I used to live my life here in Tel Aviv as an American living in Israel - Jew-ish (emphasis on ish).
Not giving much thought to my Jewish identity, though fully acknowledging that I am Jewish, identify as culturally Jewish, am proud to live in the Jewish state, and work in the hi-tech ecosystem that influences the entire world. Just living here, so I thought, made me Jewish enough.
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Family from North America arrives on Aliyah amid war against Hamas in Gaza
(Photo: Courtesy of Nefesh B'Nefesh)
That changed after October 7. And even more so after this week’s attack from Iran. Being just Jewish enough no longer cuts it. Not talking about Judaism and my Jewish heritage has become unacceptable. Not speaking out about Jew hatred, rampant antisemitism and the inability to have empathy for both sides of the conflict - is now unacceptable. And my future relationship with Israel and how I think of it, has significantly shifted. Many Olim can say the same.
The change
Transparently speaking, many of us who have made aliyah mentally have that one foot in, one foot out option that if one day we want to return to our origin country, we could. This back-of-the-mind, far-off escape route that is always there waiting to be dusted off in the corner shelf of our mind sometimes served as a comforting, soothing, feeling when envisioning a future in Israel became difficult. Usually, after a morning spent at a government office trying to fill out paperwork.
Having that option has resulted in some of us becoming less invested and less ingrained in true Israeli culture, existing in a small microcosm composed of other Olim doing the same. The war was a catalyst for a massive shift in this mindset.
Not one individual from the Olim community that surrounds me here in Israel wants to rely on that silent backup plan that we all used to think about. We want to stay, vehemently defend Israel, be here for the rebuild, fight for the only Jewish state’s right to exist, dominate careers to ensure that the war doesn’t impact what we work so hard on daily, invest our time and resources to help and then some.
We’ve lost friends because self-loathing Jews in America are no longer welcome in our circles. We dismiss those we have met who “hope both sides get through this soon” because they do not understand the trauma or the facts. Our families - if they’re not living here - do not understand what we’re still doing here and why we haven’t come home.
But the truth is: we are home.
We’re still here and we show up every day in the ways we know how to support a country that is tattooed on our hearts and minds every day. There’s no going back - more so emotionally but for some of us, also physically. For many Olim, the war cemented our decision to be here more permanently and demanded that the world accept that we - Jews and Israelis - are not going anywhere.
Survival tips
When I moved to Tel Aviv, I had no friends here, no place to live, no bank account and no cell phone number.
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Aliyah and Integration Minister Ofir Sofer with outstanding Olim soldiers
(Photo: Aliyah Ministry)
I landed with a job, and a strong determination not to fail because I had a gut feeling that moving here was the right decision though everyone around me thought I was nuts.
For those considering making aliyah during such a unique time period, here are my top 5 tips.
1. Build a community: Israel is a revolving door of other immigrants. When building your friend group, try to get to know other Israelis who are more permanently stationed here so you don’t find yourself searching for new friends every few years. In my time here I’ve said goodbyes to so many friends who decided not to stay and it only gets harder. From signing up for ulpan, to joining a running club, to seeing what events Olim in Tel Aviv, Secret Tel Aviv or Belle Aviv post (all these groups cater to Olim), you have a plethora of options. And by the way - no fake “let’s grab a coffee” chat: it will get you nowhere here. Only say “let’s do lunch” if you actually mean you’re going to do lunch.
2. Build a career: Your job - especially in hi-tech - can serve as an amazing opportunity for you to work with so many internationals both here and abroad. It’s also a social space in which you can make friends (my best friends are from the jobs I’ve held here). Eat lunch with everyone, go to the events, and beef up your CV as you work with some of the brightest minds in the world.
3. Explore: Live your life like a tourist here and travel the country. The borders might have shrunk right now but that doesn’t mean there aren’t places to go see and fall in love with. And those communities can use your business given the lack of tourism the country is facing right now.
4. Don’t shy away from difficult conversations: In Israel, it’s commonplace to discuss the war, politics, religion and more in the workplace, over dinner - etc. Stateside, this is considered less politically correct with people you don’t know well. That said - lean in. Share your honest opinion when you want to and when you don't want to, just be honest about it. But being authentic will get you far and result in deeper relationships with the people around you.
5. Enjoy. Maybe this sounds basic, but life is too short not to. You’re in a special country with so much history, culture, and frankly, incredible food. Don’t just move here - live here.
Today I proudly live as an Israeli American and look back at my 9 years (next week!) in Israel with a lot of pride in knowing that you can move across the world knowing no one, and make it work. More than make it work - you can thrive.
Lauren Gumport is VP of Communications & Brand Strategy at Faye