New Birthright Israel leader: Israel is the strongest anchor of Jewish identity
Key Points
- Simon Amiel has started his role as Vice President of North America for Birthright Israel.
- Following October 7, 2023, the organization offered new programs such as volunteer missions and long-term internships.
- According to the 2025 report, the participants' strong sense of connection to Israel increased from 54 percent to 74 percent.
- Amiel stated that Israel is the strongest and most accessible 'anchor' for Jewish identity.
By the Numbers
Simon Amiel, appointed as Vice President of North America for Birthright Israel, views this role as part of a mission to strengthen Jewish identity rather than a career change. Born in Seattle, Amiel previously served as the director of RootOne, an initiative helping Jewish youth travel to Israel.
Following the Hamas attacks on October 7, 2023, Birthright Israel diversified its institutional programs, beginning to offer weekly volunteer missions and long-term internship opportunities like Birthright Excel. According to the organization's 2025 impact report, the participants' strong sense of connection to Israel during the summer period increased from 54 percent before the trip to 74 percent after the trip.
Amiel emphasized that Jewish identity must be built on a lasting and meaningful foundation, stating that Israel is the most accessible tool for this connection. Growing up in a Sephardic community and adopting an inclusive approach, Amiel encourages critics to ask well-intentioned questions rather than misuse the program.
React to this story
Ask about this story
Answers are AI-generated from this story only.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is Simon Amiel's new role?
- Amiel was appointed as Vice President of North America for Birthright Israel, an organization that organizes Israel trips for young Jewish adults.
- How did Birthright's programs change after the October 7, 2023 attacks?
- The organization began offering weekly volunteer missions and long-term internship opportunities in addition to the traditional 10-day trips.
- How did Birthright trips affect participants' connection to Israel?
- According to the organization's 2025 data, the rate of participants saying they feel 'very connected' to Israel increased from 54 percent to 74 percent.
This is an AI-generated summary. The full story lives at the source.
Read the full story at the sourcejns.orgHow we produce our content →