DEAR TORAH TIDBITS FAMILY

Rabbi Avi Berman sions someone can make. Yet, we can’t Executive Director, take it for granted or judge those who are OU Israel not rushing to come. We recognize that this is not an easy decision. Yom HaAliyah, which took place this past Sunday, was established The second beautiful aspect of Yom to acknowledge the necessity and impor- HaAliyah is that it serves as a reminder tance of Aliyah to the State of Israel and to to those of us who made Aliyah to identify celebrate the incredible contributions of people in our lives whose Aliyah we can Olim to our Homeland. These are import- help. Whether it be a new neighbor who ant, but I think what is equally, perhaps needs help understanding their electric more important, is for us olim to remind bill, a kid in our child’s class who could use ourselves of our personal Aliyah journeys, a playdate (pending corona guidelines), or thank those who helped us, and reflect on someone we meet at the grocery store who the people in our lives whom we can help could use a smile and a few kind words. It to successfully make Aliyah. I cannot men- might be friends living abroad who have tion my Aliyah without thanking my par- questions about life in Israel. Personally, ents from the bottom of my heart for bring- over the past half a year I have received ing my siblings and I when I was nine. many more inquiries than usual from pro- spective olim who have questions about Most olim I know say that Aliyah is the how their kids will adjust, looking for a job, best decision they ever made (perhaps or curious about the community we live in, second to marrying their spouse), but they Givat Ze’ev, or other communities. will also acknowledge that it was difficult. Even the best Aliyah stories deal with While Yom HaAliyah has a specific date family and friends left behind or other on the calendar, it should be the impetus challenges connected to integrating them- to serve as a constant reminder to have selves and their families, learning the lan- our fingers on the pulse to help more olim guage and culture, and finding parnosa. come and thrive in Israel. Who do you know that is planning Aliyah and would The beauty of Yom HaAliyah is two-fold. appreciate a call with some words of First, it helps those who have not made chizuk? Who moved to your community Aliyah better understand it’s complexities and would be touched to receive a fresh and its beauty. A lot of effort, time, mon- challah from you erev Shabbat? ey, and sacrifice go into making Aliyah. Without a doubt it’s one of the best deci- While OU Israel partners with many

4 TORAH TIDBITS / LECH LECHA 5781 municipalities throughout Israel, I’d like to thank Pini Glinkevitz, head of the Hosting a Simcha? Immigration Absorption Authority, and his colleagues at Iriyat Yerushalayim for Save Time, Money & Effort constantly reaching out to OU Israel, part- LD Events nering with us and supporting our pro- Lenny Davidman gramming to help English-speaking olim Office: (02) 673-0721 integrate and thrive in Yerushalayim. Cell: 054-557-3101 Recently, the OU Israel Center held two [email protected] panels highlighting olim who are having a positive impact in Israel - one during Torah Yerushalayim and another Sunday night in honor of Yom HaAliyah. We all know about inspirational olim. Share your story and their impact with friends and family grap- pling with the decision to make Aliyah.

It is very appropriate that Yom HaAliyah falls when we are reading about Avraham Avinu. Avraham exemplifies leaving ev- erything to come to the Land of Israel. He is also the prime example of hachnasat orchim (welcoming guests). Avraham un- derstood that if someone is not settled, it True wholesaler from the diamond is imperative that you welcome him and boursa with over 25 years experience do everything possible for hachnasat or- member diamond dealers club chim. Right after his bris, when he was Engagement Rings ∙ Stud Earrings Pendants Tennis Bracelets in tremendous pain, Avraham went out ∙ 050-573-9061 [email protected] in search of guests, and when they came www.JeffMorDiamondJewelry.com he prepared an elaborate feast for them. As we celebrate Aliyah, let’s make a com- mitment to be like Avraham Avinu and be THE BEST DESIGN, ENGINEERING AND INSTALLATION OF AIR proactive in welcoming our brothers and CONDITIONING SYSTEMS. sisters home and helping them with their JUST ASK ANY OF OUR Aliyah journeys. THOUSANDS OF HAPPY CLIENTS.

Avi JLEM 02-628-8282 I TLV 03-720-8000 Executive Director, OU Israel tzviair.com

OU ISRAEL CENTER 5