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Writing the Next Chapter of Jewish History:

Four Stories of Australian Youth Aliyah

Kami Felbel, who made Aliyah in 2017 at age 18, says she heard Tamara pointed out something that Israel education had not
the ‘call’ from Israel at a young age. “As a child I always felt prepared her for: “The majority of Israelis I had met prior to
a connection to Israel. Israel is the only place in the world making Aliyah came from Anglo homes and weren’t all that
where Jews can truly feel free and at home. It wasn’t enough different from me. During my army service, my eyes were
for me to want my children to make Aliyah. I had to be that opened to the vast variety of cultures that make up Israeli
person to break the chain and take that step.” society. Initially, I stayed close to other Ashkenazi religious
As for all olim, there are challenges. Kami says “the biggest soldiers. But then I made an active decision to embrace and
challenge was finding a home and community similar to understand those who were different from me.”
what I was used to. I never felt like a stranger, but I did feel
alone.” Attending a pre-army mechinah, serving in the IDF
and coming to Israel with excellent Hebrew all helped Kami
find her place.

Tamara Bach, with husband Yehuda, and children Shachar and Shiloh.

Different stories and perspectives. But a common theme
from these recollections is their inspiring and shared passion
to live Jewish life to the fullest, and help write the next
Kami Felbel
chapter of Jewish history.
Tamara Bach made Aliyah in 2011 at age 18 because “Jewish
history was happening in Israel and I wanted to be a part
of it. From a religious perspective, there is no place easier
to live than Israel. Religion is part of the reality of life here Rabbi James Kennard is Principal of Mount Scopus Memorial College
and that was important to me. To this day, I get excited that in Melbourne, Australia.
the chagim fall out in accord with the seasons, that the first
rains fall after Sukkot and that Chanukah falls during the
darkest, shortest days of the year – experiences I missed
growing up in the Southern Hemisphere.”

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