Birthright Israel

Birthright Israel, the free 10-day trip to the Jewish state for 18- to 26-year-olds, is a great project. It enables scores of people to visit Israel, many of whom would otherwise never have the opportunity.

To reconnect Jews worldwide with their faith, Rabbi Ephraim Buchwald, formerly of New York’s Lincoln Square Synagogue, founded the National Jewish Outreach Program in 1987. Prominent hedge fund manager Michael Steinhardt donated $1.5 million to jumpstart the organization that helps Jews  rediscover the principles of Judaism and learn how to engage in Jewish ritual.

Jerusalem — The daughter of a chef and the communications director for a children’s cooking TV show, Natasha Miller is a self-described “huge foodie.”

Her boyfriend, Alex Blau, classifies himself as an “almost obnoxious foodie,” who takes constant photos of his meals.

So when Miller, who had been thinking about going on a Birthright Israel trip but was “sort of on the fence,” found out about a culinary-themed one, she “was sold” — and convinced Blau to come along.

Quick, what’s the fastest growing part of the Jewish community, or at least the New York metro area’s Jewish community? Orthodox? They’re growing, but not the fastest. Conservative? Nah. Reform? Not anymore. Reconstructionist? Nope.

According to the recently released study of the NY Jewish community, the group that has doubled its share of the community, growing from just 15% to a whopping 37% is [drum roll, please]…OTHER. That’s right, “other”. [Source: Jewish Community Study of New York, page 121].

The National Jewish Democratic Council, citing peace among Jewish groups, has taken down a petition calling on Republicans not to accept money from Sheldon Adelson.

Peter Beinart and the president of the Boston Jewish federation sparred over Birthright Israel during a public event at Harvard University.

Beinart, already in the news for calling for a boycott against Israeli settlements, slammed the travel program that has brought hundreds of thousands of young Jews to Israel.

“My mom encouraged me to join JDate,” says 33-year-old Leon Smulakowski, an amateur weight-lifter, who can break an apple in two with his bare hands. 

The last day of his subscription to the dating site – he was going to cancel – he saw Joanna's profile. “It was her beautiful smile that attracted me,” says Leon.  He messaged her.

A lot of folks my age have misperceptions about TribeFest, if they have even heard of it.  For the uninitiated, TribeFest is Jewish Federations of North America’s conference for 20- and 30-somethings, designed to engage, educate, and inspire them to become active in the Federation system and in organized Jewish life.  TribeFest 2012 was the second such conference, both held in Las Vegas.

Sheldon and Miriam Adelson are contributing an additional $5 million to Birthright Israel, which the organization says will move 2,000 applicants from waitlisted to traveling this winter.