August 6, 2020
It has always been my dream to visit Israel. And when my parents decided they would not hold my two younger sisters’ B’not Mitzvah in Israel, I knew I had to find another way. Birthright Israel was the way I fulfilled that promise. Early on in the trip, our group toured the Golan Heights. Instantly my college studies on history...
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August 6, 2020
Has your beloved family member accepted the gift of a Birthright Israel trip? Mazel tov! He or she is one step closer to embracing the Jewish homeland. While you’re probably excited about the upcoming trip, we understand if you’re also nervous. The media and uninformed masses often spread misinformation about the Jewish state. There are many things people get wrong...
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August 4, 2020
It began over 20 years ago with a bold idea from Jewish philanthropists: A trip to the Holy Land will enhance and strengthen the Jewish Diaspora for generations to come. Thus, Birthright Israel was born, and Birthright Israel Foundation came soon after. You may have heard about Birthright Israel from friends, family, or media, but you’re likely less familiar with...
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August 3, 2020
The first time I attended Birthright Israel was towards the end of my army service. It was an amazing five days of tours, activities, the sea, Masada, camels, and guitar singing until the wee hours of the night, both in our rooms and sitting by the side of the bonfire. But one thing was not clear to me, “who are...
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July 30, 2020
When I was born, my father wanted to name me Sunshine. My mother compromised and named Meira Shleifer, which translates to illuminate. I grew up in a small Orthodox Jewish community in Waterbury, CT, attended a religious Jewish day school through eighth grade, and an all-girls Orthodox Yeshiva high school. Traditionally, after high school, Yeshiva students go to Israel for...
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July 27, 2020
The year is 1969, and a young Ron Eichel has decided to make his way South to Atlanta after finishing a pediatric dental residency in Indiana. Little did he know that the city he would learn to call home and the Jewish community he came to adore would look up to him as an incredible role model for decades to...
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July 24, 2020
As a child, being Jewish was easy– mostly because it was gently forced upon me by my loving parents and grandparents. However, what really did not come easy to me was figuring out what my Jewish identity meant to me once I flew out of the nest and later on in my professional career. Figuring out what my Jewish identity...
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July 23, 2020
Tzedakah is a Hebrew word that resonates for most American Jews. Perhaps you remember collecting coins in a blue and white pushke as a kid. Or maybe you learned about mitzvot as a young adult on a Birthright Israel trip. The closest English translation is philanthropy, but tzedakah also ties into justice and righteousness. Pursuing social action through mitzvot like...
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July 21, 2020
When Arlene Kaufman and Sandy Baklor married over two decades ago, they both not only shared an undeniable love for each other but an undeniable love for Israel and Jewish people. Anyone who has had the pleasure to meet Arlene and Sandy knows firsthand their focus is on securing the Jewish future - whether through Birthright Israel Foundation, Masa Israel...
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July 20, 2020
In summer 2014, there was ongoing rocket fire from Hamas into Israel, and like many Jewish people, this was weighing heavily on my heart. Sure, being in the US as this was happening, it's easy to sort of tune it out since quickly, these situations in Israel can become like any other news cycle. However, for me, this was different...
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