Two years ago, I wanted to experience a country other than the United States. I could not have chosen a better place to go than Israel.
I’ve always wanted to go ever since I was little. I learned about the history, culture and people all throughout my Jewish school education and wanted to see the places I learned about to know what it was really like.
I wanted to see the Western Wall. I wanted to be surrounded by the language I had been reading and learning at school.
All of these different ideas sounded like they could become a reality. I could graduate high school a semester early because I had enough credits, and I could do something meaningful and volunteer for a country that I already had love for.
I left my home, family, and friends at the age of 17, never having been away from home for more than two weeks, to a new land and country. Of course, I was nervous beyond belief, but I also could not wait to get there.
I made many new friends from all over the world and had the opportunity to interact with many Israelis. I found that I really wanted to become a part of this world.
I wanted to stay and not go back home at the end of six months. I was looking into schools in Israel, living arrangements, and what life would be like there.
But I always had the thought of coming back so I could go to Marquette University. In the end I decided to return and try out the university in Milwaukee in order to not lose out on my scholarship there.
Two more trips
But when I came back, all I could think about was my desire to return to Israel. How could I go back? When could I go back? With what money could I go back with? I constantly thought about my friends that I became close with, the mentality and lifestyle and the beauty of the land.
Five months passed and I had the chance to go again, this time with Taglit. I was so excited for winter break in Israel. On this trip, I saw more of the country than I had ever been exposed to, and the beauty of the land really took my breath away.
I felt close to God and to the Jewish people. It was a feeling I never experienced at home even while at shul.
Some people on the trip even told me “Leah, I can see you living in Israel. You really love it here.”
Five more months went by and I had the chance to go to Israel again. I went with a program called Hamerkaz, receiving a scholarship from the Maimonides program, which was a ten-week class of about two hours each session.
I spent a month this time in Israel on the program for two weeks and then stayed with friends and on Kibbutz Maggan Michael for the remainder of the time. I learned more about the religious aspects of Judaism and toured most of Jerusalem, with a main focus on the Old City. My love for Israel was growing even more. Yet again, I wanted to stay.
It was so hard for me to explain to my friends back home my love for the country and for the Jewish people, and why I wanted to live in Israel. Most of my Jewish friends understood, but even some of them had a hard time comprehending.
Living in Israel, getting married in Israel, and raising my children in the holy land is my dream.
The materialistic world was never of much importance to me. I would rather be happy, and be surrounded by people I love in a country that I love.
These three trips really made me fall in love with Israel and I wanted to make aliyah and make my dream a reality. I have pioneered the route for my sister who eventually wants to make aliyah as well.
I know I can make my life in Israel work out. I do not have family there now, but it’s the place I want to raise and build my own family.
I am very thankful for everyone who has supported my decision.
Leah Jeansonne, a former student at Marquette University, made aliyah this past December.
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