Oleh at Large: Aliyah Stories

Meet Ambassador Michael Oren - historian, bestselling author, former Israeli ambassador to the United States, former member of Knesset, and one of the leading voices connecting Israel and the Jewish world.But long before diplomacy and public life, Ambassador Oren was simply a Jewish kid from New Jersey who grew up in the shadow of the Holocaust and experienced antisemitism firsthand. Inspired by the Six-Day War and driven by a deep belief in Jewish sovereignty, he arrived in Israel with little more than a backpack and a dream.In this conversation, Ambassador Oren reflects on his extraordinary journey from lone soldier in the paratroopers to ambassador, historian, and public intellectual. He shares what it was like to belong to a generation of American Jews who left the comfort and prosperity of the United States to build lives in what was then a young and isolated country.Drawing on nearly fifty years of experience, Ambassador Oren discusses opportunity, language, identity, and why he believes Israel remains one of the greatest success stories of modern history. Despite wars, political divisions, and growing global challenges, he explains why his personal experiences, historical perspective, and spiritual faith continue to give him hope.This episode is a powerful reflection on Jewish history, resilience, responsibility, and the extraordinary possibilities that emerge from taking a leap of faith.From lone soldier to ambassador, this is a remarkable story of history, responsibility, and hope.Follow Ambassador Oren on:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ambmichaelorenWebsite: https://michaeloren.org/Substack: https://claritywithmichaeloren.substack.com/Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@UC9PIP7ee_Ohu7c-4Pcbxj-Q X: https://x.com/DrMichaelOren---Mentioned in this episode:Israel Advocacy Group - https://www.israeladvocacygroup.org/Tablet Magazine - https://www.tabletmag.com/---Oleh at Large: Aliyah StoriesReal Stories. Real Advice. Real Aliyah.Hosted by David Levine---Filmed on location at Soho House Tel AvivEditing: Laura BrickmanAssociate Producer: Daniella EdelmanSocial Media: Tehilah Simantov---#AliyahStories #MichaelOren #Aliyah #Israel #JewishHistory #Zionism

Jay Schultz made Aliyah in 2006 on a one-way ticket — not out of fear, but out of choice. In this episode, Jay explains why life in Tel Aviv offers something Jews can’t find anywhere else, why Aliyah can be a “selfish” decision in the best sense, and how the city has transformed into a global hub of young Jewish life.In this wide-ranging conversation, Jay explains why his Aliyah was, in his words, “selfish” — a decision rooted not in ideology alone, but in quality of life, human connection, and the lived experience of being Jewish in Israel. He contrasts the quantity of life available in cities like New York or London with the quality of Jewish life found in Tel Aviv, arguing that some things simply can’t be purchased elsewhere.Jay reflects on the transformation of Tel Aviv over the past two decades — from a provincial city with almost no English-speaking olim into a global hub of young Jewish life. He shares why Tel Aviv, despite its secular reputation, may be one of the most Jewish places on earth, and why Western Aliyah has fundamentally reshaped the city.Mentioned in this episode:Am Yisroel Foundation - https://www.amyisraelfoundation.org/jaymshultzJaffa (Yafo) – https://www.tel-aviv.gov.il/Residents/YafoNefesh B’Nefesh – https://www.nbn.org.il/Hebrew University of Jerusalem – https://www.huji.ac.il/Albright Institute of Archaeological Research – https://www.aiar.org/Israel Antiquities Authority – https://www.antiquities.org.il/Birthright Israel – https://www.birthrightisrael.com/Produced by Dellet Studios for Lightboat MediaSocial Media Coordinator: Tehilah SimantovEdited and Mixed by: Yazek Shremwww.lightboat.mediaIG: @aliyah_stories© Lightboat Media Ltd. 

Meet Aleeza Chanowitz — a Brooklyn native who made Aliyah at 21 with no clear plan and ended up creating, writing, and starring in her own Israeli TV comedy. In this episode, Aleeza shares her journey from film school in Jerusalem to prime-time television, navigating Israel’s entertainment industry as an American oleh.She talks candidly about creativity, chutzpah, motherhood, building a life between religious and secular worlds, and what it really takes to make something in Israel without a roadmap.Mentioned in this episode: TLVFest (Tel Aviv LGBTQ Film Festival) – https://tlvfest.com/HOT (Israeli TV Network) – https://www.hot.net.il/Bar-Ilan University – https://www.biu.ac.il/Sam Spiegel Film & Television School – https://www.jerusalemsamspiegel.com/Henry Winkler – https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001857/Dismissed (Israeli TV Series) – https://www.hot.net.il/heb/tv/channels/hot3/Bad Boy (Israeli TV Series) – https://www.imdb.com/title/tt28541298/Par Derrière (Wine Bar, Tel Aviv) – https://www.instagram.com/parderierre/Produced by Dellet Studios for Lightboat MediaSocial Media Coordinator: Tehilah SimantovEdited and Mixed by: Yazek Shremwww.lightboat.mediaIG: @aliyah_stories© Lightboat Media Ltd. 

Meet Rina Deutsch, a single mother of 5, a coach, teacher, and newly minted entrepreneur who traded Toronto for Jerusalem just weeks before the school year started.In this powerful episode, Rina gets candid about:The Defining Moment: Why the events of October 7th made a decades-long dream a non-negotiable reality.Family Dynamics: How she navigated moving to Israel with three of her five children, leaving the two oldest behind.The Fast Pivot: Going from high school teacher to securing three jobs in Israel and pivoting into the world of marketing—a true testament to the Aliyah hustle.Community Surprise: The surprising lack of stigma around being a single, divorced mother in her new Jerusalem neighborhood.Plus, tune in for a hilarious round of Israeli Mom Rapid Fire and learn the meaning of the essential slang word: "Gahg."Production by Yazek ShremSocial Media & Business Coordinator - Tehliah SimantovFollow us on Instagram @aliyah_stories

One oleh. Lots of stickers. A nation’s messages captured before they vanished.Meet Jeff Weiss — an American oleh, author, and endurance athlete who found new purpose in Tel Aviv. After encountering the memorial stickers honoring Israelis killed on October 7th and in the war that followed, Jeff launched Stickers of Meaning, a project preserving their powerful mottos and personal stories.In this episode, Jeff shares why these messages resonated so deeply, what they reveal about Israeli resilience, and how his own Aliyah journey — from New York to Florida to Tel Aviv — led him toward a renewed sense of meaning and connection.Mentioned in this episode:Stickers of Meaning — Israeli memorial sticker project https://www.stickersofmeaning.com/Jeffrey Weiss Author Site — Books by Jeff Weiss -https://www.jeffreyweissauthor.com/Nahalat Binyamin Market — Arts & crafts street fair -https://www.nachlatbinyamin.com/en/Ben Yehuda 126 Synagogue (“126”) — Popular Anglo-friendly shul - https://www.facebook.com/126BenYehuda/Production by Yazek ShremSocial Media & Business Coordinator - Tehliah SimantovFollow us on Instagram @aliyah_stories

In this episode of the Aliyah Story podcast, we explore how recovery didn’t just change Eric Levitz’s life — it gave him a mission that could only be built in Israel. Eric, the founder of AZ House Jerusalem, shares how his own near-death battle with addiction and his experience in a free, donation-based recovery center in Cleveland shaped everything he would later build in Israel. Arriving in Israel with no Hebrew, no money, and no plan, Eric followed what he describes as a faith-based jump — trusting that the reason would become clear only after he arrived. Within six months, it did: he realized that the Jewish world had no free, community-driven recovery center, the very kind that saved his life. Eric also shares how recovery gave him everything: his community, his life, even the introduction that led him to his wife. “Every dream I ever could have imagined — and many I couldn’t have imagined — came from the decision to get sober.” This episode is a powerful look at how recovery doesn’t end with getting better — it can ignite a mission, transform a community, and root a person deeply in Israel.Mentioned in this episode: AZ House Jerusalem - Eric’s treatment center in Jerusalem. https://www.azhousejerusalem.com/To support AZ House: https://donorbox.org/the-az-house-a-home-to-rebuild-livesPizgat Ze'Ev - https://www.jerusalem.muni.il/en/residents/communities/pisgat-zeev/Anthony's Pizza - https://www.facebook.com/anthonys.pizza.jerusalem/Follow us on IG: @aliyah_storiesProduction: Yazek ShremBusiness & Social Coordinator: Tehila Simantov

Tynan McArthur wasn't very satisfied with his career as a dentist in Johannesburg, South Africa. He made a bold choice to move to Israel to chart a new destiny, and it landed him in a whole new field - early childhood education. Find out about Tynan's Aliyah Story and how he made the transition and found a new direction in life in the Holy Land, with some inspiration about how you too can find a new direction in Israel. Production: Yazek ShremSocial Media Coordinator: Tehilah SimantovFollow us on IG @aliyah_stories

Juda (Yehudah) Honickman is a fierce advocate for Israel, and made Aliyah back in 2012. Juda has a great story to tell, how he found himself as an addict in recovery, met his wife and made the move to Israel to work at a recovery clinic. Juda is a positive force on social media for Israel, and we are grateful to hear about his story. Production: Yazek ShremSocial Media Coordinator: Tehilah SimantovFollow us on IG @aliyah_stories

Comedian Deb Kaye is an Australian-born Oleh, sharing her Aliyah Story. After raising her kids, Deb discovered she had a knack for comedy, and became a stand-up comedian just a few years ago. Deb tells us how she was able to get back on stage after Oct 7, and about the fun and challenges of English-language comedy in Israel. Mentioned in this podcast:TLV Laughs comedy nights: run by Deb https://www.tlvlaughs.com/Production: Yazek ShremSocial Media Coordinator: Tehilah SimantovFollow us on IG @aliyah_stories

David is joined by Hillel Fuld, activist and tech leader, who shares his Aliyah story. Moving to Israel as a teen, Hillel found his way into activism and the tech world, becoming a leader in both. Hillel shares what he loves about Jerusalem, why its a religious imperative to make Aliyah and provides tactical advice on finding a job in the Israeli tech scene. Follow Hillel at: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HillelFuld/Instagram: instagram.com/HilzfuldX : twitter.com/HilzfuldLinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/hilzfuldWebsite: HillelFuld.com | ampisrael.com/hillel-fuldYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@hilzfuldTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@hilzfuldDellet Production for Lightboat MediaProduction by: Yazek ShremBusiness and Social Media Coordinator: Tehila SimantovIG: @Aliyah_stories

We're back with a new season of Oleh at Large: Aliyah Stories, coming at you from an all new location - Tel Aviv! I finally made the move, and this Season 3 premiere episode is all about Florentin, the cool neighborhood where I spent the summer. Oleh At Large: Aliyah Stories is about my journey ("aliyah") as an immigrant (oleh") to Israel, and this season we also have a range of guests - coming up this season are Deb Kaye, Hillel Fuld, Judah Honickman and more. Mentioned in this podcast:Mexcal - great Mexican restaurant in Florentin Holy Cheeses - European-style cheese and gourmet storeAlpaca - great happy hour Florentin bar and venue TLVLaughs - English language comedy shows at Hoodna BarPlease subscribe and follow on Instagram at @Aliyah_StoriesThis is a Dellet Production for Lightboat MediaSocial Media Coordinator: Tehila SimantovProduction and Editing: Yazek Shrem

The "12 Day War" with Iran is over, but thousand of Israelis have been displaced with their homes destroyed by Iran's missiles. Within days, Eve Balensi formed "Rising Lions Volunteers" a grassroots organization to help mobilize Olim and connect them to the Israeli groups on the ground helping rebuild and help displaced citizens. I had the opportunity to volunteer myself, and wanted to share the work Eve is doing to encourage more support on the ground and from outside the country. Links to get involved and to donate are here:Rising Lions Volunteers:  https://israelvolunteeropportunities.comDonate to Support Rising Lions: https://secure.israelfriends.us/forms/sword-of-iron-israel-volunteer?campaignId=5260Kerem House: https://keremhouse.com/volunteer/Vaad Hatzedaka: Gift cards to victims for new home supplies: https://bit.ly/40mlnk1Produced by Dellet Studios for Lightboat MediaSocial Media Coordinator: Tehilah SimantovEdited and Mixed by: Yazek Shremwww.lightboat.mediaIG: @aliyah_stories© Lightboat Media Ltd. 

This podcast features my very incredible and special niece Ruthie Abitbol, who made Aliyah as a young child, and has grown up to be an incredible woman. Not only is she an incredible mother to three wonderful boys, a devoted wife, daughter and granddaughter, but she is also a volunteer with the Israeli Home Front Command, trained to help out with mass casualty events, such as missile attacks. Ruthie shares what her Aliyah journey was like, and what its like to live in Modiin as a young family. And of course our word of the pod.. havlatz.Mentioned in this podcast: Homefront Command App: https://apps.apple.com/il/app/israel-home-front-command/id1542010719Modiin: https://www.modiin.muni.il/ModiinWebSiteEng/MainPageEng.aspxProduced by Dellet Studios for Lightboat MediaSocial Media Coordinator: Tehilah SimantovEdited and Mixed by: Yazek Shremwww.lightboat.mediaIG: @aliyah_stories© Lightboat Media Ltd. 

Dr Mark Shinar, educational leader and Times of Israel blogger, is our guest for a special Pride episode. Mark has become a good friend, and he shares his journey making Aliyah and also coming out once he made Aliyah. Mark has a special voice in the intersection of the Orthodox and LGBTQ community. Listen to a great story of a wonderful man and his family. And of course, a new Word of the Pod - Zorem.. go with the flow!  Mentioned in this episode:Camp Moshava: https://moshava.org/Mark Shinar: https://www.markshinar.com/; Facebook - Mark ShinarTimes of Israel: https://blogs.timesofisrael.com/author/mark-shinar/Havruta: https://havruta.org.il/en/%d7%93%d7%a3-%d7%94%d7%91%d7%99%d7%aa-english/Produced by Dellet Studios for Lightboat MediaSocial Media Coordinator: Tehilah SimantovEdited and Mixed by: Yazek Shremwww.lightboat.mediaIG: @aliyah_stories© Lightboat Media Ltd. 

On this episode, David interviews Oleh Shawna Goodman Sone, founder of Summer Camp Israel, an organization dedicated to supporting the creation of the Summer Camp experience in Israel. It’s not too late to send your 11-16 years olds to Summer Camp, here in Israel, so take a listen and get those trunks packed! And don’t forget our word of the Pod!Mentioned in this episode: Shawna Goodman - https://www.linkedin.com/in/shawna-goodman-52a4a9140/Summer Camps Israel - https://summercamps.co.il/Instagram: @aliyah_storiesProduced by Dellet Studios for Lightboat MediaSocial Media Coordinator: Tehilah SimantovEdited and Mixed by: Yazek Shremwww.lightboat.media© Lightboat Media Ltd. 

In advance of 'Yom Hazikaron,' Israel's National Remembrance Day, David interviews Shira Brown from The Michael Levin Base, annual host of an English-language event to commemorate the day. Shira shares about her own Aliyah journey, how the Michael Levin Base came to be and how it serves lone soldiers and b'not sheirut. And Shira provides the "word of the pod" - TASH. Find out about:Yom Hazikaron event: https://causematch.com/tmlb-yomhazikaron2025Michael Levin Base: https://themichaellevinbase.org/ 

February draws to a close, with a return to fitness! Find out about the gym scene in Israel, what its like to run the Tel Aviv Marathon (well, just the 10K), a special 'pop vox' interview with my friend and recent oleh Shlomo, and how the recent weeks have been with the return of the Bibas family. And the word of the podcast.. "Bamba"Discussed in this episode: - Tel Aviv Marathon - https://www.tlvmarathon.co.il/MenuDefault_en.aspx?Id=8947- La'Bayit Gifts - https://www.labayitgifts.com/- Bamba at Trader Joe's - https://www.traderjoes.com/home/products/pdp/bamba-peanut-snacks-058373

January is about to end, but Hebrew lessons have just started. Find out about "ulpan" - the Hebrew language course in Israel, and David's first impressions. Learn two more new words in this episode as well - "yofeh" and "mitzuyan."Discussed in this episode: - Lillenblum 7 - the Hebrew language boutique communityhttps://www.lilienblum7.com/- the 172 bus - https://www.tel-aviv.gov.il/en/Live/Transportation/Pages/PublicTransportaiton.aspx

Happy New Year, Hannukah and Christmas! It's been a while since I uploaded an episode, here's a brief update on what's been happening since the last one:- I moved to Holon- I bought a car- My benefits ended :( - I've run into bomb shelters many times- Eaten a lot of donutsWe have two words for the podcast this time - Sufganiyot and Sylvester. Thanks for listening, please like and subscribe, with hopefully more to come in 2025.#wrapped #newyears #israel #bringthemhomenow #zionist 

On this episode, Liz Morley shares her Aliyah Story and about her work with Sar El - the Israeli organization that brings volunteers from around the world to help the Israeli Defence Force.Find out more about Sar El here: https://www.sar-el.org/Please subscribe for more about the journey of moving to Israel (Aliyah) as a new immigrant (Oleh) during Israel's most challenging time. Follow on IG: @levineatlarge and @aliyah_stories

Welcome to Ep 2 of this season of Oleh at Large - chronicling David's experiences as a new immigrant "Oleh" and his process of immigration "Aliyah" to Israel during wartime in 2024. In this episode, we  visit the Nova Festival site on the Gaza border - hallowed ground and volunteer at two sites, about which you can find out more and donate to here: Shlomi Ohaon Food Truck: Via Paybox - +972 52-826-8286Leket Israel - Nation's Food Bank - https://www.leket.org/en/about-leket/Follow David on IG @aliyah_stories for pics and tips on day to day life in Israel.Please comment and subscribe for upcoming episodes!

Oleh At Large is back with a new season of David's experiences as a new immigrant "Oleh" and his process of immigration "Aliyah" to Israel during wartime in 2024. In this episode, David tackles not one but TWO of Israel's most challenging government offices, the Ministry of Absorption and the Department of Motor Vehicles, and has an absolutely unexpected experience! Follow David on IG @aliyah_stories for pics and tips on day to day life in Israel.Please comment and subscribe for upcoming episodes! 

The adventure continues, as David shares how he was able to transport Dolly, his 7 1/2 year old Alapaha Blue Blood Bulldog, from London to Tel Aviv. How many mistakes did he make? A few.. did she get there in the end? Tune in and find out! And check out the new IG profile @aliyah_stories for regular updates from Israel. A Dellet Production for Lightboat Media Ltd. Contact:David LevineIG: @aliyah_storieswww.lightboat.media

In a special episode, just in time for Pride, David interviews Roy Freeman, the founder of LGBT Olim, an organization dedicated to supporting LGBTQ+ people who emigrate to Israel. Hear about how Roy started the group, the reactions he got from the immigration authorities, and all the activies the group does. How will Pride play out this year in the current situation? Find out. For more about LGBT Olim visit https://lgbtolim.org/ Please like and subscribe!A Dellet Production for Lightboat Media IG: @Oleh_atlarge,  @Levineatlargewww.lightboat.media

It was a big week - Independence Day and David's final interview for his citizenship papers!  Find out how to navigate an Israeli BBQ, how the appointment went down, how it almost didn't happen and what happens next!Oleh at Large: Aliyah Stories is a podcast about one person's immigration journey to Israel in 2024, for anyone interested in making the move or just what it's like to change countries in challenging times. Please reach out to David with any questions or comments on IG @levineatlarge or @oleh_atlarge or LinkedIn. 

Yom Hazikaron, or Remembrance Day, is the Israeli day to remember the fallen soldiers and victims of terror. Join David in his first one, at a special memorial service at Ammunition Hill in Jerusalem, sponsored by the Michael Levin Base. Speakers included the mother of fallen lone soldier Rose Lubin and the parents of hostage Omer Neutra.Michael Levin Base: Charity that supports lone soldiers, but also lone b’not sheirut (young women carrying out national service, ‘Sheirut Leumi’) from both Israel and abroad. We aim to provide practical and emotional support for these young adults, as well as assistance to their families throughout the world. #yourhomebaseSupport the base: https://causematch.com/thebase-donateOmer Nutra: https://www.timesofisrael.com/taken-captive-omer-neutra-long-island-born-natural-leader/@bringomerhomeRose Lubin: https://www.timesofisrael.com/staff-sgt-rose-lubin-21-fought-hamas-in-south-fell-in-jerusalem/IG: @levineatlargeA Dellett Production for Lightboat Mediawww.lightboat.media

It's Eurovision Night and I'm heading into Tel Aviv to watch the Grand Finals! Here's the quick lowdown on Israeli contestant Eden Golan and her incredible song "Hurricane" - against a LOT of hate, Eden crushed the semi-finals and has a chance at taking the prize! Eurovision: https://eurovision.tv/event/malmo-2024Eden Golan: https://eurovision.tv/participant/eden-golan-2024IG: @LevineatlargeDellett Production for Lightboat Mediawww.lightboat.media

What’s Holocaust Remembrance Day like in Israel? Find out as David experience’s his first in Israel as the journey to becoming a citizen of Israel continues, including a visit to Yad Vashem, the World Holocaust Remembrance Museum. Here are some of the links referenced in the episode. Yom Hoshoah Siren 2024:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YU-Bo3mlPCwYad Vashem:https://www.yadvashem.org/index.htmlBroadcast of Torchlighting Ceremony:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7QTVPL5sbFYPlease subscribe and thanks for listening. IG: @levineatlargeDellett Production for Lightboat Mediawww.lightboat.media

In this episode, I chat with Yoni Cooper, my Aliyah Advisor from Nefesh B'Nefesh (NBN) the main organization that helps North Americans make Aliyah (immigration to Israel). You'll hear about the requirements and the services NBN offers new olim (immigrants), and Yoni's Aliyah Story. For more information about Nefesh B'Nefesh please visit nbn.org.ilThanks for listening and subscribe for weekly episodes. IG: Levineatlargewww.lightboat.mediaDellett Production for Lightboat Media

In this episode, David discussed the Law of Return as the basis for his aliyah, and some of the key elements to begin the process, including receiving a letter from a Rabbi. 

In this premiere episode, David discusses his background and why he has chosen to become an immigrant to Israel (an 'Oleh') and start the immigration process (make 'Aliyah'). You also get an Israeli word of the day and a preview of future episodes.