Fellowship staff in Israel had the privilege of meeting Adena, who has been living in the Holy Land for more than 20 years. Her aliyah story is different from that of many Jews around the world whom The Fellowship has helped make aliyah.
Before moving to Israel, Adena and her family lived on Long Island. They had a beautiful home, a thriving Jewish community, and access to everything they needed in one of the largest metropolitan areas in the United States. So why would they leave it all behind in 2004, during the Second Intifada, when Israel was under constant threat of terrorist attacks?
The answer is simple: her mother, Sara.
Adena’s parents had always been active in the Jewish community and devoted supporters of Israel. In August 2000, Sara and her husband, Norman, made aliyah. While many tourists fled Israel out of fear during the Intifada, Sara believed she could strengthen the country simply by being there—showing her Jewish brothers and sisters that they were not alone.
She and Norman often visited towns and communities that had depended on tourism, encouraging residents and supporting them by spending money at struggling businesses. When news broke that Israel’s national bus company would discontinue service to Rachel’s Tomb because of security concerns, Sara and the friends she had made kept the route alive by riding the bus back and forth, ensuring that access to this holy site was never lost.
Meanwhile, Adena and her family remained in New York. Pregnant with her fourth child, she found saying goodbye to her mother so painful that she couldn’t bring herself to go to the airport. Still, she fully supported her parents’ decision.
That Passover, Adena visited her mother in Israel and noticed a remarkable change. She described Sara as radiant, spiritually energized, and filled with joy. Sara had truly found peace in her homeland.
Tragically, that peace would last only two more months.
The day after Shavuot, Sara, Norman, Adena’s brother—who was visiting from the United States—and two young women were driving from their hometown of Efrat to Jerusalem. Just minutes after leaving, terrorists in a speeding car pulled up behind them and opened fire.
Despite being struck in the face by shattered glass and shrapnel, Norman managed to pull the car to the side of the road. Adena’s brother had been shot twice in the shoulder, and one of the young women in the back seat was killed instantly. Sara died from her injuries on the way to the hospital.
Thousands of miles away, Adena received the devastating phone call that her mother had been killed. She had just finished hosting a Shavuot gathering when the news came. At first, she went into shock. Then, after speaking with her uncle, she fainted.
Adena doesn’t even remember booking the flight to Israel. She only remembers getting on the plane. Just two months earlier, she had celebrated Passover with her mother. Now she was traveling to her funeral. Following Jewish tradition, Sara was laid to rest as quickly as possible, even though it was late at night.
The airline knew why the family was traveling and treated them with extraordinary kindness and sensitivity. The other passengers remained seated so Adena and her family could be the first to deplane.
When they arrived in Efrat, people were waiting for them in the streets. Adena recalls strangers embracing her and offering condolences as though they had known her family for years. Nearly the entire town accompanied them to the cemetery that night to lay Sara to rest. It felt almost like a rally, with Israeli flags and signs honoring her life.
The family then observed shiva for seven days at their home in Efrat. Community members, friends, and even government officials came to pay their respects.
One visit, in particular, has remained with Adena. A young woman traveled more than two hours, hitchhiking all the way to Efrat after hearing the news. She simply wanted Adena to know that she was not alone—that someone cared enough to come. Adena has never forgotten that young woman’s face.
Before returning to New York, Adena told the people of Efrat that her family would return. And they did. In August 2004, Adena and her brother, who had survived the attack, made aliyah. Five of their cousins joined them.
“They tried to eliminate us. They killed one of us, and we brought an entire tribe instead,” Adena said. “It’s not Disneyland here. We don’t come to Israel because the weather is nice or because life is always easy. Israel is our motherland. You go home to your mother even when it’s hard, even when the weather isn’t good. You go home because you’re going to your mother.”
For Adena, Israel isn’t just her motherland. It’s her mother’s land.
