For many olim, life in Israel comes with countless challenges and obstacles, particularly since the war in Gaza broke out almost two years ago. In last week’s article, I explored why, despite these difficulties, many olim choose to stay, and why some even decide to make aliyah during such uncertain times.
Many olim will attest that when life here feels overwhelming, even the smallest act of kindness or compassion can make all the difference. This week, in the spirit of Rosh Hashanah and new beginnings, I would like to share some inspiring stories of olim who experienced moments of unexpected kindness, in which strangers - Israelis - helped them out, often when they were struggling the most.
These stories, of ordinary Israelis stepping in at just the right moment, shine a light in dark times and serve as powerful reminders of the resilience, generosity, and spirit that define life in Israel.
Myriam’s taxi ride
Early into her aliyah journey, just a few months after arriving from France, Myriam was waiting for a bus back to her ulpan in Armon Hanatziv. As often happens in this country, the bus had not yet made an appearance, and Myriam found herself waiting for a while. Beside her, other people waited too, including a middle-aged Israeli man. The two struck up a conversation, commiserating about the long delay.
Several buses passed, but none were the one they needed. The man admitted he was anxious to get home to feed his dog, and since they were waiting for the same line, they decided to travel together. But he warned her: if the bus was full, he would not get on.
Finally, after an hour, the bus finally arrived, but as luck would have it - it was packed. As they tried to get on the bus, Myriam realized the man was struggling; he couldn’t walk or stand properly due to a slight disability. She decided to wait with him rather than leave him behind.
But the man had had enough. Suddenly, without hesitating, he stuck out his hand into the road, hailed the closest taxi, turned to Myriam, and said kindly but firmly, “Come with me.” Though nervous at first as she didn’t know the man, Myriam felt reassured by his kind demeanor and stepped into the taxi. The Israeli told the driver to take her directly to the ulpan.
Myriam protested, as she had no money on her, and asked instead to be dropped off near to the ulpan, saying that she could walk the rest of the way. But the man insisted. So the taxi drove her all the way, and the man paid for the ride. Myriam still remembers this story and this stranger’s kindness to this day. “He didn’t even know me, and he did this for me,” she recounted.
Aviva’s shabbat angel
Aviva, originally from the United States, first experienced Israeli kindness in 2014 during her gap year program, several years before she made aliyah. One Friday night, she and several students from her program were invited for dinner at a staff member’s home. The dinner was lovely and helped them to feel more at home, as the program had only just begun. However, as they were leaving, Aviva realized she had forgotten something inside the house and went to retrieve it. But by the time she returned, the group had already left without her.
Alone, with no phone, no map, and a 30-minute walk ahead with no idea where to go, Aviva began to panic. All she could see around her were stray cats on the streets and bats in the trees overhead. She was just beginning to despair when suddenly she noticed a family - a mother, father, and two small children - walking nearby. Although she didn’t know Hebrew so well at the time, Aviva mustered up the courage to ask the family if they knew the way to her dorms. The parents said it was far but immediately offered to drive her. Aviva hesitated, reluctant to get into a car on Shabbat, but eventually accepted, realizing that she was completely lost and had no other option. The father took the children home, and the mother drove Aviva all the way back to her dorm.
Aviva never saw the woman again, but she remembers feeling very grateful and telling her: “You are my Shabbat angel.” Later, when she told her friends what had happened, they hadn’t even realized that they’d left her behind. “Maybe they’d had too many generous glasses of wine,” Aviva joked when recounting the story.
A rabbi and some grapes
But her story doesn’t end there. Years later, Aviva had made aliyah and had just moved to Tzfat after living in Gan Sacher in Jerusalem for four years. She felt ready to start a new chapter in her life. Covid had just erupted and was spreading fast. Just before the whole city was to shut down, Aviva planned to host a Shabbat picnic lunch for some friends, as she had often enjoyed doing in Jerusalem. But as much as she wanted to continue this tradition in Tzfat, her budget following the move was very low, and she struggled to find work during this unpredictable period.
One Friday, she walked to the local vegetable store to buy fruit, only to realize that she had no money left. Defeated and overwhelmed, she lay down on a nearby bench, feeling like a failure. Suddenly a middle-aged dark-bearded man dressed in black and white, a very Chabad-looking rabbi approached her and asked her something. Immediately, Aviva sat up embarrassed, wondering if he was asking for tzedakah for Shabbat.
There were a lot of large families in the area, and it wasn’t uncommon to see people asking for tzedakah on Friday afternoon. Aviva asked him to repeat what he had said. To her surprise, the man answered her in English, “Are you okay? Do you need any help?”
Although hesitant at first, Aviva was moved by his kindness and explained her situation. The rabbi told her his wife had just given birth to their seventh child, a baby boy. He then handed her a ₪100 bill, gave her his number, and said: “Whatever you need, you can call. Here, we help each other.” He added that he owned a glasses shop nearby and had seen many people in need.
That Friday, Aviva bought the most beautiful grapes she could find and dedicated her picnic that Shabbat to the meal to the rabbi and his growing family.
A helping hand in Prague
Not all stories happened in Israel. Another oleh, Gidon, recounted how he had experienced unexpected kindness while he was once living in Prague. At the time, his credit card company made a mistake, and for some reason his card wasn’t working. Suddenly, he couldn't pay his rent or withdraw any money whatsoever. He was stuck. Luckily, someone he described as “a very kind and special Israeli” who lives in Prague, whom he met through work, invited him for dinner and even offered to give him a place to stay for a few days. Gidon has never forgotten his kindness.
Each of these stories reflects the simple yet profound power of kindness. Whether in Jerusalem, Tzfat, or even Prague, strangers extended a hand at the exact moment these olim needed it most.
As we enter the new year, may these stories remind us of the strength of helping one another and of the light that can be found even in the darkest of times.