This article was written in collaboration with Nefesh B'Nefesh

Seven families from the Persian Jewish community of Great Neck, New York, arrived at Tel Aviv's Ben-Gurion Airport last Tuesday, exhausted from their journey but excited for their lives as new immigrants to Israel.

“We’re running on fumes, but exhilarated,” Jordan, one of the new olim (immigrants) and a father of six girls, told The Jerusalem Post at the airport, adding that there were “too many emotions to process properly” but that he felt as though he was “flying.”

The families, which included some 26 children, made aliyah (immigration to Israel) with the help of Nefesh B’Nefesh, the non-profit organization that facilitates immigration to Israel from the United States and Canada, in partnership with Israel’s Ministry of Aliyah and Integration, the Jewish Agency for Israel, Keren Kayemeth LeIsrael, and Jewish National Fund-USA.

“The decision of these seven families to make aliyah together and choose Israel as their home is both visionary and deeply meaningful,” said Naftali Derovan, Head of the Aliyah Guidance Division at Nefesh B’Nefesh. “They remind us that while Aliyah is often a deeply personal decision, it can also be a communal one. In this case, these families are bringing the strength and spirit of their close-knit community with them to Israel. We are excited to continue providing them with the professional support and resources they need to integrate successfully, build their lives here, and truly feel at home in Israel.” 

After arriving, the new olim received their official Israeli ID cards before eventually being shuttled to their new homes in the central city of Ra'anana.

“We warmly welcome the new families joining our community and are deeply moved by this inspiring step, which embodies Zionism and faith,” said the Mayor of Ra’anana, Chaim Broyde. “Ra’anana is proud to be one of Israel’s leading cities in the absorption of new immigrants, serving as a home to olim from dozens of countries and bringing together diverse communities.”

“We embrace the new olim and are committed to providing them and their children with the support they need to integrate, thrive, and feel at home in Ra’anana,” he added. “I wish the families a smooth transition into their new lives, and assure them that we will be there to support them every step of the way.”

Before leaving the airport, though, as they passed through customs and entered the Terminal 3 arrivals hall, the new olim were greeted by a jubilant crowd of mostly teenagers who sang and cheered as they welcomed them to Israel.

Among those were a group of girls who had done Sherut Leumi (national service) in Great Neck, alongside the very members of the Persian community who made aliyah.

Amid the scramble to make sure everything was in order after entering the arrivals hall, the new olim told the Post that the American-Persian Jewish community was “hearing the call to come back” to Israel.

“We're expecting many more in the next year, and b’ezrat Hashem (with God's help), this is going to be something for many years to come. You're going to see a lot of the Persian communities coming back,” Jordan said.

Adam, another of the olim and a father of five, said that the community members had gotten together and “decided it’s time to come home.”

“Each family wanted to do it for a long time, and suddenly we came together and said, ‘It's so hard to come alone. You feel lonely. You feel like you miss people. Why not do it together?’ Seven families are here together today, back home. It's a dream come true.”

Adam added that he also expected many more from the Persian Jewish community to make aliyah from the US, saying that the movement to come to Israel was “on fire.”

Jen, another member of the group, said that they hoped that, because they came as a group, it would help entice other community members and make their moves easier.

That community back in New York, she said, was elated for those who had made the move to Israel.

“Over the course of the past few weeks, every Shabbos we were being celebrated,” she said. “They're honoring us in shul (synagogue), and they had a whole group of people who came and met us by the coach bus yesterday and sent us off.”

Talia, another woman in the group and a mother of three, said the decision to move to Israel was made in part because, despite “an amazing life in New York,” they are “thinking about our kids and the future of Jewish life.”

“We believe that the future of ‘Am Yisrael’ (the Jewish people) is in Israel, and we have this opportunity to do it all together,” she said.

This article was written in collaboration with Nefesh B'Nefesh