Oleh at Large: Aliyah Stories

David Levine
  • 5.0 (3)
  • Places & Travel
  • Updated Weekly

Join David Levine, kids media content expert and digital content consultant, on his journey as a new immigrant ('oleh') moving to Israel (making 'Aliyah'). You'll be updated on the adventure, and also hear from other immigrants who have made the move, along with expert tips and suggestions on moving and acclimating to life in Israel, from a newcomer's pov. A Dellet Production for Lightboat Media Ltd. Contact:David LevineIG: @levineatlarge, @aliyah_storieswww.lightboat.media

  1. 2d ago

    Israel Votes: Elections 101 for Olim and You! S04 E09

    News commentator Benyamin Moalem joins David Levine for an Elections 101 guide to Israel's 2026 election — explaining parties, the Knesset, the 3.25% threshold, coalitions, the race to 61 seats, and what olim need to know before going to the kalpi. Israel's election system can feel completely foreign to a new oleh, let alone folks outside the country. There are no local congressional districts. You don't directly elect the prime minister. Instead, voters choose among national party lists, and after the votes are counted, the real battle begins: building a coalition capable of commanding a majority in the 120-seat Knesset. In the first installment of our special Israel Votes series, David Levine sits down with news commentator Benyamin Moalem for an Elections 101 guide to Israeli politics. Benyamin explains the basics of proportional representation, the 3.25% electoral threshold, how smaller parties can determine the outcome of an election, why 61 seats matter, and what happens when no political bloc can form a government. The conversation also explores the political blocs and parties as they stood at the time of recording, Arab parties, party mergers, the president's role in the government-formation process, and some of the major differences between Israeli and American elections. Finally, David and Benyamin get practical: what you actually see when you walk into an Israeli polling place, who can vote from outside the country, and what English-speaking olim should be thinking about as Election Day approaches. Israel's election for the 26th Knesset is scheduled for October 27, 2026 Please don't forget to like and subscribe! And please leave a comment! IG: @aliyah_stories Produced by Lightboat Media Ltd.  https://lightboat.media

  2. Sep 16

    Josh Rose: Finding Home in Tel Aviv S04 E08

    Writer and storyteller Josh Rose joins David Levine to share his Aliyah story — from Manchester and London to Tel Aviv, from writing about Jewish and LGBTQ identity in the UK to building a new life in Israel after arriving just days before war changed everything. Josh Rose never expected to make Aliyah. He grew up in Manchester, lived in London, worked as an environmental manager, and built a writing life around Jewish identity, LGBTQ life, antisemitism, and belonging. Israel was not part of his family story. His parents had never brought him on family holidays there, he had no Israeli parent, and he did not grow up assuming that one day he would move. Then he came to Israel on a volunteer trip for LGBT+ British Jews — and something shifted. In this episode, Josh joins David Levine to talk about the surprising path that led him from London to Tel Aviv, why his friends saw the move coming before he did, and what happened when he arrived in Israel just days before war disrupted every plan he had made. Instead of the organized beginning he imagined — ulpan, housing, routine, and a clear path forward — Josh found himself without a program, without a job, without a settled apartment, and alone in a bomb shelter. But through that uncertainty, he found friendship, community, flexibility, and a deeper sense that Israel was exactly where he needed to be. David and Josh discuss Aliyah, writing, Hebrew, chosen family, antisemitism in the UK, LGBTQ life in Israel, Tel Aviv Pride, creativity, and why Tel Aviv has become the place where Josh can finally live all parts of himself together. Recorded on location at Soho House Tel Aviv. Credits:  Host: David Levine  Guest: Josh Rose  Editing: Laura Brickman  Associate Producer: Daniella Edelman  Social Media: Tehilah Simantov Mentioned in this episode: Josh Rose – https://www.instagram.com/joshrosewrites/ Josh Rose Writes – https://joshrosewrites.com/ Times of Israel: Josh Rose – https://blogs.timesofisrael.com/author/josh-rose/ Birthright Israel – https://www.birthrightisrael.com/ Tel Aviv Pride – https://visit.tel-aviv.gov.il/ Jerusalem Open House – https://www.joh.org.il/ Gan Meir LGBTQ Center – https://lgbtqcenter.org.il/ Jewish Chronicle – https://www.thejc.com/ Jewish News – https://www.jewishnews.co.uk/ Jewish Telegraph – https://www.jewishtelegraph.com/ UK Jewish Film Festival – https://ukjewishfilm.org/ Sinnerman – https://okra-oval-5w2p.squarespace.com/2021-winner-josh-rose Please don't forget to like and subscribe! And please leave a comment! IG: @aliyah_stories Produced by Lightboat Media Ltd.  https://lightboat.media

  3. Aug 2

    Aussie to Aliyah: Army, Humor, and Heart - Guest Jakey Parry S04 E07

    Jakey Parry joins David Levine to share his Aliyah story — from growing up in Perth, Australia, to moving to Israel at 18, joining the IDF, building a following through Hebrew humor, and finding his place in Israel through army life, comedy, theater, and community. Jakey Parry grew up in Perth, Australia, in a strongly Jewish, Zionist, modern Orthodox community. After a Bnei Akiva gap year in Israel, time living independently, and a six-month ulpan on a kibbutz, he realized that Israel was where he needed to be. He made Aliyah at 18 — just two months before October 7. In this episode, Jakey joins David Levine to talk about moving to Israel young, making Aliyah his own story, navigating the IDF as an oleh chadash, going through Michve Alon, learning Hebrew, and turning his most embarrassing language mistakes into comedy. They also discuss Jakey’s growing social media presence, why both olim and Israelis connect to his content, his emotional video about memorial stickers for fallen soldiers, and his unexpected involvement in English-language theater in Israel. A funny, honest, and heartfelt conversation about Aliyah, army life, Hebrew, identity, creativity, and learning to laugh through the awkward moments. Credits:  Host: David Levine  Guest: Jakey Parry  Associate Producer: Daniella Edelman  Social Media: Tehilah Simantov Please don't forget to like and subscribe! And please leave a comment! IG: @aliyah_stories Produced by Lightboat Media Ltd.  https://lightboat.media

  4. Jul 24

    From Wall Street to Israel in 3 Weeks - Ian Mark Entrepreneur S04 E06

    Ian Mark joins David Levine to share his Aliyah story — from a stressful finance job in New York to moving to Israel in three weeks, finding work, building community, dating as an oleh, and eventually creating DateNight AI after co-founding the viral Corona Crush Facebook group during COVID. Ian Mark thought he would move to Israel one day — maybe after a successful finance career, maybe after making enough money, maybe in retirement. Then one day, while working a stressful Wall Street job, he realized he did not have to wait. Within three weeks, he was living in Israel. In this episode, Ian joins David Levine to talk about making Aliyah at 26, searching for work in Israel, discovering how much networking matters, building a social life in Tel Aviv, dating as an oleh, learning Hebrew, and eventually marrying an Israeli. Ian also shares the story behind Corona Crush, the Jewish dating Facebook group that went viral during COVID, and how that community led him to build DateNight AI — a virtual speed dating platform that now works with communities and organizations and has hosted tens of thousands of dates. This is a conversation about Aliyah, entrepreneurship, dating, community, perseverance, and why sometimes the best thing you can do is stop waiting and start. Please don't forget to like and subscribe! And please leave a comment! IG: @aliyah_stories Produced by Lightboat Media Ltd.  https://lightboat.media

    From Wall Street to Israel in 3 Weeks - Ian Mark Entrepreneur S04 E06

  5. Jul 11

    Buying a Home in Israel? Don’t Make These Mistakes - Moshe Binyamini S04 E05

    Israeli real estate lawyer Moshe Binyamini joins David Levine for a practical guide to buying property in Israel as an oleh or overseas buyer. They discuss remote purchases, hidden costs, mortgages, taxes, developers, new-build risks, currency issues, and the biggest mistakes olim should avoid before signing a contract. This is a practical episode for anyone thinking about buying in Israel, making Aliyah, or helping family members purchase a home from abroad. Mentioned in this episode: Moshe Binyamini – https://www.binyaminilaw.co.il/ Tel Aviv – https://visit.tel-aviv.gov.il/ Israel Canada – https://israel-canada.co.il/ BSR Group – https://www.bsr.co.il/ Bank Discount – https://www.discountbank.co.il/ Israeli Ministry of Aliyah and Integration – https://www.gov.il/en/departments/ministry_of_aliyah_and_integration Nefesh B’Nefesh – https://www.nbn.org.il/ Filmed on location at Soho House Tel Aviv. Credits: Host: David Levine Guest: Moshe Binyamini Editing: Laura Brickman Associate Producer: Daniella Edelman Social Media: Tehilah Simantov #Aliyah  #Olim  #Israel  #IsraeliRealEstate  #RealEstate  #TelAviv Please don't forget to like and subscribe! And please leave a comment! IG: @aliyah_stories Produced by Lightboat Media Ltd.  https://lightboat.media

    Buying a Home in Israel? Don’t Make These Mistakes - Moshe Binyamini S04 E05

  6. Jul 6

    How ChatGPT Saved Me 20,000 Shekels & A Yafo Tour S04 E04

    In this solo episode of Oleh at Large: Aliyah Stories, David Levine shares a personal update from his own Aliyah journey — from life in Yafo to finally getting the keys to his new apartment in Sarona. After two years in Israel, several temporary apartments, and six months living in Yafo, David reflects on what he has loved about the neighborhood: the Old City, the flea market, the beach, the dog beach, the synagogue community at Zikhron Baruch, and the everyday rituals that made Yafo feel like home. But the next chapter is beginning. David has finally become a homeowner in Israel. His new apartment in Sarona — in the center of Tel Aviv, across from the Kirya and near Sarona Market — is ready for renovation after years of delays, bureaucracy, and waiting for the building’s occupancy approval. The episode then turns into one of the most practical Aliyah stories yet: how David navigated the Israeli mortgage system, compared offers from Bank Leumi and Mizrahi-Tefahot, translated documents, negotiated terms, and ultimately saved himself 20,000 shekels by using ChatGPT to help understand and manage the process. It is a story about bureaucracy, Hebrew WhatsApp groups, Israeli banking, renovation plans, storage units, London trips, family simchas, and the strange feeling of finally becoming a property owner in the Land of Israel. A funny, practical, and honest update on what Aliyah looks like after the first big emotional leap — when the next challenge is building an actual life, one Hebrew document and one WhatsApp group at a time. Please don't forget to like and subscribe! And please leave a comment! IG: @aliyah_stories Produced by Lightboat Media Ltd.  https://lightboat.media

    How ChatGPT Saved Me 20,000 Shekels & A Yafo Tour S04 E04

  7. Jun 26

    Leaving Comfort for Purpose - Entrepreneur/Mom Maayan Gordon Explains S04 E03

    Entrepreneur and new olah Maayan Gordon joins David Levine to share why she and her family left the comfort of American life and made Aliyah during a war. From motherhood and business to community and purpose, this is a story about finding home and building a life in Israel—one messy step at a time. After years of building businesses in the United States, Maayan never imagined she would one day leave the comfort and convenience of American life behind. But after October 7th, a long-awaited trip to Israel changed something deep inside her. For the first time, she experienced a sense of belonging and connection that made her realize Israel wasn't simply a place she loved—it was home. In this episode, Maayan shares the emotional journey that led her family to make Aliyah, including convincing her non-Jewish husband to take the leap, welcoming a daughter, and ultimately arriving in Israel during the middle of a war. She reflects on raising children in Israel, building community, entrepreneurship in Startup Nation, the realities of Israeli life, and why she believes that even amid the messiness of Aliyah, they are living the best life they could be living. This is a conversation about identity, family, purpose, and finding home. Follow Maayan: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/maayangordonmedia/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@maayangordonmedia LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/maayangordon/ Website: https://www.maayangordon.com/ 🎙️ Oleh at Large: Aliyah Stories Real Stories. Real Advice. Real Aliyah. Hosted by David Levine Credits Editing: Laura Brickman Associate Producer: Daniella Edelman Social Media: Tehila Simantov  #Aliyah #Israel  #Motherhood #Entrepreneurship #StartupNation Please don't forget to like and subscribe! And please leave a comment! IG: @aliyah_stories Produced by Lightboat Media Ltd.  https://lightboat.media

    Leaving Comfort for Purpose - Entrepreneur/Mom Maayan Gordon Explains S04 E03

  8. Jun 18

    Shlomo's Journey Is Still Being Written - LGBT and Zionist in Israel S04 E02

    Writer Shlomo Kates joins David Levine to discuss his Aliyah journey, life in Tel Aviv, volunteering for IDF service later in life, and why he believes Israel is the only place where he can fully embrace all parts of his identity. Shlomo shares his views on the future of Canadian Jewry and how LGBTQ Jews fare in Israel.  This is a conversation about belonging, resilience, and finding home. Links Mentioned Times of Israel @https://www.timesofisrael.com/ Havruta @https://havruta.org.il/en/ LGBT Olim @https://www.lgbtolim.org/ 🎙️ Oleh at Large: Aliyah Stories Real Stories. Real Advice. Real Aliyah. Hosted by David Levine Credits Filmed on location at Soho House Tel Aviv Editing: Laura Brickman Associate Producer: Daniella Edelman Social Media: Tehila Simantov #Israel #JewishLife #LGBTQ #IDF #Toronto #TelAviv #canada Please don't forget to like and subscribe! And please leave a comment! IG: @aliyah_stories Produced by Lightboat Media Ltd.  https://lightboat.media

    Shlomo's Journey Is Still Being Written - LGBT and Zionist in Israel S04 E02
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
3 Ratings

About

Join David Levine, kids media content expert and digital content consultant, on his journey as a new immigrant ('oleh') moving to Israel (making 'Aliyah'). You'll be updated on the adventure, and also hear from other immigrants who have made the move, along with expert tips and suggestions on moving and acclimating to life in Israel, from a newcomer's pov. A Dellet Production for Lightboat Media Ltd. Contact:David LevineIG: @levineatlarge, @aliyah_storieswww.lightboat.media

Information

  • Creator
    David Levine
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    39
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Oleh at Large: Aliyah Stories
  • Show Website
    Oleh at Large: Aliyah Stories

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