30 | DECEMBER 29 • 2022
A
friend of mine named Hannah
told me last year in November,
to apply to Birthright because
it would absolutely change my life,” said
Sarah Markowitz.
As an individual actively in recovery
from addiction, Markowitz thought it
would be a bad idea to go on Birthright
after hearing stories of partying on the
trip. But Markowitz decided to listen to
her friend and did some research.
“I went to the Birthright website and
saw the Israel Free Spirit program for
people recovering from addiction. And
I thought, ‘Oh, my gosh, this is Hashem,
this is God, I have to apply for this.’”
The Michigan native signed up for the
Taglit Birthright immediately.
WHAT IS ISRAEL FREE SPIRIT?
Sharon Darack came up with the idea for
Israel Free Spirit for people recovering
from addiction in 2003. The first trip was
held in 2010.
“The whole concept of the trip came
from creating a safe environment for
Jewish people in recovery. To have a
Birthright experience where there’s no
pressures around substance, alcohol use or
potentially other behavioral addictions,”
Darack explained.
Israel Free Spirit includes the same
experiences other Birthright trips have —
a camel ride in the Negev desert, a trip to
the Western Wall, a float in the Dead Sea,
etc.
“The biggest difference is that the staff
are trained in recovery. They may have
experience working in treatment centers.
Some are social workers or alumni who
have been on the recovery trip before,”
Darack added.
Throughout the trip, participants also
have optional 12-Step meetings after the
Birthright programming for those who
want to participate.
“You can be in recovery and enjoy life,
travel, and you don’t have to feel alone or
isolated,” she said. “Israel Free Spirit is the
best free hidden gift. This program is very
life-changing for young people like Sarah.”
JEWISH UPBRINGING
Growing up in the West Bloomfield area,
Markowitz has always felt close to Judaism.
She attended Congregation Shaarey Zedek
in Southfield and was active in the Jewish
community.
Markowitz recalled one of her teachers
telling the class how they had the right to
get citizenship in Israel.
“It has stuck with me as a little kid. I
remember thinking, Israel is my second
home. I’ve always felt a pull to Israel,”
Markowitz explained.
The 28-year-old had only been to Israel
once before with her family at a young age
and always knew she wanted to go back.
Following her bat mitzvah, Markowitz
chose to stay in Hebrew school. “I was
in BBYO for four or five years. I was
president of my chapter at one point.”
Markowitz also spent some of her time
working at the Friendship Circle, which
allowed her to get to know the Orthodox
community.
“I would go to an Orthodox Shabbat
dinner, and I always thought the Orthodox
community was so cool. I was just
attracted to something about it,” she said.
In high school, Markowitz says she lost
touch with her spiritual and religious side
and fell into addiction.
THE TRIP THAT CHANGED HER LIFE
Markowitz moved to Phoenix, Arizona, in
2021, for a recovery program and quickly
started reconnecting with her Jewish
Meet Sarah Markowitz,
a Michigan native
who made aliyah
after a Birthright trip.
RACHEL SWEET
SPECIAL TO THE JEWISH NEWS
NEXT DOR
VOICE OF THE NEW GENERATION
to
Sarah at the
Ramon Crater in
Mitzpe Ramon