Voices of Olim

KeepOlim: supporting olim where the system falls short

What began as an online community soon evolved into KeepOlim, a registered nonprofit now serving nearly 48,000 members across Israel.

From L to R: KeepOlim Board Members Fabien Berdah, LiAmi Lawrence, Jessica Thangjom, and Director of Tikva, Susan Cohen.
Pro-Palestinian demonstrators carry a banner during a protest against the arrival of an Israeli cruise ship in the port of Piraeus near Athens, Greece, June 12, 2025.

Olim reflect on why they made aliyah this year

The Gvahim team.

Gvahim: Two decades of helping olim build their careers

Lauren Adilev

Lauren Adilev: from everywhere to Kiryat Arba


Surviving Israeli public transport as an oleh

Diving headfirst into the chaos of the Israeli public transport system amid a heatwave and the temporary shutdown of Jerusalem's light rail.

The Jerusalem light rail is temporarily out of service, forcing commuters onto already crowded buses or scrambling for alternative ways to get around.

Lost in translation: the joys of learning Hebrew

Many olim learning Hebrew can attest that they have at one point or another embarrassed themselves profusely either by misunderstanding, mishearing, or mispronouncing a word.

 Hebrew language (Illustrative).

Deemed unfit to drive by Israeli bureaucracy

Getting a driver’s license in Israel can feel like surviving an obstacle course - it’s not just a test of driving skill but also of patience, resilience, and pure willpower.

  Israeli drivers and roads are notorious for being among the worst worldwide.

Bureaucracy battles: how do olim deal with the Israeli postal service?

Another common hurdle that nearly every oleh has encountered.

 Illustration of an Israeli post truck. March 6, 2023.

Bureaucratic battles: The struggles of new Israeli olim at the Interior Ministry

Daily bureaucratic obstacles can really take a toll on new immigrants who are trying to find their footing in a new country.

 THE EXPECTATION that citizens should roam the length and breadth of the country in order to find an appointment slot somewhere to renew a passport is preposterous.

Shifra Jacobs: Adjusting to life in Israel as a young olah

From Manchester to the IDF: a young woman’s journey of aliyah, adaptation, and finding her voice in a new country.

Shifra Jacobs.

Heshy Engelsberg: A bumpy and painful aliyah journey, but with no regrets

Despite the challenges of daily life in Israel, with his apartment, and the culture-shock of adjusting to a new country, former New Yorker Heshy Engelsberg has no regrets.

 Heshy Engelsberg