NEW YORK, NY โ Birthright Israel announced Tuesday that Simon Amiel has been appointed Executive Vice President, North America, effective June 1, placing a veteran Jewish communal leader in a key role overseeing one of the organizationโs most important regions.
Amiel will be based in Birthright Israelโs New York office and will succeed Elizabeth โLizโ Sokolsky, who is stepping down after more than two decades in senior leadership with the organization.
Birthright Israel said Amiel brings extensive experience in Jewish engagement, Israel education, and institutional partnership-building across North America and Israel.
He currently serves as Executive Director of RootOne, an initiative focused on helping North American Jewish teens strengthen their connection to Israel through immersive educational travel experiences.
Before RootOne, Amiel held senior leadership roles at Hillel and City Year, where he worked in organizational development, community engagement, and nonprofit leadership.
The appointment comes as Birthright Israel marks 25 years since its founding and looks to expand programming, alumni engagement, and Israel connection initiatives for younger generations.
Gidi Mark, International CEO of Birthright Israel, said the organization believes Amiel is well-positioned to guide its North American strategy.
โSimon is a mission-driven leader with a deep understanding of the North American Jewish landscape,โ Mark said in a statement announcing the appointment.
โHis experience, relationships, and vision will be instrumental as we continue to grow our impact and strengthen connections to Israel for the next generation.โ
Mark added that the organization expects Amiel to bring โstrategic vision, energy, and leadershipโ to the position.
Amiel will replace Liz Sokolsky, a longtime Birthright Israel executive credited with helping build the organizationโs North American presence over 26 years.
Mark praised Sokolskyโs tenure and said she would remain with the organization through the end of 2026 to support the leadership transition.
โOn behalf of myself and everyone at Birthright Israel, I want to express our heartfelt thanks and deepest gratitude to Liz Sokolsky for her 26 years of visionary leadership and dedicated service to the Jewish people,โ Mark said.
He added that Sokolsky would assist in onboarding Amiel and ensuring continuity during the handover period.
The transition comes at a significant moment for Birthright Israel, which has become one of the most recognizable Jewish educational initiatives in the world.
Founded 25 years ago, Birthright Israel was established with the goal of providing young Jewish adults with opportunities for transformative travel experiences in Israel and a foundation for lasting Jewish identity and connection.
The organization offers short and mid-length programs that bring participants to Israel for educational, cultural, and communal experiences.
According to Birthright Israel, more than 900,000 young Jewish adults from 70 countries have participated in one of its programs since its launch.
Those trips are funded through a partnership model that includes private philanthropists, Jewish federations and communities, the Government of Israel, alumni donors and supporters worldwide.
For many participants, Birthright Israel has served as a first direct encounter with Israel, its people, society, and history.
Supporters of the initiative often cite its long-term impact on Jewish identity, communal involvement, Hebrew learning, and continued engagement with Israel.
Amielโs appointment places an experienced educator and institution-builder at the center of Birthright Israelโs North American operations during a period of evolving communal priorities.
Jewish organizations across the continent have increasingly focused on combating antisemitism, strengthening Jewish identity, and deepening ties with Israel in the aftermath of heightened global tensions since October 2023.
Birthright Israel has continued operating trips and educational programming amid those challenges, positioning travel and first-hand experience as tools for connection and resilience.
As Executive Vice President, North America, Amiel is expected to play a leading role in fundraising, strategic partnerships, participant growth, and alumni engagement.
For Birthright Israel, the choice signals continuity in mission while preparing for a new chapter of leadership.
As the organization enters its second quarter-century, its core objective remains unchanged: ensuring the next generation of Jewish young adults can build meaningful and lasting connections to Israel.
