JOURNEYS
ISSUE 8 · NOVEMBER 2017
THAT LAST A LIFETIME
CONTENTS
02 A LETTER FROM OUR BOARD CHAIR & PRESIDENT 03 NOTES FROM THE WALL TH 05 BIRTHRIGHT ISRAEL’S 600,000 PARTICIPANT 07 SAVE THE DATE: 18TH ANNIVERSARY GALA 09 JOIN US IN ISRAEL 11 EVENTS AND CELEBRATIONS 13 PARTNERS IN SUPPORT: DAVID & CINDY SHAPIRA
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DEAR FRIENDS, It is hard to believe that it has been ten months since we assumed our roles as Chairman of the Board and President & CEO of Birthright Israel Foundation. When we began this journey,
considerable analysis and to embark on a multi-faceted re-alignment of the organization. We believe that with the full
Israel celebrated this summer. This was the largest summer in Birthright Israel history as
Israel hit the milestone of sending the
Registration for the winter round of
and sights on meaningfully higher fundraising
young Jewish adults on Birthright Israel in the coming years.
year. We are thrilled that the demand for
strategic generosity of our donors. Journeys will bring across the nation and at all funding levels
Feldan has joined Birthright Israel Foundation as Chief organization and the gift we are giving to our children and grandchildren. This gift of Jewish continuity, community and without you. Together we can continue to transform the Jewish future.
SINCERELY, THOMAS D. STERN CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD ISRAEL ("IZZY") TAPOOHI PRESIDENT & CEO JOURNEYS • ISSUE 8
NOTES e h t m o r f
wall
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One of the most highly anticipated moments of a Birthright Israel trip is walking through the winding streets of the Old City of Jerusalem and seeing the Western Wall for the very first time. For many, this is the moment they finally witness a place they’ve only heard about in stories. Some may be the first in their family to step up to the Wall while others are moved by watching their peers experience the magic of the Kotel.
“I stood at the Western Wall and listened to our tour guide remind the group that for most of us, we are the first person in our families to step up to the wall in over 2,000 years and realized what a powerful experience I was having. I later learned that most of my Jewish family had perished in the Holocaust, so to be able to pray there with other young Jews felt incredibly powerful.”
Matt “I just visited the Western Wall for the first time in my life. I whispered into the wall words I don’t think I have ever said before: ‘I am proud to be Jewish.’ The experience was breathtaking.”
ocelyn “Spending Shabbat in Jerusalem was one of the most meaningful parts of the trip. It was so powerful to visit the Kotel, slip personal notes into the wall and participate in the Israeli dances with fellow Jewish women from all over the world.”
y e l i a H
“For the first time in my life, I felt extremely connected to the beautiful Old City of Jerusalem. Visiting, praying and placing a small note in the Western Wall overwhelmed me with tears. I've never been very religious or someone who often prayed, but being in the moment compelled me to place my two hands and head on the Wall, and thank God for all that he is given me.”
Erica “The magic of Birthright Israel is evident, yet it is intangible. Indescribable, perhaps. That same feeling I got when I approached the Kotel for the first time those who have been on Birthright Israel understand the physical energy that radiates off of the Wall is the same feeling that comes over me when I reflect on what could be the greatest 10 days of my life. From visiting Misgav-Am, the kibbutz at the Lebanon border, to floating in The Dead Sea, to celebrating Shabbat in Jerusalem, I will remember it all.”
Matthew “The Western Wall was the most incredible experience I have ever had. I have never felt this close to my roots. I am home.”
onny JOURNEYS JOURNEYS • ISSUE • ISSUE 8 8
600,000 PARTICIPANT JONATHAN LIPNICKI TH
This year, Birthright Israel hit an incredible milestone: sending its 600,000th participant on the journey of a lifetime.
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Stuart Little but today, he is reinventing himself as an actor,
BRIF: Tell us a little bit about what it means to you to be Jewish, and how the trip may have changed that.
think BRIF: What was your experience like with the Mifgash?
say, “I’m from a Jewish family, but I’m not really Jewish.” In Israel, I felt this sense of community around Judaism, and I got that much emotion. It made me want to get more in touch with my religion and my culture. BRIF: What motivated you to go on Birthright Israel?
life so ever since I was old enough, she’s been telling me to go. She did tell me to wait until I was a little older because she wanted me to really be
JL: It’s amazing talking to the soldiers about their
rounded human beings. I really connected with them. It was amazing to get that worldview because I think traveling is some of the best education you can get. I asked them a million questions and I feel like I learned a lot about Israeli culture
BRIF: What does it mean to you to be Birthright Israel’s 600,000th participant?
because and it feels great to have the Jewish community backing me
been in the back of my mind.
BRIF: Why do you think supporting Birthright Israel Foundation is important?
BRIF: What was the most memorable part of your trip?
two things I connected to most and really struck a chord with me. There’s nothing quite like the feeling you get when you walk down the stairs toward the Western Wall [on Shabbat] and you
Foundation, you really are giving back to your community. I believe that Birthright Israel is building a stronger bond between
incredible feelings I’ve ever had. I’ve never felt energy like that. JOURNEYS • ISSUE 8
18
TH
ANNIVERSARY
GALA DECEMBER 3, 2017
HONORING DR. MIRIAM & SHELDON G. ADELSON
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ON DECEMBER 3
RD
WE WILL BE HONORING DR. MIRIAM AND SHELDON G. ADELSON
AT OUR GALA IN NEW YORK CITY
AT THE ZIEGFELD THEATER. WE LOOK FORWARD TO WELCOMING 800 GUESTS TO AN EXCITING AND ENGAGING EVENING EVENING
HOSTED BY JON LOVITZ, ACTOR,
COMEDIAN AND FORMER SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE CAST MEMBER. The Adelsons have generously given $340,000,000 to Birthright Israel over the last 10 years, enabling over 100,000 participants to travel to Israel on this incredible program. Thanks to the Adelson Challenge, which matches all new and increased gifts made to Birthright Israel Foundation, thousands of additional participants have been able to experience Israel each year. At our Gala, we will be presenting the Adelsons with the Guardians of the Jewish Future Award recognizing their incredible philanthropy and unequaled impact on the Jewish future. We are so grateful to the Adelsons for their generosity, love and dedication to Birthright Israel. We look forward to our Gala and hope to see you there! For more information or to make a gift in the Adelsons’ honor, please contact
Rachel Zolna at rachel.zolna@ rachel.zolna@birthrightisrael.org or (212) 419-2879
TO LEARN MORE: BIRTHRIGHTISRAEL.FOUNDATION/GALA2017
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BIRTHRIGHT ISRAEL FOUNDATION'S
18 th Anniversary
mission to israel Be 18 again! Join Birthright Israel Foundation for our 18th Anniversary Mission to Israel. Experience Birthright Israel firsthand on this exclusive once-in-a-lifetime mission as we celebrate the past, present and future of this incredible program.
JUNE 24-28, 2018
Sunday evening through Thursday evening (Includes Thursday night stay)
mission includes:
Five night stay at five-star hotels. Jerusalem (2 nights) and Tel Aviv (3 nights). Birthright Israel tour educator, site entry fees, security, daily breakfast, most meals, gratuities, and more. Multi-generational families invited (ages 14+).
national co- chairs:
Lori Komisar* & Morrie Silverman, Chicago, IL Judith* & Allyn Levy, Boston, MA and Palm Beach, FL Saskia & Stephen* + Siderow, New York, NY *National Board of Directors
+
Vice Chair, National Board of Directors
The mission is intended for Birthright Israel Foundation Annual Giving Circle Supporters at the $10,000+ level to our 2018 Annual Campaign. JOURNEYS • ISSUE 8
itinerary highlights:
CONNECT WITH NATIONAL BOARD LEADERSHIP AND LIKE-MINDED SUPPORTERS
from across the country while enjoying the experience of a lifetime during Israel’s 70th Birthday.
ENGAGE IN A ROBUST DIALOGUE WITH TOP LEADERS IN THE ISRAELI GOVERNMENT, our partners in support of this life-changing program.
CELEBRATE THE 18TH ANNIVERSARY OF BIRTHRIGHT ISRAEL at a spectacular global gathering with participants and supporters from around the world.
JOIN BIRTHRIGHT ISRAEL PARTICIPANTS AND THEIR MIFGASH for dynamic programming and meaningful moments as they discover Israel.
Contact Laura Kassen at laura.kassen@birthrightisrael.org, (646) 453-2013 or your Regional Director.
for more information: BIRTHRIGHTISRAEL.FOUNDATION/TRAVEL JOURNEYS • ISSUE 8
EVENTS+ CELEBRATIONS
FEBRUARY
We kicked off the year in Waban, Massachusetts with an evening hosted by Jill and Mitch Roberts and Valerie and Mark Friedman. Professor Gil Troy, Chairman of the Birthright Israel International Education Committee, American historian, author, and scholar was our keynote speaker. Guests also heard from both Birthright Israel and Mifgash alumni. Our young leadership came together in New York City for the first of a three-part speaker series. Stephen Siderow, Board Vice Chair, hosted us at his office for “Cocktails and Conversation” with Ricky Sandler, CEO/CIO and Founder of Eminence Capital. Ricky shared his wealth of business knowledge and his passion for philanthropy with the young leaders in attendance. Supporters gathered at the office of Kirkland & Ellis in New York City for a special breakfast briefing hosted by Edward Sassower and David Fox. Guests were lucky to hear from an excellent line up of speakers including Shlomit Barnea Farago, legal advisor and manager of the Legal Department of the Prime Minister’s Office, and Dan Lahav, Deputy Director General of Israel’s Prime Minister’s Office and Head of the Prime Minister’s Office Home Affairs, Planning and Development Department.
MARCH
With the New Year came a new era for Birthright Israel Foundation, as we introduced Izzy Tapoohi, President and CEO, Thomas D. Stern, Board Chair, and J. Philip Rosen and Stephen Siderow, Board Vice Chairs in New York City. Jenny and Jon Steingart hosted guests in their home to hear from Izzy, Tom, Phil and Stephen, as well as Ambassador Danny Danon, Permanent Representative of Israel to the United Nations. Birthright Israel Foundation honored Judith A. Levy, Florida Chair and Board Member, at the annual Palm Beach event. Michele and Howard Kessler hosted guests in their home for a cocktail reception and a powerful program which included a moving tribute to Judith by Charles Bronfman, program co-founder, and Barbara Kay, four Birthright Israel alumni stories, and an exciting presentation by Dr. Zohar Raviv, International VP of Education of Birthright Israel. During the program, Allyn Levy made a surprise gift of an entire bus in Judith’s honor. Following the Jewish Funders Network Conference this spring, we held our third annual Birthright Israel Forum for Foundation Professionals. The program included an insider session with Birthright Israel leadership including Gidi Mark, International CEO, Elizabeth Sokolsky, Executive Director and Carolyn Kupietzky, Director of Planning and Strategy Implementation. Guests also enjoyed a fireside chat with Charles Bronfman and Harold Grinspoon, Founder & Trustee of Harold Grinspoon Foundation.
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APRIL
We came together for a parlor meeting in New York City hosted by Judy and Mark Goodman. Shimon Mercer-Wood, Mifgash alumnus and Spokesperson and Consul for Media Affairs at the Consulate General of Israel in New York shared his perspective with those in attendance. Guests also heard from Erin Schrode, Birthright Israel alumna, citizen activist, social entrepreneur and storyteller.
JUNE
MAY
This spring Birthright Israel Foundation visited The Lone Star state for a series of events. First, supporters gathered in Austin at the home of hosts, Phil and Adam Loewy, for an evening in collaboration with Shalom Austin, Texas Hillel and University of Texas Chabad. Three local Birthright Israel alumni were in attendance to share their stories. In May, Phil Rosen hosted intimate events in Houston and Dallas where Birthright Israel alumni gave guests an inside look into the 10-day journey. The second installment of our young leadership speaker series, “Cocktails and Conversation” was hosted by Joel Citron, Board Member, in New York City. Mark Gerson, Co-Founder and Chairman of Gerson Lehrman Group and Co-Founder and Chairman of United Hatzalah, keynoted the evening, and our young leaders also heard from a Birthright Israel alumnus as well as Chad Schwartz, New York City Young Leadership Council Chair. Westchester residents gathered at the Purchase, New York home of hosts, Farrel and Steven Starker, for an inspiring evening to support Birthright Israel Foundation. Jacob Baime, Birthright Israel alumnus and Executive Director of Israel on Campus Coalition, shared his story as well as another Birthright Israel alumnus and Izzy Tapoohi.
Supporters gathered at our Annual Giving Circles event in Long Island at Glen Oaks Country Club. We had a variety of speakers including Ambassador Dani Dayan, Consul General of Israel in New York, and Phil Rosen. Guests enjoyed a selection of the Birthright Israel Monologues – a series of spoken word monologues exploring Jewish identity inspired by Birthright Israel trips – which celebrated its 10th anniversary this year. We held our first young leadership event in Philadelphia this summer in conjunction with the Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia. The young leaders in attendance enjoyed remarks from Marjorie Honickman, Board Member, and Andrew Yaffe, Event Chair, as well as a silent auction and beer tasting. This summer, our young leaders came together again for our NYC Young Leadership Annual Summer Kickoff. We were fortunate to be hosted at AppNexus, where those in attendance heard from Laurie Blitzer, Board Member and co-chair of the Board’s Alumni Development Committee. We joined with supporters in the Chicago area for our Inaugural Annual Event, hosted by Lori Komisar, Board Member and Brian Shaw, Co-Chair of our Chicago Leadership Council. Dan Raviv, former correspondent for CBS news, shared his experiences as a journalist as well as his perspective as a parent of a Birthright Israel alumnus. We were lucky to have several Birthright Israel alumni share how the program has impacted their lives.
JULY
Birthright Israel Foundation traveled to the Hamptons this summer for our third annual Hamptons event at the beautiful home of hosts, Suzanne and Martin Schulman. Erin Schrode, Birthright Israel alumna and Shimon Mercer-Wood, Mifgash alumnus, shared their stories of impact. We were lucky to have many Board Members in attendance including Sander Levy, Doug Ross, Wendy Shenfeld, and Stephen Siderow. Following our annual Hamptons Event, Izzy Tapoohi visited the Westhampton Synagogue with Birthright Israel and Mifgash alumni to speak to the congregation.
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PARTNERS IN SUPPORT:
DAVID & CINDY SHAPIRA The Birthright Israel program is made possible each year, in part, due to 30,000 individual donors from across the country. We would like to introduce you to David and Cindy Shapira who are helping us work towards our mission of a stronger Jewish future. Tell us a little about your philanthropic passions and goals.
How did you first learn about Birthright Israel?
What made you get involved with Birthright Israel Foundation?
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" We are really taken by the Mifgash experience with Israeli soldiers. Before Birthright Israel participants meet those soldiers, they are playing around with abstract concepts of what it means to be Jewish, whether in their home country or in Israel. Through that one-on-one relationship, they are able to test those ideas in a tangible way."
Why do you support Birthright Israel? Birthright Israel is a great investment for lots of reasons.
We like that Birthright Israel is constantly evaluating itself
What makes Birthright Israel so effective? In addition to what we’ve already said, we are really taken by the
in their home country or in Israel. Through that one-on-one
What do you see as Birthright Israel's greatest success?
they think about their own Jewishness, and what it means to
who are committed to living robust and meaningful Jewish lives. While every individual story is unique, time and time
Why do you think it is important for the Jewish community to support Birthright Israel Foundation?
and unconnected to their Jewishness until they went on Birthright Israel. Birthright Israel isn’t a silver bullet to “make
Birthright Israel’s greatest success and contribution.
few moments in our lives when we can say “That is what set me on a that for tens of thousands of Jews around the world, that moment is Birthright Israel.
If you could describe Birthright Israel in 3 words, what would they be?
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CONTRIBUTED TO THE ISRAELI ECONOMY