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Birthright Israel Foundation Blog

Birthright Israel: “If Not Me, Then Who?” 
Trip Highlights Leadership & Supporters

February 5, 2026

Birthright Israel: “If Not Me, Then Who?” 

by Reyna Susi Dominitz , Associate Vice President, Miami, Birthright Israel Foundation

This reflection was written in January 2025, following a Birthright Israel staff mission to Israel. I was there during the release of hostages Romi Gonen, Emily Damari, and Doron Steinbrecher, who had been held in Hamas captivity for more than a year. I landed back home just 24 hours ago, and I am still in disbelief at what I experienced. I...

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Birthright Israel Through My Eyes as an Israeli American
Trip Highlights Alums

February 3, 2026

Birthright Israel Through My Eyes as an Israeli American

by Dana Peri , 2026 Birthright Israel Alumna

I was born in Israel, and my family moved to the U.S. when I was seven and a half. I grew up in New Jersey, and now I’m a fourth-year student at Drexel University, majoring in biology. I work at a cancer immunotherapy research lab at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, and I’m exploring a career in medicine.As an immigrant...

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Birthright Israel Made Me Ask: How Can I Be a Better Jew?
Alums Trip Highlights

January 29, 2026

Birthright Israel Made Me Ask: How Can I Be a Better Jew?

by Josh Smiler , 2026 Birthright Israel Alumnus

I’m from Bucks County, Pennsylvania, and I’m a sophomore at Drexel University in Philadelphia, studying marketing. I’m interested in social media and branding, and I also play basketball. I went to Hebrew school until about age thirteen and had my bar mitzvah, but after that, there was a gap. Then the pandemic hit, everything got chaotic, and before I knew...

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Birthright Israel: "Don't Wait"
Alums Trip Highlights

January 29, 2026

Birthright Israel: "Don't Wait"

by Shaina Butler , 2025 Birthright Israel Alumna

For most of my life, Israel was something I was supposed to wait for. When I was growing up in a Chabad Chasidic community, the answer was seminary. When COVID-19 shut that door, the answer became “next year.” When my health collapsed, the answer became “when you can walk again.”Once COVID restrictions were lifted, and I had time off from...

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“Our Story”: How Birthright Israel Helped Me Claim Mine
Alums Trip Highlights

January 28, 2026

“Our Story”: How Birthright Israel Helped Me Claim Mine

by Olivia Gelick , 2026 Birthright Israel Alumna

I’m from Westchester, New York. I studied cinematography at Ithaca College and graduated in 2023. Now I’m getting an MFA in photography through Savannah College of Art and Design. I’m going through my photos from Birthright Israel and writing about my experiences, hoping to eventually compile them into a book.My dad is Jewish, and my mom is Catholic. My sister...

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Judaism Felt Outdated Until Birthright Israel 
Alums Trip Highlights

January 27, 2026

Judaism Felt Outdated Until Birthright Israel 

by Rita Kamil  , 2026 Birthright Israel Volunteer

I grew up in Michigan with a Reform Jewish identity. But if I’m honest, I felt the least Jewish of my siblings. I’m one of six kids, and I was the most secular one. I just didn’t see the relevance. Judaism felt outdated, like the traditions were disconnected from modern life. Then October 7 happened, and it fundamentally changed me. I...

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What Birthright Israel Made Impossible to Ignore
Alums Trip Highlights

January 26, 2026

What Birthright Israel Made Impossible to Ignore

by Zak Bedrosian , 2026 Birthright Israel Alumnus

For many Jewish young adults, Judaism doesn’t disappear. It just gets deprioritized. Not out of rejection, but out of momentum. Careers accelerate. Cities change. Communities become harder to hold onto. You don’t stop being Jewish; you just stop structuring your life around it. That’s what happened to me.I live in the San Francisco Bay area now, where I am an...

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Birthright Israel Foundation Appoints Michael Rashes Chair of the Board of Directors

January 20, 2026

Birthright Israel Foundation Appoints Michael Rashes Chair of the Board of Directors

by Birthright Israel Foundation

Birthright Israel Foundation is pleased to announce a transition in board leadership and the appointment of its new Executive Committee, effective January 1, 2026. After four years as Board Chair, Philip de Toledo has concluded his term, with Michael Rashes assuming the role of Chair of the Board of Directors.During his tenure, de Toledo helped guide the Foundation through an...

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Welcoming New Birthright Israel Foundation Board Chair Michael Rashes

January 20, 2026

Welcoming New Birthright Israel Foundation Board Chair Michael Rashes

by Birthright Israel Foundation

As he steps into his new role as Chair of the Birthright Israel Foundation Board of Directors, Mike Rashes spoke to us about the urgency of this moment for the Jewish people and his vision for the Generations Campaign and the future of Birthright Israel.What sparked your connection to Israel and support of Birthright Israel?I felt an immediate and palpable...

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Philip de Toledo on His Tenure as Birthright Israel Foundation Board Chair

January 20, 2026

Philip de Toledo on His Tenure as Birthright Israel Foundation Board Chair

by Birthright Israel Foundation

As he concludes his tenure as Chair of the Birthright Israel Foundation Board of Directors, Philip de Toledo reflected on the personal journey that deepened his connection to Israel, the opportunity for f leadership during an eventful period of time, and the enduring impact of Birthright Israel.How did you become a leader at Birthright Israel Foundation?We’d supported Birthright Israel for...

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