Voices of Olim

Lost in translation: the joys of learning Hebrew

Many olim learning Hebrew can attest that they have at one point or another embarrassed themselves profusely either by misunderstanding, mishearing, or mispronouncing a word.

|ByBATSHEVA SHULMAN
Hebrew language (Illustrative).
Israeli drivers and roads are notorious for being among the worst worldwide.

Deemed unfit to drive by Israeli bureaucracy

Getting a driver’s license in Israel can feel like surviving an obstacle course - it’s not just a test of driving skill but also of patience, resilience, and pure willpower.

|ByBATSHEVA SHULMAN
Illustration of an Israeli post truck. March 6, 2023.

Bureaucracy battles: how do olim deal with the Israeli postal service?

Another common hurdle that nearly every oleh has encountered.

|ByBATSHEVA SHULMAN
THE EXPECTATION that citizens should roam the length and breadth of the country in order to find an appointment slot somewhere to renew a passport is preposterous.

Bureaucratic battles: The struggles of new Israeli olim at the Interior Ministry

Daily bureaucratic obstacles can really take a toll on new immigrants who are trying to find their footing in a new country.

|ByBATSHEVA SHULMAN

Shifra Jacobs: Adjusting to life in Israel as a young olah

From Manchester to the IDF: a young woman’s journey of aliyah, adaptation, and finding her voice in a new country.

JULY 13, 2025ByBATSHEVA SHULMAN
Shifra Jacobs.

Heshy Engelsberg: A bumpy and painful aliyah journey, but with no regrets

Despite the challenges of daily life in Israel, with his apartment, and the culture-shock of adjusting to a new country, former New Yorker Heshy Engelsberg has no regrets.

JULY 2, 2025ByBATSHEVA SHULMAN
Heshy Engelsberg