight, the evening was a testament to what’s possible when young Jews step up to lead—and give back. Together, we raised...

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Alums

May 15, 2025

New Brandeis Data Shows Birthright Israel’s Impact in a Year of Resilience

by Birthright Israel Foundation

In this defining moment, Birthright Israel is a guiding force for Jewish resilience. Brandeis University has the data. In 2024, as Israel faced war on multiple fronts and antisemitism surged, especially on college campuses, 18,700 Jewish young adults chose to travel to Israel with us. They weren’t deterred. They were determined — to understand the reality on the ground, affirm...

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Events Leadership & Supporters

May 14, 2025

New Jersey Community Sends 142 Participants on Birthright Israel

by Birthright Israel Foundation

On May 7, the New Jersey Jewish community gathered at the Orange Lawn Tennis Club for an evening in support of Birthright Israel Foundation. Together, attendees raised enough to send 142 Jewish young adults to Israel — thanks in part to a generous anonymous matching gift. At an intimate VIP reception prior to the event, Dr. Zohar Raviv, International VP...

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Events Leadership & Supporters

May 12, 2025

Detroit Hosts Powerful Evening in Support of Birthright Israel Foundation 

by Birthright Israel Foundation

On April 23, 2025, Michigan’s Jewish community gathered for a meaningful evening in support of Birthright Israel Foundation. Hosted by Cathy and Charlie Schwartz together with Allie and Andrew Sherman, the event marked the 25th anniversary of Birthright Israel and celebrated its enduring impact on Jewish identity and community resilience. Charlie Schwartz opened the program with a moment of silence...

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Alums Trip Highlights

May 5, 2025

Finding Hope and Purpose As a Birthright Israel Volunteer

by Isaac Malca , 2023 Birthright Israel Volunteer

When I was a kid, my family moved around a lot — from Mexico to Vancouver, eventually settling in Houston. But no matter where we lived, one thing was constant: our connection to Judaism and the Jewish community. In Houston, I was lucky to attend Beren Academy, where I developed a strong sense of Jewish pride and learned the importance...

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Brooke Pertnoy FEATURED
Alums

April 17, 2025

Birthright Israel Helped Me Find My Calling in Jewish Early Childhood Education 

by Brooke Pertnoy , Birthright Israel Alumna

Brooke Pertnoy is the Director of the Barbara & Jack Kay Early Childhood Learning Center at the Mandel JCC in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. I was born and raised in Florida. My dad is Jewish, and my mom converted when they got married — though she still celebrated Christmas, so in some ways, we were a mixed-faith household. I went...

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Alums Trip Highlights

April 8, 2025

Birthright Israel Is So Much More Than Fun 

by Rachel Moon , Birthright Israel Alumna

Rachel Moon is a beauty and fashion influencer and a pro-Israel activist with over 100,000 followers. She lives in the suburbs of Washington D.C. My mom is Jewish. My dad wasn’t, but he adopted everything — every tradition, every holiday. He even led our Seders. My Jewish identity has been important to me for as long as I can remember....

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Alums Trip Highlights

April 8, 2025

From Soviet Silence to Jewish Pride with Birthright Israel 

by Masha Bakshiyeva , 2015 Birthright Israel Alumni, 2024 Volunteer

I’m 32 years old, born in Russia, and raised in New Jersey. My family came to the U.S. in 1996 as refugees fleeing antisemitism in the former Soviet Union. I’ve spent my adult life in America, working in the entertainment industry, and more recently transitioning into the mental health space. Being of service — giving back — has always been...

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Alums Trip Highlights

April 7, 2025

Through Birthright Israel, I Finally Understood My Brother’s Choice

by Rina Factor , 2024 Birthright Israel Alumna

My mother is Korean and my father is Israeli. I grew up Modern Orthodox, in a Zionist home, waving blue-and-white flags at my Jewish Orthodox school on Yom Ha'atzmaut. Before October 7th, I grew up hearing stories of my grandparents who survived the Holocaust, and my grandfather who served in the IDF and narrowly escaped death several times fighting for...

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Birthright Foundation Photos
Events Leadership & Supporters

April 3, 2025

Charles Bronfman Hosts Birthright Israel Celebration in Palm Beach

by Birthright Israel Foundation

On March 27, supporters of Birthright Israel gathered for a powerful evening at the Palm Beach home of Co-Founder Charles Bronfman and his wife Rita, celebrating 25 years of one of the most transformative Jewish initiatives in modern history. Ronnie Pertnoy, Chair of Birthright Israel for Palm Beach, spoke about the program’s global reach — more than 900,000 Jewish young...

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