Persian-Jewish Families Leave New York for Israel Amid Rising US Antisemitism

Joseph and Tracy, members of the affluent Persian-Jewish community in New York, decided to leave their comfortable lives and careers in the US to immigrate to Israel with their three children. Despite having stable jobs and a strong extended family network, the couple felt a growing desire to raise their children in a place where Jewish identity is the norm rather than a minority. Their decision was influenced by their strong pride in their Mashhadi Jewish heritage and a wish to pass on their traditions in an environment where Hebrew and Jewish holidays are central.

The turning point came after a visit to Israel, which made the idea of aliyah feel tangible. The couple, along with other families from their community, planned to settle in Ra'anana in the summer of 2026, enrolling their children in the same schools and finding homes close to each other. The move involved significant professional and financial sacrifices, including Joseph leaving a managerial role and Tracy giving up an established teaching career. The hardest part was leaving their parents behind, despite their support.

The events of October 7 and the subsequent rise in antisemitism in the US intensified their urgency to relocate, making the previously distant "someday" into "now." They emphasize that the war itself did not prompt their move, but the increased antisemitism did. Their hope is that their children will grow up feeling at home in Israel, fluent in Hebrew, and proud of their Mashhadi roots.

This migration is part of a broader trend identified by Israel's Ministry of Aliyah and Integration, which notes a growing interest in aliyah among American Jews, especially after recent antisemitic incidents. The ministry supports "community aliyah," where families from the same community immigrate together, maintaining social and cultural ties. The current group of nine families underwent extensive preparation, including Hebrew studies and familiarization with Israeli systems.

More families from the Persian-Jewish community in New York are expected to follow, with 16 additional families scheduled for a study tour in November. Officials see this as a potential snowball effect, strengthening community bonds and encouraging further aliyah. The Minister of Aliyah and Integration, Ofir Sofer, praised the move as a powerful Zionist statement and highlighted the importance of communal support in easing integration.

For Joseph, Tracy, and others, the decision was difficult but resolute, driven by a desire to live authentically as Jews and to provide their children with a meaningful connection to their heritage and homeland. They acknowledge the challenges ahead but remain hopeful that their choice will be rewarding in the long term.