From Philadelphia to the Gaza border
Matan Shamir, 39, arrived from Philadelphia two months after the October 7 massacre. Originally planning to volunteer for six weeks under a Jewish Agency and government program, he ultimately decided to stay—and extended his service with six more months of agricultural volunteering near the Gaza border.
Shamir worked in the Bibas family's orchard in Moshav Yesha. “I felt a strong need to help, especially now,” he said. “This has always been the place for Jews. The work here is meaningful—especially near the border.”
He now lives in Kibbutz Or HaNer, where he works as an operations manager in agricultural marketing and participates in the Jewish Agency’s First Home in the Homeland program. Shamir is also about to turn 40. Some of his family members from the U.S. and Switzerland are expected to join him for the celebrations.
From Argentina to Netanya
They began their new lives at a Jewish Agency absorption center in Nahariya. Despite the rocket sirens and explosions, they studied Hebrew diligently at an ulpan. “We learned together—Bert and I,” said Isabelia. They later enrolled in a hospitality program supported by the Jewish Agency, which trained them to handle the challenges of hotel service.
Last month, they moved into their own apartment in Netanya and began working in Tel Aviv—Isabelia in a tech company cafeteria and Bert at the cargo terminal at Ben Gurion Airport. With no family in Israel, the couple has built a new social circle and is planning their future in the country.
From Ukraine to the western Galilee
Victoria Masilnikov fled Ukraine with her daughter Melania in 2022, shortly after the Russian invasion began. Her journey took her from Dnipro through Moldova and Romania before reaching Kibbutz Kfar Masaryk in the Mateh Asher Regional Council, where she enrolled in the local program.
“We were given a small but pleasant apartment,” said Masilnikov. “I never once regretted my decision. The kibbutz is amazing, I’m happy to live here and my daughter feels safe and free at school.”
She now works in a nursing home and is raising Melania in a peaceful environment. In December, after two and a half years apart, her husband Yevgeny managed to leave Ukraine and reunite with them.
Jewish Agency Chairman Maj. Gen. (res.) Doron Almog said Aliyah to Israel is of “strategic and existential importance,” reinforcing Israeli society in all areas. “Behind every new oleh is a story of mutual responsibility and shared destiny between the Jewish people and our country. These stories reflect courage, Zionism and unconditional love for Israel.”
Jewish Agency Director-General Yehuda Stone added: “In every encounter with new olim—especially those who chose to tie their fate to ours after October 7—I feel their deep sense of belonging and belief in our future. That’s the essence of Zionism: the understanding that we’re one people with one story and one mission.
“Over 43,000 olim from around the world since the war began are learning, working, serving—and most importantly, helping rebuild Israeli society. Every story is a beacon of hope. Every family strengthens our national resilience. The Jewish Agency will continue to guide, support and connect—so we can rebuild the face of a renewed Israel together.”
