A Milestone 25th Anniversary Celebration
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November 3, 2025 • New York City
Meet Our 25 Alumni Honorees
Celebrating changemakers and leaders whose Birthright Israel experience—whether through a 10-day trip, volunteer program, internship, or Excel fellowship—sparked powerful personal transformations that exemplify the program’s life-changing impact.
Birthright Israel Alum, 2023
Abel Hernandez Eskenazi was born and raised in Havana, Cuba, where he has been a dedicated leader in Jewish life since childhood. He has led services at Beth Shalom Synagogue, served on the youth board, and founded the Havana Jewish Tour to share Cuban Jewish history while supporting his community. A three-time Maccabiah Games medalist in karate, Abel also served as madrich for Cuba’s 2023 Birthright Israel delegation. Professionally, he is an engineer and researcher at the Technological University of Havana, pursuing a master’s in telecommunications and electronics. A Lauder Fellow with the World Jewish Congress, he cocreated a mobile app highlighting Cuban Jewish heritage.
Read more: Birthright Israel Helped Me Become a Jewish Cuban Leader
Birthright Israel Alum, 2016
Adela Cojab is an activist, author, and attorney who made history as one of the first students to sue a U.S. university for antisemitism under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act. A proud alumna of Birthright Israel, Adela credits her 2016 trip with deepening her sense of responsibility to stand up for Israel and the Jewish people. While a student at NYU, she served as president of Realize Israel and later filed a landmark lawsuit that led to a precedent-setting settlement recognizing antisemitism as a form of discrimination. Born in Mexico City and raised in Deal, NJ, Adela is a leading voice for Jewish student rights, advocating for safety, dignity, and pride on campuses nationwide.
Read more: How Birthright Israel Helps Ensure Jewish Continuity
Testimonial Video
Birthright Israel Volunteer Alum, 2024
Annie Michaels has a deep and lasting connection to Israel and the Jewish community in Chicago. She first embraced Jewish life at her Bat Mitzvah at Beth Emet Congregation in Evanston and later through Camp Ramah’s Atzmayim and Tikvah programs. Today, she is an active participant in Yachad, fostering inclusion for individuals with disabilities in Jewish life. With family in Rehovot, Annie’s many visits to Israel have strengthened her personal bond, especially her 2012 Birthright Israel trip and 2024 Birthright Israel Volunteer program. Guided by Tikkun Olam, Annie is a self-advocate, volunteer, and compassionate leader dedicated to community and Jewish life.
Read more: On a Birthright Israel Volunteer Trip for Participants with Disabilities
Birthright Israel Alum, 2003
Ashley Waxman Bakshi, born in Canada to Israeli parents, discovered her passion for advocacy on a Birthright Israel trip at 18. The experience sparked her lifelong commitment to fighting antisemitism, beginning with the Laurier Israel Public Affairs Club. After moving to Israel, she served in the Air Force and Ministry of Defense, contributing to projects including the Iron Dome. Ashley later pioneered Israel’s beauty influencer scene, launching the country’s first Hebrew makeup tutorials and a successful cosmetics brand. After October 7, when her cousin was taken hostage, she became a leading pro-Israel voice, briefing governments worldwide and writing a forthcoming book on Jewish identity.
Read more: Birthright Israel Opened My Eyes and Made Me a Global Activist
Birthright Israel Excel Fellow, 2011
Avery Rosin is a Partner at Lead Edge Capital, a growth equity fund with over $5 billion raised. Since joining in 2012, Avery has sourced or led investments in Zoom, Duo Security, Moat, Signal Sciences, Hinge Health, FIGS, Material Bank, Artera, LaunchDarkly, Nucleus Security, and Nerdio, among others. A summa cum laude graduate of the University of Pennsylvania, he began his career with BRM Group in Israel during his Birthright Israel Excel Fellowship. Avery went on Birthright Israel in 2010 and Excel in 2011, staffed a trip in 2014, and has held multiple leadership roles in the Excel community. Today, he serves as a Board Member of the Birthright Israel Foundation.
Read more: My Journey Creating Ripples of Leadership with Birthright Israel
Testimonial Video
Birthright Israel Excel Fellow, 2014
Ben Futoriansky is originally from Toronto, Canada and is currently based in New York. He is part of the leadership team at Flox, an infrastructure software company spun out of D.E. Shaw. Prior to Flox, Ben worked in venture and growth equity, most recently at Cobalt Capital, a TPG spin-out, and also spent time in management consulting at Accenture. He has served as Chairman of the Birthright Israel Excel Leadership Board and as a Board Member of Birthright Israel Canada. Earlier in his career, Ben played professional soccer with Toronto FC and represented Canada’s National Team.
Read more: Birthright Israel Sparked My Path to Jewish Leadership
Testimonial Video
Birthright Israel Alum, 2023
Brandon Farbstein grew up in Richmond, Virginia, often the only Jewish student in his class. Born with Metatropic Dysplasia, a rare form of dwarfism, he overcame immense challenges and, at 15, delivered a TEDx talk to 2,000 people — launching his career as a motivational speaker, advocate, and author. In 2023, Brandon traveled to Israel for the first time on Birthright Israel, where he deepened his Jewish pride and resilience. After October 7, he became a vocal advocate against antisemitism and for the hostages, efforts that led to his appointment to President Isaac Herzog’s Voice of the People Council.
Read more: Birthright Israel Showed Me That Empathy is the Antidote to Hate
Testimonial Video
Birthright Israel Alum, 2001
David Rittberg is Senior Director for U.S. Jewish Grantmaking at Charles and Lynn Schusterman Family Philanthropies, where he helps organizations scale by building capacity, strengthening strategy, and advancing collaboration. Known for his hands-on approach—and semi-pro guitar skills—David partners with staff and boards to maximize impact across the Jewish philanthropic ecosystem. Previously, he served as Executive Director of the Edgar M. Bronfman Center for Jewish Student Life at NYU, where he received the university’s Hallmark Award for outstanding administrators. He also held roles with Hillel at Stanford and the University of Arizona. Originally from Binghamton, David holds degrees from Penn State and NYU Wagner.
Birthright Israel Alum, 2013
Garik Guz was born in Kharkiv, Ukraine, and raised in Brighton Beach, Brooklyn. A comedian, filmmaker, and community builder, he first gained recognition for his viral character “Baba Fira,” a tough but loving Russian grandmother. In 2013, Garik joined Birthright Israel—a trip that shifted his perspective and sparked a deep connection to Jewish identity and peoplehood. Since then, he has staffed 19 trips (with his 20th coming in 2025), helping hundreds of young adults—especially from Russian-speaking backgrounds—find meaning and belonging in Jewish life. He has raised nearly half a million dollars to keep buses running, and continues to use humor, storytelling, and community leadership to inspire the next generation.
Testimonial Video
Birthright Israel Alum, 2025
Gracia Mboko was recently selected as one of Birthright Israel Foundation’s 25 outstanding alumni honorees. She is currently participating in Birthright Israel’s Volunteer Program. Upon her return to Canada, her bio and video will be updated in this document.
Birthright Israel Onward Alum, 2025
Hadassah Sternfeld is a rising fourth-year student at the University of Florida, double-majoring in health science and women’s studies. She is passionate about building meaningful connections, celebrating Jewish life, and pursuing a career in pediatric nursing. In 2024, Hadassah participated in Birthright Israel and extended her stay through an Onward Israel internship with Save a Child’s Heart, where she supported children from underserved countries receiving lifesaving cardiac care. Though her program ended early due to the security situation, Hadassah’s experience in Israel deepened her commitment to service, resilience, and community. From dancing in bomb shelters to caring for children across language barriers, she carries with her the values of hope, healing, and Am Yisrael Chai.
Birthright Israel Alum, 2015
James Maslow has become one of his generation’s most passionate voices against antisemitism. In the wake of October 7th, he traveled to Israel to film a moving documentary capturing stories of resilience and heartbreak. From high schools to universities to political stages, James has been a tireless champion for Israel and the Jewish community, using his platform to spark dialogue, raise awareness, and promote unity. His music reflects this mission as well, most notably in his tribute song “On My Mind.”
Birthright Israel Alum, 2008
Jonah Platt is a renowned performer, writer, and producer, and one of America’s most trusted voices on Jewish identity, culture, and current events. He hosts Being Jewish with Jonah Platt, an award-winning podcast reaching listeners in over 150 countries. The show is a Webby Award Honoree, Wilbur Award winner, and ranks in the top 1% of podcasts globally. Beyond media, Jonah partners with leading Jewish organizations, serves on multiple nonprofit boards, and was recognized with California’s inaugural Community Excellence Award for Combating Antisemitism. He is currently pursuing a Master’s in Antisemitism Studies at Gratz College, continuing his mission to inspire and educate.
Birthright Israel Excel Alum, 2022
Jordana Levine is a 2022 Birthright Israel Excel Fellow, a 2025 graduate of the Schwarzman Scholars program at Tsinghua University in Beijing, and a 2024 graduate of the University of Michigan, where she studied Middle Eastern Studies and History of Art. In the wake of October 7, Jordana co-founded Facts On the Ground (FOG), a student-led coalition combatting antisemitism and anti-Zionism through dialogue and education. Under her leadership, FOG brought global thought leaders to campus, reaching thousands in person and millions online. Jordana credits the Birthright Israel network with shaping her identity and empowering her to lead with purpose.
Birthright Israel Onward Alum, 2018
Julia Pratt is a proud Birthright Israel Alum Ambassador dedicated to strengthening Jewish identity and connection to Israel. She earned a B.A. in Political Science and Jewish Studies from Tulane University and an M.A. in Jewish Nonprofit Management from Hebrew Union College. A Birthright Israel Onward participant in 2018, she later co-founded the Onward Israel Alumni Council. Julia is Social Media and Marketing Manager at The Helen Diller Family Foundation Programs and Campaign Co-Chair of the Greater Miami Jewish Federation’s Young Leadership Division. She also founded The Rummiklub and was honored by ADL in 2025 as a Hero Against Hate.
Maximiliano Grosman, born in Argentina, is the General Manager of SEPYN, a growing healthcare company specializing in pediatrics, consulting, and hospital management. He also leads the Latin American region of Paragon Conventions, a global Professional Congress Organizer. Previously, Maxi served as Executive Director of Alumni Relations and Development at Universidad Torcuato Di Tella. A longtime member of the ROI Community, he has facilitated gatherings across South America since 2006, including the first ROI Regional Gathering in Latin America. Maxi also serves on the executive board of LAZOS, a Schusterman Foundation–funded network incubator. He lives in Buenos Aires with his wife, Yael, and their children.
Read more: Birthright Israel Helped Me Spark a Jewish Revival in Argentina
Birthright Israel Alum, 2022
Miriam Haart is a founder, software engineer, and social influencer with over 400,000 followers. She stars in the award-nominated Netflix series My Unorthodox Life and hosts the popular podcast Faking It, where she explores female leadership in tech, Jewish and Middle Eastern activism, and motivation. A Stanford University graduate in Computer Science, Miriam also lectured on Virtual Reality Development and has built more than 10 iOS apps, earning several awards. Recognized as an iCenter Fellow in Middle Eastern Studies, and a recipient of the Z-Fellowship and Tel Aviv Institute Fellowship, Miriam continues to inspire through innovation, advocacy, and storytelling.
Testimonial Video
Birthright Israel Alum, 2001
Rachel Moon is a beauty and fashion influencer turned pro-Israel activist with an audience of over 100,000 followers. Raised in a proud Jewish home outside Washington, D.C., she discovered her deep connection to Israel on one of the earliest Birthright Israel trips, an experience that transformed her Jewish identity. More than 20 years later, she returned to Israel, calling it “home.” After October 7, Rachel shifted her platform to focus on Israel and Jewish advocacy, using her voice to educate, inspire, and counter antisemitism. Today, her following includes both Jewish and non-Jewish audiences learning from her daily. A proud mother, advocate, and content creator, Rachel continues to share her love of Israel and Jewish life with courage and authenticity.
Read more: Birthright Israel Is So Much More Than Fun
Testimonial Video
Birthright Israel Alum, 2004
Sarah Solomon currently serves as Chief Development Officer of the Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia. Her transformative Birthright Israel experience in 2004 inspired her 15-year career in the Jewish community and her passion for changing lives through philanthropy. An avid relationship builder with deep expertise in fundraising and volunteer leadership, Sarah has cultivated loyal donors whose generosity impacts Jewish life locally and globally. Trained in multi-generational giving, she advises families on the transfer of wealth and philanthropy. A lifelong Philadelphian, she and her husband, Scott, live in Center City with their children, Jerry and Jordan.
Israel Excel Alum, 2016
Sophie Dezen was raised in Atlanta in a family deeply rooted in Jewish values and Zionism. Her connection to Judaism grew through Torah reading, USY leadership, and active involvement in Chabad during college. A 2015 Birthright Israel trip sparked her lifelong bond with Israel, followed by her participation as a Birthright Israel Excel Fellow in 2016. Today, she serves as Chair of the Global Excel Leadership Board, guiding engagement, philanthropy, and strategy for a network of 1,500 Fellows worldwide. Professionally, Sophie is a Private Equity Operating Executive with Alpine Investors and previously served as Vice President at Citi Ventures. She holds an MBA/MA from Wharton and the Lauder Institute. An avid traveler, Sophie loves hiking, skiing, baking challah, and hosting Shabbat dinners.
Birthright Israel Alum, 2020
Tessa Veksler is a young Jewish leader and outspoken advocate for Israel. Born in San Francisco to parents from Odesa, she first connected deeply to Judaism and Zionism during a transformative NCSY trip to Israel. At UC Santa Barbara, she founded her high school’s first Jewish student union, was elected student senator, and ultimately served as Student Body President. Following October 7, Tessa became a national voice against campus antisemitism, her viral post confronting anti-Zionist hostility leading to widespread recognition, including two invitations to the White House in 2024. Today, she is a public speaker, content creator, and PR specialist with Hiltzik Strategies, dedicated to empowering Jewish communities and advancing truth about Israel with courage and clarity.
Birthright Israel Alum, 2009
Will Blodgett is the Founder and CEO of Tredway, a mission-driven real estate firm focused on developing and preserving affordable and mixed-income housing nationwide. A lifelong entrepreneur, he has overseen the acquisition and development of more than 25,000 units and $6 billion in real estate. Previously, Will was a founding partner at Fairstead, held leadership roles at The Related Companies’ Affordable Housing Group, and served as Special Advisor to the NYC Housing Authority. Named “Innovator of the Year” by Commercial Observer in 2020, he has appeared on its Power 100 list. Will holds degrees from Yale and MIT and serves on multiple civic and nonprofit boards.
Birthright Israel Alum, 2002
Yair Szlak is the President and CEO of Federation CJA in Montreal, a role he traces directly back to his Birthright Israel experience in February 2002. Then a 26-year-old law student, Yair reluctantly joined a trip at the height of the Second Intifada. On the Golan Heights, an 18-year-old IDF paratrooper thanked the group for visiting “in our time of need,” a moment that reshaped Yair’s understanding of service, responsibility, and Jewish peoplehood. Soon after, he left law to pursue Jewish communal work, beginning with the Bronfman Israel Experience Center in Montreal. More than two decades later, Yair continues to see Birthright Israel as the spark that set him on a path of purpose, leadership, and lifelong commitment to the Jewish people.
Read more: Birthright Israel Helped Me Lead the Montreal Jewish Community
Birthright Israel Excel Fellow, 2024
Yasmeen Ohebsion, a first-generation Iranian American Jewish leader, is dedicated to justice, advocacy, and Jewish identity. At Tulane University, she co-founded the Movement to Address Antisemitism, successfully mobilizing 15% of students and 20+ organizations, and testified before the U.S. House Committee on Education and the Workforce. She has met with global leaders, including Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu and President Herzog, and worked in Tel Aviv as a Birthright Israel Excel Fellow. Yasmeen is the founder of Our Campus United, which empowers students to combat antisemitism and celebrate Jewish life. Her leadership has earned national awards and international recognition.
Read more: Why I Fight: Birthright Israel Helped Me Speak Up and Take Action
Testimonial Video
Birthright Israel Alum, 2018
Zach Sage Fox, a Philadelphia native, became a YouTube sensation in high school, landing a Disney Channel development deal at just 17. He went on to create two shows, launch a production company, and study film and political communication at the University of Pennsylvania. Today, Fox is a viral activist with millions of followers across TikTok and Instagram, where his videos on mental health, voting, and antisemitism have earned billions of views. Since October 7, he has led “Facts for Peace,” a global campaign producing viral content featured by the Israeli government, the UN, and the U.S. Congress.
Testimonial Video
To Learn more about Birthright Israel’s 25th Anniversary Gala, please visit: http://birthrightisrael.foundation/gala2025
