Interviews with Olim

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

A.  I was born and raised in Virginia.  I lived there my entire life until I moved to Israel.

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

A.  I have always known who I am, yet as a child I was either told that I was too young to know or was shunned for speaking my mind.  At the age of four I told my Mom that I’m a boy, but was turned away.  Throughout my schooling career I tried my best to express my true self, which again was not as supported.  Most of my friends knew me as a tom-boy and those who knew of me just assumed I was a lesbian.  I thought maybe they were right, knowing my love for women, however it wasn’t until I graduated high school that I made my social debut as a boy.  There will never be one ‘coming out story’ – we, me, am constantly evolving and meeting new people, therefore will always be coming out to the new people we meet along the way.

Q. Were you involved at all in the LGBT community back home?

A.  Not tremendously.

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

A.  Other than being part of the LGBT Olim on Facebook? (kidding) I support off screen.  I attended the Tel Aviv Pride this past June.  Outside of that one event, I don’t play as big as a role as maybe I’d hope to, but do think it would be cool to meet and become more acquainted

Q. How long since you made Aliyah?

A.  I made Aliyah in August of 2019.  Currently, two years and four months!

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

A.  I moved here on my own.  

Q. Why did you make Aliyah?

A.  I grew up in a Jewish Community.  I attended the preschool, summer camp, then later worked at the summer camp, basically I have always had involvement at the Jewish Community Center (JCC). Every summer at the JCC camp they would host two Israeli counsellors (Shlichim) to come and teach the children about Israel.  Since I grew up in the Jewish Community and had been learning about Israel, and all the possibilities of making Aliyah and moving… I realised that these stories weren’t just stories, but something that I could make a reality.  In addition to the JCC, I travelled with my family to Israel in 2007.  I was ten years old and from that first visit something clicked.  I made a connection.  It wasn’t until the age of twenty-two that I decided to officially make that move.

Q. How is it going so far?

A.  So far… it’s going really well.  Plenty of challenges, not including Covid, but not not including Covid =P. All worth it!

Q. What do you do in terms of work?

A.  Currently serving in the Navy.

Q. How is your Ivrit?

A.  With more confidence it’s good.  On a day-to-day, it’s so-so.  I’m able to understand most of what people say. I do read and write better than I speak

Q. What has been your biggest challenge so far?

A.  I could say the language barriers, but I think most of all is being comfortable in my skin.  Being able to hold myself accountable and stable with whatever is thrown at me.

Q. How do you perceive the Israeli LGBT community?

A.  The community here is strong.  Outside of Tel Aviv it’s not always as open, but I think with any community you find those people that love and support you and start your impact there. 

Q. How is being LGBT in Israel different to back home?

A.  Since I’ve spent most of my life behind the scenes, seen, but not out.  I wasn’t involved at home.  There are plenty of communities with open arms.  Marriage equality is legal in Virginia.  In the area that I grew up in, people split half/half of whether they support.  I’d say it’s similar to living outside the big city to a smaller town/settlement.  Find your people!

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

A.  I would not change a thing.  To be cliché… the steps I’ve taken and the things I’ve done have led me here.  I wouldn’t change it, because it’s what makes me me.