Rejoining my civilization
What a blessing it is to rejoin my civilization in our land. Across generations, we have been known as Hebrews, Israelites and Judeans. Today, I am Israeli.
This is what becoming officially decolonized means to me: returning to my people, my land and the living civilization my ancestors carried across generations.
Aliyah is more than a change of address. It is the continuation of an ancient Jewish story. I am stepping into a society where Hebrew is once again a living national language, the Jewish calendar shapes public time and the future of our people is something we build together.
I am not running away from anything. I am running to Israel.
Choosing Tu B’Av
I chose to become Israeli on the Jewish holiday of Tu B’Av in honor of my grandfather, David Hazan, who passed away on this day. Linking my Aliyah to his memory made the date deeply personal. As I began a new chapter in our land, I carried his name and the generations before me into that beginning.
Tu B’Av is a holiday of Jewish unity and love. Its meaning felt aligned with the choice I was making because I love my people and I love my land. The day reminds us that Jewish love is larger than romance. It is also the bond between generations, the responsibility Jews hold toward one another and the enduring relationship between our people and the land of Israel.
I chose to make Aliyah out of love. That is the necessity.
The courage my parents gave me
I am blessed to have the best parents. I honor them in all that I do because it is thanks to the education, support and love I grew up with that I had the courage to make this decision.
No return begins with one person alone. We arrive carrying the people who raised us, the ancestors whose memories shaped us and the traditions that taught us where we belong. My Aliyah is my decision, but the strength to make it was nurtured long before this moment.
Beginning with gratitude
Todah, Boreh Olam. I love You, Hashem.
I begin this chapter with gratitude, faith and trust in what is still to come. Becoming Israeli does not close the story; it opens a new responsibility to participate, contribute and help build a future worthy of those who preserved our identity through every generation.
Baruch Hashem, I know amazing things are to come. 🇮🇱🪬