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Young Olim Giving Back to Israel

Elle Shimoni has always felt a deep responsibility to contribute to her homeland. Elle
graduated nursing school in 2015 and originally planned to work for a few years before
making Aliyah. However, the murder of Dafna Meir changed her plans. Elle felt a strong
connection to Dafna, who was also a nurse, and decided to dedicate her Aliyah to her. Only
five days after making Aliyah in 2016, Elle met with Dafna’s widower, Natan Meir, and it was
the most special day of her life. Natan says that Elle’s dedication to Dafna’s memory brought
light into his family’s life.
After making Aliyah, Elle completed an Ulpan program and worked in the Terem medical
center. She then moved on to the pediatric and postpartum units at Hadassah Hospital, all
while raising two children with her husband. The past six years have been busy, but great.
In March 2023, Elle joined Nefesh B’Nefesh at MedEx to share her experiences as a nurse
in Israel. She hopes to inspire other nurses and nursing students to consider making Aliyah
and to contribute to Israel.
Elle has found that working in Israel presents unique challenges and opportunities. She has
learned to adapt to a different healthcare system and has gained a greater appreciation for
the resilience of the Israeli people. She believes that working as a nurse in Israel is not just
a job but a calling to serve the Jewish people. Elle’s inspiring dedication to her work and
her commitment to Dafna’s memory reminds us of the importance of serving others and
the power of the human spirit.

When Chaya Engel first traveled to Israel, she never imagined it would become her home. As
an American, she thought that making Aliyah was reserved for those who fit a “certain mold,”
which she did not. Despite her reservations, she found herself drawn to Israel, feeling a
magnetic attraction that she couldn’t resist. Everything changed for Chaya when she staffed her
first Birthright Israel trip in the summer of 2014, only a few weeks after three Israeli teenagers
were kidnapped and murdered. Despite the circumstances, Chaya boarded her flight with 40
American college students who were eager to learn and explore. Hours after they landed, war
broke out, and rockets began to fall.
For the next three years, Chaya struggled with her dream of making Aliyah. In July 2017, she was
ready to face her fears and take a leap of faith. She spent the entire Aliyah flight overthinking
everything, afraid that she had made a mistake. Despite the rocky start, Chaya persevered
and found her place in Israel. A year and a half into her Aliyah, she met the man who would
become her husband, and they now have a sweet 1.5-year-old baby boy. Looking back,
Chaya is grateful that she didn’t let her fears get the best of her and that she continued to
persevere, despite the challenges.
Living in Israel is not easy, but Chaya loves it here. Making Aliyah helped her to find her family
and her place in the world. Sadly, she lost her father unexpectedly four months ago. Chaya’s
father was a brilliant, honest, and hard working man who always believed that “children are
the only wealth that lasts.” Despite his passing, Chaya feels that she is living out her destiny
and her father’s dream. She remembers the eve of her wedding when her father walked
the streets of Jerusalem, crying in joy and love for the Jewish homeland.
Chaya is forever grateful for the journey that led her to Israel. She now works at Nefesh B’Nefesh as an Aliyah Advisor helping other olim make Israel their
home. Despite the challenges she has faced, Chaya remains committed to her life in Israel, honoring her father’s memory every step of the way.

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