Voices of Olim

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.

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.
The Gvahim team.

Gvahim: Two decades of helping olim build their careers

Lauren Adilev

Lauren Adilev: from everywhere to Kiryat Arba

 First Station view. Known as the Jerusalem–Khan railway station when in operation, it was used between 1892 and 1998, before the Malha station became Jerusalem’s primary rail terminus.

Olim’s guide to Jerusalem: best hangouts and activities for 2026


Lost in translation: the joys of learning Hebrew

Many olim learning Hebrew can attest that they have at one point or another embarrassed themselves profusely either by misunderstanding, mishearing, or mispronouncing a word.

 Hebrew language (Illustrative).

Deemed unfit to drive by Israeli bureaucracy

Getting a driver’s license in Israel can feel like surviving an obstacle course - it’s not just a test of driving skill but also of patience, resilience, and pure willpower.

  Israeli drivers and roads are notorious for being among the worst worldwide.

Bureaucracy battles: how do olim deal with the Israeli postal service?

Another common hurdle that nearly every oleh has encountered.

 Illustration of an Israeli post truck. March 6, 2023.

Bureaucratic battles: The struggles of new Israeli olim at the Interior Ministry

Daily bureaucratic obstacles can really take a toll on new immigrants who are trying to find their footing in a new country.

 THE EXPECTATION that citizens should roam the length and breadth of the country in order to find an appointment slot somewhere to renew a passport is preposterous.

Shifra Jacobs: Adjusting to life in Israel as a young olah

From Manchester to the IDF: a young woman’s journey of aliyah, adaptation, and finding her voice in a new country.

Shifra Jacobs.

Heshy Engelsberg: A bumpy and painful aliyah journey, but with no regrets

Despite the challenges of daily life in Israel, with his apartment, and the culture-shock of adjusting to a new country, former New Yorker Heshy Engelsberg has no regrets.

 Heshy Engelsberg