We're Making Aliyah in 2013!

Dear Friends,

It’s our pleasure (excitement, nerves, hopes, dreams) to share with you our family plan: in late August 2013, we will make aliyah!

Starting in 2007-2008, when we lived in Israel for the year, we were already talking about the possibility of aliyah, of our desire to live as citizens in the State of Israel.  Four years later, the intention becomes concrete, even though Loren hasn’t been to plumbing school.  We officially begin the process now at the head of this new year. We get to open a "תיק עליה," or Aliyah file, contact Nefesh b'Nefesh, share our exciting news openly with our friends, and make plans for life there.

As Becca explains (in yoga terms of course and possibly while upside down) her soul is rooted there in a way that makes life unfold fully. Loren likes to say that each time he visits Israel, he leaves a small part of his soul there as a deposit.  More recently, Loren began to leave material items as well; his GPS and charger for his Macbook Air are waiting.  We want to collect our soulful deposits and put them to good use in this lifetime.  We will be a part of the grand Jewish experiment that is the People, the Land and the State of Israel.  We will contribute to its success and its struggles with all of the questions raised by the implementing of Jewish sovereignty in our National Homeland as citizens and not as tourists.  Ultimately, we know that this is the best decision for our family and the place and way we want to write the next chapter of our lives.

Our love of Israel is rooted from layers of experience. Our summers at Ramah introduced us to hundreds of new extended family members that you might otherwise call “shlichim.” Ramah Israel Seminar, Loren's year of study during rabbinical school, and our year in Israel from 2007 – 2008 each added another layer.  As we begin this journey, we thank all of you for your influence on us. You helped us feel connected long before our decision to make aliyah.

Aliyah is a full-spectrum experience. We look forward to feeling both at home and out on a limb. Your support is welcome in all forms: insider information from those already at home as olim and sabras, a listening ear, and, of course, by joining us for a visit to our Shabbat table and more. 

We promise to keep you updated as we find work, a home, a neighborhood.  

We look forward to seeing you in Israel starting in August, 2013!

לשנה הבאה בירושלים!

Next year, in Jerusalem! 

שנה טובה ומתוקה!

The Sykes Family