Oleh at Large: Aliyah Stories

Former MK, writer and current Knesset candidate Dr. Einat Wilf joins David Levine to discuss her return to politics, the Reservists–Economic Party, universal service, the relationship between Israel and the Jewish world, and why she believes Israel must fight a war of ideas as seriously as it fights on the battlefield.

For more than a decade, Dr. Einat Wilf became known internationally as one of Israel’s most prominent English-language voices on Zionism, the Palestinians and the relationship between Israel and the Jewish world.

Now she is returning to electoral politics.

In this episode of the Oleh at Large: Aliyah Stories special series Israel Votes, Wilf joins David Levine to explain why she decided to run again and why she joined Yoaz Hendel and Yaron Zelekha on the Reservists–Economic Party list, where she is currently ranked third. Jerusalem Post

Wilf lays out her own political arguments about what she calls “Palestinianism,” explains why she believes Israel is fighting a battle over narrative and consciousness as well as a military conflict, and discusses her priorities if she returns to the Knesset.

David and Einat also discuss universal national service, the role of Israeli Arabs and olim, the cost of living, the relationship between Israel and world Jewry, and why internationally minded Israelis may have an important perspective to bring into Israeli politics.

They also talk about something especially relevant for new olim: how surprisingly accessible Israeli political life can be — from parlor meetings to direct contact with candidates — and why participating in a campaign can be one way to become more connected to Israeli society.

Mentioned in this episode:
Einat Wilf – https://www.einatwilf.com/

The Reservists and the Economic Party – https://www.thepetek.com/en/party/reservists-economic

Dara Horn – https://www.darahorn.com/

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News commentator Benyamin Moalem joins David Levine for an Elections 101 guide to Israel's 2026 election — explaining parties, the Knesset, the 3.25% threshold, coalitions, the race to 61 seats, and what olim need to know before going to the kalpi.

Israel's election system can feel completely foreign to a new oleh, let alone folks outside the country.

There are no local congressional districts. You don't directly elect the prime minister. Instead, voters choose among national party lists, and after the votes are counted, the real battle begins: building a coalition capable of commanding a majority in the 120-seat Knesset.

In the first installment of our special Israel Votes series, David Levine sits down with news commentator Benyamin Moalem for an Elections 101 guide to Israeli politics.

Benyamin explains the basics of proportional representation, the 3.25% electoral threshold, how smaller parties can determine the outcome of an election, why 61 seats matter, and what happens when no political bloc can form a government.

The conversation also explores the political blocs and parties as they stood at the time of recording, Arab parties, party mergers, the president's role in the government-formation process, and some of the major differences between Israeli and American elections.

Finally, David and Benyamin get practical: what you actually see when you walk into an Israeli polling place, who can vote from outside the country, and what English-speaking olim should be thinking about as Election Day approaches.

Israel's election for the 26th Knesset is scheduled for October 27, 2026

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Writer and storyteller Josh Rose joins David Levine to share his Aliyah story — from Manchester and London to Tel Aviv, from writing about Jewish and LGBTQ identity in the UK to building a new life in Israel after arriving just days before war changed everything.

Josh Rose never expected to make Aliyah.

He grew up in Manchester, lived in London, worked as an environmental manager, and built a writing life around Jewish identity, LGBTQ life, antisemitism, and belonging. Israel was not part of his family story. His parents had never brought him on family holidays there, he had no Israeli parent, and he did not grow up assuming that one day he would move.

Then he came to Israel on a volunteer trip for LGBT+ British Jews — and something shifted.

In this episode, Josh joins David Levine to talk about the surprising path that led him from London to Tel Aviv, why his friends saw the move coming before he did, and what happened when he arrived in Israel just days before war disrupted every plan he had made.

Instead of the organized beginning he imagined — ulpan, housing, routine, and a clear path forward — Josh found himself without a program, without a job, without a settled apartment, and alone in a bomb shelter. But through that uncertainty, he found friendship, community, flexibility, and a deeper sense that Israel was exactly where he needed to be.

David and Josh discuss Aliyah, writing, Hebrew, chosen family, antisemitism in the UK, LGBTQ life in Israel, Tel Aviv Pride, creativity, and why Tel Aviv has become the place where Josh can finally live all parts of himself together.

Recorded on location at Soho House Tel Aviv.

Credits:
 Host: David Levine
 Guest: Josh Rose
 Editing: Laura Brickman
 Associate Producer: Daniella Edelman
 Social Media: Tehilah Simantov

Mentioned in this episode:
Josh Rose – https://www.instagram.com/joshrosewrites/
Josh Rose Writes – https://joshrosewrites.com/
Times of Israel: Josh Rose – https://blogs.timesofisrael.com/author/josh-rose/
Birthright Israel – https://www.birthrightisrael.com/
Tel Aviv Pride – https://visit.tel-aviv.gov.il/
Jerusalem Open House – https://www.joh.org.il/
Gan Meir LGBTQ Center – https://lgbtqcenter.org.il/
Jewish Chronicle – https://www.thejc.com/
Jewish News – https://www.jewishnews.co.uk/
Jewish Telegraph – https://www.jewishtelegraph.com/
UK Jewish Film Festival – https://ukjewishfilm.org/
Sinnerman – https://okra-oval-5w2p.squarespace.com/2021-winner-josh-rose

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Jakey Parry joins David Levine to share his Aliyah story — from growing up in Perth, Australia, to moving to Israel at 18, joining the IDF, building a following through Hebrew humor, and finding his place in Israel through army life, comedy, theater, and community.

Jakey Parry grew up in Perth, Australia, in a strongly Jewish, Zionist, modern Orthodox community. After a Bnei Akiva gap year in Israel, time living independently, and a six-month ulpan on a kibbutz, he realized that Israel was where he needed to be.

He made Aliyah at 18 — just two months before October 7.

In this episode, Jakey joins David Levine to talk about moving to Israel young, making Aliyah his own story, navigating the IDF as an oleh chadash, going through Michve Alon, learning Hebrew, and turning his most embarrassing language mistakes into comedy.

They also discuss Jakey’s growing social media presence, why both olim and Israelis connect to his content, his emotional video about memorial stickers for fallen soldiers, and his unexpected involvement in English-language theater in Israel.

A funny, honest, and heartfelt conversation about Aliyah, army life, Hebrew, identity, creativity, and learning to laugh through the awkward moments.

Credits:
 Host: David Levine
 Guest: Jakey Parry
 Associate Producer: Daniella Edelman
 Social Media: Tehilah Simantov

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Ian Mark joins David Levine to share his Aliyah story — from a stressful finance job in New York to moving to Israel in three weeks, finding work, building community, dating as an oleh, and eventually creating DateNight AI after co-founding the viral Corona Crush Facebook group during COVID.

Ian Mark thought he would move to Israel one day — maybe after a successful finance career, maybe after making enough money, maybe in retirement.

Then one day, while working a stressful Wall Street job, he realized he did not have to wait.

Within three weeks, he was living in Israel.

In this episode, Ian joins David Levine to talk about making Aliyah at 26, searching for work in Israel, discovering how much networking matters, building a social life in Tel Aviv, dating as an oleh, learning Hebrew, and eventually marrying an Israeli.

Ian also shares the story behind Corona Crush, the Jewish dating Facebook group that went viral during COVID, and how that community led him to build DateNight AI — a virtual speed dating platform that now works with communities and organizations and has hosted tens of thousands of dates.

This is a conversation about Aliyah, entrepreneurship, dating, community, perseverance, and why sometimes the best thing you can do is stop waiting and start.

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Israeli real estate lawyer Moshe Binyamini joins David Levine for a practical guide to buying property in Israel as an oleh or overseas buyer. They discuss remote purchases, hidden costs, mortgages, taxes, developers, new-build risks, currency issues, and the biggest mistakes olim should avoid before signing a contract.

This is a practical episode for anyone thinking about buying in Israel, making Aliyah, or helping family members purchase a home from abroad.

Mentioned in this episode:

Moshe Binyamini – https://www.binyaminilaw.co.il/

Tel Aviv – https://visit.tel-aviv.gov.il/

Israel Canada – https://israel-canada.co.il/

BSR Group – https://www.bsr.co.il/

Bank Discount – https://www.discountbank.co.il/

Israeli Ministry of Aliyah and Integration – https://www.gov.il/en/departments/ministry_of_aliyah_and_integration

Nefesh B’Nefesh – https://www.nbn.org.il/

Filmed on location at Soho House Tel Aviv.

Credits:
Host: David Levine
Guest: Moshe Binyamini
Editing: Laura Brickman
Associate Producer: Daniella Edelman
Social Media: Tehilah Simantov

#Aliyah
 #Olim
 #Israel
 #IsraeliRealEstate
 #RealEstate
 #TelAviv

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In this solo episode of Oleh at Large: Aliyah Stories, David Levine shares a personal update from his own Aliyah journey — from life in Yafo to finally getting the keys to his new apartment in Sarona.

After two years in Israel, several temporary apartments, and six months living in Yafo, David reflects on what he has loved about the neighborhood: the Old City, the flea market, the beach, the dog beach, the synagogue community at Zikhron Baruch, and the everyday rituals that made Yafo feel like home.

But the next chapter is beginning.

David has finally become a homeowner in Israel. His new apartment in Sarona — in the center of Tel Aviv, across from the Kirya and near Sarona Market — is ready for renovation after years of delays, bureaucracy, and waiting for the building’s occupancy approval.

The episode then turns into one of the most practical Aliyah stories yet: how David navigated the Israeli mortgage system, compared offers from Bank Leumi and Mizrahi-Tefahot, translated documents, negotiated terms, and ultimately saved himself 20,000 shekels by using ChatGPT to help understand and manage the process.

It is a story about bureaucracy, Hebrew WhatsApp groups, Israeli banking, renovation plans, storage units, London trips, family simchas, and the strange feeling of finally becoming a property owner in the Land of Israel.

A funny, practical, and honest update on what Aliyah looks like after the first big emotional leap — when the next challenge is building an actual life, one Hebrew document and one WhatsApp group at a time.

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Entrepreneur and new olah Maayan Gordon joins David Levine to share why she and her family left the comfort of American life and made Aliyah during a war.

From motherhood and business to community and purpose, this is a story about finding home and building a life in Israel—one messy step at a time.

After years of building businesses in the United States, Maayan never imagined she would one day leave the comfort and convenience of American life behind. But after October 7th, a long-awaited trip to Israel changed something deep inside her. For the first time, she experienced a sense of belonging and connection that made her realize Israel wasn't simply a place she loved—it was home.

In this episode, Maayan shares the emotional journey that led her family to make Aliyah, including convincing her non-Jewish husband to take the leap, welcoming a daughter, and ultimately arriving in Israel during the middle of a war.

She reflects on raising children in Israel, building community, entrepreneurship in Startup Nation, the realities of Israeli life, and why she believes that even amid the messiness of Aliyah, they are living the best life they could be living.

This is a conversation about identity, family, purpose, and finding home.

Follow Maayan:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/maayangordonmedia/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@maayangordonmedia

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/maayangordon/

Website: https://www.maayangordon.com/

🎙️ Oleh at Large: Aliyah Stories

Real Stories. Real Advice. Real Aliyah.

Hosted by David Levine

Credits

Editing: Laura Brickman

Associate Producer: Daniella Edelman

Social Media: Tehila Simantov

 #Aliyah #Israel  #Motherhood #Entrepreneurship #StartupNation

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Writer Shlomo Kates joins David Levine to discuss his Aliyah journey, life in Tel Aviv, volunteering for IDF service later in life, and why he believes Israel is the only place where he can fully embrace all parts of his identity. Shlomo shares his views on the future of Canadian Jewry and how LGBTQ Jews fare in Israel. 

This is a conversation about belonging, resilience, and finding home.

Links Mentioned
Times of Israel @https://www.timesofisrael.com/
Havruta @https://havruta.org.il/en/
LGBT Olim @https://www.lgbtolim.org/

🎙️ Oleh at Large: Aliyah Stories
Real Stories. Real Advice. Real Aliyah.
Hosted by David Levine

Credits
Filmed on location at Soho House Tel Aviv
Editing: Laura Brickman
Associate Producer: Daniella Edelman
Social Media: Tehila Simantov

#Israel #JewishLife #LGBTQ #IDF #Toronto #TelAviv #canada

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IG: @aliyah_stories
Produced by Lightboat Media Ltd. 

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Meet Ambassador Michael Oren - historian, bestselling author, former Israeli ambassador to the United States, former member of Knesset, and one of the leading voices connecting Israel and the Jewish world.

But long before diplomacy and public life, Ambassador Oren was simply a Jewish kid from New Jersey who grew up in the shadow of the Holocaust and experienced antisemitism firsthand. Inspired by the Six-Day War and driven by a deep belief in Jewish sovereignty, he arrived in Israel with little more than a backpack and a dream.

In this conversation, Ambassador Oren reflects on his extraordinary journey from lone soldier in the paratroopers to ambassador, historian, and public intellectual. He shares what it was like to belong to a generation of American Jews who left the comfort and prosperity of the United States to build lives in what was then a young and isolated country.

Drawing on nearly fifty years of experience, Ambassador Oren discusses opportunity, language, identity, and why he believes Israel remains one of the greatest success stories of modern history. Despite wars, political divisions, and growing global challenges, he explains why his personal experiences, historical perspective, and spiritual faith continue to give him hope.

This episode is a powerful reflection on Jewish history, resilience, responsibility, and the extraordinary possibilities that emerge from taking a leap of faith.

From lone soldier to ambassador, this is a remarkable story of history, responsibility, and hope.

Follow Ambassador Oren on:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ambmichaeloren
Website: https://michaeloren.org/
Substack: https://claritywithmichaeloren.substack.com/
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@UC9PIP7ee_Ohu7c-4Pcbxj-Q 
X: https://x.com/DrMichaelOren
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Mentioned in this episode:
Israel Advocacy Group - https://www.israeladvocacygroup.org/
Tablet Magazine - https://www.tabletmag.com/
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Oleh at Large: Aliyah Stories
Real Stories. Real Advice. Real Aliyah.
Hosted by David Levine
---
Filmed on location at Soho House Tel Aviv
Editing: Laura Brickman
Associate Producer: Daniella Edelman
Social Media: Tehilah Simantov
---
#AliyahStories #MichaelOren #Aliyah #Israel #JewishHistory #Zionism

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IG: @aliyah_stories
Produced by Lightboat Media Ltd. 

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