Page 26 - HaMizrachi Sukkot 5784 North America

An Aliyah Roundtable Conversation

When making Aliyah, olim must make many significant life choices. We spoke with Rabbi David Fine
of Modi’in, Rabbi Eitan and Rabbanit Etta Bendavid of Ra’anana, and Rabbi David and Rabbanit Ilana
Gottlieb of Ramat Beit Shemesh to hear their perspectives on some of the burning issues surrounding
integration, communities and successful Aliyah.

For many people from Diaspora communities, shul-based on a Diaspora model. I think our members take great pride in
communities are a critical part of their Jewish life, and some- being a model in our neighborhood for how to build community.
thing that they find hard to find in Israel. What has your shul Rabbi Bendavid: For many of our members, Shivtei Yisrael is
done to help foster a sense of community? the family we choose. So much of what we do centers around
Rabbi Fine: The very fact that we have built and developed a building community. I very intentionally speak about communi-
synagogue in the North American model and have hired a rabbi ty-building on a regular basis from the pulpit. We have a chessed
who, for all intents and purposes, is full-time has made all the group with over 250 volunteer members. Anytime anyone needs
difference in fostering a sense of community. There are many something – a meal, help, support, whatever it may be – there
shuls in our community, but ours is the only one that operates are people ready to help.

26 |