Interviews with Olim

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

A. I was both born and raised in northern New Jersey. I grew up just a few minutes outside of New York City.

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

A. I came out to my first person when I was 20 years old. I probably came out to myself a few years earlier but I was never comfortable with calling myself gay until I spoke about it out loud to others. My experience was mostly positive with friends, less so with family. I was lucky to have a diverse circle of friends embrace me and support me. Although my family is supportive now, it was a long road getting there.

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

A. In my last year of university I moderated a small gay men’s discussion/support group. It was the first time I met other out gay men. It was such a positive experience for me that I really made sure that wherever I was in my life, I had a strong LGBTQ network around me. I’ve lived in London, New York, and Tel Aviv (bragging!) and in each city I’ve been I have immersed myself in the social queer scene as well as social justice organizations and causes that are important to me.

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

A. When I first moved to Tel Aviv I volunteered and participated in any queer (English-speaking) event I could. I volunteered in the PR department for IGY (Israel Gay Youth) for about a year and I made some strong friendships in the LGBT English-Speakers Group. I’m currently working and earning my Master’s of Social Work so my time is limited but I have a close group of queer friends in my life.

Q. How long since you made Aliyah?

A. I made Aliyah in October 2017.

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

A. I moved here completely alone, however, my younger sister has since made Aliyah and lives in central Tel Aviv.

Q. Why did you make Aliyah?

A. I needed health insurance and fast. In the US we do not have guaranteed or even subsidized health insurance. I was fortunate to have health insurance until I was 26 under my family’s private plan but as my 26th birthday loomed I needed to figure out my next steps fast in order to be covered. I decided to move to Israel – where I would have health coverage as a Jew – and think over my next steps before returning to the US. I ended up building a meaningful life for myself and I fell in love with Tel Aviv only after I moved here. I often get asked by Israelis why I would move from New York to Israel, often with bewilderment at such a decision, but I have since met many American Jews who are not particularly ideologically-driven like me and made the same decision to move here to get health benefits we cannot get in the US.

Q. How is it going so far?

A. There are ups and downs but overall moving here has opened my mind and world up enormously. Living outside of my own society has given me a new perspective of the States, my upbringing, and my own biases. Living here has also awakened a fairly new sense of political engagement that gives me meaning and hope for the future. There is no perfect society but I am very happy living in Tel Aviv, and especially in one of its most diverse and exciting neighborhoods of Florentin.

Q. What do you do in terms of work?

A. I am currently earning my MSW (Master’s of Social Work) and working part-time in the hospitality industry.

Q. How is your Ivrit?

A. Yeah, it’s pretty bad thank you for asking.

Q. What has been your biggest challenge so far?

A. Yeah, the Ivrit thanks again!

Q. How do you perceive the Israeli LGBT community?

A. It takes an enormous amount of strength to be out in Israel. If you’re trans or a queer person of color, it takes even more strength. While Tel Aviv is largely accepting (though I understand from trans and non-binary people that that is not necessarily the case) Israel is still a conservative and religious country where being my queer, free, and open self is not acceptable. I feel very comfortable being out, flamboyant, and affectionate with my boyfriend in public but only in Tel Aviv. The rest of the country has a long way to go and I hope it gets there fast because queer people, especially within marginalized communities, need this change to happen now – their lives and safety literally depend on it.

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

A. Tel Aviv is no different from many other major metropolitan hubs in the US. Cities like Austin, Atlanta, and even New York City are queer, progressive communities surrounded by dominant conservative ideologies. I am grateful for these cities that provide refuge for queer people but can’t help but feel resentful that we need these hubs so desperately in order to be safe. Same goes for Tel Aviv and Israel.

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

A. Oh my god, fine I’ll learn Hebrew!