Two new immigrants from North America arrived in Israel this week despite the ongoing war with Iran and continued security uncertainty.

Henry Garfinkle, 26, from Toronto, arrived in Israel on March 8, while Michael DeLuca, 39, from North Carolina, landed on March 9, after both experienced flight disruptions due to the outbreak of the war with Iran.

Their immigration to Israel was facilitated by Nefesh B’Nefesh, in partnership with the Aliyah and Integration Ministry, the Jewish Agency for Israel, Keren Kayemeth LeIsrael-Jewish National Fund, and the Jewish National Fund-USA.

Originally scheduled to arrive on March 1, Garfinkle’s flight was canceled due to Operation Roaring Lion. After multiple attempts to rebook his ticket, he eventually found a new flight that allowed him to complete the move he had been planning for months.

“Regardless of the situation, I wasn’t deterred at all,” Garfinkle said. “It actually felt strange for me not to be in Israel while all this was going on.”

His decision to make aliyah was solidified after spending eight months living in Israel last year. During that time, he participated in an internship program and lived in Tel Aviv.

While still in Israel, he began the aliyah process, confident that he wanted to build his future in the country.

However, when the 12 Day War with Iran broke out in June 2025, and his internship ended, Garfinkle temporarily returned to Toronto and continued the aliyah process from Canada.

Even as the conflict escalated, he remained committed to making the move.

“I have ambitions for the life I want to live in Israel, and the war isn’t going to stop me,” he said.

As for DeLuca, his aliyah represents the culmination of a personal journey that began two decades ago.

The North Carolina native first visited Israel 20 years ago on a Birthright trip, an experience that left a lasting impression and planted the idea that he would one day live in Israel.

“Twenty years ago, after that trip, I remember coming home and saying that one day I wanted to live in Israel,” DeLuca said.

He returned to Israel again in September 2023 during the High Holy Days. When Hamas’s October 7 massacre occurred while he was visiting, he chose to remain in the country for several weeks, volunteering during the early stages of the war.

“It didn’t even cross my mind to leave,” he said. “I wanted to stay and help in any way I could and be part of something bigger.”

After returning to the US, he opened an aliyah file in December 2023 and began making plans to move permanently to Israel.

Originally scheduled to depart earlier this week, DeLuca’s flight was also canceled following the outbreak of the war with Iran.

Like Garfinkle, DeLuca looked for any way possible to finally come to Israel, eventually securing a seat on the next available flight and arriving on March 9.

“The first thing that crossed my mind was that I was anxious not to be there,” he said. “It never crossed my mind that I wouldn’t go anymore because of the war. I just wanted to find the next possible way to get there.”

Both Garfinkle and DeLuca said witnessing the resilience of Israeli society during difficult times strengthened their desire to move to the country.

“What’s amazing about Israel is that life just carries on,” DeLuca said. “Who else can say they were just in a shelter because of a ballistic missile, and then they are ordering a pizza?”

For Garfinkle, the aftermath of October 7 also reshaped his outlook. He said the atmosphere in Toronto became increasingly uncomfortable for Jews as tensions rose, reinforcing his desire to build his future in Israel.

“Living in Israel as a Jew, you never feel out of place,” he said. “You always feel welcome. There are obviously challenges, but people adapt, grow, and make it work.”

For both new immigrants, arriving in Israel during a time of war only reinforces their sense that they are exactly where they are meant to be.

“I didn’t want to put my life on hold,” Garfinkle said. “This is where I want to build my future.”

“Becoming Israeli feels like closing a circle,” DeLuca said. “To finally take that step and be part of the Israeli nation is something truly amazing.”