The ongoing riots in France have given rise to a new wave of anti-Semitic violence —synagogues are being ransacked, Jewish-owned businesses are being looted, and many Jewish families are more hesitant than ever to even go outside.
Sadly anti-Semitic incidents in France have more than tripled since October 7, 2023. As a result, more Jewish families are choosing to make aliyah (immigrate to Israel), where they can live openly as Jews and build a more promising future. Gabriel, his wife Megane, and their two young sons, Ezra and Jonas, are among the families The Fellowship has helped come home to the Holy Land.
The family made aliyah a couple of weeks after the war with Iran began earlier this year. Gabriel and Megane had been raising their children not far from Paris and were expecting their third child at the time. Even though Israel was at war, Gabriel still felt his family would be safer there than in France. Above all, he and Megane were concerned about the future of their children.
Gabriel says, “When we think about the future, especially about our children, it worries us … I know that one day, unfortunately, they will face anti-Semitism. That’s why we planned to make aliyah. We always lived among our neighbors and went to public schools. For our own children, we chose a private school, but even so, the situation in France today doesn’t make us feel calm, With the current situation, we know that sooner or later it will impact us.”
The family arrived in Israel just in time for Passover. Even amid air-raid sirens and rocket fire from Iran, they celebrated the holiday with the same joy as every year—perhaps even more so because they were finally celebrating in Israel, Gabriel says. Rather than worrying about what the future holds, he and his family are filled with excitement and hope for the life they are building in their new home.
He says, “Our family will soon grow as well. We will go from four to five. We built a good life in France, but we believe our future belongs in Israel. We did beautiful things in France, and we will do beautiful things — even more beautiful — in Israel, if God wills it.”