Birthright Israel Foundation Blog

To start, Birthright Israel changed my life. It has changed my life spiritually, mentally, romantically (which you will hear about later). I want to leave you with suspense! When I am asked to share my Birthright Israel story, it's difficult to decide where to begin because my experience has provided me with so many different outlets and avenues that impacted… Read More 

Ellen Voskoboynik was born in the United States to former Soviet immigrants. Her parents, who fled the former Soviet Union as refugees, raised her to have a strong respect for her Jewish heritage. Ellen participated in Birthright Israel through the Indiana University Hillel, where she became a Bat Mitzvah on the trip. Ellen is now a practicing emergency room nurse… Read More 

I went on Birthright after my second year of college in May 2019. Like many Birthright Israel trips, my journey started at the airport. My dad and stepmom dropped me off at the airport. Margot, my stepmom, wanted to come with me to the airport so she could see a Birthright Israel trip up close. After two goodbyes and many… Read More 

Shani Levi is a recent Birthright Israel alumna from Johannesburg, South Africa. After her Birthright Israel trip, she went on to study midrasha in Jerusalem, Israel. Shani loves getting involved in her community and helping people — something her trip further inspired her to do. In our interview below, read how her trip impacted her life. Q&A with Shani Levi… Read More 

The Birthright Israel experience is very different for an Israeli young adult than our American counterparts. When I was asked to join a Birthright Israel group in Tel Aviv for three days, I said, "of course, it's a free vacation." Most of all, I was excited to have time off from the army. I was very excited about this "free… Read More 

I was incredibly fortunate to go on a Birthright Israel trip in July 2021 when Israel opened its borders during the pandemic. I was eager to have this experience and am grateful to share more about it with you. Growing up, I was raised in a home that was a mix of reform, conservative and orthodox, from my parents and… Read More 

While I was in high school in the summer of 2012, I took my first trip to Israel with BBYO, the Jewish youth movement I was involved in. I was thrilled to be spending three weeks on a trip to Israel, but part of me was also a little sad — I knew that by going on this trip, I… Read More 

Going on Birthright Israel in the middle of a pandemic in the winter seemed like an intimidating trip. Although my trip was canceled and rescheduled many times due to COVID, the excitement of participating never left me. Once in Israel, I knew I was in for a fantastic jam-packed 10-day adventure. I could speak to many aspects of what Birthright… Read More 

Growing up in a Jewish household, I always heard about the Birthright Israel trips that my friends and family members took part in. What always shocked me was realizing the immense connections people would describe after the trip. When choosing where to study abroad as a Junior in college, I decided on Tel Aviv. I wanted to feel that same… Read More 

Joshua Mitchell‑Arbital was born in Tulsa, OK, and participated in Birthright Israel in 2021. He received his undergraduate degree from the University of Central Oklahoma and is currently getting his Master's in International Studies focusing on Culture, Power, and Social Movements at the University of San Francisco. At the same time, Joshua is also the event and programming intern for… Read More 

Each February Jewish organizations worldwide unite to raise awareness and promote the acceptance and inclusion of people with disabilities and mental health conditions. In 2009, the Jewish Special Education International Consortium announced that February would officially be Jewish Disability Awareness, Acceptance & Inclusion Month (JDAIM). Birthright Israel Foundation is proud to celebrate JDAIM and its endeavors. How to Take Part… Read More