'To those who hesitate in Iran, I say: look at me. I've made it from scratch'
Rani, 44, and Yafit, 40, Amrani live in Jerusalem with their three children Roee, 17, Ron, 13, and Ryan, 9. Made Aliyah from Tehran, Iran in 1995, 2002
They immigrated to Israel from Iran, and have no longing for the regime of terror and anti-Semitism they suffered. "I came here with great difficulty, without a passport," Rani Amrani recalls. But Yafit still misses the landscapes of her childhood and claims: "We need to learn from the Iranian people how to show respect."
'It’s encouraging to know other people are experiencing exactly what I’m going through'
Leora Mietkiewicz, 29, made Aliyah from Ontario, Canada in 2019
She immigrated to Israel just prior to the outbreak of COVID; Today, Leora Mietkiewicz leads culinary tours through the Jerusalem and Tel Aviv markets, where she shares the beauty of Israel with tourists; "Every single day, I am grateful for the path that I have chosen. In Israel, amazing opportunities await anyone who is open to encountering them."
'People don't expect Ethiopians to succeed in Israel'
Genat Alemu, 45, Yoni Alemu, 47. Made Aliyah from Ethiopia in 1998, 2001, and are now living in Jerusalem with their four children
Yoni and Genat Alemu made Aliyah from Ethiopia more than two decades ago and have built a remarkable family in Jerusalem; They still find it difficult to adjust to the raised eyebrows and lack of patience on the roads, but have this advice for prospective immigrants: 'Strive to integrate, and avoid feelings of victimhood. Work hard.'
'Ever since I made Aliyah, I see miracles around me every day'
Ella Babich and her husband Vladislav from Transnistria. Made Aliyah in 2023
The Babichs planned to make Aliyah for years, and then came the war in Ukraine; From their new home in central Israel, Babich shares what captivated her about Israel: 'The chaos, the openness, the noise - I love it.'
'We decided to think about our future rather than our present'
Steve Asulin, 39, and his wife Joanna, 40, made Aliyah from France in 2016, with three children and a fourth on the way
Steve and Joanna went down the classic path for French Olim; Seven years in, they are confident they made the right choice and relish the Jewish atmosphere in Israel; However, they grapple with high cost of living and remain somewhat isolated in a 'French bubble'; What's their advice for future Olim?
'That was when I realized if it doesn’t happen now, it will never happen'
The Ashvils: Sarah and Jonathan and their children Yishai, 14, Eitan, 13, Ari, 10, Hillel, 6, and Talia, 2. Made Aliyah from New York this summer
When Sarah Ashvil left Israel in 2006 on a post-army trip, she never imagined that it would take seventeen years to return as a full-fledged Israeli citizen once again. While Sarah and Jonathan are relieved that their Israeli journey has finally started, there are numerous challenges to overcome, including integrating into a new community, finding suitable schools for their children, restarting their careers, etc. However, the Ashvils are embracing the beauty of life in Israel with open arms.
