'Time to come home': Seven families from New York's Persian Jewish community make aliyah together

Seventy-six individuals, including 26 children, from the Persian Jewish community in Great Neck, New York, arrived at Tel Aviv's Ben-Gurion Airport on August 11, 2026, marking a historic moment as they completed their immigration to Israel. The group, consisting of seven families, traveled together under the auspices of Nefesh B’Nefesh, a non-profit organization dedicated to facilitating immigration from North America to Israel. Their arrival was met with excitement and emotion, as they began their new lives as olim, new immigrants, in the central Israeli city of Ra’anana. Jordan, one of the new olim and a father of six daughters, described his feelings upon landing as a mix of exhaustion and exhilaration. He stated that the journey left him “running on fumes, but exhilarated,” emphasizing the emotional complexity of the experience. “There are too many emotions to process properly,” he said, yet he expressed a sense of flight, as if he were soaring above the challenges of starting anew in a foreign land. The migration effort was supported by several organizations, including Israel’s Ministry of Aliyah and Integration, the Jewish Agency for Israel, Keren Kayemeth LeIsrael, and Jewish National Fund-USA. These groups worked in tandem to ensure the families received the necessary assistance during their transition. Naftali Derovan, head of the Aliyah Guidance Division at Nefesh B’Nefesh, praised the families’ decision to immigrate collectively. He noted that while aliyah is typically a personal choice, this instance highlighted the power of communal solidarity. “These families bring the strength and spirit of their close-knit community with them to Israel,” he remarked, expressing enthusiasm about supporting their integration and helping them feel at home. Ra’anana’s mayor, Chaim Broyde, extended a warm welcome to the new residents, calling their arrival an inspiring act of Zionism and faith. He emphasized Ra’anana’s role as a leader in absorbing new immigrants, noting its history of welcoming olim from around the world. “We embrace the new olim and are committed to providing them and their children with the support needed to integrate, thrive, and feel at home in Ra’anana,” Broyde said, assuring the families of ongoing support throughout their transition. As the new olim passed through customs and entered the arrivals hall, they were greeted by a jubilant crowd of young people, primarily teenagers, who sang and cheered. Among them were girls who had participated in Sherut Leumi, a national service program, in Great Neck, along with members of the very Persian community that had recently made aliyah. This gesture underscored the interconnectedness of the community and the shared experiences that bind its members, even across borders. Before departing the airport, the new immigrants reflected on the significance of their collective decision to return to Israel. Jordan predicted that more families would follow in the coming years, stating, “We're expecting many more in the next year, and b’ezrat Hashem (with God's help), this is going to be something for many years to come. You're going to see a lot of the Persian communities coming back.” Adam, another olim and a father of five, echoed this sentiment, explaining that the community had reached a consensus: “It's time to come home.” Each family had long considered making the move individually but found strength in unity. “You feel lonely. You feel like you miss people. Why not do it together?” he said, highlighting the importance of communal support in such a life-changing endeavor. The families were subsequently transported to their new homes in Ra’anana, where they will begin building their lives in Israel. As they settle into their new environment, the broader implications of their collective aliyah remain to be fully realized, offering a glimpse into the evolving dynamics of diaspora communities and their ties to the homeland.