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