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Birthright Israel’s connection to alum extends beyond trips

Birthright Israel and OpenDor Media are partnering to engage alumni to empower them for continued connection and learning.

Birthright Israel Alum Volunteer Through Onward Program 1
Birthright Israel alumni have been flocking to Israel to volunteer on its Onward program since the Hamas terrorist attacks on Oct. 7, 2023. Credit: Omer Melamed/Courtesy of Birthright Israel.

Birthright Israel and OpenDor Media announced a strategic partnership, in which OpenDor Media will provide Jewish and Israel-related content from their Unpacked division to participants and alumni of Birthright Israel with the goal of a deepened their connections with their Jewish identity, Israel and the Jewish people, through continuous engagement and learning.

This partnership comes at a critical time, following the tragic events of Oct. 7, underscoring the urgent need for balanced and nuanced educational material that can counter the surge in global anti-Semitism. The aim is to equip young Jews with educational content which will aid in their personal development but also, crucially, in their ability to facilitate meaningful conversations with their peers.

The partnership will unlock and leverage OpenDor Media’s comprehensive library of impactful Unpacked content with access to hundreds of thousands of alumni to digital edutainment content which has, to date, over 44 million YouTube video views, more than 1.4 million podcast downloads and 23.6 million TikTok views.

Participants will gain immediate access through the Beyond Birthright Israel app, with further resources available post-trip and to the rest of the alumni base. This ensures that the participants’ journey of discovery and connection extends well beyond their Birthright experience in Israel.

Gidi Mark, CEO of Birthright Israel, said: “In the wake of the harrowing events of Oct. 7, and amidst a rising tide of global anti-Semitism, we’re proud to partner with the premier source of Jewish and Israel-related educational content to support the continued growth of the next generation of Jewish leaders.”

Andrew Savage, CEO of OpenDor Media, said: “This partnership represents a milestone in Jewish educational outreach. In times like these, when the need for connection and understanding is more crucial than ever, we’re proud to take a leading role alongside Birthright Israel. Providing their alumni with direct and continuous access to balanced educational content promises to strengthen the bonds between young Jews and Israel, and ensures that the journey of discovery continues to flourish and grow well beyond when the trip participants touch back down in their respective countries. Together, we are connecting the past and the future, ensuring that every participant carries forward the torch of Jewish heritage with pride and knowledge.”

Learn more about OpenDor Media: https://opendormedia.org/

Learn more about Birthright: https://www.birthrightisrael.com/

About & contact the publisher
Birthright Israel began with a bold idea: offering a free, life-changing trip to Israel for young Jewish adults between the ages of 18 and 26, and in doing so, transforming the Jewish future. Our mission is to provide all young Jewish adults with opportunities for transformative and immersive shared experiences in Israel, plus a foundation for ongoing Jewish connection. Today, Birthright Israel is the largest educational tourism organization in the world, having provided more than 850,000 journeys to Israel.
About & contact the publisher
OpenDor Media is a global educational media nonprofit for young Jews and their peers. Its Unpacked, Unpacked for Educators, ConnectED, and Amplified brands reach millions of people each year through podcasts, video, social and digital community content that deepen understanding of Israel, Judaism and the Jewish experience. More than 15,000 educators also use OpenDor Media's classroom resources to teach these topics to students worldwide. Founded in 2009, the organization has built its global audience by embracing complexity and fostering informed, authentic engagement.
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