Home
Blog & News
Foundation Blog Journeys Magazine Young Leadership Photos 2019 Parade Photos 2018 Mission Photos 2018 Gala Photos

From the desk of Birthright Israel Foundation

Event Highlights: Mezuzah Hanging and Shabbat in Palm Beach

by Birthright Israel Foundation December 16, 2019 at 5:18 pm

Event Highlights: Mezuzah Hanging and Shabbat in Palm Beach

by Birthright Israel Foundation December 16, 2019 at 5:18 pm

On Thursday, December 12, 2019, over 45 prominent supporters of Birthright Israel Foundation and board members of Temple Emanuel gathered at our Palm Beach offices for a mezuzah hanging. The gathering marked a significant moment in Birthright Israel history as our 20th-anniversary approaches since the ritual of hanging the mezuzah represents our commitment to future generations and passing on the love of our heritage to our children. We greatly appreciate the Palm Beach community for their ongoing generosity to our mission. Read More

Birthright Israel is Life-Changing and I’ll Keep Saying It

by Courtney Simmons Demri • South Florida December 16, 2019 at 3:39 pm

Birthright Israel is Life-Changing and I’ll Keep Saying It

by Courtney Simmons Demri • South Florida December 16, 2019 at 3:39 pm

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 my life for the better. Read More

Alumni Profile: Marissa Schwartz

by Birthright Israel Foundation December 12, 2019 at 9:18 pm

Alumni Profile: Marissa Schwartz

by Birthright Israel Foundation December 12, 2019 at 9:18 pm

In 2009, Marissa Schwartz took advantage of the gift of Birthright Israel through the Chabad of Dartmouth with close friend Jenna Pfeffer. Years later, thanks to her firsthand experience of the country and culture, she is now Director of Business Development for My Israel’s Miracle, a haircare line featuring organic ingredients from Israel with a goal to share great things about Israel. Read More

Birthright Israel Love Story: Carly and Alex Vargas

by Carly & Alex Vargas • Boston, MA December 3, 2019 at 9:14 pm

Birthright Israel Love Story: Carly and Alex Vargas

by Carly & Alex Vargas • Boston, MA December 3, 2019 at 9:14 pm

Carly Rapaport and Alex Vargas met on their Birthright Israel trip back in the summer of 2014. Although they lived under 6 miles from each other in Boston at the time, they didn’t meet until their trip when they were over 5,000 miles from home! Carly explains, “Alex had wanted to go on a Birthright Israel trip for years, but he just couldn’t find the right time. Read More

Birthright Israel Was My First Taste Of True Community

by Kyla Sokoll-Ward • San Francisco, CA December 2, 2019 at 10:31 pm
Kyla Sokoll-Ward on the beach in Israel in 2011

Birthright Israel Was My First Taste Of True Community

by Kyla Sokoll-Ward • San Francisco, CA December 2, 2019 at 10:31 pm

I went on my Birthright Israel trip in 2011 at the ripe age of 19. Like many participants in this demographic, I was excited about the experience (who doesn’t love the rare gift of free travel?) and eager to explore my Jewish identity more. My Jewish upbringing wasn’t atypical for an American Jew; I went to synagogue on the high holidays, I went to Sunday school, I had a Bat Mitzvah, and I complained about all of it. Read More

Birthright Israel Is Crucial And Here’s Why

by Jenna Pfeffer • New York, NY December 2, 2019 at 7:53 pm

Birthright Israel Is Crucial And Here’s Why

by Jenna Pfeffer • New York, NY December 2, 2019 at 7:53 pm

Growing up, my grandparents instilled in me a strong love for Israel and for fellow Jews around the world. Each of them was a Holocaust survivor and lost countless family members in the war, including parents and even baby siblings. If only the state of Israel had been formed sooner. For my grandparents, there was nothing more admirable than being a Proud Zionist. Read More

A Hike Up Masada and Doing Yoga on a Kibbutz Can Change Your Life

by Randi Eisenshtat • Miami, FL November 28, 2019 at 4:02 am

A Hike Up Masada and Doing Yoga on a Kibbutz Can Change Your Life

by Randi Eisenshtat • Miami, FL November 28, 2019 at 4:02 am

In a short period of time, my life has really changed. I get asked the question a lot as to what happened, and I always respond with, “You know how I went to Israel this past summer…” I grew up in the Bible Belt, also known as Katy, Texas. Both my parents are Jewish, and my brother and I were raised culturally Jewish. Read More

You Gave Me the Gift of Birthright Israel, And It Gave Me the Gift of Knowing Who I Am

by Nicole Livadas • Aventura, FL November 27, 2019 at 4:58 pm

You Gave Me the Gift of Birthright Israel, And It Gave Me the Gift of Knowing Who I Am

by Nicole Livadas • Aventura, FL November 27, 2019 at 4:58 pm

When I was a little girl, I ate Matzah because I was Jewish, and my mother sent me to Hebrew school once a week to understand that I wasn’t Christian. My classmates went to day school together, and I only saw them once a week, and they had last names that included a ‘berg, a ‘stein, a ‘gold or sometimes all three! Read More

Event Highlights: 6th Annual Los Angeles Dinner

by Birthright Israel Foundation November 22, 2019 at 7:31 pm

Event Highlights: 6th Annual Los Angeles Dinner

by Birthright Israel Foundation November 22, 2019 at 7:31 pm

On Thursday, November 21, 2019, Birthright Israel Foundation, together with over 300 guests, honored philanthropists Gila and Adam Milstein at our 6th Annual Los Angeles Dinner. The evening was a tremendous success, raising $34 million for Birthright Israel Foundation from the community, including the Adelsons. We thank the Adelsons for their continued generosity to Birthright Israel Foundation, bringing their total support of the organization to $440 million. Inspirational moments included moving remarks from Evie Steinberg reflecting on her family’s meaningful connection with Birthright Israel, an intimate conversation with Dr. Miriam Read More

Event Highlight: Philadelphia Dinner at Zahav

by Birthright Israel Foundation November 21, 2019 at 4:49 pm
Marjorie Honickman at Zahav with Birthright Israel Foundation, November 2019

Event Highlight: Philadelphia Dinner at Zahav

by Birthright Israel Foundation November 21, 2019 at 4:49 pm

On November 20, 2019, we gathered with our Philadelphia community for an evening to benefit Birthright Israel Foundation at Zahav. We’d like to thank our wonderful Philadelphia leadership for making this event a smashing success. Our guests were fortunate enough to hear from Birthright Israel alumnus and national best-selling author, Arel Moodie. Read More