For Tal and Isaac Attia, this Pesach marks more than a holiday—it marks a milestone. Their first Pesach as Israeli citizens is filled with a sense of wholeness, fulfillment, and deep gratitude. “Every year in the States, I’d tear up at the Seder, knowing we weren’t here yet,” Tal shares. “This year, we’re finally home.”
The Attias made aliyah last year from Long Beach, New York, with their three children. What they had prepared for as a massive challenge has instead been, in their words, “surprisingly smooth—even joyful.”
Their transition has been defined by community and connection. Living in Modi’in’s Shimshoni-Kaiser neighborhood, the Attias found themselves immediately embraced—invited out for Shabbat dinners every week for their first seven months. “The communal warmth was more than we could have hoped for,” Isaac says.
Their children are thriving—especially impressive given the unique considerations they faced. Their eldest son, who has hearing loss, started second grade (kita bet) just weeks after their arrival. “We were nervous about how he would adjust, but the support here has exceeded anything we imagined,” Tal says. From advanced classroom acoustics to integration into a community of kids with hearing loss through Shema, he’s not only succeeding academically but growing socially and emotionally—and even sounds Israeli now. Their daughter, in gan chova, already understands everything in Hebrew. “The kaytana (day camp) helped so much. It was fun and pressure-free,” Tal adds.
Professionally, Tal continues her impactful work with the OU’s JLIC (Jewish Learning Initiative on Campus)—a role she has held for years supporting Jewish students on campuses across North America. Now, even after aliyah, she’s working remotely with campuses in Israel, such as Tel Aviv University, Bar Ilan, and Haifa. Her behind-the-scenes work has been critical, especially in moments of crisis—like when a rabbi at Columbia University spoke out about rising antisemitism. “Tal was the one coordinating with police, administrators, and counseling the staff—she was the steady hand behind the scenes,” Isaac shares proudly.
Isaac, formerly a school principal and community rabbi, is transitioning into the tech world via the Cheirut Center (formerly Tikvah Israel), seeking a smoother acclimation into Israeli professional life.
Though the rise in antisemitism abroad didn’t solely drive their decision, it did add urgency. “We always knew we were going to make aliyah,” Tal says. “We used to say, ‘We’re not putting our kids in American schools.’ But when a great job came up with JLIC, we delayed. When war broke out in Israel, we were already planning—but it crystallized the feeling that it was time. We didn’t want to sit on the sidelines anymore. We wanted to be where the Jewish people are.”
Now, as Pesach approaches, the family prepares to celebrate in a land where their children sing songs that include prayers for IDF soldiers and where ancient history feels alive and personal. Their Modi’in home is carefully planned, including a mamad (safe room) for their son who cannot hear sirens—a reality they’ve met with resilience and practicality.
Pesach in Israel, for the Attias, is no longer a dream—it’s a lived, vibrant, and deeply emotional experience. “There’s something about sitting at the Seder here that just feels right. We’re exactly where we’re meant to be.”