EVENTS

Events and Celebrations

Birthright Israel Foundation supporters came together in their communities around the country this year for more than 35 events that raised over $8 million towards our annual campaign. Here is an inside look into some of our 2016 events!

March

We kicked off our 2016 event season in Palm Beach, Florida. Hosted by Sydell Miller, Palm Beach County supporters joined with Canadian snowbirds at La Reverie for an evening to support Birthright Israel Foundation and Birthright Israel Foundation of Canada. Guests had the pleasure of hearing from Birthright Israel co-founder, Charles Bronfman; Birthright Israel tour educator, Rachel Smith-Savaya; and Birthright Israel Accessibility/Special Needs trip alumnus, Josh Tober.

april

We hosted our second Birthright Israel Forum immediately following the JFN International Conference in La Jolla, California. The forum was open to foundation professionals from our current institutional donors and other professionals who were interested in learning more about the Birthright Israel program from a more intimate perspective. We were excited to have Birthright Israel leadership including International CEO, Gidi Mark; International VP of Education, Dr. Zohar Raviv; and Executive Director, Liz Sokolsky join us.

may

We came together in Austin at the home of Valerie and Jeffrey Newberg. The evening opened with a dedication for Yom HaShoah, Holocaust Memorial Day, as host, Valerie, shared her personal story and lit a memorial candle. Adam Stewart, Director of Education and Strategy at The iCenter, shared his insights on Birthright Israel’s educational platform and approach, how to engage young adults on the trip, and the success of Birthright Israel.

june

We kicked off the summer in New York City as Shari and Ofer Yardeni hosted The Evolution of Birthright Israel at The Ritz Plaza. The program included remarks by Shimon Shkury, a history of Birthright Israel by Jeff Solomon and a firsthand look into the Birthright Israel experience from tour educator, Rachel Smith-Savaya and Mifgash alumna, Tom Shaked.

Guests gathered at beautiful Bedford home of hosts, Jackie and Barry Gosin, as Mifgash alumna, Tom Shaked, and two Birthright Israel alumni shared their stories. We were also lucky to hear from Foundation board member Stephen M. Siderow about why supporting Birthright Israel Foundation is important to him and his family.

Over 100 young leaders and Birthright Israel alumni came together at the home of hosts, Lauren and Ari Ackerman, for The Magic of Birthright Israel, our annual Young Leadership event. Guests enjoyed a gorgeous view of New York City, as well as a performance from a beatboxer and Birthright Israel alumni speakers. We were honored to have board member Stephen M. Siderow in attendance who was so inspired by our young leadership that he generously matched gifts made that evening.

Members our board, joined by family members and leadership from Birthright Israel Foundation, came together in Israel for our inaugural Board of Directors retreat. Highlights included a tour of the Innovation Center in Tel Aviv, dinner with Birthright Israel leadership, and a meeting with Director-General, Eli Groner; Foreign Media Advisor and Spokesman, David Keyes; and Senior Advisor, Dr. Jonathan Schachter. Our time in Israel was an incredible way to see the impact of Birthright Israel firsthand and reinforce our board’s commitment to our mission.

July

Local supporters gathered for an intimate dinner at the Standard Club in Chicago. The evening was co-hosted by Birthright Israel co-founder, Charles Bronfman, and Lester and Renèe Crown. Guests heard firsthand from Charles Bronfman about the history of Birthright Israel as well as the personal experience of Mifgash alumna, Tom Shaked.

Nancy and Mitch Steir hosted our annual Hamptons event at their home in Watermill, New York. About 100 guests gathered for a wonderful evening in support of Birthright Israel Foundation, including members of our New York City Leadership Council and board members Susie Gelman, Wendy Shenfeld, Doug Ross, Atlanta Leadership Council Chair, and Josh Nash, Board Chair.

september

Birthright Israel Foundation headed to the West Coast as Arline and Buddy Pepp hosted the annual Los Angeles event at the Petersen Automotive Museum. In partnership with the Jewish Federation of Greater Los Angeles, the evening honored one of the original Birthright Israel funders, Gary Winnick. We were lucky to be joined by board member Shawn Evenhaim. A select group of guests were invited on a private tour of the museum’s vault.

Our Boston community came together in September for a dinner at Belmont Country Club. The evening focused around the theme Birthright Israel Changed My Life. Supporters in attendance heard from Barry Shrage, President of CJP, as well as two local Birthright Israel alumni, one of whom is a former IDF paratrooper.

october

We came together at the home of hosts, Tara and Morgan Rutman, for a Birthright Israel Foundation gathering in the Chappaqua community. Donors and prospects listened to remarks from Rabbi Isabel de Konick on the impact the trip has on millennials. Our guests also heard from a local alumnus, Mifgash alumna, Tom Shaked, and board member, Stephen M. Siderow, who grew up in the community.

Tristate area supporters gathered at Centerview Partners in New York City for a breakfast hosted by Alan Hartman. The breakfast included a briefing with Neil Lazarus, acclaimed speaker and Middle East expert who speaks to many Birthright Israel groups. Mr. Lazarus provided an update and dynamic conversation on how Birthright Israel presents the nuance and complexities facing modern Israel.

november

This year, Roselyne Swig and her grandson, Adam, hosted our annual San Francisco event, Inspired Jewish Journeys, in the penthouse of the Fairmont Hotel. The evening focused on the importance of Birthright Israel including alumni stories and a toast from our partners at the Jewish Federation of the East Bay.

Atlanta area donors came together this year at the home of Aviva and Eyal Postelnik for an evening to benefit Birthright Israel Foundation. The program included a welcome from Doug Ross, Atlanta Leadership Council Chair and board member, a video greeting from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and a keynote address by Ambassador Dennis Ross. We were honored to have Ambassador Judith Varnai Shorer, Consul General of Israel to the Southeastern United States, in attendance.

december

We hosted in partnership with Seed the Dream Foundation our second BICEP Convening. Representatives from over 30 universities and organizations came together in Orlando, Florida for two days to exchange ideas, thoughts and review concepts for the future of BICEP. Seed the Dream Founders Marcy Gringlas and Joel Greenberg joined us at the convening and shared their passion for BICEP and the Jewish future.

We came together for our Annual Giving Circles Event in Philadelphia at the beautiful home of hosts, Kristin and Michael Karp. Supporters heard from a local Birthright Israel alumna and a Mifgash alumnus as well as Dr. John Ruskay, Commissioner, United States Commission on International Religious Freedom and Executive Vice President Emeritus, UJA Federation of New York.

Members of the Boca Raton community gathered for a beautiful evening in support Birthright Israel Foundation at the home of hosts, Andrea and Mike Leven, board member. Program highlights included an overview of Birthright Israel by Mike Leven as well as three Birthright Israel alumni stories, and a few words from Jewish Federation of South Palm Beach County President and CEO, Matt Levin.

Petra and Stephen Levin hosted the final Birthright Israel Foundation event of the year at their home in Miami, Florida. We were grateful to have board member and Florida Leadership Council chair, Judith A. Levy, as well as Birthright Israel co-founder, Charles Bronfman, share remarks. Guests also heard from Birthright Israel alumna and board member, Rachel Cohen Gerrol, on her transformative journey with Birthright Israel.

On Wednesday, November 16th, over 400 people gathered at Cipriani 25 in New York City for our 2016 Gala. The evening celebrated the work of Birthright Israel Foundation and honored Board of Directors outgoing Chair, Joshua Nash, with the inaugural Founders Award.

Our 2016 Gala was a night to remember, raising over $3.2 million – a huge tribute to Josh’s leadership over the past three years. Guests in attendance heard remarks from former Foundation board chair, Daniel S. Och, and program co-founders, Charles Bronfman and Michael Steinhardt, as well as four inspiring Birthright Israel alumni stories about the impact the program has had on the individuals, their families and the larger Jewish community.

The evening was chaired by Laurie Blitzer & Sam Levine, Ulrika & Joel Citron, and Nancy & Morris W. Offit.