In January 2020, KU Hillel had a full Birthright Israel trip of college students, all excited about having spent 10 days in Israel. They had no idea how fortunate the timing of their trip would turn out to be.
“I’m really grateful I was able to visit the Holy Land before the world shut down last year,” said Ilexa Axelrod, who just graduated from KU, on her Birthright experience. “I’m eager to return.”
After taking a year off from trips abroad, KU Hillel staff eagerly anticipates bringing groups of KU students on their Birthright trip this winter — the first since the pandemic shut down travel in 2020.
Birthright trips are so much more than a free trip to Israel. They are a life-changing experience for students to explore their Jewish identity and learn more about global Jewry, said Suzy Sostrin, KU Hillel executive director.
“Israel education is a deep part of what we do at KU Hillel and, through these trips, our students discover their connection to the country, too,” Sostrin said. “Each trip truly ties students together, deepening their ties within their community and their place in the Jewish world.”
Through the Birthright trip — and his first trip to Israel ever — last January, Jared Katzen loved the experience, especially because he went with KU Hillel.
“Having never been to Israel before the trip, going on Birthright helped me connect everything I learned about Judaism and the history of our people,” said Katzen, now a senior. “To do it while meeting amazing people from around the world and new friends who went to KU who I hadn’t met was life changing.”
These trips make a significant impact on both KU Hillel students in the present and also in their future lives as Jewish adults.
“Every year, participants come back enthusiastic about becoming more active and involved in Jewish life,” said KU Hillel Rabbi Neal Schuster, who looks forward to leading a trip this winter. “This incredible journey of discovery and exploration of Israel is also about enriching and deepening their own Jewish identities, their Jewish lives, and their connection to their Jewish community.”
Each Birthright trip through KU Hillel is led by staff members, which helps continue to build the thriving, tightly knit Jewish community KU is known for.
Ariel Cohn, now a senior at KU, went on Birthright with KU Hillel and loved being able to “connect with other Hillel students that I otherwise would not have met.”
“Going with KU Hillel also showed me how much everyone at Hillel cares about the students and how passionate they all are about helping us have the best college experience possible,” Cohn said.
Laura Martasin, who was on the same trip, agreed wholeheartedly.
“It was by far one of my favorite trips I have gone on,” Martasin said. “I am so thankful that KU Hillel provides this opportunity.”
Interested in going on Birthright, or know someone who wants to? Email Ally Fabes, program director, at to find out more information.
