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=**__Rationale__**= In my project I am going to interview Joy Epstein whom works in Nefesh B’nefesh. Nefesh B’nefesh is a company, which helps Jews from around the world with the process of making Aliyah. In my project I hope to learn about how the company works, and about the process of making aliyah. I chose to do my project about that subject because I think that the company has a very important and significant job in bringing as many Jews as possible to our holy land. The more Jews there are here, the stronger Israel is. As Joy works in Nefesh B’nefesh I think that she gives a lot to our country and makes her a very good citizen. In my project my goal is to learn about her job, and to learn from her about being a good Israeli citizen.



=**__ Joy Epstein- Profile __**= Joy, married to Rabbi Dani, mother of four, was born in the year 1959 in Texas, and grew up in Atlanta, Georgia. She and her family decided to make Aliyah in the year 1996. Today she lives in Efrat, and works for the company Nefesh B'Nefesh. She is an amazing person, as she helps people go through the experience she did- making Aliyah.

Making Aliyah wasn’t Joy’s first time in Israel. She had been to Israel many times before: the year after high school in a seminar, a whole summer volunteering in “HaEmmek”, six months learning in Israel, a year after getting married and more. Joy had always dreamed of making Aliyah, especially since the first time she visited Israel.

Joy was inspired by the six-day war. The special time of the six day war, made her feel like Hashem was especially close to the Jews and that it was the beginning of “geula”. At that time, the Kotel was conquered, and Joy realized that the only place for the Jews to live is Israel. She understood that it was given to us as gift by Hashem. Joy’s experience of making Aliyah was more difficult and challenging than she thought it would be. It was a big adjustment for her, and more difficult for her kids than expected. When Joy and her family came to Israel they looked around a bit, and ended up living in Efrat because they had some cousins there and wanted to be close to them.

Joy has worked in three different places in Israel. After overcoming the anxiety of Aliyah, in the year 2004, she started working for an organization called Nefesh B’Nefesh. Nefesh B’Nefesh is an organization that helps Olim make Aliyah. Joy thought it would be a special place to work for, and a good way to help people with the special experience, which she has been through.

Rabbi Yehoshua Fass, founded Nefesh B’Nefesh in 2001. He thought that the main solution to bring the Intifada to a stop was by bringing more Jews to Israel. He realized that there are three main problems that keep Jews from coming to Israel- a lack of money, fear of not finding a job, and fear of the actual process of Aliyah, such as dealing with paper work, the ministry of the interior, etc. He founded an organization, which finds solutions to those problems. The organization helps the Olim understand that making Aliyah though hard, they will get through the difficulties.

Joy’s specific job in the company is to supervise the social workers that work with the Olim. Joy also works as a very experienced social worker: she explains- “It is very rewarding for me, because it is kind of a teaching role”. Joy also helps a lot with the process of preparing the person for Aliyah, and making sure that they are coming to Israel for the right reasons. She says- “my main goal is to make sure that the person will make it here”. It is important to Joy to make sure that the Oleh Chadash settles comfortably in Israel and has a successful Aliyah. Another one of Joy’s goals, is to make it clear to the Oleh that Nefesh B’Nefesh is “not making the Aliyah for them, but they are helping them to it in the best way”.

There are some downsides to working for Nefesh B’Nefesh “sometimes I feel like I’m working in America and not in Israel” says Joy, due to the fact that her work is all in English. “I love it when I get to communicate with outsiders in Hebrew and than get to improve my Hebrew” she says. Another downside to Joy’s job is the long working hours, and the trips she takes to America in order to meet with people who want to make Aliyah.

Joy has many challenges in her job such as finding the right resources, dealing with people that have special needs, finding the right people to talk to, and more. But, as Joy works, she loves getting positive feedback from her clients. For example she has a story, about a man that was very depressed and confused about making Aliyah, and Joy offered him a very good therapist. Later on Joy got a letter saying how much that man thanked her for her help, how much that therapist helped him, and that made Joy very happy.

Joy’s job changed her in many ways. For example, she feels like she has so many more resources and connections in Israel, and knows exactly where to search when she needs something. She feels like this job keeps her very Zionistic and the Nefesh B’Nefesh ceremonies are very uplifting and moving- “It reminds us why we live here, in this crazy country,” Joy explains.

Joy feels that she contributes to Israel by bringing Jews to Israel: not only by bringing them, but also by making them successful and wanting to stay. She feels the importance of bringing Jews to Israel who will acculturate, feel comfortable and successful.

According to Joy, a good Oleh Chadash would be one who isn’t scared of becoming Israeli and blending in. As for most Olim, they find the communities that are most comfortable for them. But Joy thinks that it is best to acculturate into the Israeli culture and overcome the fear of becoming Israeli. She also thinks that it is very important for the Olim to contribute to Israel in return for all what Israel has contributed to them- “ there is no other country in the world that helps their immigrants as much as Israel helps the Olim, and it is very important for them to give back by making Israel a better Israel, bringing out values, and also by helping other Olim so that they can acculturate” Joy explains. It is important for the Olim Chadashim to accept the Israeli culture, and to accept that it is different than other places, instead of mocking the culture in a bad way- “An Oleh Chadash shouldn’t say- this is so stupid! Because the culture is not stupid, it’s just different. We act more like a family here and there are both sides to that” Joy says.

Joy learns a lot about herself from her job- “I’m much more confident about my judgment, and I can be more assertive with people than what I used to be”. She learns a lot from her clients’ problems. For example, to focus on the problems and not to run away from them. To do the process in the right way so it will go well instead of starting it in a bad way- “if you start up on the left foot, every step you take will be harder” explains Joy.

Joy’s favorite quotes are- “have a sense of humor” and “always treat every visit to every office like a pilot trip”. In other words, when someone goes to get information they shouldn’t expect to get it by the first time, but by the second time they will know exactly where to look and then they will get the job done.

Joy has many different favorite places in Israel. The Kotel is one of them. Another one is a museum in Zichron Yaakov that shows the Aliyah from the early 1900’s until today-" It shows how the people in the early 1900’s let us live such an easy life here today in Israel" explains Joy. //**__Nefesh B'Nefesh flight landing__**//

= **__Background Research__** =

Up until now, I have been talking about making aliyah- as Joy Epstein works in Nefesh B'Nefesh, a company that helps Jews in the process of making aliyah. In order to get to the stage of aliyah a Jew must get to know Israel from his own point of view, connect with his Jewish roots, and learn to appreciate the opportunity of living in Israel. Believe it or not, there are existing organizations for those purposes too. There are three organizations that I will mention that involve those purposes.

The first organization is called March the living. March of the living is an organization that brings Jewish teens from countries around the world who share a once-in-a-lifetime experience, in which they march the distance separating Auschwitz from Birkenau, the largest concentration camp complex built by the Nazis during World War II. The March takes place on Yom Hashoah - Holocaust Remembrance Day - established in memory of the six million Jews who were murdered during the war. The program also includes a trip to Israel, were the teens visit several important sites that are also holy to the Jews. While being in Israel they also attend important ceremonies like- Yom Ha'atzmaut, and Yom Hazikaron. I think that the program that March of the living provides is very important. It helps Jewish teens identify with their past, and also have hope for the future. While visiting the concentration camp, the teens connect with their Judaism, and the anguish of our past. While visiting Israel it gives the teens a good hope for their future, and shows them the importance of Jews living in Israel. This organization is a very good way for convincing Jews to make aliyah. It shows them that in order not to repeat the past of the terrible holocaust, all Jews need to move to Israel and build a strong nation that will not give in to anyone.

The next organization is called Taglit-Birthright. Taglit-Birthright Israel provides educational trips to Israel for Jewish young adults ages 18 to 26. This program sends thousands of young Jewish adults from all over the world to Israel as a gift in order to reduce the lack of communication between the Jewish communities all over the world and the communities in Israel. One of the biggest goals of the program is to strengthen the sense of solidarity among world Jewry and to strengthen personal Jewish identity and connection to the Jewish people. I think that this organization plays a big part in getting Jews to make aliyah. It helps Jews connect with the Jews in Israel and with Israel itself. The organization shows the young adults the importance of living in Israel in order to keep the connection between Jews all around the globe.

The last organization is called Livnot U'Lehibanot. This is a program that takes place in Israel and is for young Jews with little or no background in Judaism. The program gives an exploration of Israel and Jewish heritage through fascinating seminars, challenging hikes and rewarding community service projects. The name Livnot U'Lehibanot, which in Hebrew means To Build and To Be Built, refers to the physical contribution the participants make by building the Land of Israel, and to the knowledge and experiences that the participants gain during the program. Livnot is a very good program to explore and build Israel, and at the same time learn a lot about Judaism and how it connects to living in Israel.

All the organizations that I have mentioned are very relevant for us Jews. The organizations play a big part in bringing more Jews to Israel, helping Jews understand the importance of living in Israel, and getting young Jews to build Israel and make it a better country. The existence of all these different organizations that connect with Israel and Judaism just shows how special and unique our nation is. We put in so much effort into bringing all Jews to Israel, and making sure that each and every Jew knows their connection to Israel and to their Jewish roots. I don't think there is any other nation in the world that is so passionate about their past, like the Jews, who really believe in connecting the past with the present and the future of building a good country of their very own.


 * __ Bibliography __**: *Taglit- []
 * Livnot U'Lehibanot - []
 * March of the living- []

*Jewish agency for Israel- []
 * __ You might also want to look into these other websites if you liked this article: __**
 * Aliyah step-by-step- []

=**__Literary connection__**=

They moved slowly, everything was calm, On the other hand Gomeh rustling river Suddenly, thunder lightning, one shouted: Hurt person! I'm coming - the medic replied We stepped on a mine! - Shouted the wounded, I'm here, beside you - answered the medic.
 * Ballad to a medic\ Yehoram Gaon

Hail of fire fuse, heavy hail interrupted, across the river Leave me here - asked then wounded don’t talk nonsense - answered then medic Save yourself - asked then wounded I will stay with you - answered medic

They were both in an open field They were both left near an open fire we’re hopless - then mumbled the wounded hold on tight - answered medic You got hurt too - then mumbled the wounded never mind, it doesn’t matter- the medic replied

heavy fire, heavy! Difficult, hard to move Just do not give up, just not to give up  'ill Always remember you - then swore the wounded Just not to fall - then muttered paramedic Yours until you die - then swore the wounded Today is the day I die - the medic replied

Suddenly a cloud of dust, the wind suddenly rose Shadow on the ground, and fight, noisy We’re being rescued! They're coming! - Whined so wounded, But no sound was heard from the medic My brother, my brother! – Cried the wounded Across the rushin river My brother, my brother.. ||

This is a song written about a time in a war as a medic gives away his life for someone who got hurt. The story is told through the song in a very powerful way. First, it is very calm and quiet until someone yells that someone got hurt. The medic right away comes to his rescue and tells the wounded person that he will be right next to him.

The song describes, as the person gets hurt, how things start to get crazy, noisy and full of fire. The wounded right away figures out that if the medic will stay with him he will get hurt, so he asks him to leave. The brave medic insists on staying with him and tells him he shouldn’t talk nonsense. The situation continues to be described as horrifying, as they are in an open field exposed to fire. The wounded person says to the medic that that they are hopeless, and realizes sadly that the medic got hurt. The medic replies bravely that it doesn’t matter.

They both encourage each other to stay strong and the wounded person swears to remember the medic forever until the day he dies. The medic replies sadly- “ this is the day I will die…” Suddenly the wounded person saw some solders that we’re coming for their rescue! He called to the medic- “They’re here! We’re being saved!” But he heard no reply from the medic… The song ends with the sad weep of the wounded person “oh my brother, oh my brother”.

I think this is a very powerful and beautiful song. It resembles so much about our Israeli soldiers and generally about our love and sacrifice for Israel and for each other. Our nation has gone through so much to get to what we are today, living here in Israel. There have been a lot of wars in which a lot of our loving Jewish brothers have died in and sacrificed their lives for Israel. In the song, you can see how the medic and the wounded person don’t give up for the sake of our nation, and how they sacrifice for each other. There have been many stories besides this one in which someone sacrificed his life for saving his brother Jew.

I think we can all learn a lot from this song. Mainly, what I personally take from this song is that we need to think about everyday what our brothers have gone through for us to get this country. I think that our new generation living here in Israel doesn’t often think about those thought because they were born into this wonderful country, and weren’t involved in all the wars. We especially need to thank G-o-d everyday for giving us the miracle of having our own country after 2000 years.

__**Bibliography:**__
 * __[]__**

=__**creative connection**__= I made a photo collage of different types of Jews from all over the world, who came to live in Israel. The photo collage is meant to demonstrate the term- “Kibbutz Galuyot”. “Kibbutz Galuyot“ is a promise that was given to Moses by G-o-d that there will be a time when all the Jews will gather in Israel. It is mentioned in the book of Dvarim as G-o-d says that in the future the Jews will spread all over the world and later on G-o-d will re-gather the Jews back to Israel (chapter 30 of Dvarim). As I’m living in Israel it is amazing to see “Kibbutz Galuyot” happening in front of my own eyes. Everyday more and more Jews make Aliyah to Israel from all kinds of countries around the world. I love seeing how people from completely different cultures come here and manage to fit in because we are all connected by our Judaism. The different cultures here in Israel in my opinion, are the most unique thing about our country. This unusual trait about our country also shows the uniqueness of Judaism. As for other religions, they don’t all gather in one country of their own. For instance, the Christians don’t have their own country. We Jews are connected by our religion, as well as by our country. I chose to do this collage because I feel especially connected to the process of making Aliyah and the miracle of Kibutz Galuyot. As you can see it connects to the profile I wrote about Joy Epstein who works in Nefesh B’Nefesh which is an organization that helps Jews with the process of Aliyah. The reason I chose to represent my idea through a collage, is because the collage puts all the different faces of the Jews together, creating an exciting blend of color similar to the blend of culture that we have here in Israel. But in the end all the different people in the collage are all on one page which represents the fact that we all live together in the land of Israel. I hope that in the future, G-o-d willing, one hundred percent of the Jews from all over the world will come to Israel, and we may all live here, in peace.

A picture of the collage I made:

= **__Reflection__** = When I started this project, I didn’t really have many expectations. I thought it would be just another regular school project that we're going to do. But I was really surprised in a good way. As I got to know what the project is all about, I realized that this project is meant to help us get to know Israel from several different points of view. In my opinion this project demonstrates a very important idea that every Israeli kid, or person, needs to know. The project helps us connect to Israel in all kinds of different ways, and makes us realize how important our country is, and how lucky we are to be living here. If a Jewish Israeli citizen doesn’t have that relevant connection to Israel, it takes away from the fact of that Jew living here. I think that in general a lot of the recent generation of teens and kids, don’t know how amazing it is that we live here, in our own Jewish country today.

As my parents have always told me, "if you ever told your great grandfather or great ,great grandfather that you're living here in Israel they would've thought that you're insane". Before I did this project, I didn’t really think of the meaning of that sentence. I would just give my parents the same answer that shows no interest in what they're saying. After going through the process of doing this project, and getting to know Israel's different faces, it made me realize the importance of living in Israel, and how lucky I am for being born right into this wonderful country and Israeli culture.

=__** Bibliography **__= Taglit- [] __**March of the living-**__ [|**http://www.marchoftheliving.org/mol2009/09intro.html**] [|**http://www.mp3music.co.il/loader/ShowAdd.asp**]
 * __** Livnot U'Lehibanot - [] **__