Finding love in Israel

Jennifer and Aaron are best friends. They were brought up with the same values.

By LEAH HAKIMIAN
jennifer and aran 88 224 (photo credit: )
jennifer and aran 88 224
(photo credit: )
Change your place, and you change your luck. It's on old Jewish saying. On July 14, 2004, Aaron Greenberg met Jennifer Zeichner at JFK Airport. They were both moving to Israel. On January 5, 2006, Aaron, 29, and Jennifer, 31, were married. They were both studying at Ulpan Etzion in Jerusalem, which provides classes and living accommodations for singles between 18 and 35. It's a great place to learn Hebrew and to make friends, says Jennifer, but not a place to date. "Everyone knows everyone else's business." That didn't stop Aaron from flirting with Jennifer. But she stood her ground, and wouldn't date him until they had left the ulpan. They are both thankful for Thanksgiving 2004. Aaron went to her apartment to cook a turkey, and their relationship began to jell. Jennifer enjoys Aaron's sense of humor and he didn't disappoint her when he proposed. Aaron bought two rings - one was a toy like the kind in a Cracker Jack box and one was a real gem. He used the toy ring when he asked her to marry him. When she said yes, he gave her the real one. Jennifer and Aaron are best friends. They were brought up with the same values. Aaron was raised in Tucson, Arizona, and grew up in the Conservative Movement - very active in United Synagogue Youth. Jennifer, who grew up in Marlboro, New Jersey, was also very active in USY. They both grew up with a love for Israel. Aaron starting thinking about Israel because of his first-grade teacher at the Tucson Hebrew Academy, Shoshana Brandwein. "We all called her 'Mora Shoshana,'" says Aaron. "Mora Shoshana had a son living in Israel, and she always spoke about Israel." From the time he was in Mora Shoshana's class, he knew he wanted to live there. For Jennifer and Aaron, their aliya has been a success. They are both employed at IDT, a telecom provider, and work the same shift. They are expecting a baby and they are upgrading their housing as they move to Modi'in. Jennifer and Aaron both feel they got the right help with housing and employment. The baby they made on their own. Mazal tov!