NBN Blogger Network

This Yom HaAtzmaut I am reflecting on how living in Israel has affected my life over the past six years. I left California, where I was born and raised, and moved to Israel to study at seminary right after college. In California, I lived a relatively sheltered life so I wanted to experience living in Israel before making the commitment to make aliyah.

The holiday of freedom is here! Pesach is our favorite holiday (ok, they are all kind of our favorite) to spend in Israel. The entire country gets ready for the chag together- you are greeted with cleaning supplies at the grocery store, everyone is preparing for a week of unadulterated time with family, outdoors, and eating good food.

I have had the privilege of (basically) getting three degrees at Ben Gurion University of the Negev in Be'er Sheva. Just after I made Aliyah, I started my master's in social work, which included two years of bachelor’s level work and an internship, all of which I completed in 2016.

The Arad English speaking group, ACES, has benefited by a mutual relationship with Nefesh B’Nefesh. Recently, ACES celebrated Tu B’Shvat by enjoying a Seder together. It was a fun and informative time to learn more about the holiday. The Seder itself, and each item of food, was clearly explained by our own Leor Blumenthal.

Zoey made Aliyah at age six to Chashmonaim. In her teen years, her family moved to Meitar, just outside of Be’er Sheva after relatives moved to Meitar and they realized they could sell their Du Mishpachti (semi-detached) house and buy a more spacious home for their family.

What would make a new Oleh living in Be’er Sheva want to start his own gaming platform? We sat down with Ziv Mor of Peace Through Gaming to tell us about his experience moving to southern Israel and starting his new gaming initiative.