Return Again

Rav Simcha Sterzer grew up in Williamsburg – Brooklyn, and was a yeshiva rebbe for more than 40 years. On a visit to Israel in 1992 his life changed forever, thanks to his wife saying, “I could live like this.”The 93-year old Rav Sterzer speaks with inspiring simplicity, and Goel greatly appreciated being able to sit with him in his home recently.

Dr. Deena Wasserman grew up in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, the daughter of a rabbi, but actually, also the great, great granddaughter of another rabbi – quite a famous rabbi.For Deena, Aliyah was always on the radar screen, but the question was: When and How?Layer on top of it the question of making Aliyah as a physician, and the path to returning home was anything but obvious, even if the idea of returning was crystal clear.

Gilla Jasper grew up in southern Connecticut – a town called Stamford, and knew from her earliest days that her father had moved to Israel from Iran in 1958, living there for 5 years before leaving for college in the US.So Israel was central to Gilla's upbringing, but Aliyah was not. What turned the tide? This is an episode about Goel and his family's Aliyah, in celebration of their 20th anniversary in Israel.

Eliyokim Cohen grew up a proud Jew, first in Framingham, Massachusetts, and then in Atlanta, Georgia. It was a solid upbringing, but things started to go sideways for Eliyokim in college. Eventually, he found himself with 35 police weapons pointing at him after a 45-minute car chase. Something clearly needed to change. And change it did, as Eliyokim began a journey that led to him sitting with me on his Netanya porch with a view of the Mediterranean Sea, talking about his Aliyah.

Hayim Leiter grew up in Philadelphia. Sure, his family was Zionistic. You know. Loved Israel, rooted for the IDF. But well, let's just say it wasn't at the top of the list for him in the same way that surfing was. He surfed off the coast of New Jersey… Rhode Island … California. But along the way, he began a dance with the Land of Israel that led him here permanently, where at least once a week, he makes sure to surf off the coast of Ashdod. It's a beautiful story about a relationship that grew and grew, and continues to grow.

Chaim Rutenberg grew up in Muncie, New York, a follower of his heart from a very young age. He always tried to do the right thing, but not necessarily in a manner that his family and community expected. So when he heard a talk by Yaakov “Ketzaleh” Katz in Muncie, and Ketzaleh didn't ask for money, but instead asked for Aliyah, Chaim was touched. And that was the beginning of a journey that eventually landed Chaim in Israel. And while Chaim and his wife did go back and forth, they are now here to stay. Chaim is also the founder of Beef Up Our Boys, and Goel talked with him about that important army initiative as well. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/return-again/support

Dr. Michael Tobin grew up on Long Island, in New York, a big baseball fan who looked up to Willie Mays more than anyone else. Suffice it to say, Israel was not on his radar screen at all. But Jewish and Israel-focused messages were reaching him whether he liked it or not (Wait until you hear about his 20-mile run on Yom Kippur in the 70s), and things reached a crescendo when Michael and his Lebanese Christian girlfriend – and eventual wife, Deborah, decided to bike around the world, including stops in both Lebanon and Israel. Buckle up. This is a wild story told by a wonderful storyteller. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/return-again/support

Josh Wander grew up outside Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, in a suburb called McKeesport. He grew up in a pretty seriously Zionistic home – as Zionism was defined back then – and the more Torah he learned, the more he felt pulled to Israel. Josh has led a colorful life that even included a run as candidate for Mayor of Pittsburgh – even as he was sure he and his family would soon be returning to Israel to live their lives. It's a wild story. These days, Josh lives with his family in an town called Maale Zeitim, right next to the Temple Mount in Jerusalem, and that's where we sat recently to talk about his story. If you want to follow Josh, you can find him at Facebook.com/jwander or @votewander on X. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/return-again/support

Ari Singer grew up in Manhattan, New York, a child of two Holocaust survivors - whose stories are amazing in their own right. While his upbringing in New York was going fine - he was a student at Manhattan Day School - his parents decided to end their family's exile in 1973, and Ari, then 13, made the big move to a 25-year old country that was just weeks away from the start of the Yom Kippur War. Ari and his family have been tested since 1973 as well, but there is an infectious "let's just keep moving forward" attitude that Ari learned from his parents, and it's served him quite well. He's one of the most optimistic people Goel Jasper has ever met, and they spoke recently at Ari's home in Peduel. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/return-again/support

Gary Epstein grew up in a strongly Jewish and Torah-observant home, but – as he says – Aliyah was nowhere near the forefront of his mind for many, many years. In the early 2000s, he saw that perhaps the Israeli business world could use the help of his law firm, so he began spending more time in Israel. And Aliyah was still not on his radar screen. Then, he had two children make the big move and yet, still, Aliyah was not on his mind. So what did it? Why is Gary Epstein a happy oleh? Goel met with him recently in Gary's son's home – in New York, believe it or not, and they talked about his story. They laughed, nearly shed some tears, and spoke about so many different aspects of life in Israel. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/return-again/support

Hezy Bentzur has become somewhat of a celebrity in the world of Aliyah, since he's the owner of iAnglo English-speaking new car lease and buying service, which is used by many Olim looking for their first car in Israel. But man, oh man, his story is so much more – so much cooler – than just coming here and building a successful business. Join Goel on a wild ride that starts in Texas, makes stops in Oklahoma and Arkansas, and eventually takes Hezy and his family home to the Land of Israel. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/return-again/support

Now, I know that I've always interviewed people who have been in Israel long enough to have perspective, but Michoel Weichbrod's perspective is so clear, so direct and so focused on Torah that he brings with him many, many centuries of perspective on living in Israel, even though he's only been here for a few years. I met with him recently in his Ramat Bet Shemesh home, and we talked about his story, as well as the larger issue of Aliyah among the Haredi community in the US. Here's Michoel Weichbrod, returning again. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/return-again/support

Rabbi Elan Adler is a formerly American rabbi with a fantastic sense of humor, a wonderful story and an inspiring career renewal since making the big move. Rabbi Adler was a successful community rabbi in Baltimore, but eventually, the strong feelings his wife Rivka had for so many years hit him like a ton of bricks, and he knew that Israel was the place for him to continue his family's life. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/return-again/support

Rabbi Pesach Wolicki told me that he's been clear on Israel as his destiny for as long as he can remember. So why is it that he came to Israel as a kid, and went back to Canada, and then, when his parents made Aliyah, he decided to stay back in Canada? And why did he make aliyah, only to leave again to spend 5 years in the US? Well, it's an incredible story of his commitment to life in Israel – and to the Jewish nation – that led to all those things happening, and I was pleased to sit with Rav Pesach recently to hear all about it. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/return-again/support

Ari Abramowitz grew up in Houston, Texas, to a proud Jewish family that believed in the importance of supporting Israel. But for Ari, born Aryeh Yehuda Abramowitz, do so from afar was never going to be enough. That said, his road to living his life here was not totally smooth, and I had the privilege of joining him on Arugot Farm recently, where he and his family live, to take in the breathtaking views and hear his Aliyah story. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/return-again/support

Lenny Solomon grew up "a modern Orthodox Jew from Queens," and eventually became a Jewish music sensation, playing for audiences around the globe. He's the only Jewish performer to ever play all 50 US states. So what would make him move to Israel? Find out more from Lenny himself. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/return-again/support

Rav Gidon Weitzman grew up in the United Kingdom – first in London and then in Cardiff, a town in Wales. He came to Israel as a teenager and dove in head-first into a life of Torah learning and spirituality. He's now doing important work for Machon Puah, but there have been many stops along the way – including Kansas City, Missouri – and Rav Gidon had some serious wisdom to share. I greatly enjoyed the conversation in his Modiin home. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/return-again/support

I met Danny Bibbins on a recent vacation I took, and when I heard his story, I just had to figure out a way to have him share it with you, even though it required a 2-plus hour trip up to Kibbutz Tirat Zvi up in the north. It was a ride well-spent. And his story IS great, but it was his perspective on life that truly inspired me.   --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/return-again/support

Danny Hain grew up in a small town in Virginia – Danville, and was a member of one of the only religiously-observant families in that tiny community. His life eventually took him to medical school, and he became quite a successful physician. All seemed to be going well, and he and his wife decided to move their life to Israel, so they could raise their children in the Land promised to our forefathers and foremothers. Well, it wasn't as easy as it seemed at the time, and the family endured a serious challenge before finally turning the corner and proceeding with their plan. Lots of wisdom in this episode from Danny, and wait until you hear what he has to say during the rapid-fire questions. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/return-again/support

Stuart Schnee grew up in Teaneck, New Jersey, went to college at Rutgers and seemingly, was living a fairly straight-forward American life. But a couple of childhood trips to Israel, as well as a few "moments" changed his perspective, and his life, forever. This episode also includes a short monologue by Goel about the current situation in Israel. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/return-again/support

Football, Israel and Torah!? Are you kidding me?! When I heard about today's guest, Chaim Cohen – coach of the Judean Rebels Israeli football team, I just had to meet him and speak with him about his Aliyah! And that's just what happened. I visited him in his Ramat Bet Shemesh home, where we talked about his story, about football, about how a kid who chose his college in part so that he could get AWAY from Jewish people wound up in Israel, and about what ultimately led him home to Israel. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/return-again/support

David Katz grew up in Cleveland in a pretty Israel-oriented family. And yet, he insists that he's still not really made Aliyah. Well, in his mind that may be the case, but he and his wife Devorah are the brains and action behind the well-known national Pat BeMelach brand of crackers and bakery in Efrat, and since selling that business they've moved on to another concept that I found fascinating. David and I sat at his kitchen table for this one, and I really enjoyed his candid, contemplative and thought-provoking thoughts on living in Israel. And so, here's David Katz, Returning Again. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/return-again/support

David HaIvri grew up in New York, in a family of 4. Israel and Aliyah were nowhere near their consciousness, but then David's father got the bug. Fast forward a few years, and the family moved to Israel, where they struggled mightily to make a go of it. David is a major Aliya success story, but it was not as rosy for the rest of his family, all of whom eventually went back to the US. So how did David succeed when the rest of his family couldn't make it happen? Well, let's just say that Shabbat meals can do amazing things for a young teen looking for inspiration. David (email: haivri@gmail.com) and I sat in Jerusalem recently, where he reflected quite candidly on his story. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/return-again/support

What should we make of Olim who decide to spend a chunk of time outside of Israel? What are the pros and cons, and what might it do to someone's Aliyah? Ezra Jasper, who recently spent five months in the US with his wife, Or Ya, joins Goel to discuss this important topic. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/return-again/support

Mark Tobin moved to Israel with his wife and family almost 25 years ago, after a beautiful courtship that had Israel at its center, as well as stops in Brooklyn and Boca Raton. I had planned on interviewing Mark a few months ago, and we kept having to postpone for one reason or another. Eventually, we were all set, and yet again, I had to cancel. That was just a few days before Mark's wife Dodi, z"l, died tragically after battling cancer. But Mark is a strong believer in the importance of Aliyah, so when he asked me again recently, “So when are we doing the podcast?” I jumped at the opportunity. And Mark did not disappoint. The conversation was fun, uplifting, interesting and, at times, devastating. I think we all can learn a lot from Mark's story, and from Mark. For this conversation, Mark sat in the same chair Dodi had sat in for her interview, as he was gracious enough to allow me into his Bet Shemesh home. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/return-again/support

Mati Gill moved to Israel with his family at the age of 11 for the proverbial “Let's try it out” year. Except he and his siblings didn't realize it at the time. They thought it was a one-year adventure, after which they'd return to their Columbus, Ohio, community. The year was coming to an end, and Mati's parents held a family meeting: Should we stay in Israel or go back to Columbus? Mati's siblings felt one way, and Mati felt the other way. Guess who's opinion won the day? Today, Mati is CEO of AION Labs, a first-of-its-kind develop of start-ups that are attempting to solve some of healthcare's most complicated problems. But he's done a lot of other things, and I greatly enjoyed sitting with him in his Tel Aviv apartment recently to hear all about it. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/return-again/support

So you'll say, Who's Sorra Landau? Well, I'll tell you. I originally wanted to interview her because she's the mother of Binny Landau, a popular singer in Israel today, known for songs such as Kedem – which you were just listening to, Armono Shel Melech and Mishkan. Truly beautiful songs. But as I began my conversation with Sorra, I realized she was much more than that, and has a story of her own, as well as a lot of wisdom that she's built over her many years in Israel. Sorra grew up in Brooklyn but has been living in Israel since the 70s, first in Kiryat Arba and now inn Efrat, which is where I sat with her recently to talk about her Aliyah, her family, her husband's many projects, including the important Standing Together organization, and, of course, whether she has Heinz or Israeli ketchup in her fridge. Sorra offered her wisdom simply, but the messages were powerful. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/return-again/support

Tal Brody grew up in Trenton, New Jersey, and was a scholastic basketball star, named to the Newark Star-Ledger All-state team as a senior, before choosing The University of Illinois as his college of choice. He want on to star for the basketball team there as well, and was eventually drafted by the then-Baltimore Bullets of the NBA in 1965. He was headed for a pro basketball career in the world's best league. Instead, he decided to play in Israel for a year, and that began an incredible journey that is still unfolding today. This was an amazing interview, filled with great stories, an incredible life-decision and, more than anything else, a beautiful illustration of what a positive outlook can do for a person … and for the nation of Israel. I sat with Tal in his apartment last week, and we talked about all of these things, and lots of others. And yes, I just had to get his thoughts on today's NBA, too, even though it has nothing to do with Aliyah. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/return-again/support

Malkah Fleisher grew up in Sherman, Texas, in a strongly Jewish but non-observant family – the only Jewish kid in her high school. Through various twists and turns, she finally arrived in Israel in 2003, and has been impacting the Jewish people ever since. I found Malkah's story fascinating and meaningful. Not that I should be surprised. After all, she's married to Yishai Fleisher, who I also interviewed about six months ago. I sat with Malkah recently in her Efrat home, to listen to her story, laugh, and even shed a tear as she told me about visiting the Kotel for the first time, bringing along with her all of her ancestors. It's a description not to be missed. Here's Malkah Fleisher, Returning Again. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/return-again/support

Rav Shaul Leiter grew up in New York in the '60s, an authentic child of that fascinating decade. And when he was out for a run one day, wearing nothing but a pair of running shorts and with his long hair in a ponytail, he had no idea that his life was going to change forever, eventually leading him to Israel in 1979. He wound up in Tzfat where he, his wife and two other couples built an absolute gem of an organization – Ascent, but we're getting a little ahead of ourselves. I sat with Reb Shaul recently in his Tzfat office, to hear his story, some lessons, and the best darned description of eating falafel that I think I've ever heard. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/return-again/support

Stu Schrader grew up in New Jersey, but that's not where it became clear to him that Israel was where he wanted to build his life. It was a mid-80s visit to a well-known biblical city during his post-high school year in Israel that clarified his goals. I sat with Stu recently, and we talked about everything from terror attacks to raising kids to sukkot on a cramped balcony. Stu has some important opinions he shares and lots of food for thought for all of us. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/return-again/support

Rav Shlomo Katz grew up partly in Los Angeles and partly in Israel, and it was the combined experiences in both countries that led him on the path that brought him to the world of music, torah and, eventually, the community he and Shirat David are working to build in Efrat. That is where I sat with Rav Shlomo recently. We started with a niggun, and then we talked about his story and explored important issues including education, American-ness, humility and the idea of kehilla in today's Israeli culture. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/return-again/support

Rav Ari Kahn grew up in Brooklyn, the son of a Rabbi who had always yearned to live in the Land, but for various reasons wasn't able to make his dream a reality. But for Rav Ari, who's been in Israel since 1984, growing up in that household gave him clarity about making Aliyah someday, and when he and his wife got married, they both knew where they would build their life. Of course, there was still the need to figure out what that life would be, and that's what Rav Ari and I discussed when I sat down with him last week in his Givat Zeev home. Be sure to stick around for the rapid-fire questions, which evolved into a pretty serious discussion about the future of the Israeli nation. Oh, and did Rav Ari's parents ever get to Israel? Listen and you'll find out for yourself... --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/return-again/support

Ezra Jasper, who just completed his IDF service, joins Goel to talk about the highs and lows, and challenging experiences - of serving his country as a soldier and officer in the IDF. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/return-again/support

Eleora Moche-Epstein grew up in Englewood, New Jersey, part of a family that was strongly Zionist. She went to Jewish schools, Jewish, Israel focused camp, and living what could be called the “usual” American Jewish upbringing. So what's the big deal, right? Of course, she'd wind up in Israel! But Eleora's story is anything but usual. She and her family made Aliyah 12 years ago, and live in Jerusalem, and that's where she and I sat recently to talk about her journey. Incidentally, it's Eleora's husband Benjy who wrote the song Kumah that is the theme of this podcast. You can find that song and many others of his by searching for Aspaklaria and Shirei Haleviim on Spotify. I highly recommend them. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/return-again/support

Dave Silverman grew up in Boston – a Jewish “Townie” in an Irish Catholic neighborhood. One of just six Jews in his high school, Israel was the farthest thing from his mind as he played football, had fun with his friends and did the usual American thing. Then, he got sucker-punched at the end of 12th grade, and everything changed, even though he didn't quite realize it at the time. I recently visited Dave – who's now been in Israel for almost 50 years – in his home, where I navigated his wonderfully-confusing Boston accent and listened as he walked me through his incredible story. That accent is no joke, so you may need to concentrate extra hard for this episode, but it's well worth it. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/return-again/support

David Lange grew up in Perth, Australia, assuming his life's work would be dedicated to building wealth - and a family - in Australia. In high school, he had some experiences that would nudge him in the direction of Israel, but it was meeting his future wife Erika – later Ahava Emunah – zichrona livracha, that sealed the deal for a future in Israel, and transformed both his life and his life priorities. I recently visited David – also known for years as Ozzie Dave of the IsraellyCool blog – in his Bet Shemesh home, where we had a far-ranging discussion about his Aliyah, the cancer battle his wife waged with him by her side, career aspirations in Israel, raising kids and, of course, his Israel advocacy. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/return-again/support

Myrna Bennett and her husband Jim, zichrono livracha, grew up in San Francisco, and when they decided to make a stop in Israel on their way to spending some time in Europe, the Land made a greater impact on them than they had expected. Fast-forward some 55 years later, and Myrna Bennett finds herself part of a wonderful Haifa community, with three sons, 11 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren, all of whom live in Israel. Oh, and one of those three sons is Israel's prime minister, Naftali Bennett. Myrna was gracious enough to allow my wife and me into her home, where she truly opened up to us, talking about her story, showing us family photos and an AMAZING diary her father kept, and we were even there for a surprise phone call from Naftali. Well, it was a surprise to us. Myrna wasn't surprised at all … Israel's prime minister calls his mother everyday to say he loves her. And apparently, she loves him more, at least according to Myrna. One extra note: Myrna's husband Jim passed away in 2015, but it was crystal-clear during the interview that he was an absolute equal partner in the Bennetts' amazing story, and that he lives on in so many ways. I wish I could have met him. - Goel 00:00 - Intro 06:32 - Meeting Jim and Visiting Israel 15:31 - Kibbutz Life 25:19 - Setting Up Shop in Haifa 35:00 - Montreal and Embracing Torah 44:41 - Back to Israel 54:35 - Naftali Calls During the Conversation 1:05:02 - My Son, The Prime Minister 1:16:23 - Rapid-fire Questions --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/return-again/support

Rav Judah Mischel grew up in Monsey, NY, the child of parents who were pushing Aliyah for as far back as he can remember. But talking Aliyah and making Aliyah are two separate things. And it took some important circumstances and experiences until Judah was able to make the big move. This conversation was a lot of fun, and we got into some pretty interesting discussions about the differences among generations, the words we use to describe things and understand things, and what it meant to end the exile for the Mischel family. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/return-again/support

Rav Simcha Hochbaum grew up on Staten Island, in New York. Beginning in the second grade, when he heard about Avraham's Aliyah in parashat Lech Lecha, he became focused on the idea of returning to the Land of Israel. He and his wife Leah were able to make that happen in 1995, moving to the Hevron, the city of our forefathers and mothers. Parents of six wonderful children, they still live in Hevron, and that's where I sat with him recently to Return Again to his Aliyah story. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/return-again/support

This is part two of a conversation with Eric Esses, originally from Houston and now from Neve Daniel. 01:00 - Finding a Community ... Finding a Home 16:42 - Career and a Life Mission 33:52 - Raising Children in Israel 48:52 - Rapid-fire Questions --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/return-again/support

Part One of a Two-Part Episode Eric Esses grew up in Houston, Texas, in a Conservative Jewish family. When his older brother returned from a Federation-sponsored summer trip to Israel and had rave reviews, Eric knew he'd be following in his brother's footsteps two years later. What Eric didn't know was that his summer tour would mark the beginning of a fascinating, exciting and fulfilling journey for him, eventually leading to his decision to make Aliyah. 00:00 - Introduction 05:17 - A Life-Altering Teen Trip to Israel 11:31 - Junior Year of College at Hebrew U. 22:08 - The Impact of that Junior Year in Israel 31:55 - Return to University of Texas, but Focused on Israel 43:18 - Working for the AZYF (American Zionist Youth Foundation) 55:01 - Moving to Israel 1:08:41 - Finding His Eshet Chayil --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/return-again/support

Ari Greenspan grew up the son of a US Army rabbi, and he was sure he'd follow in his father's footsteps and become a rabbi himself. But when he was standing outside the old Jerusalem train station, he quite literally had an epiphany, and that moment in time set his life on a completely different path, a path that led him to Israel and that has impacted Jews all around the world in many significant ways. Ari is known to some as one half of the “Ari and Ari” team that travels to far-flung Jewish destinations in search of historical nuggets. But he's also a member of the founding team at Ptil Tekhelet, the organization that reintroduced the mitzva of tekhelet to the Jewish world after it was lost for 1300 years. Just before Rosh Hashana, I sat with Ari in his Efrat home to Return Again to his Aliyah story. 00:00 - Introduction 03:44 - Ari's Paradigm Shift 10:56 - Making Plans 18:16 - Putting Down Roots 24:47 - Can Being a Dentist Make Ends Meet? 33:16 - Children and Family 44:33 - Living Jewish History 54:41 - Discovering the Jewish World 1:06:36 - Rapid-fire Questions --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/return-again/support

Rabbi Ken Spiro grew up a Reform Jew in New Rochelle, New York. As you'll hear, his Jewish life in childhood consisted of little more than Hebrew school, Passover Seders and Chanuka presents. At the end of high school, something interesting began to happen. So here we are, decades later, and Rabbi Ken Spiro has not only been living in Israel for close to 40 years, but he's impacted the lives of Jewish people all around the world through his important work with Aish HaTorah. Also a tour guide – and a podcaster himself - Rav Ken is a proverbial wellspring of information about Jewish and world history, and what it all means for the Jewish people today. I had the opportunity to sit with him recently in his Old City apartment in Jerusalem to Return Again to his Aliyah story. 00:00 - Intro 02:38 - Where It All Began 08:46 - Childhood With Little Jewishness 13:16 - Arrival in Israel 21:11 - Army and Becoming Israeli 28:29 - Evolving Hashkafa 37:37 - Raising Children 56:30 - The Challenge of the Hareidi World 1:04:51 - Israel ... A Work in Progress 1:12:20 - Rapid-fire Questions --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/return-again/support

Dennis Mitzner is a fascinating guy. Originally from Finland, he's been involved with Israel and Israel-related issues since he was a teenager in Helsinki. He started spending time in Israel when he worked on a kibbutz – wait until you hear what his job was! – at 19, and then came back here in 2007 to work on his master's degree at Tel Aviv University. He made Aliyah for good in 2011. Dennis and his wife have two children, 4 and 2, and they live in Tel Aviv. That's where I sat with him this week to Return Again to his Aliyah story. 00:00 - Intro 04:14 - Finnish Jewry 12:19 - Growing Up in Finland 20:30 - Why Aliyah? 28:21 - Life on a Kibbutz 34:50 - Entering and Leaving the Academia Bubble 44:33 - Finding His Groove ... And His Wife 1:05:26 - Kids and Languages at Home 1:13:29 - What COVID Has Done 1:25:00 - Rapid-fire Questions --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/return-again/support

Leah Aharoni is founder of the Arev Leadership Institute. She's also a successful and impactful business consultant for woman-owned and women-focused companies. She and her husband, Goel – YES, GOEL – have seven children, from 5 years of age to 25. Leah grew up in the former Soviet Union until she was 13 (apologies for saying in the pod itself that Leah left Russia at 11), and then moved to the US – Riverdale, NY, specifically, before an amazing turn of events brought on by her boundless curiosity led her to make Aliyah in 1993. Today, Leah, Goel and their family live in the Binyamin town of Kochav Yaakov, and that's where I sat with her recently to Return Again to her Aliyah story. 00:00 - Intro 02:18 - From Russia to Riverdale 08:30 - Israel Becomes a Goal 16:06 - Leah Meets Her Future Husband - By Chance? 23:12 - Simultaneous Community and Career Journeys 31:37 - The Power of the Jewish Soul 40:06 - The Beautiful Voice Inside Each of Us 45:38 - Israeli (Yemenite!) and American Cultures - Do They Clash In the Home? 52:37 - Rapid-fire Questions --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/return-again/support

Dr. Dodi Tobin is a Jewish educator who teaches for the Matan Women's Institute for Torah Studies. She grew up in Skokie, Illinois, and then, following her first five years of marriage to her husband, Marc, they made Aliyah together with three of their four children. Dodi was part of the founding team of Nefesh B'Nefesh, has been teaching Torah for almost 20 years, and, as you will hear, is passionate about teaching others about living life authentically. Today, Dodi, Marc and their family live in Bet Shemesh, and that's where I sat with her earlier this week to Return Again to her Aliyah story. 00:00 - Intro 01:51 - Childhood 06:58 - The Search for an Authentic Life Begins 17:00 - Finding Marc... Finding a Home 26:41 - Dodi's Career Path 38:48 - From Therapist to Educator 45:46 - NBN ... and Lice! 52:51 - Dodi's Cancer Fight and Navigating the Israeli Health Care System 1:03:31 - Family and Children 1:13:29 - Rapid-fire Questions --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/return-again/support

Menachem Herman is a giant in Jewish music. Born and raised in Winnipeg, Manitoba, he grew up in a musical family – presumably with his guitar nearby at all times. Menachem made Aliyah in 1980, landing at the Diaspora Yeshiva, where he began to play with the Diaspora Yeshiva Band. Songs we all know – and maybe even assumed came from much further back than the 70s and 80s – such as Ivdu Et Hashem B'Simcha, Malchutcha and Hu Yiftach – were Menachem's world – in addition to learning Torah at the Yeshiva. From there, he simply grew to become one of the leading sounds in Chassidic rock music. Throughout the 80s, 90s, 2000s and all the way up to today, Menachem has played all over the world for Jews looking for music that touches the heart and soul. Today, Menachem continues to compose and play his music. Menachem and his wife live in Mitzpe Yericho, a gorgeous community on the edge of the Judean hills overlooking the Judean Desert. 00:00 - Intro 02:03 - Growing Up in Winnipeg 18:28 - On the Right Path 29:33 - Culture Shock 37:04 - Discovering Breslev 47:06 - Getting Back to Music 56:16 - Education in Israel 1:07:15 - Aliyah Advice and Perspective 1:17:56 - Rapid-fire Questions --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/return-again/support

Yishai Fleisher was born in Israel, the child of Jewish Refuseniks of the Soviet Union. He grew up in the US, and returned at 17 to serve in the IDF. He then went back to the US for university, and then, finally, returned to the Land for good in 2003. Yishai and his wife Malka have three children and live in Efrat, a suburb near Jerusalem. Yishai has been a radio personality, writer, educator and broadcast program director, but more than anything, Yishai Fleisher is a spokesperson for the nation of Israel and the Jewish people. Today, he serves as International Spokesperson for the community of Hevron, and that's where we sat to talk, in the Avraham Avinu Synagogue in the city of our forefathers and foremothers. 0:00 - Intro 4:14 - Childhood in Israel 12:22 - Childhood in the US 18:52 - Yeshiva, Army and Injury 31:12 - From Loneliness to Purpose 43:16 - Activism 57:33 - Life and Family 1:11:05 - Rapid-fire Questions --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/return-again/support

Avraham Hermon - 22-year Oleh, originally from Allentown, PA, joins Goel to talk about the fascinating journey that has led Hermon to living with his family in Har Bracha, manufacturing his own beer, and running marathons in costume, all for the sake of developing a stronger and stronger relationship with the Land of Israel. 0:00 - Intro and Childhood 6:00 - Arrival in Israel 13:25 - Meeting Rav Kook and Other Impactful Israelis 21:35 - Aliyah Becomes a Done Deal 31:12 - Getting Settled, in Both Life and Career 43:28 - The Decision to Build a Life in Har Bracha 50:40 - A Scary Moment When Avraham and His Wife's Lives Were on the Line 59:30 - Rapid-fire Questions --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/return-again/support

Chaim Wizman moved to Israel 25 years ago, and has led a fascinating, eclectic life since then. An attorney by training, Chaim has done the following since making Aliya: Lectured to students at Aish Hatorah for eight years Founded a running club that boasts more than 50 members of all skill levels, from several sub-3-hour marathoners to, well, me Opened a running and biking shop, and experienced it getting robbed Served as the head of sports-related fundraising for Alyn – the childrens' rehab hospital in Jerusalem, and has more recently played a similar role in Geerz – an organization that trains children in Mountain Biking for the sake of building their confidence Chaim and his wife Sara have six children and, more importantly, two grandchildren. The Show Rundown: 0:00: Intro 6:07: Settling In 23:57: Running and Sports 50:05: Children and Challenges 64:15: Rapid-fire Questions --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/return-again/support