The Jeffrey R. Solomon
Prize
Eligibility
Jewish professionals at any stage of their careers with significant achievements in the fields of Jewish and Israel education are eligible to be nominated for the Jeffrey R. Solomon Prize. Candidates must have also acted in the role of a US or Canadian *madrich(a) (i.e. overseas trip staff) on at least five Birthright Israel Classic 10-Day trips.
Preference will be given to candidates who have been in the Jewish professional field for more than ten years, and who are still actively staffing Birthright Israel trips.
In addition to the above, nominees must also meet the following criteria:
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Be working and living in the United States or Canada.
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Are exceptional Jewish professionals who have had a significant impact on Birthright Israel participants, and who have more generally contributed to advancing the mission of Klal Yisrael.
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Have a demonstrated connection with their local Jewish community (e.g. serving as a volunteer and/or lay leader).
*Staffing roles other than being a madrich(a) (e.g. rakazim, field coordinators, Shadows/Aides, Interpreters, etc.) do not meet the award criteria.
Note: Nominees cannot be employees of Birthright Israel North America, Birthright Israel Foundation, Birthright Israel Foundation of Canada, or Taglit Birthright Israel's partnering Trip Organizers.
Selection Criteria
To be considered for the Jeffrey R. Solomon Prize, a completed dossier must demonstrate that the candidate is an exceptional Jewish professional who has had a profound impact on Jewish young adults and their connection to the land and people of Israel, has contributed to advancing the transmission of Jewish knowledge, values, and identity, is a positive Jewish role model, and is someone who upholds the values and embodies the spirit and vision of Birthright Israel’s mission statement The Spirit of Birthright Israel.
These traits can be highlighted in the following ways:
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The nominee has a track record of positively impacting Jewish young adults while in the Jewish professional field and/or as a volunteer or Jewish lay leader; makes a significant contribution to Jewish and Israel education; whose professional and personal efforts contribute to the greater Jewish community and the advancement of Jewish peoplehood.
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The nominee has a proven track record of being an extraordinary Birthright Israel madrich(a) and whose time as a Birthright Israel trip leader has helped to instill in participants their want, desire, and curiosity to continue on their Jewish journeys. (Note: This will be confirmed by past participant reviews, perceptions of the Israeli Tour Educators with whom they co-led trips, and from the perspective of their hiring Trip Organizers.)
In addition to the above, candidates must also be articulate and demonstrate the ability to represent Birthright Israel in various formats and mediums (e.g. public speaking frameworks, published articles, via social media, etc.).
Lastly, anyone being considered for the inaugural 2024 prize must be available to attend the award ceremony which will take place on Thursday, December 12, 2024 in New York City.
Nominations
Anyone involved with Jewish communal work, Jewish and Israel Education, or with a professional connection to Birthright Israel is welcome to submit a nomination for the Jeffrey R. Solomon Prize. We encourage nominations from people of all denominations (including those who consider themselves post-denominational or “Just Jewish”) and institutional frameworks. No one may nominate more than one person in any one year.
We will not consider candidates who are self-nominated, or those nominated by a family member (e.g., parent, child, sibling, or spouse). Only one nomination per candidate will be accepted.
If you would like to get started within the Nomination Process, whether that's nominating a candidate, you are a nominee and would like to begin your application, or you have been asked to act as a reference and want to submit a Letter of Support on behalf of someone who has been nominated, please click on the relevant option below.