Let me start by saying something that might surprise you: this isn’t going to be a guilt trip. I’m not here to tell you that you’re a bad Jew if you’re living in the Diaspora, or that you’re betraying your people by building a life in London, New York, Paris, or anywhere else. That’s not what this is about.
But I do want to have an honest conversation about something that’s been on a lot of people’s minds lately: the idea that maybe, just maybe, now is the time for Jews to seriously consider making Israel their home. Not someday. Not eventually. Now.
Whether you’ve been thinking about aliyah for years or the idea has never seriously crossed your mind, I want to walk you through why this moment in history might be calling you—and your family—home.
THE WORLD HAS CHANGED—AND NOT IN WAYS WE EXPECTED
If you’d asked me ten years ago whether anti-Semitism would be surging across the Western world in 2025, I would have said you were being paranoid. We were living in what seemed like the most tolerant, progressive era in history. Jews were successful, integrated, and accepted in ways our grandparents could barely have imagined.
And then things started shifting.
It started subtly—a comment here, an incident there, things you could explain away or dismiss as isolated. But over the past few years, it’s become impossible to ignore. Synagogues need armed security. Jewish students on university campuses face hostility for simply being Jewish or supporting Israel’s right to exist. In some European cities, Jews are advised not to wear visible signs of their identity in certain neighborhoods.
After October 7th, 2023, something broke open that many of us hoped was behind us. The attacks on Israel triggered not just criticism of Israeli policy—which is fair game in any democracy—but an explosion of anti-Jewish hatred across the world. Jews were attacked on the streets of major cities. Jewish businesses were vandalized. The veneer of “anti-Zionism not anti-Semitism” became increasingly thin as the rhetoric and actions revealed something uglier underneath.
I’m not catastrophizing here. I’m not saying we’re on the verge of another Holocaust. But I am saying that the comfortable assumption that Jews are safe and welcomed in the West is looking shakier than it has in generations. And that changes the calculation about where Jews should build their futures.
ISRAEL ISN’T JUST A BACKUP PLAN—IT’S HOME
Here’s something crucial to understand: Israel isn’t just a refuge or an insurance policy. It’s not just the place you run to when things get bad elsewhere. Israel is the Jewish homeland—the place where Jewish civilization was born, where our language originated, where our history unfolded for thousands of years before we were scattered across the world.
When you live in Israel, you’re not a guest. You’re not a minority trying to fit in while maintaining your identity. You’re home. The calendar follows Jewish holidays. The weekend is Friday-Saturday, not Saturday-Sunday. The language you speak is the language of the Bible and the Talmud, brought back to life. You don’t have to explain Passover to your coworkers or negotiate time off for Yom Kippur.
There’s something profound about living in a place where your identity is the default, not the exception. Where you’re surrounded by millions of other Jews living full, complex, diverse Jewish lives. Where Jewish culture isn’t something you access through a synagogue or community center—it’s the air you breathe.
This isn’t about religious observance, either. Secular Israeli Jews and religious Israeli Jews and everyone in between are all living Jewish lives in their own ways. The point is that in Israel, Jewishness isn’t something you have to work to maintain or protect from assimilation. It’s simply what you are, naturally and unselfconsciously.
THE FREEDOM TO LIVE OPENLY JEWISH
Let me tell you about a conversation I had recently with a friend who made aliyah from France. She told me that the most surprising thing about moving to Israel wasn’t the bureaucracy or the language or even the Middle Eastern heat. It was realizing how much mental energy she’d been spending, unconsciously, on managing her Jewish identity in France.
Calculating whether to wear a Star of David necklace on the metro. Thinking twice about speaking Hebrew in public. Avoiding certain neighborhoods. Not putting mezuzahs on the outside of apartment doors. Small acts of self-censorship and caution that had become so automatic she didn’t even realize she was doing them until they were no longer necessary.
In Israel, she wears her Star of David without thinking about it. She speaks Hebrew everywhere. She puts mezuzahs wherever she wants. She’s just… free.
This freedom extends beyond personal safety to cultural expression. Want to give your kids deeply Jewish names without worrying they’ll face discrimination? Done. Want to close your business on Shabbat without it being a statement? Normal. Want your kids to learn Jewish history and Hebrew as core subjects, not optional extras? That’s just standard education.
Even if you’re not personally worried about safety or discrimination where you live now, there’s something powerful about living somewhere you never have to worry about it. Where you can pass that freedom on to your children and grandchildren without question.
YOUR CHILDREN’S FUTURE—AND YOUR GRANDCHILDREN’S
If you have kids, or plan to have kids, this section is crucial.
Let’s be brutally honest about assimilation. In most of the Diaspora, even in strong Jewish communities, assimilation is winning. Intermarriage rates in the United States are over seventy percent for non-Orthodox Jews. In many European countries, the numbers are similar or higher.
You can raise your kids with a strong Jewish education, send them to Jewish day schools, keep a kosher home, observe all the holidays—and still, the odds are significant that your grandchildren won’t be Jewish, or will have only the most tenuous connection to Jewish identity and practice.
This isn’t a judgment. It’s demographics. When you’re a tiny minority in a larger culture, the gravitational pull of that larger culture is powerful. And in an era where tribal identities are weakening in favor of individual choice and personal identity, maintaining strong ethnic and religious identity across generations is increasingly difficult.
In Israel, your children grow up Jewish by default. They’re not choosing to be Jewish over being American, British, or French—they’re simply Israeli, which means Jewish culture is baked into their identity whether they’re religious or secular. Your grandchildren will almost certainly be Jewish because that’s what Israeli children are.
Beyond identity preservation, think about the opportunities you’re giving your children. Israel has one of the world’s most dynamic economies. It’s a startup nation with opportunities in tech, medicine, renewable energy, agriculture, and countless other fields. Your kids can build careers here that are just as successful—often more successful—than what they’d build elsewhere.
They’ll grow up multilingual, typically speaking Hebrew, English, and often Arabic or other languages. They’ll serve in the army, which builds character, discipline, and connections that last a lifetime. They’ll be part of something bigger than themselves—contributing to the Jewish state’s success and security.
THE ISRAEL YOU DON’T SEE IN THE NEWS
If your only exposure to Israel is through international media, you’d think it’s a place of constant warfare, religious extremism, and danger. That’s not reality for the vast majority of Israelis the vast majority of the time.
Yes, Israel faces security challenges. Yes, there are occasional conflicts. Yes, there’s a real military threat from hostile neighbors and terrorist organizations. I’m not going to minimize that—it’s real, and it matters.
But daily life in Israel is remarkably normal. People go to work, send their kids to school, meet friends for coffee, go to the beach, attend concerts, travel, build businesses, fall in love, raise families. Tel Aviv’s beaches are packed on summer weekends. Jerusalem’s restaurants are full on Thursday nights. Haifa’s tech companies are developing cutting-edge innovations. Life goes on.
In fact, many Israelis will tell you they feel safer here than in major American or European cities. Yes, there’s a security situation with neighboring countries, but street crime is relatively low, violent crime is rare, and there’s a sense of community and mutual responsibility that makes people look out for each other.
The quality of life in Israel is genuinely high. The healthcare system is excellent and universal. The education system, while not perfect, is strong. The culture is vibrant—world-class museums, theater, music, art, cuisine that’s become internationally acclaimed. The weather is generally gorgeous. You can ski in the Golan in the morning and swim in the Red Sea in the afternoon.
And perhaps most importantly, there’s an energy and dynamism here that’s hard to find elsewhere. Israel is a young country still building itself, where innovation and entrepreneurship are celebrated, where anything feels possible. That sense of possibility is infectious.
THE PRACTICAL REALITIES: IT’S EASIER THAN YOU THINK
I know what you’re thinking: “This all sounds nice in theory, but I have a life, a career, a house, connections. I can’t just pick up and move to another country.”
I get it. The practical obstacles feel enormous. But here’s the thing: it’s actually more doable than you might think, and Israel has systems in place specifically to help new immigrants make the transition.
The aliyah process itself is relatively straightforward if you’re Jewish. You prove your Jewish heritage (which is easier than many people assume), apply through the Jewish Agency or the Israeli consulate, and boom—you’re entitled to citizenship. You don’t have to give up your other citizenship either; Israel allows dual citizenship.
When you arrive, you’re not on your own. New immigrants (olim) receive significant benefits: financial assistance for your first months, subsidized Hebrew classes (ulpan), help finding housing and employment, reduced taxes for several years, assistance with importing your belongings, and much more. There are entire organizations dedicated to helping immigrants integrate successfully.
Finding work is often easier than expected, especially if you have skills in tech, medicine, engineering, finance, or other professional fields. Israel actively wants immigrants with skills and education. Many international companies have Israeli offices where English is commonly used. Remote work has also made it easier to maintain international careers while living in Israel.
Housing, while expensive in places like Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, is more affordable in other cities and regions. The government offers various programs and incentives for new immigrants, including mortgages with favorable terms.
Hebrew is a challenge, certainly, but Israelis are incredibly patient with immigrants, and most speak at least some English. Your kids will pick up Hebrew quickly in school. You’ll be surprised how fast you start understanding and communicating, especially once you’re immersed in the language.
The bureaucracy, yes, it can be frustrating. This is the Middle East, after all. But it’s navigable, especially with the help of immigrant absorption services and the many English-speaking lawyers, accountants, and other professionals who help new immigrants.
THE EMOTIONAL JOURNEY: IT’S OKAY TO BE SCARED
Let me acknowledge something important: making aliyah is scary. It’s one of the biggest decisions you’ll ever make. You’re leaving behind the familiar—your community, your family perhaps, the culture you grew up in, the language you speak natively, the places you know.
It’s okay to be scared. It’s okay to have doubts. It’s okay to grieve what you’re leaving behind. Every immigrant, including the most successful and happy ones, goes through this.
But fear isn’t a reason not to do something important. Sometimes the most significant things we do are scary precisely because they matter so much.
What I’ve found talking to people who’ve made aliyah is that the fear beforehand is usually much worse than the reality afterward. The anticipation of all the unknowns, the worries about whether you’ll fit in, whether your kids will adjust, whether you’ll find work, whether you’ll regret it—all of that looms larger before you make the move than it does once you’re actually here and dealing with real challenges rather than imagined ones.
Most olim will tell you that while the first year or two can be tough—language barriers, cultural adjustment, practical challenges—there’s a profound sense of rightness about being in Israel that carries them through. A feeling of “this is where I’m supposed to be” that makes the difficulties worthwhile.
YOU’RE NEEDED HERE
Here’s something that might not have occurred to you: Israel needs you.
Israel is strong, yes. The economy is booming, the military is powerful, the society is vibrant. But Israel is also a small country facing enormous challenges—security threats, regional isolation, international pressure, internal divisions, rapid population growth straining resources and infrastructure.
Every Jew who makes aliyah strengthens Israel. You bring skills, education, resources, connections, perspectives. You add to the population base that makes Israel viable as a state. You demonstrate to the world that Jews are committed to our homeland.
If you’re a professional, your expertise contributes to Israel’s economy and capabilities. If you’re a parent, your children will serve in the IDF, protecting the country and its future. If you’re entrepreneurial, your businesses create jobs and innovation. If you’re simply a good person who wants to contribute to your community, Israel has endless opportunities for you to make a difference.
This isn’t just abstract. When Iran threatens Israel, when hostile actors try to isolate Israel internationally, when demographics shift in ways that could change Israel’s character—every additional Jewish citizen matters. Every family that chooses Israel over the Diaspora matters.
You might think, “What difference can one person or one family make?” But Israel was built by millions of individual Jews making that same decision. The miracle of Israel is that it exists at all, sustained by the collective choice of Jews to return home and build something extraordinary here.
THE SPIRITUAL DIMENSION: CONNECTING TO SOMETHING ETERNAL
Even if you’re not particularly religious, there’s a spiritual dimension to living in Israel that’s hard to articulate but profound.
This is the land where our ancestors walked. Where Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob lived. Where David established his kingdom and Solomon built the Temple. Where the prophets spoke and the rabbis of the Talmud debated. Where Jewish civilization flourished for centuries before we were exiled.
Walking streets in Jerusalem that are thousands of years old, seeing archaeological evidence of Jewish life from ancient times, visiting sites mentioned in the Bible that are real physical places you can touch—it connects you to Jewish history in a visceral way that no amount of Jewish education in the Diaspora can replicate.
There’s also the experience of participating in the ingathering of exiles that was prophesied by our prophets. The return to Zion isn’t just a political project—it’s the fulfillment of prayers that Jews have recited for two thousand years. Being part of that, actively participating in this chapter of Jewish history, is spiritually meaningful whether or not you’re religiously observant.
Many secular Israelis will tell you they feel a connection to Jewish tradition and history that transcends religious practice. The land itself, the language, the society—it’s all saturated with thousands of years of Jewish civilization.
WHAT ABOUT FAMILY LEFT BEHIND?
One of the hardest parts of making aliyah is leaving family behind. If your parents, siblings, or close friends aren’t coming with you, this is a real loss.
But modern technology has made this easier than it’s ever been. Video calls mean you can see your family regularly even across continents. Flights are relatively cheap and frequent—you can visit for holidays, and family can visit you. Many people make it work.
And here’s something else: sometimes your aliyah inspires others. I’ve met countless people who made aliyah and then, a few years later, their siblings followed. Or their parents retired to Israel. Or their close friends decided to come too. Your move might not be the end of your connection to family—it might be the beginning of bringing them home too.
There’s also the extended family you gain in Israel—the broader Jewish community that becomes your extended family. Israelis are incredibly warm and welcoming, especially to new immigrants. You’ll build new connections and friendships that, while different from what you left behind, can be just as meaningful.
THE ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY
Let me address something practical: Israel’s economy is one of the most dynamic in the world.
Israel has more companies on NASDAQ than any country outside the U.S. It’s a world leader in cybersecurity, medical technology, water technology, agricultural technology, and countless other fields. The tech sector is booming. Venture capital pours in. Startups exit for billions.
If you have skills in tech, finance, medicine, engineering, or other professional fields, there are opportunities here. Salaries in many fields are competitive with Western countries, and the cost of living, while not cheap, is manageable, especially outside Tel Aviv.
If you’re entrepreneurial, Israel is arguably the best place in the world to start a company. The ecosystem of investors, mentors, government support, and talent is unmatched. The culture celebrates entrepreneurship and risk-taking in ways that many other countries don’t.
Even in fields outside tech, there are opportunities. Israel needs teachers, social workers, medical professionals, tradespeople, service workers—the full range of occupations that any society needs. There’s demand for skilled workers across sectors.
And your kids? They’ll grow up in an economy and society that rewards education, innovation, and hard work. The opportunities available to them are vast.
TIMING IS EVERYTHING—AND THE TIME IS NOW
Here’s why I’m writing this now, and why I think this particular moment matters.
The window of comfortable Jewish life in much of the Diaspora may be closing. Not tomorrow, not next year, but the trend lines aren’t encouraging. Anti-Semitism is rising. Political polarization is making it harder for Jews to feel at home in either political camp. Assimilation is accelerating. The institutions that sustained Jewish life for generations are weakening.
Meanwhile, Israel is stronger and more established than ever. The economy is robust. The society is mature. The infrastructure is modern. The integration systems for new immigrants are well-developed. The opportunities are abundant.
In other words: this might be the optimal time to make aliyah. Israel is ready for you in ways it wasn’t decades ago, and the push factors from the Diaspora are becoming more urgent.
I’m not saying disaster is imminent in the Diaspora—I hope I’m wrong about the negative trends. But I am saying that if you’ve been thinking about aliyah, if there’s any part of you that’s considered it, now is the time to seriously explore it rather than putting it off indefinitely.
IT’S NOT ALL OR NOTHING
Finally, let me say this: you don’t have to make an instant, irrevocable decision. Exploring aliyah doesn’t mean you have to commit immediately.
Come visit Israel—not as a tourist, but as a potential immigrant. Spend time in different cities. Talk to olim from your country. Attend information sessions run by the Jewish Agency or Nefesh B’Nefesh or other aliyah organizations. Ask questions. Get realistic answers about the challenges and opportunities.
Some people do pilot programs, living in Israel for a few months or a year to test it out before committing fully. You can rent out your house back home rather than selling it immediately. You can maintain your career connections while exploring opportunities in Israel.
The point is, exploring this doesn’t have to be a leap off a cliff. It can be a thoughtful, gradual process where you gather information, prepare yourself and your family, and make an informed decision.
But do explore it. Don’t dismiss it out of hand because it seems too difficult or too scary or too disruptive. Don’t let inertia make the decision for you. Actually investigate whether this might be right for you and your family.
THIS IS YOUR STORY TOO
Here’s what I want you to understand: Israel isn’t just a news story or a political issue or a distant homeland you support from afar. It’s your story too. Jewish history is your history. The return to Zion is your return, if you choose it.
For two thousand years, Jews prayed to return to the land of Israel. “Next year in Jerusalem” wasn’t just a poetic wish—it was a deep longing embedded in Jewish consciousness. Our ancestors would have given anything for the opportunity you have right now: to simply decide to move to Israel and become a citizen.
You have that opportunity. You can be part of this extraordinary moment in Jewish history—the first time in two millennia when Jews have a sovereign state in our ancestral homeland, when Hebrew is spoken on the streets again, when Jews from all over the world have gathered together to build a society.
This isn’t about guilt or obligation. It’s about opportunity. It’s about possibility. It’s about being part of something larger than yourself, something that connects you to thousands of years of history and extends into a future that your children and grandchildren will inherit.
MAKING THE CHOICE
So what do you do with all this? How do you actually make a decision about something this significant?
My advice is this: Take it seriously. Don’t dismiss it reflexively, but don’t rush into it impulsively either. Talk to your spouse or partner honestly about what this would mean for your family. Talk to people who’ve made aliyah—both those who love it and those who found it challenging. Educate yourself about what the process involves and what life in Israel is really like.
Visit Israel with the specific purpose of exploring aliyah. Meet with absorption professionals. Look at neighborhoods where you might live. Investigate job opportunities in your field. Try to imagine your actual daily life, not some romanticized or catastrophized version.
Pray about it if you’re religious. Meditate on it. Think deeply about what kind of life you want and where you want to raise your family and what legacy you want to leave.
And then trust yourself to make the right decision for you and your family. Whether that decision is to make aliyah now, to plan for it in a few years, or to decide it’s not right for you—honor your decision and commit to it.
FINAL THOUGHTS: THE CALL OF HOME
I started by saying this isn’t a guilt trip, and I meant it. You’re not a bad Jew if you decide to stay in the Diaspora. You’re not abandoning your people or betraying your heritage. Jews have built rich, meaningful communities outside Israel for centuries, and they continue to do so today.
But I do believe that for more and more Jews, the equation is changing. The relative comfort and security of the Diaspora is becoming less certain. The pull of assimilation is becoming stronger. And Israel, despite its challenges, offers something that nowhere else can: a place where Jews can live as the majority, where Jewish civilization flourishes naturally, where your children and grandchildren will be part of the Jewish story.
If you feel that pull—that sense that maybe you belong in Israel, that maybe now is the time—don’t ignore it. Explore it. Investigate it. Take it seriously.
Because here’s the truth: every Jew does belong in Israel. Not necessarily because you’re obligated to be here, but because this is your home. It always has been, and it always will be, whether you choose to live here or not.
But the choice to actually come home, to make aliyah, to be part of building and sustaining the Jewish state—that’s yours to make. And if you’re feeling called to make it, I’m here to tell you: Israel is ready for you. Your community is here waiting for you. Your future is here.
Welcome home. We’ve been waiting for you.
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