Birthright Israel Foundation names Jay Golan as new CEO

The Birthright Israel Foundation has named Jay Golan, a senior director at Carnegie Hall, as its president and chief executive, a newly created position. The foundation was launched more than five years ago to give Jewish young adults free trips to Israel, with the hope that the visit would help foster a shared Jewish identity. The foundation has raised almost US$ 72 million since the program started. In his new post, Golan is expected to increase fund-raising and expand post-program initiatives for alumni when they get back to North America. WJC president Edgar M. Bronfman is one of the major donors to the Birthright Israel Foundation.