Renata Y from Shakhtinsk, Kazakhstan

Making Aliyah for me is a family reunion!  Reuniting with aunts, uncles, and cousins opens up new opportunities for emotional support, strengthening family ties, sharing experiences, and creating memories. It is a chance for personal growth, expanding the social circle, and passing on traditions to future generations.

When my mother shared the story of my great-grandmother, I felt how difficult it was for her to go through the trials of her time. Being Jewish, she lived through one of the most difficult periods in history — the years of World War II. When the evacuation began, she found herself in Kazakhstan, far from her home, but with a strong desire to survive and preserve her identity.

Great-grandmother not only survived these years — she remained resilient despite all the difficulties. Kazakhstan became not only a new home for her, but also a place where she continued to build her life, despite the pain of loss and uncertainty. It is important that despite all the hardships, she did not lose her humanity, passing on to her children and grandchildren the memory of that time, of her people and the value of life.  This story of great-grandmother is not only a story of survival, but also about the importance of preserving the culture and values even in the most difficult moments.

I learned about the possibility of repatriation from my aunt, who repatriated to Israel with her family almost four years ago. She shared her experience with us, and after a guest visit with her, I also decided to make this important decision. I was impressed by the local nature, friendly people, and the huge number of interesting places to visit. All this played a decisive role in choosing a new home for myself and my family.

There were several difficulties and obstacles in preparing for aliyah. One of the main problems was financial difficulties. Moving to a new country always requires significant investments, especially if you need to pay for tickets, housing, and other expenses.

One of the hardest difficulties in preparing for aliyah was leaving loved ones and the places where I spent my childhood. Leaving family, friends and familiar places of the hometown is always difficult, especially when they become a part of your life and memories. Each farewell to a loved one or a familiar place left a feeling of loss that was difficult to overcome.

First, I hope to quickly learn Hebrew in order to fully integrate into society and improve the quality of communication with others. Second, I plan to get a job, find a stable source of income and contribute to the development of society. The main thing is to ensure a prosperous future by creating a comfortable and successful life in a new country.

Ezra helped partially cover the cost of travel to Almaty for a meeting with the consul and hotel accommodation. This was made possible by the support and financial assistance that made repatriation much easier.

I want to express my sincere gratitude to the sponsors and staff of the Ezra organization for their incredible support and help. Thanks to you, I was able to overcome difficulties and solve important issues. Your attention and care have truly changed my life for the better. I wish you health, success in your noble work and that your good deeds bring even more joy and hope to those who need it.