Birthright Israel and Birthright Israel Foundation announce that Rabbi Gershon Litt has been named the recipient of the 2025 Jeffrey R. Solomon Prize. The annual award recognizes an exceptional Jewish communal professional who has made a profound and lasting impact on the Jewish journeys of young adults on Birthright Israel trips and through their professional work.
Director of William & Mary Hillel at the College of William & Mary in Williamsburg, Va., the rabbi is being honored for his nearly two decades of transformative work in Jewish and Israel education, having staffed more than 40 Birthright Israel trips.
Gidi Mark, international CEO of Birthright Israel, praised Litt’s influence: “The Jeffrey R. Solomon Prize celebrates the finest educators in our field, and Rabbi Litt is a shining example. As a veteran madrich, he has consistently helped young Jews transform the Israel experience into a profound moment of identity-building. His commitment to creating meaningful connections embodies the founding vision of Birthright Israel: ensuring a strong Jewish future through extraordinary encounters with the land and people of Israel. We are immensely proud to recognize his invaluable contribution.”
The prize, named in tribute to Solomon, a lifelong Jewish communal professional and one of Birthright Israel’s earliest and most consistent champions, includes a $5,000 award and up to $1,800 toward professional development.
It was established to honor individuals who have made a significant impact while serving as a leader on the classic 10-day Birthright Israel trips. It is an expression of Birthright’s appreciation for individuals who strengthen Jewish continuity and perpetuate Jewish peoplehood.
Elias Saratovsky, president and CEO of Birthright Israel Foundation, highlighted the award’s resonance: “Rabbi Litt is a truly exceptional Jewish communal professional and a fitting recipient of this award. He models the exact standards of leadership and mentorship that our dear friend, Dr. Jeffrey R. Solomon, has always championed. Rabbi Litt’s work, both on our trips and in his daily role as a Hillel director, reinforces the idea that a positive Jewish role model can inspire a lifetime of engagement. He doesn’t just teach values; he lives them, securing a vibrant future for the next generation of Jewish leaders.”
The core of his success lies in turning a 10-day trip into an enduring, personal journey for participants, a process he sustains through his work with Hillel.
Rachel Dornfest, a Birthright Israel alumna and former student at the College of William & Mary, attested to this impact: “Before Birthright, I had never felt a personal connection to Israel; it was just a distant country. But Rabbi Litt fused my Jewish identity with the land. He didn’t just teach the history; he showed us how the Western Wall (Kotel) is a living avenue of connection, and Tzfat is a place of unimaginable spirituality. That experience, combined with his ongoing mentorship afterward, fundamentally changed the kind of Jew I aspired to become.”
Yael Tamari, director of the Birthright Israel trip organizer OU-Israel Free Spirit, praised his character and leadership: “Rabbi Litt possesses a unique blend of deep Jewish knowledge and genuine menshlichkeit. His dedication ensures that Jewish continuity isn’t just an abstract goal, but a lived reality for every student he encounters. He is a steadfast anchor for young adults searching for meaning, making sure their connections to Judaism and Israel are robust enough to last a lifetime.”
