Choosing Israel: Jake’s Restart Story

This week on Restart with Debbie, I had the joy of sitting down with Jake — a young, inspiring soul who packed up his life in Wisconsin and chose to begin again in Tel Aviv.Jake arrived in Israel right in the middle of COVID, with no clear plan and a very open heart. What followed was a journey of learning Hebrew, falling in love, finding his place, and eventually opening a bicycle shop in the heart of the city. His story is a beautiful reminder that sometimes life doesn’t unfold according to a map — it unfolds through courage, curiosity, and trust.We talked about aliyah, belonging, and what it really means to build community. Jake shared honestly about running a small business during wartime, how the war affected his shop, and how people showed up for him in ways he never expected. We also spoke about what it means to support Israel through everyday actions — not just words.And of course, we laughed. About Israeli culture, food, sabich, Yemeni flavors, and all those small moments that suddenly make you realize: I’m home.This is a heartfelt conversation about resilience, love, and choosing to build a life where your heart truly belongs.