Interviews with Olim

Q. Where were you born and where did you grow up?

A. Born and raised on Long Island, New York. 

Q. At what age did you come out? And how did it go?

A. I came out in stages – family at 24, professionally/publicly at 28. Family was a bit bumpy – my siblings ex-communicated me for a few years, which stressed out my parents (and me). But we worked past it. My sister and I are super close and I have great relationships with my nearly 30 (Blin Eyin Hara) nieces, nephews, their kids and spouses. Professionally, I was blessed in my second job to have an out proud gay boss who encouraged and supported me and subsequently worked for more out bosses at Disney in LA, so have been very lucky on that front.

Q. Were you involved at all in the LGBT community in your previous country?

A. I was the Executive Sponsor of Pride, the first international LGBTQ+ resource group for the Walt Disney Company In London. We supported LGBTQ+ employees and helped direct related efforts at the company, including marching in London, Dublin and Munich Prides; raising money and lending hands-on support to charities; assembling the first ever official Disney Pride event at a Disney theme park. I was awarded the 2020 Inspirational Leader at the British LGBT Awards. 

Q. What is your involvement (if any) in the LGBT community in Israel?

A. I’ve been following LGBT Olim since 2015 and I’m finally able to attend events in real life! As I get more settled, and better with the language, I’d like to get more involved with LGBT advocacy groups. My volunteer bandwidth thus far has been focused on general volunteer work like Sar-El or supporting businesses. 

Q. How long since you made Aliyah?

A. 8 months!

Q. Did you move here on your own or with family/friends/significant other?

A. Just me and my dog Dolly! But I have a lot of family and friends here. Taking applications for significant other! 

Q. Why did you make Aliyah?

A. I had it in my plan to make Aliyah when I was closer to, or at, retirement, because my career up until recently required me in London. After October 7, I went back and forth to Israel bringing supplies for my niece’s husband and his unit, other needed items, and supporting my family. After I returned to London on the second trip, I realized I could work from anywhere, so why put off my dream? By January I started the application with Nefesh B’Nefesh and I had a government citizenship appointment by mid-April. 

Q. How is it going so far?

A. Overall very well. I am fortunate to have a great network here of family and friends – friends who have made Aliyah that I know from almost every stage of my life. My longest friend in the world, who I’ve known since we are three years old, lives here along with elementary and college friends. I’ve also built up some professional connections through being involved with the Israeli animation industry. And people I’ve met through LGBT Olim and Havruta!

Q. What do you do in terms of work?

A. I have my own consulting and production company Lightboat Media. I help companies create content that connects across all platforms. I started the company to support queer content and creators (Lightboat has the letters LGBTIA in it), but October 7 really awakened the need to produce content that supports Jews and Israel. I’m working with Israeli content creators on improving their YouTube presence and working with Israeli platforms on globalizing their content. I’m also co-producing a film on a very controversial figure from Israeli politics with an established Israeli film producer. Lastly I started a podcast called Oleh at Large: Aliyah Stories to share the journey with friends worldwide, and hopefully inspire others to make the plunge and make Aliyah. Available on Spotify, iTunes or wherever you get your podcast. 

Q. How is your Ivrit?

A. I’m in the A+ level class at Lillenbaum 7 Ulpan so trying to master past tense. I can carry a basic conversation with a decent vocabulary. 

Q. What has been your biggest challenge so far?

A. Navigating things like banks and doctors appointments. But Google Translate is really a godsend – it helps bridge the gaps. And if you’re nice to people, they can be surprisingly helpful. I think Israelis are generally shocked I made Aliyah during the war, so they make an effort to help me out. 

Q. How do you perceive the Israeli LGBT community?

A. It’s been very impacted by Oct 7 on different levels. LGBT issues have taken a back seat, and everyone’s priorities have shifted. The mood and city life are obviously impacted. Pre-Oct 7, I found it to be similar to most Western countries – concentrated in big cities, sparser outside. All the different scenes, whatever your taste/interest lifestyle. 

Q. How is being LGBT in Israel different to your where you lived previously?

A. Going to an event like Pride and knowing everyone there is Jewish (or an ally) is incredibly powerful. Especially now, queer spaces outside Israel are not necessarily comfortable for Jews. There is also more community – groups like LGBT Olim and Havruta (org for religious and religious-adjacent bi/gay/trans men) create connections in a way I haven’t had before. Various dinner clubs which also create these connections can be fun (when the hosts are kind enough to speak in English!). 

Q. If you were making aliyah now, would you do anything differently?

A. It’s a very ‘first world problem’ – I decided on a place to settle very quickly, and it’s been difficult to actually move into the flat because of the war. I probably should have held off a bit more on that – but when it comes together, I’ll hopefully be very happy!