$25 million new gift to Birthright program from philanthropists Charles and Rita Bronfman

Charles Bronfman considers Birthright Israel, the organization he co-founded that runs free Israel trips for young Jewish adults, his “life and love for the past 25 years.
” But recently, the nonagenarian has grown increasingly concerned about the organization’s long-term viability, that it was in danger of “going down the tubes,” he stated.
So, roughly a year ago, he approached the Birthright Israel Foundation to help secure the program’s future.
Most recently, Bronfman committed to donate $25 million to the Birthright Israel Fund for the Jewish Future, a fund within the foundation’s endowment.
“I knew that we had to have a long-term solution, and I thought I’d lead it off. No one asked me, I just volunteered,” said Bronfman, who was named honorary chair of the fund.
He said he discussed the idea with his longtime advisor, Jeff Solomon, whom he described as “my right and left hand—and an arm,” before deciding to pursue it.
Bronfman said he still believes deeply in the Birthright Israel program, particularly as a remedy to the current rise in global antisemitism. He added that this was why it was named the “Fund for the Jewish Future.”
“With this whole antisemitism thing, we need Jews to become Jewish again, and it’s not easy,” Bronfman said. “Birthright is the best example of taking worldwide Jewry and making it Jewish again.”
He called on members of the foundation’s board to also contribute to the fund but has not yet reached out to other philanthropists to contribute.
Elias Saratovsky, president and CEO of Birthright Israel Foundation, lauded Bronfman’s contribution and called on others to follow suit.
“Charles’ $25 million legacy gift will help ensure that countless Jewish young adults, including many second-generation participants, continue to benefit from this transformative Israel experience,” Saratovsky said in a statement, noting that $80 million from 100 donors has already been committed to the foundation’s endowment fund.
Bronfman, in turn, hailed the fundraising efforts of Saratovsky, who stepped into the role in June 2023.
Bronfman said his decision to make the $25 million new commitment to the endowment came as he considered his legacy and lasting impact on the Jewish people.
“I have to think about legacy. I’m 93-and-a-half years old,” he said. “If you don’t think about legacy at that age, you’re making a big mistake.”
Referring to the Jewish tradition of wishing people to live to the age of 120, Bronfman quipped that he was planning to “get to 119 and renegotiate.”