I made aliyah in 2006. Prior to aliyah, I studied in Israel while on the Nativ program. At the time I made Aliyah, I had some cousins who lived in Israel, but not any immediate family nor family that I was tremendously close with.

I have worked in Israel’s USY office for the past 3 summers and have remained connected to the Conservative/Masorti movements..

I decided to live in Israel out of a Zionist ideology, a desire to live where the future of Jewish history is, and because I like living where the Jewish calendar is central to the flow of the country.

While my Ramah experience ended many years before my decision to make aliyah, I know that the general warm feeling toward Shabbat and Judaism which was reinforced at camp made me seek a similar environment to live in, and one in which that would be possible and encouraged.

Most of my good friends do not live in Israel, but being part of the Ramah network made meeting people a bit easier. I was able to discuss my experience with others who had gone through it as well.

Thank you Ramah!