Herzliya — For many international students, moving to Israel to study is an act of courage, idealism, and faith in the future. But for some, it also turns out to be the start of a lifelong partnership.
Two couples — both made up of olim who met on the campus of Reichman University (RUNI) — are proving that higher education can sometimes lead to much more than a degree.
Campus Connections
When Noa Kampeas, originally from Tenafly, New Jersey, made aliyah in 2018, she didn’t yet know how Reichman University would become such an important aspect of her life.
She began her journey studying for a BA in Government through the Raphael Recanati International School (RRIS), where she met a fellow oleh from Maryland who had moved to Israel in 2014. The two became classmates and close friends, supporting each other through the challenges of university life — including the period of COVID-19.
Following graduation, Noa used her academic background to advance her commitment to public service and Israel’s security.
When the war broke out in 2023, Noa found herself, like many young Israelis, at a crossroads. “Three months after the war started, everything felt unclear,” she recalls. “I didn’t know what direction to take, but I decided to come back to RUNI for my MA in Communications.”
That decision brought her back to the university that had shaped not only her professional path but also her personal life. “RUNI became a very big part of who I am and my community,” she says. “It shaped every aspect of my life — academically and personally. Coming here was one of the best decisions I ever made.”
Today, Noa almost finished her MA, begun working in the university’s Marketing Department, and — in a full-circle moment — is preparing to marry the man she met as a student during her first degree. The couple now lives in Herzliya, not far from where it all began.
A Shabbat in Jerusalem Sparks a Campus Connection
Sasha Machta, from Barcelona, and Avigail Rossi, from Rome, both came to Israel for their studies at Reichman University — but their paths first crossed in Jerusalem.
“We met on a Shabbat in Jerusalem the day before our first day at Reichman,” Sasha recalls. “We had some small talk when we realized we were both starting at the same university — but nothing more came out of it then.”
A few months later, fate intervened again. During another Shabbat in Jerusalem, Sasha and Avigail met once more — this time, the connection deepened. “I had an injury and was on crutches,” Sasha laughs, “but that didn’t stop us from walking two hours to the Kotel.”
That walk marked the beginning of a friendship — and later, a relationship — that would carry them through all three years of their studies at RUNI. Sasha earned a degree in Economics and Business, while Avigail pursued Communications.
Today, Avigail is doing Sherut Leumi with Nefesh B’Nefesh, while Sasha is set to draft into the IDF in December. The two recently moved to Jerusalem together and remain deeply connected to the university community that brought them together.
“We hold dearly the memories at Reichman and the friends we made who became family,” they say. “As olim, we both feel passionate about the Jewish world, the diaspora, and Israel. We want to do something positive for Israel — to bring new perspectives and build a future here. This is our home.”
A Community of Purpose — and Partnership
For these young couples, Reichman University offered more than world-class academics. It offered belonging, shared purpose, and the spark of love amid the challenges of building a new life in Israel.
As Noa put it, “RUNI wasn’t just a university — it became my community, my direction, and ultimately, where I met my future.”
This article was written in a cooperation with Reichman University