Just days before Israel’s 77th Independence Day, Raziel and Aliza Siegman of Queens, New York, made Aliyah with their baby daughter, Tzofiya. The family landed at Ben Gurion Airport on Tuesday and was welcomed by Minister of Aliyah and Integration Ofir Sofer, Nefesh B’Nefesh Co-Founder Rabbi Yehoshua Fass, and Chairman of the Jewish Agency Maj. Gen. (Res.) Doron Almog, who presented them with official immigration certificates.
They arrived with 11 other immigrants from North America, supported by Nefesh B’Nefesh, the Ministry of Aliyah and Integration, the Jewish Agency, KKL, and JNF-USA. “Now more than ever, we choose Israel,” said Raziel. “Our decision to make Aliyah now is a statement—we are choosing life in the Land of Israel.” He added, “We feel humbled and proud to live among heroes—soldiers, their families, and all those who ensure life continues here.”
The Siegmans chose to settle in Kiryat Gat, a southern city gaining popularity among new immigrants. “We were looking for a young community, good education, and a family-oriented atmosphere,” said Aliza. “Kiryat Gat felt like the right fit.”
Under a new initiative by the Ministry of Aliyah and Integration, the Siegman family will receive monthly rent assistance of NIS2,000 as part of an enhanced support program for newcomers relocating to the south.
Raziel, a software engineer at Amazon, will transfer to its Tel Aviv office to work on AI for Prime Video’s sports broadcasting. Aliza, who studied bioinformatics at NYU, hopes to enter Israel’s biotech sector. Minister Sofer emphasized the importance of Aliyah even in challenging times, calling it “a statement of solidarity and the living Zionist spirit.”
“On Yom HaAtzmaut, their Aliyah takes on profound meaning,” said Rabbi Fass. “They embody the hope, courage, and dedication that continue to shape Israel’s future.”
This article was written in collaboration with Nefesh B'Nefesh.