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Birthright Israel Foundation Blog

Masha Bakshiyeva FEATURED IMG
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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Alums Trip Highlights

April 1, 2025

Why I Became a Birthright Israel Volunteer at 49

by Felicia Dlugolenski , 2023 Birthright Israel Volunteer

I didn’t go on Birthright when I was younger. I had been to Israel once before — on a family trip in July 2023, just a few months before October 7th. That vacation lit a spark. But after October 7th, something shifted. The fire was lit. Honestly, it started with an Instagram ad. I saw something pop up about volunteer...

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Alums Trip Highlights

March 31, 2025

A Lifelong Commitment to Birthright Israel

by Jon Warech , Birthright Israel 1998 Alumnus

Jon Warech is the Executive Director of the Hillel at Florida International University. As the marketing material of Birthright celebrating its 25th anniversary began to go viral in the Fall, I started to do some math and got a little confused. I went on Birthright with University of Florida Hillel in December of 1998… 26 years ago. After an intense...

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Alums Love Stories Trip Highlights

March 28, 2025

We Became Soulmates On Birthright Israel

by Jenn and Elie Zussman , Birthright Israel 2000 Alumni

Jenn and Elie Zussman met as college students on one of the first Birthright Israel trips in 1999. They married in 2006 and live in Gaithersburg, Maryland, with their two daughters. Jenn: I grew up in Baltimore, Maryland, in Pikesville, with a strong Jewish community. My upbringing felt very natural and supportive. But when I went to the University of...

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Birthright Israel Changed My Life – And Transformed My Generation
Leadership & Supporters

March 25, 2025

Birthright Israel Changed My Life – And Transformed My Generation

by Elias Saratovsky , President and CEO of Birthright Israel Foundation

This op-ed by Elias Saratovsky, Birthright Israel Foundation’s President and CEO, was published in eJewishPhilanthropy on March 11, 2025. I am honored to hear the same five words all the time: “Birthright Israel changed my life.” I can relate. I grew up in a home with no Shabbat candles and no Passover Seder. As a teenager, I felt disconnected from...

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Events

March 25, 2025

Birthright Israel Partners with JFNA to Bring 10,000 Volunteers to Israel

by Birthright Israel Foundation

Birthright Israel and Jewish Federations of North America (JFNA) are pleased to announce a strategic partnership to grow the number of global Jewish community members who travel to Israel to volunteer at this critical time. The two organizations will leverage their scale and expertise to ensure that at least 10,000 participants volunteer in Israel in 2025 to support Israel’s recovery...

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Birthright Israel Hosts Women’s Event with Ashley Waxman Bakshi in Atlanta
Events

March 25, 2025

Birthright Israel Hosts Women’s Event with Ashley Waxman Bakshi in Atlanta

by Birthright Israel Foundation

On March 24, 2025, more than 50 women gathered in the Atlanta home of Karen Shulman for Birthright Israel Foundation’s first-ever women’s event. Co-hosted by Karen and fellow Atlanta Leadership Council Co-Chair Michelle Leven, the afternoon brought together an inspiring group of donors, community leaders, and new supporters, all united in their commitment to strengthening Jewish identity through Birthright Israel....

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