(JNS) After 24 years of offering free trips to Jewish teenagers, Birthright Israel has welcomed the first daughter of participants.
Brooke Rubinoff, 20, has signed up for her own Birthright trip, two decades after her parents.
Her parents, Miles and Hayley Rubinoff, were already together when they joined a Birthright trip in 2001, two years after the program started in 1999. Last week, Brooke received a certificate noting the milestone. “I am so grateful to be here now and will never take for granted that this experience is a gift from the Jewish community,” she said.
Hayley Rubinoff said, “I never thought that two decades since my husband Miles and I were privileged to be among the first Birthright Israel groups — and Miles’ first time in Israel — our eldest daughter Brooke would also be receiving this incredible gift.”
She added that she looks forward to her second daughter, Ashley, also participating in the future.
Brooke and her family are from the Toronto suburb of Thornhill, Ontario. She is studying biological science and minoring in neuroscience at the University of Guelph. She previously attended Jewish day school and Jewish camp.
Birthright Israel has organized tours of Israel for more than 800,000 Jewish young adults.