Teen Immigrant Stays in Israel Despite War, Plans Family's Aliyah
Translated & summarized from Arutz Sheva by baba
Yarden Pavelek, a student in Israel through the Naaleh program, plans to immigrate permanently despite the ongoing war. She returned to the U.S. briefly after October 7th only with a guaranteed return flight. Pavelek, who arrived from the U.S. in 9th grade, hopes her family will eventually join her in Israel. The Naaleh program has inspired other families to make aliyah.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Yarden Pavelek, a Naaleh student, plans to immigrate permanently to Israel.
- She returned to the U.S. after October 7th only on condition of a guaranteed return flight.
- Pavelek's parents, who remained in the U.S., are supportive of her decision.
- She hopes her family will eventually make aliyah to Israel.
- The Naaleh program has inspired other families to immigrate.
Yarden Pavelek, a high school senior in Israel participating in the Naaleh project for immigrant youth, plans to make aliyah, or immigrate permanently, to Israel. Pavelek arrived from the United States in 9th grade and has long intended to remain in Israel after graduation. She described the past three years, including the recent war, as challenging but emphasized her commitment to being in Israel with her peers. Her parents, who remained in the U.S. and originally emigrated from Poland, are supportive despite the difficulties. Following the October 7th attacks, Pavelek briefly returned to the U.S. to see her family, but only on the condition that she had a guaranteed return flight to Israel.
Pavelek attributes her strong Zionist feelings to her upbringing in a "very Zionist home." While her immediate family is not planning to immigrate soon, she believes it is possible in the future. She noted that the Naaleh program, which brings teenagers to Israel before their parents, has influenced many families to make aliyah. Pavelek also shared insights into how the eighty girls from around the world in the Ulpana Amna program communicate, noting that most knew English, and those who didn't relied on methods like "talking with the eyes" and Google Translate, with all now proficient in both Hebrew and English.