What inspires successful North American Jews to pick up and leave their lives in the Diaspora to make aliyah? What are the motivating factors that led them to make one of the most important decisions of their lives? How did the tragic events of October 7 affect them, and how, as olim, do they feel connected to something bigger than themselves, living in the State of Israel?

Six olim that made Aliyah with the assistance of Nefesh B'Nefesh in partnership with the Ministry of Aliyah and Integration, the Jewish Agency for Israel, Keren Kayemeth LeIsrael, and Jewish National Fund-USA, tell their stories of hope, optimism, and real-life experiences –overcoming the Hebrew-language barrier, understanding the Israeli psyche, and dealing with Israeli assertiveness. “It’s a very family-centered culture. Everybody is your family, regardless of whether they are your actual family or not,” says Joseph with a smile. “Israelis are some of the sweetest people you’ll ever meet,” adds Liat Rozmaryn, a Bat Sherut (National Service volunteer) and Magen David Adom EMT. 

Social worker Nicole Schanker says that the Hamas attacks of October 7 deepened her connection to support and fight for Israel, making her a “loud, proud Zionist.” Scott Friedman, a resident of the Northern Israel town of Maalot Tarshiha, who was living in the United States on October 7 while his son served as a lone soldier in Israel, felt a great deal of apprehension on that day, while for Rachel Offenbacher, a pediatric oncologist and physician-scientist, and her husband Joseph, an emergency medicine physician—both living in New York—it was the pivotal moment that cemented their decision to make aliyah.

Commenting on the connection that he feels as a new oleh, Scott says, “You feel that you are part of everything that is here. If you talk to anyone on the street long enough, you'll find some connection. There is a sense in Israel, and even for us as new olim, that everybody is ultimately part of each other.” Adds Nicole, “Israel is the reason why I have confidence in my personal and my career life.” Perhaps Jake Tepper, owner of Yalla Bikes and  content creator @yallabikes, says it best: “People really support each other.”

Join the Jerusalem Post and Nefesh B’Nefesh for “Aliyah Stories,” and learn what makes olim tick – why they came, what Israel means to them, and how they are living their best lives in the State of Israel.

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This article was written in collaboration with Nefesh B'Nefesh.