Interviews with Olim

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

A. I was born on Long Island, New York and grew up on the Island.

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

A. I came out as a lesbian at the young age of 13, in 2011. I can’t say that it was easy. It took time and a lot of hard work (close to 8 years) to finally have my parents accept me.

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

A. I wasn’t involved in an LGBT community until I went to Pride in NYC at age 18. I was able to march there with a Jewish congregation in the parade. This was one the first time I released that I could be accepted in both a Jewish and LGBT+ inclusive world.

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

A. As a photographer and videographer in Tel Aviv, I enjoy taking portrait photos for anyone in the LGBT+ community to show the rest of the world that we proudly exist in every country. I also spent months in Jerusalem- capturing protests and riots, interviewing journalists and politicians to shine a light on the rights that we are refused by the State of Israel. Ultimately realizing that every event and every Pride parade in this country is important in order to continuously fight for change.

Q. How long since you made Aliyah?

A. It will be one year this upcoming September.

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

A. I packed up my cameras and moved here on my own.

Q. Why did you make Aliyah?

A. There is a sense of community in Israel that I didn’t feel anywhere else. This is a country filled with history and stories like no other. Landscapes from the north to the south more beautiful than those that I have ever seen before. And as a gay Jew, I felt like it was my right to move to Israel and to stand alongside Israelis as we continue to fight for the rights of the LGBT+ community.

Q. How is it going so far?

A. Moving on my own at 21 was a challenge. Initially my mom was my greatest supporter but unfortunately, she passed away in January. Currently at 22, I am learning the true ways of independence and I am grateful for all of the incredible people I have met since moving to Israel. It’s not easy and it never will be, but taking every day as it comes with strength is what continues to make being a new olah worth it.

Q. What do you do in terms of work?

A. I am a freelance journalist, videographer and photographer.

Q. How is your Ivrit?

A. My Hebrew is at a moderate conversational level.

Q. What has been your biggest challenge so far?

A. My biggest challenge has been making friends and finding work.

Q. How do you perceive the Israeli LGBT community?

A. The LGBT+ community in Israel is strong and determined and will continue to be until we are granted basic rights.

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

A. Anywhere outside of Tel Aviv, being a lesbian in Israel is incredibly different from being a lesbian in New York. I would say that it is harder, but that gives all the more reason to continue the fight for rights.

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

A. I wouldn’t do anything differently. I didn’t come to Israel with much, but I did come here with a sense of hope and determination. From chasing rockets to documenting fires at the border, I have always felt that it was my job to show the rest of the world the real Israel. From its incredible beauty to its continuous oppression and everything in between.