When I made Aliyah, I expected to fall in love with Israel’s history, its breathtaking landscapes, and its ancient stones.

When I made Aliyah, I expected to fall in love with Israel’s history, its breathtaking landscapes, and its ancient stones.

What I didn’t expect was to fall in love with its people in an entirely new way.

Recently, my dear friend Galya from Jerusalem TasteBuds had two meetings in northern Israel and decided to turn the trip into a short getaway as well. She invited me to come along, and I happily accepted, looking forward to spending time together and exploring a part of Israel I had yet to discover.

When it came time for her meetings, I fully expected to find a nearby café, read a book, or simply keep myself occupied while she worked. After all, the meetings had nothing to do with me.

Instead, Galya invited me to join her.

I quietly sat in the room, simply listening and observing, never imagining those conversations would become the most meaningful part of the trip.

It was an unexpected privilege.

I found myself surrounded by extraordinary people whose lives are dedicated to lifting others up—not for recognition, prestige, or accolades, but because they genuinely believe in strengthening individuals, building communities, and creating opportunities where they are needed most.

By the time we drove home, I realized this hadn’t simply been a road trip through northern Israel.

It had given me the rare privilege of stepping inside organizations and meeting the people who quietly dedicate their lives to strengthening Israeli society.

I knew places like these existed.

What I had never experienced was seeing their work firsthand—listening to their stories, witnessing their passion, and understanding the profound impact they have on the lives of so many people.

For that, I felt incredibly grateful.

Our first stop was Beit Alon in Kiryat Ata, established in memory of lone soldier Alon Farkas z”l.

Waiting to greet us at the entrance were Bar and Orel.

Before we had even stepped inside, Bar smiled, opened her arms, and said, “I’m a hugger.”

That simple introduction said everything.

Within seconds, I no longer felt like a visitor. I felt as though I was being welcomed into a home.

As they guided us through the residences, it became clear that their warmth wasn’t simply part of their personalities—it was the very heartbeat of Beit Alon.

Before we learned about the residents, we learned about Alon himself. Through Bar and Orel’s stories, we came to know a young man whose life was defined by purity of heart, friendship, kindness, connection, and love. His legacy wasn’t measured by what he accomplished, but by the way he made........

© The Times of Israel (Blogs)