Chani Kaplan: Finding her place in Israel, from Sydney to Jerusalem

Chani Kaplan, originally from Sydney, Australia, found a profound sense of belonging in Israel, leading her to make aliyah. Growing up in Australia, Kaplan attended Chabad schools and experienced security drills, including lockdown procedures due to potential shooter threats. These experiences, coupled with a family history of Holocaust survival, created an underlying unease.

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We had to lock ourselves in the classroom, remain quiet, turn off the lights, and crouch beneath our desks.

Despite occasional visits to Israel, Kaplan initially considered moving to the US or London, feeling she "just never felt at home in Australia." Her grandparents were Holocaust survivors, and her great-grandmother left her a book detailing her wartime experiences. This deep connection to her heritage played a significant role in her eventual decision.

During her gap year at age 18, Kaplan joined her siblings in Israel. She participated in a Modern Orthodox and Zionist seminary program in Jerusalem, which exposed her to various Israeli environments. A trip to Poland with the program, visiting death camps and mass graves, further solidified her resolve and connection to Jewish history and identity.

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I just never felt at home in Australia.

Upon returning to Israel, Kaplan felt an immediate pull, announcing her intention to make aliyah within her first week. Her parents followed a year later, also moving to Israel. Kaplan's story is one of seeking and finding a true home, deeply rooted in her heritage and a desire for connection.

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I want to make aliyah.