Aliyah

Olim reflect on why they made aliyah this year

Since October 7, rising antisemitism in the Diaspora has prompted many Jews to reconsider their futures, with Israel offering both safety and a stronger sense of community.

|ByBATSHEVA SHULMAN
Pro-Palestinian demonstrators carry a banner during a protest against the arrival of an Israeli cruise ship in the port of Piraeus near Athens, Greece, June 12, 2025.
Protesters wave flags and hold placards during a demonstration organised by the Campaign Against Antisemitism outside Downing Street in London on October 9, 2025 to mark one week since the attack on a synagogue in Manchester; illustrative.

US considering offering British Jews asylum amid rising antisemitism, Trump's UK-born lawyer says

Amid growing antisemitism in the UK, Trump’s lawyer Robert Garson revealed talks with the US State Department about offering asylum to British Jews seeking refuge.

|ByMATHILDA HELLER
Shira Sedek Ben-Zekhariah arrives at Ben-Gurion Airport, June 26, 2025.

Aliyah: A wedding postponed, a dream fulfilled

When the sudden onset of the 12-Day War with Iran grounded the NBN flight, her other, previously purchased ticket enabled her to secure one of the scarce rescue flights leaving the US.

|ByABIGAIL KLEIN LEICHMAN
South African Jews, aged 60 and over, recently arrived via a Jewish Agency aliyah project, meet at Telfed - South African Zionist Federation in Raanana.

Homeward bound: Why South African Jews are making aliyah to Israel now - opinion

Recently, the Jewish Agency introduced an aliyah project aimed specifically at South African couples aged 60+ with family already in Israel, who cannot afford to purchase a home here.

|ByBRENDA KATTEN

Biotech between worlds: Jacob Licht's aliyah story - interview

A better question might be: For a couple who fell in love with Israel as teenagers, why did it take us so long to make aliyah?

NOVEMBER 24, 2025ByLEAH HAKIMIAN
JACOB LICHT, 56, from Silver Spring to Jerusalem, 2024.

Gov't approves plan to bring India's remaining 'lost tribe' Bnei Menashe back to Israel

The new immigrants will undergo Orthodox conversion through the Chief Rabbinate and will mainly settle in Nof HaGalil and other northern communities.

NOVEMBER 23, 2025ByALEX WINSTON
Newly arrived Jewish immigrants from Manipur in India, members of the 'Bnei Menashe' community arrive to the Ben Gurion international airport on March 22, 2018. The 'Bnei Menashe' community belongs to one of the 10 'lost tribes' of Israel exiled by an Assyrian empire 27 centuries ago.

Israel's Piano Man: Rami Kleinstein's journey from Long Island to Hebrew pop maestro - interview

Many people refer to Kleinstein as the Israeli Billy Joel, mainly for the similarities in their melodic, piano-based songs about love and life. But the parallels don’t end there.

NOVEMBER 21, 2025ByDAVID BRINN
Rami Kleinstein (L) with David Brinn.

'Why did you bring me here?': Panel of olim discuss 'accidental' aliyah

Who pays the price of aliyah? Some 'accidental olim' - children who made aliyah not by choice, but by circumstance - share their experiences.

NOVEMBER 20, 2025ByBATSHEVA SHULMAN
Shifra Jacobs and her beloved late dog Lexi.

Influencing in uniform: IDF's soldier-influencers go viral

Young IDF soldiers are turning to social media to share their service, but rising backlash, strict new army rules, and the risks of going viral in uniform are reshaping what they can say online.

NOVEMBER 19, 2025ByTOBIAS HOLCMAN
An Israeli female soldier is seen in an army deployment area near Israel-Gaza border.

'Great Britain is on the brink': Why this Jewish influencer is fleeing London

From her bedroom, Jewish Jess challenges haters and online stupidity

NOVEMBER 19, 2025ByBATSHEVA SHULMAN
Some 1,521 antisemitic incidents were recorded in the UK between January and June 2025, according to the Community Security Trust (CST).

‘Don’t ask, don’t tell’ aliyah: All different kinds of Jews are welcome in Israel - opinion

Will Israel abandon those unable to provide the requisite rabbinical letter? If so, how could Israel claim moral superiority to countries that turned away boatloads of Jews fleeing Nazi Europe?

NOVEMBER 18, 2025ByCOOKIE SCHWAEBER-ISSAN
ALIYAH AND INTEGRATION Minister Ofir Sofer (right) welcomes new immigrants from France at Ben-Gurion Airport last year. As many consider a move to the Jewish homeland, Israel must prepare to receive its sons and daughters, says the writer.

Knesset committee addresses aliyah issues as Israel anticipates postwar immigration surge

“Despite the war, we have seen a blessed aliyah to Israel precisely during this difficult period,” Minister Ofir Sofer said.

NOVEMBER 17, 2025ByKESHET NEEV
Aliyah and Integration Minister Ofir Sofer during a special session of the Knesset’s Aliyah and Immigration Committee on Monday.

Developing Israel’s periphery is vital for economy, aliyah - opinion

As Israel plans for the arrival of its next 10 million, the periphery must play a leading role. The region is hiding in plain sight. Now is the time to see it.

NOVEMBER 17, 2025ByDOUGLAS ALTABEF
NEW APARTMENTS are under construction in Katzrin this month. The importance of developing our periphery – the Galilee, the Golan, and the Negev – is increasingly evident, the writer maintains.

A comical series of bureaucratic frustration: Effi Frohwein's aliyah story

After Oct. 7, I had in mind that I want to be with my family, meaning Am Yisrael in Eretz Yisrael

NOVEMBER 15, 2025ByABIGAIL KLEIN LEICHMAN
FROHWEIN FAMILY (from L): Effi, Zachy, Koby, Hilary, Mikayla.