Birthright Israel and Birthright Israel Foundation proudly announce that Rabbi Gershon Litt has been named the recipient of the 2025 Jeffrey R. Solomon Prize. The prestigious annual award recognizes an exceptional Jewish communal professional who has made a profound and lasting impact on the Jewish journeys of young adults, both as a madrich(a) (trip staff) on Birthright Israel trips and through their professional work.

Rabbi Litt, the Director of William & Mary Hillel at the College of William & Mary in Williamsburg, VA, is being honored for his nearly two decades of transformative work in Jewish and Israel education, having staffed more than 40 Birthright Israel trips.

The Jeffrey R. Solomon Prize was established to honor individuals who have made a significant impact while serving as madrich(a) on the Classic 10-Day Birthright Israel trips. The award recognizes Jewish professionals whose work has profoundly influenced the Jewish journeys of young adults. According to Birthright Israel, the organization believes that the most effective Jewish educators are those who inspire others through their actions. The Jeffrey R. Solomon Prize is an expression of Birthright’s appreciation for individuals who are strengthening Jewish continuity and perpetuating Jewish Peoplehood.

Gidi Mark, International CEO of Birthright Israel, praised Rabbi 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."

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 Rabbi Litt’s success lies in turning a 10-day trip into an enduring, personal journey for participants - a process he sustains through his Hillel work.

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 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 (human decency). 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."

Upon receiving the award, Rabbi Litt shared: "It is such an honor to receive this award. I firmly believe that Taglit Birthright Israel is the most powerful educational tool we have today to connect our young, Jewish adults to Israel and their heritage. Through TBI, almost one million Jewish adults 18-26 years old have experienced an Israel educational experience. I know the impact that the trip has on my students. The gift of Birthright Israel is lasting and powerful. That is why I continue to lead trips twice a year and why it is a vital component of my campus work. I encourage every Jewish young adult to go as soon as they can and, if they are in the Tidewater area, they should give me a call. I would love to take them with me."

The prize, named in tribute to Dr. Jeffrey R. 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.

Jewish Peninsula is proud to support William & Mary Hillel with an annual allocation, made possible by your generous support of the Annual Campaign.