Fellowship staff in Israel recently followed up with Dario and Lucila’s family, who made aliyah from Buenos Aires 10 months ago. Dario is the grandson of a Holocaust survivor who managed to flee to Argentina. For their family, aliyah was not an escape, but a way to continue the observant Jewish life they had built for themselves and their two children. Despite months of war with Iran and the ongoing challenges facing the Holy Land, Dario and Lucila are finding their callings in Israel.
Dario says, “We feel very happy here in Israel; right at home despite the challenges of the past year, like the long period of the war. I have also started working for a local Israeli company that deals with maintenance of hardware and software for security-related equipment, such as face recognition devices, sensors and cameras on highways. The company was started by another oleh from Argentina who has been in the country for a long time. I am learning a lot and enjoying this new line of work.”
Lucila is training to become an ophthalmologist (eye doctor) and is currently studying Hebrew so she can revalidate her medical degree and begin practicing in Israel. She has been learning the language for the past 10 months and continues to study because doctors must have strong communication skills.
Meanwhile, their children, 10-year-old Ben and four-year-old Sara, have started school in the family’s new hometown of Haifa. Dario says Sara adapted almost immediately, while Ben initially struggled with the transition. With the help of his teachers, however, he made new friends and now feels right at home. Dario credits the local community as a major source of support.
Of course, their new life has not been without challenges. Dario remembers spending long hours—and sometimes even days—in bomb shelters during Iranian missile attacks, while the children’s schools were forced to close during the war. Since their arrival, The Fellowship has supported the family by connecting them with the resources they need as they continue to build their new lives in Israel.
“We appreciate the support so much,” Dario said, “We know that we can count on the organization if we need something. We are still learning more about what it means to become Israeli, but we feel very happy to be here and are excited to hear about what the future has in store for us. It’s amazing to feel at home in the Jewish homeland.”
