Wartime Israel doesn’t deter thousands of olim

Making aliya amidst a war is sometimes seen as stepping from the frying pan into the fire, or perhaps true Zionism. But, since 7 October, 23 000 people from around the world have made aliya, 250 from South Africa.

The ministry of aliya in Israel is expecting a further 17 000 olim this year.

“Since the war in Israel started, not one person has cancelled their plans to make aliya,” said Shelley Bookatz, aliya consultant at the Israel Centre at a farewell event for olim on 30 August.

“Going to Israel is my purpose, especially having seen what happened on 7 October,” said reflexologist Jodi Dayan, who was one of those South Africans on the verge of making aliya.

“After seeing how the kibbutzim were destroyed that day, I knew that one of the things I wanted to do was go down south and help resettle the kibbutzim. The war has taken longer than any of us wanted or anticipated, but as soon as we can start resettling, I’m there.”

“I’ve just completed a yoga teacher’s training course and I want to specialise in trauma yoga and reflexology. Whatever else comes up and whatever else I need to do I will do to help in any way I can,” said Dayan.

Marcelle Adler, 75, was also inspired to make aliya sooner rather than later after the 7 October massacre in Israel. “After seeing the devastation, I feel that I might be able to give back to the people there by doing volunteering work and helping around. There would be lots of requests for people to come and help with certain things that they are doing for their soldiers and things like that. I’m keen to do that kind of thing.”

Adler said her aliya had been a long time coming since her husband passed away three years ago. “I have been staying in the house on my own. It’s hard, you know. I can’t go out at night by myself. I don’t drive at night. So, I’m sitting at home. I went to visit my children last year in Israel and felt the freedom and ease of getting around. At this age and stage of my life, it’s a good place for me to be. Especially having children there and hopefully, at some stage, the rest of my family will join me there.”

When Jessica Lurie heard what happened on 7 October, she knew she had to go to Israel. “My sister is there on her own. She’s younger than me, and I felt distant from her after what happened. I just feel that the older I get, the more I need to be with my sister. She’s my best friend, and the way things are going here, it’s better for me just to be there with her.

“It sounds crazy, but I still feel like no matter what’s happening there, there’s still a better future there than here. There’s more of a plan there for them. I feel excited. I’m not as nervous as I should be,” said Lurie.

Virgil and Ruth Challens, a couple in their 60s and members of Temple Emanuel Shul, decided to make aliya to Be’er Sheva and leave their children in South Africa because, they say, “It has always been a dream of ours to live in Israel. Every time we visit, we feel this massive feeling of homecoming.”

Said Ruth, “We look forward to contributing and volunteering in various projects. Every time we read the reports and see that more people have died, our hearts sink into our feet. It’s hard to see what’s happening there, but we’re aware of the fact that Israel is at war. We’d like to participate and contribute more than anything else.”

Daniel Sauer, a former employee at CAP Security who is moving to Bat Yam, told the SA Jewish Report, “I want to be able to make a difference, whether it be by giving back and volunteering, playing a role in building the economy, or even just showing the true resilience and beauty of Israel.”

Four youngsters are also going to Israel with this group, leaving their families behind, to complete their schooling at the Na’ale Elite Academy. “I think it’s better to be in Israel given what’s going on in the world,” said 16-year-old Daniel Dosson from Cape Town.

Similarly, 16-year-old Lily Todes is leaving her parents in Johannesburg and joining her brother who is also completing high school at Na’ale. “I’m not nervous to go to Israel right now. I know the war affects the country on a large scale, but it seems that day-to-day life goes on.”

Dorron Kline, the chief executive of Telfed, the organisation which supports South African olim in Israel, told those at the farewell party, “This is a step for yourself and your immediate family in Israel. You are becoming a part of a modern-day miracle – the continuing growth of the Jewish nation.”

Dafir Forer Kremer, the director of the Israel Centre, said while giving the olim pairs of socks with the face of the father of Zionism, Theodor Herzl, “Aliya warms the hearts of Israelis. We’re a nation of survivors, so it’s no wonder our anthem is Hatikvah.”