The Fellowship recently followed up with Martin and his family, who made aliyah from Argentina earlier this month with our support. They are now settling into their new home in the northern Israeli city of Karmiel. While Martin, his wife Sonia, and their six-year-old son Aaron made aliyah to reunite with their oldest daughter, Sarai, Martin says the move is also the fulfillment of a lifelong dream born out of his love for Israel and his desire for his children to build successful lives rooted in pride in their Jewish faith.
Martin was born in Paraguay but moved to Argentina 20 years ago. There, he met Sonia, and together they built a life. Sonia worked as a cosmetologist, while Martin worked as an administrative engineer. Outside of work, he studied at the Latin American Rabbinical Seminary in Buenos Aires to earn a rabbinical degree—studies he continues today in the Holy Land.
Meanwhile, Sarai has been living in Israel for the past three years after arriving through a program to complete her high school education. She has been living in central Israel and plans to serve in the IDF after she graduates. Martin remembers that she was in Israel on October 7, 2023. Although she was not directly affected by the attacks, she experienced the tragedy deeply, just as the rest of the country did. When asked if she wanted to return to Argentina, she refused, saying that she would remain in Israel through both the good times and the bad.
Martin says, “She loves the country and wants to give back to it some of what she has received. She really feels at home here. Our son is going to pre-school classes that take place over the summer, which are great for him to adjust to the culture and the language. He will begin first grade once the summer ends, which is something he is excited about.”
When their Freedom Flight landed, it was the first time Martin, Sonia, and Aaron had ever set foot in Israel. Sarai is currently visiting her grandmother in Argentina, and once she returns, the family plans to visit the Western Wall together for the first time.
Martin shared his gratitude for The Fellowship, saying, “Somehow, I always knew that I would end up here, and I am happy that it eventually became a family dream too. Everyone was wonderful to us and made sure we felt cared for from the moment we arrived. We will do our best to be part of that chain and to pay it forward. We want people to know that Israel is the home of every Jew and that, despite what we hear in the news, there are many people who support Israel and make aliyah possible, both within Israel and around the world.”