Birthright Israel Foundation Blog

The city of Tzfat (also spelled Safed or Zefat) is located high in the mountains of northern Israel, overlooking the Sea of Galilee. Tzfat holds a unique and significant place in the tapestry of Israel's heritage. The city has a vibrant Jewish history, mystical traditions, and breathtaking landscapes. Tzfat's history dates back thousands of years. In biblical times, it was… Read More 

Birthright Israel tour educator Moshe Linetsky will be visiting the US on behalf of Birthright Israel Foundation this year to meet with supporters regarding the educational programming of the classic 10-day trip. Moshe is a licensed Israeli Tour Educator, geopolitical speaker, and former IDF Officer who has years of experience in helping young Jewish adults better understand Israel. His involvement… Read More 

Birthright Israel was the impetus to stepping into Jewish life as a leader, not just a follower. Before I went on the trip, I did not have a strong sense of what it meant to belong in a Jewish community. But through my experiences on the trip and in the years since, I have found a strong sense of purpose… Read More 

Welcome to the fascinating world of Israeli television! Many of our Birthright Israel participants return home excited to keep their newfound connection to Israeli society alive — and thanks to streaming networks, tons of Israeli shows are accessible in the US. Our quiz tests your knowledge about some of the top Israeli shows on Netflix. These shows have garnered critical… Read More 

Disability rights advocate Brandon Farbstein had just finished a tour of Jerusalem’s Old City when he rolled up to the Holyland Café on his Segway, a trusted mobility aid, on a warm Sunday afternoon earlier this month. He was in Israel for the first time as part of an outdoor-focused Birthright trip, which takes participants to explore the country on… Read More 

Dear Birthright Israel Foundation Donor, This is definitely the hardest letter I had to write in my entire life, and you’re probably wondering why. In the beginning, I was very skeptical about writing this down, and even worse, having to share this personal thought with you guys was very intimidating. But after some time of thinking about it (a year… Read More 

Madeline Beard is a 2017 Birthright Israel alum who currently lives in Denver, CO. She grew up in Texas, went to school in DC, lived in NYC, and had a stint in Kentucky while working on a political campaign. She currently works as a Project Lead for TinyWins, a remote-first strategy and design agency. Outside of work, she loves staying… Read More 

As a 98.9% Ashkenazi Jewish individual growing up in Los Angeles, I always felt a connection to my culture and religion. From attending reform Jewish ceremonies within my family to spending summers at a Jewish sleepaway camp in Malibu, my exposure to Israel was limited to what I learned from others. However, as life got busier with sports and college,… Read More 

On the first day of school, nearly every year, each of my classes handed out the infamous questionnaire designed to introduce students to one another. Everybody is aware of the daunting feelings brewing inside of the person whose turn is approaching as they prepare to compile brief answers about their personal lives and interests. “Where are you from? What is… Read More 

When people talk about their Birthright Israel success stories, you’ll usually hear about someone who had no previous connection to Israel returning with a newfound love for their homeland. My Birthright Israel experience, however, instilled in me a sense of responsibility to stand up for its existence. In 2019, I filed a lawsuit against NYU for failing to protect its… Read More 

Whether you have had the life-changing opportunity to visit Israel or not, you most likely have heard of these incredible places in the quiz below. Take the quiz to see how well you know these renowned places in the Jewish homeland. From Jerusalem to Eilat, Israel is full of heartwarming and eye-opening experiences that warm the hearts of our Birthright… Read More