LETTER FROM OUR PRESIDENT

LETTER FROM OUR PRESIDENT & CEO

Dear friends,

It is with great excitement that I write to you for the first time, as the new President & CEO of Birthright Israel Foundation. After completing my term as President & CEO at Israel Bonds, there is no better place for me to be, working at an organization that is fueled by the same passion I have for the state of Israel and the future of the Jewish people.

As you know, there is no greater investment in our Jewish future than Birthright Israel. This program is truly transforming an entire generation, with more than 500,000 young Jewish adults connected to the state of Israel and finding their own place, on their own terms, in the Jewish community. Participants come home from Israel with a new understanding of who they are, where they came from and where they now fit in. They infuse our communities, our synagogues and our causes with passion, dedication and a fresh perspective on what it means to be Jewish.

In the coming months I look forward to traveling across the country to get to know you and celebrate our mutual love for Birthright Israel. If we work together, we can send even more young Jewish adults on Birthright Israel each and every year. It is my goal to raise even greater funds to make this experience a reality for every eligible millennial that raises their hand and says “I want to go on Birthright Israel.” I believe, with your help, this is possible.

If you care about the Jewish people, if you care about Israel, than Birthright Israel is an investment you must make. Please join me and become a stakeholder in the Jewish future. A future we can be proud of, together.

Wishing you a happy and healthy 2017.

Sincerely,

Israel (“Izzy”) Tapoohi President & CEO

OUR MISSION

Birthright Israel Foundation raises funds in the United States to support Birthright Israel, a program which currently provides 45,000 young Jewish adults annually the gift of a 10-day trip to Israel. It is our goal to ensure the gift of Birthright Israel continues to strengthen Jewish continuity and provide even more young Jewish adults with a connection to Israel for years to come.

OUR VISION

Birthright Israel began with a bold idea — offer the gift of a life-changing, 10-day trip to Israel to young Jewish adults between the ages of 18 and 26 — and in doing so, transform the Jewish future. Founded in 1999 by a remarkable group of committed Jewish philanthropists led by Charles Bronfman and Michael Steinhardt, Birthright Israel aims to strengthen Jewish identity, build a lasting bond with the land and people of Israel, and reinforce the solidarity of Jewish people worldwide.

“Birthright Israel is without a doubt the most impactful program in the last quarter century in the Jewish world, but it’s not over yet, and we have a long way to go.”

- Michael Steinhardt

“One of the greatest things in the Jewish world is l’dor v’dor, from generation to generation. When we get into the second generation of Birthright Israel participants, then we’ll know that we’ve not only hit a home run, but a grand slam.”