When Barri and Susan Rifkin boarded their flight from New Jersey to Israel this week, they had no idea their arrival would coincide with Aliyah Day, the national holiday celebrating those who immigrate to Israel. The sisters noticed “Aliyah Day” marked on their calendars. Each assumed the other had written it down to celebrate the day they were finally coming home - only to realize neither of them had. In fact, they were scheduled to arrive on Yom HaAliyah itself. That’s when they realized the beautiful symbolism of their timing: their personal milestone aligning perfectly with the country’s collective celebration of new beginnings.
The sisters made Aliyah with the support of Nefesh B’Nefesh, in cooperation with the Ministry of Aliyah and Integration, The Jewish Agency for Israel, Keren Kayemeth LeIsrael, and Jewish National Fund-USA, who helped bring their dream to fruition.
The sisters, aged 58 and 62, grew up in a close-knit but not outwardly Zionist family. Israel was always meaningful to them, but it wasn’t necessarily the plan. Over time, though, the idea began to take root. For Barri, Aliyah had been “on the radar” for years, a dream waiting for the right moment. For Susan, the decision came more recently, spurred by an internal sense that now was the time to make a lasting change and “live out life” in Israel.
Both had visited the country before, most recently together after the events of October 7th, leaving a deep impression on them. In the months that followed, the sisters found their sense of connection to Israel, and the Jewish people, growing stronger. They realized that if they wanted to be part of the story of the Jewish people, there was no better time than now to make Aliyah.
For Susan, a lifelong educator who taught in a local yeshiva and is also a master gardener, the move reflects a broader desire to be rooted in something enduring. For Barri, an art teacher, Aliyah represents both renewal and contribution, a chance to bring her creative energy to new soil.
They chose to make Modi’in their new home as it is familiar through friends, and offers a balanced start for their new lives. They hope to immerse themselves in the community, study Hebrew, and find meaningful ways to contribute, whether through art, education, or simply helping their neighbors grow something green.
The Rifkin sisters have no family in Israel, yet they have found support in abundance. Their New Jersey community, friends in Israel, and even casual acquaintances have rallied around them with encouragement and warmth. People from all backgrounds have expressed admiration for their courage and optimism, reinforcing their belief that Aliyah is not a solitary journey, but a shared one.
Neither sister sees the move as an escape from challenges abroad but rather as an embrace of purpose. Amid global uncertainty, they view their decision as a new page in their lives, building their future with the Jewish people in Israel.
Their story captures the essence of Aliyah Day itself: ordinary individuals making extraordinary choices to strengthen the state of Israel through personal conviction and collective hope.
As they settle into their new home in Modi’in, the Rifkin sisters embody a spirit of resilience and renewal that defines so many who choose this path. Two sisters, one shared dream, and the perfect day to begin it - a reminder that sometimes, timing really is divine.
Written in collaboration with Nefesh B'Nefesh.