|
Jerusalem, Israel (June 3, 2025) - As part of its 25th anniversary celebrations and to mark 900,000 alumni worldwide, Birthright Israel is officially launching a major strategic initiative: BEYOND, its new global alumni community. The initiative aims to deepen participants' long-term connection to Israel, Jewish identity, and collective belonging where users can connect with fellow alumni, share experiences, and build a global Jewish network - anytime, anywhere, and long after their trip ends.
With over 10,000 verified users - more than half based in the U.S. - BEYOND has already demonstrated strong demand among North American alumni for meaningful, accessible ways to stay engaged with Jewish life.
The app enables alumni to maintain and grow the bonds formed during their Birthright trips, volunteer programs or internships - not only with their own groups but also with a global network of peers who’ve shared the same transformative journey. Participants can also use the app before their trip to access itineraries, flight details, group member lists, and exclusive content and offers.
“BEYOND is a strategic investment not only in the future of Birthright alumni but in the future of the Jewish people,” said Gidi Mark, CEO of Birthright Israel. “At a time when Jewish communities face unprecedented challenges - disconnection, antisemitism, identity erosion, and narrative warfare - Birthright is stepping up. We're creating a safe, authentic global community that supports alumni well beyond their trip to Israel: through campus life, careers, family, and community. BEYOND is both an educational and communal ‘Iron Dome’ - a long-term strategic infrastructure that empowers our alumni and strengthens Jewish identity and resilience worldwide.”
Renat Wegrzyn, Head of BEYOND, added: “The launch of BEYOND is much more than an app - it represents a fundamental shift in the alumni experience. This platform is a safe space for young adults, where they can connect over shared interests, professional opportunities, events, Shabbat dinners and more. With 10,000 users already active, our vision is to reach tens - and eventually hundreds - of thousands. BEYOND speaks the language of the next generation while reinforcing their values, identity, and connection to Israel.”
As part of the global kickoff, 800 alumni from across the world will arrive in Israel this month, joined by 100 Israeli alumni, for a week of solidarity, volunteering, and reconnection. The visit will include the first-ever BEYOND Global Summit, volunteer projects in Ofakim, a joint Shabbat experience, and participation in Birthright’s annual mega-event.
| 
