Page 21 - Demo

In the end, the group of 15 families split into two: 10 are going to Carmei Gat to join the Yachad Israeli community, and 4 families are going to Rav Eyal Vered%u2019s community in Petach Tikvah. Both groups are being absorbed into Israeli communities.The first group arrived this summer. What are your plans for the coming year?Though we%u2019re just beginning to see the wonderful impact of Israela%u2019s first English-speaking group Aliyah, we are already eager to see this model grow and support many more families. For next summer, we intend to have three separate groups making Aliyah to three separate communities in Israel, alongside two groups from Latin America and our groups from France. %u25fcmoved and furnish the apartments, so the idea is they %u201cdance off the plane%u201d and find their apartment ready. Your Aliyah and your wedding are the two happiest days you experience in your life, so we try to make it like another wedding! The community comes to welcome them at the airport, and it%u2019s very powerful.Can you tell us about %u201cKvutzat Daniel,%u201d the first group of Anglos to make Aliyah through Israela?As I said before, Israela has operated for French-speaking Jewry for decades and has now been branching out. In 2022, we brought our first group of Spanish-speaking Jews from South America to Or Akiva, and we%u2019ve since brought two more. To create this English-speaking group, we reached out to potential olim through Mizrachi and the Jewish Agency, gathered a group of interested people, and started having Zoom meetings. The group discussed what was important to them and got to know each other. They also named themselves %u201cKvutzat Daniel%u201d in memory of Daniel Perez. The group came in May because of the war %u2013 usually, the date for the pilot trip is much earlier. Some members are making Aliyah in July, some in August.How was the pilot trip?They had already met many times on Zoom and had a WhatsApp group, but this was their first time meeting in person. They started out as almost strangers, but by the end of 6%u20137 days, they felt like family. This is truly a mission %u2013 building your future life together. They became so close, it was as if they had spent a year together. We want the group to be strong and to come to a strong community. We visited Petach Tikvah, Carmei Gat, and also did group-building activities like going to Chevron. Each place has its own character. Carmei Gat is newer and more affordable, while Petach Tikvah has a strong community but is more established. Each place has its advantages.%u201cFrom the moment we landed, we have been incredibly embraced and supported by Israela and the Yachad community. From hugs, iced coffee, and treats for the kids at the airport to dancing neighbors, a table full of freshly baked goods, meals, and purchased household items upon arriving at our new home. Our adoptive family is always there to answer questions and make sure we have places to eat for Shabbat. On our first day here, they entertained our kids for three hours so we could sneak in a nap!%u201d%u2014 Perachya Sorcher | 21