It was hard to miss the families and young people arriving at New York’s JFK Airport to board flights to immigrate to Israel. Luggage carts were piled high with bags and oversized suitcases, the kind that make it clear someone is moving countries, not simply going on vacation. Some of the new olim, immigrants to Israel, even wore shirts made especially for the occasion, printed with their family names and, in a playful touch, the names of favorite Israeli foods they joked made the move all the more worthwhile.
Among those making aliyah were Becca Stanford and Shira Dubin, a couple moving from New York to Jerusalem. The two met in June 2023 on a Birthright Israel trip, fell in love and later married. After Birthright, they began thinking about immigrating to Israel, and over the past year they lived in the country as students. Eventually, they decided the time was right to make the move permanent.
“I’m very excited to finally go home,” Becca said. “We spent the past year in Jerusalem and decided that we wanted to make aliyah. We came to New York two months ago to arrange everything, and I can’t wait to get home.”
She spoke about the complicated reality they have faced as a Jewish lesbian couple in New York, which ultimately became one of the factors in their decision to move to Israel.
“Over the past three years it has become very clear — either you are allowed to be in lesbian queer spaces, or you are allowed to be a Zionist, but there's not a lot of space for both. There is not much of a strong Zionist queer community in New York anymore. Not like there used to be. A lot of queer spaces have taken on a responsibility that does not belong to them.”
'We want to raise children in a community where they can be happy and Jewish'
(Photo: Lior Ben Ari)
Becca said voices within New York’s LGBTQ+ community have become increasingly outspoken on issues related to the Middle East, often taking positions that are hostile toward Israelis and Jews.
“We want to raise our children in a community where they can simply be happy and Jewish, and that has become harder in New York. In Jerusalem, the queer community is growing,” she said.
Asked why they were making the move now, given the security situation in Israel, she replied, “It’s hard. The ideal situation is that there is no war. When we came last year, we arrived one day before the first war with Iran began, Operation Rising Lion, so that was our welcome. But most of the time, life just goes on, everyday life, and Jerusalem is Jerusalem.”
Their studies in Jerusalem laid the groundwork for the move.
“We have a lot of friends from the past year in Israel,” Becca added. “We are lucky that we already have an apartment in Jerusalem.”
They had already moved their two dogs to Israel last year, even before they were certain they would make aliyah.
New immigrants who arrived in Israel from New York
(Video: Lior Ben Ari)
Becca had this message for the other olim: “We are all part of a big, cool story. We have a real responsibility toward our country, to keep making sure that we are doing what is right for Jews around the world, and for the Jews who came together and made an active choice to be part of the story.”
The girl waiting for Omer Adam
The aliyah flight from JFK that landed on August 27 was just one of six flights that arrived that day, bringing about 150 new olim to Israel in total with assistance from Nefesh B’Nefesh, in partnership with Israel’s Ministry of Aliyah and Integration, the Jewish Agency for Israel, Keren Kayemeth LeIsrael and Jewish National Fund-USA.
Among the olim were members of the Goldglantz family: mother Rivka, 15-year-old twins Rella and Tzirel, 9-year-old Ashira and 6-year-old Nava.
Speaking to ynet from the New York airport, the mother said, “I’m tired, but excited. I can’t believe the day is finally here. Thank God.”
Rella, Nava and Ashira Goldglanz
(Photo: Lior Ben Ari)
Her daughter Rella, wearing a shirt that read “Here for the shakshuka,” said before takeoff, “We are moving to Modi’in and I’m really excited to go home. Whenever we come to Israel, I just love being able to walk around freely. I know how to use the buses and trains, I feel very independent, and I love it. I love just being able to talk to everyone because I know they are Jewish and I always feel so loved.”
Her younger sister Nava, wearing a shirt that read “Chocolate milk in a bag,” said, “I’m waiting for the flight. I feel really good and happy and nice.”
Ashira spoke about her love for Israeli singer Omer Adam, whom she hopes she will finally have the chance to see perform live now that she is in Israel.
In a conversation with Rivka Goldglantz during preparations for the move, she explained what first inspired the idea of immigrating to Israel.
“I was at a seminary in Jerusalem many years ago for a year and a half, and it was the experience of my life. I can’t put into words what it did for me. I have a lot of friends who travel everywhere in the world, and whenever I had the opportunity, I chose only Israel. It was the most important place for me. I came to visit every time I had a vacation. When the older girls celebrated their bat mitzvahs, I took them for 10 days in Israel, and it was so moving and meaningful for them.”
Rivka Goldglantz and her four daughters
(Photo: Shahar Ezran)
She said one of the most exciting things about Israel is the fact that history is everywhere.
“It isn’t just a story we learn about in school, but the place we are looking at. We can see Israel and touch it.”
She expected the aliyah experience to be intense and chaotic, but said she believed that once she was in Israel, she would probably never want to leave.
“I have a sister in Israel and other relatives, people who will support us,” she said. “I have several very good friends in Israel. We also have friends who made aliyah a week ago. We are very excited. I’m a little worried about how it will be for the girls to enter school. We have three days to organize everything.”
She wished the other olim “a pleasant flight and a smooth transition,” and concluded, “I’m really happy. This is the next adventure. You need an open mind and we’ll see how everything works out. We are open to whatever life brings.”
New olim attive at Ben Gurion Airport
(Photo: Sivan Shehor)
Eitan Cohen, 19, from New York, walked through JFK Airport with a broad smile on his face.
“I’m making aliyah today by myself,” he told ynet from the airport. “My parents are Israeli and ever since I was a little kid, I always wanted to move to Israel. Every time I visited, I said I had to live there. I have a love for the Land of Israel. I’m so excited to make aliyah today.”
A strong summer for aliyah
According to data from Nefesh B’Nefesh, which provides assistance for North American olim throughout the aliyah and absorption process, more than 1,100 North Americans made aliyah in August alone.
According to the organization, this summer has seen particularly strong aliyah numbers, with nearly 100 group flights arriving from North America and continued growth in the number of new olim choosing to build their lives in the Negev and Galilee.
The expectation is that 2026 will ultimately be one of the strongest aliyah years since Nefesh B’Nefesh was founded in 2002, with more than 2,200 new olim, including about 480 families, between June and September.
A demographic breakdown of this summer’s olim found that their average age is 29. About 700 children and teenagers who made aliyah began the school year in Israel, including around 80 children entering first grade.
“Welcoming hundreds of olim in this record breaking month, reflects the continued momentum of what has already been an incredible summer for aliyah,” said Rabbi Yehoshua Fass, co-founder and executive director of Nefesh B’Nefesh. “As we recently celebrated our 100,000th oleh, it is particularly inspiring to see so many young people choosing to make Israel their home, to build their careers and families here, put down roots and invest their futures in this country. We are honored to continue playing a role in helping strengthen Israel through each one of these olim.”
Jewish Agency Chairman Maj. Gen. (res.) Doron Almog said, “Behind each of the 1,100 new olim who arrived from North America over the past month is a story of choice. Families, children, young people and professionals who chose to build their lives here and be part of the future of the State of Israel. They arrive with their dreams, their skills and their desire to contribute, strengthening Israeli society and Israel as a whole. Our mission is to be there for them throughout their journey and help them turn their courageous choice into a home — a place where they can integrate, put down roots and build their lives.”
Aliyah and Integration Minister Ofir Sofer said, “I welcome the many olim who have arrived in Israel today. As the summer comes to a close, it is inspiring to see so many young people and families choosing to build their futures in Israel, the home of the Jewish people. In recent years, the Ministry of Aliyah and Integration has taken significant steps to encourage Aliyah and strengthen the support available to olim from Western countries and around the world. The programs and reforms we have introduced will help new olim integrate into their communities and the workforce, while contributing to Israel’s social, economic and national strength.”
The writer was a guest of Nefesh B’Nefesh.