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25 years of impact
Celebrate Birthright Israel’s 25th Anniversary honors exceptional alumni at event
Houston, TX (Jan. 23, 2025) –
Nearly 200 attendees gathered at the Westin Oaks Hotel in Houston on Jan. 16 to celebrate Birthright Israel’s 25th anniversary during an alumni and donor event. The evening marked a quarter-century of transformative educational experiences that have profoundly impacted Jewish young adults worldwide.
The event was made possible through the support of Birthright Israel Foundation National Board Member Russ Robinson, a leader of the Jewish Federation, and in partnership with the Minnette and Jerome Robinson Young Adult Division of the Jewish Federation of Greater Houston.
Since its inception, Birthright Israel has brought nearly 900,000 Jewish young adults to Israel through its signature 10-day trips, leadership programs like Onward and Excel, and its newly launched volunteer program. This new initiative was introduced in the aftermath of the Oct. 7 attacks, mobilizing Jewish volunteers to assist Israeli communities by working on farms, schools and in rebuilding efforts. Birthright Israel plans to bring 10,000 volunteers to Israel in 2025, underscoring its ongoing commitment to Israel and the global Jewish community.
The evening began with an exclusive VIP donor reception, honoring Birthright Israel Foundation’s most dedicated supporters and highlighting the lasting impact of their contributions. The 25th anniversary celebration for alumni followed, where the foundation recognized exceptional individuals who have exemplified leadership and service to the organization’s mission.
Three outstanding alumni were honored during the evening’s program with the Distinguished Alumni Award for their extraordinary dedication to the Jewish people and their work in advancing the Birthright Israel mission:
• Rachel Strauss, 44, from Houston, Texas, was part of the very first Birthright Israel trip in 1999. A dedicated leader in the Jewish community, Rachel has spent her life championing Jewish philanthropic causes and continues to inspire others through her work.
• Captain Ziv Shemesh, 25, from Mod’in, Israel, is a combat fitness officer in the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF). Her Birthright Israel trip inspired her transition from military service to a role as a content creator supporting IDF recruitment. Today, Shemesh serves as an emissary for the Jewish Federation of Nashville.
• Isaac Malca, 36, from Houston, Texas, is a real estate developer and one of the 9,000 volunteers who responded to Israel’s call for aid following the Oct. 7 attacks. Isaac participated in the volunteer program in December 2023, working on the ground to assist Israeli communities in need during a time of crisis. His commitment to serving the Jewish people made a profound impact on all those who heard his story.
“We are truly fortunate to work alongside such a committed community and our passionate philanthropists to ensure that Birthright Israel experiences continue to shape the lives of future generations, whether through the iconic 10-day trip or the impactful new volunteer program making a real difference in Israel,” said Jill Kaplan, Birthright Israel Foundation Regional Director, Southwest.
