'Time to come home': Seven families from New York's Persian Jewish community make aliyah together

Seven families from the Persian Jewish community in Great Neck, New York, have made aliyah, arriving at Tel Aviv's Ben-Gurion Airport with dreams of a new life in Israel. The group, comprising around 26 children, was facilitated by the non-profit Nefesh B'Nefesh, which partners with Israeli government bodies to aid immigration.

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We’re running on fumes, but exhilarated.

"We're running on fumes, but exhilarated," said Jordan, a father of six, expressing the overwhelming emotions of the new olim, or immigrants. He described the feeling as being "on top of the world." The families were greeted by a jubilant crowd upon arrival and received their official Israeli ID cards before heading to their new homes in Ra'anana.

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too many emotions to process properly

The Mayor of Ra'anana, Chaim Broyde, warmly welcomed the families, calling their decision "inspiring" and a testament to Zionism and faith. He emphasized Ra'anana's role as a leading city in immigrant absorption, committed to supporting the new residents. "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 stated.

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flying

Naftali Derovan, Head of the Aliyah Guidance Division at Nefesh B'Nefesh, noted the significance of these families immigrating together. "They remind us that while Aliyah is often a deeply personal decision, it can also be a communal one," he said. "In this case, these families are bringing the strength and spirit of their close-knit community with them to Israel."

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The decision of these seven families to make aliyah together and choose Israel as their home is both visionary and deeply meaningful.