Oleh at Large: Aliyah Stories

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

Join David Levine, kids media content expert and DEI champion, 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. 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

  2. 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

  3. 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

  4. 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

  5. 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

  6. 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

  7. Jun 11

    Ambassador Michael Oren Says Israel is the Land of Opportunity - Find Out Why! S04 E01

    Meet Ambassador Michael Oren - historian, bestselling author, former Israeli ambassador to the United States, former member of Knesset, and one of the leading voices connecting Israel and the Jewish world. But long before diplomacy and public life, Ambassador Oren was simply a Jewish kid from New Jersey who grew up in the shadow of the Holocaust and experienced antisemitism firsthand. Inspired by the Six-Day War and driven by a deep belief in Jewish sovereignty, he arrived in Israel with little more than a backpack and a dream. In this conversation, Ambassador Oren reflects on his extraordinary journey from lone soldier in the paratroopers to ambassador, historian, and public intellectual. He shares what it was like to belong to a generation of American Jews who left the comfort and prosperity of the United States to build lives in what was then a young and isolated country. Drawing on nearly fifty years of experience, Ambassador Oren discusses opportunity, language, identity, and why he believes Israel remains one of the greatest success stories of modern history. Despite wars, political divisions, and growing global challenges, he explains why his personal experiences, historical perspective, and spiritual faith continue to give him hope. This episode is a powerful reflection on Jewish history, resilience, responsibility, and the extraordinary possibilities that emerge from taking a leap of faith. From lone soldier to ambassador, this is a remarkable story of history, responsibility, and hope. Follow Ambassador Oren on: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ambmichaeloren Website: https://michaeloren.org/ Substack: https://claritywithmichaeloren.substack.com/ Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@UC9PIP7ee_Ohu7c-4Pcbxj-Q  X: https://x.com/DrMichaelOren --- Mentioned in this episode: Israel Advocacy Group - https://www.israeladvocacygroup.org/ Tablet Magazine - https://www.tabletmag.com/ --- Oleh at Large: Aliyah Stories Real Stories. Real Advice. Real Aliyah. Hosted by David Levine --- Filmed on location at Soho House Tel Aviv Editing: Laura Brickman Associate Producer: Daniella Edelman Social Media: Tehilah Simantov --- #AliyahStories #MichaelOren #Aliyah #Israel #JewishHistory #Zionism Please don't forget to like and subscribe! And please leave a comment! IG: @aliyah_stories Produced by Lightboat Media Ltd.  https://lightboat.media

    Ambassador Michael Oren Says Israel is the Land of Opportunity - Find Out Why! S04 E01

  8. Jan 6

    Tel Aviv-Yafo, The Holy City - Jay Explains S03 E10

    Jay Schultz made Aliyah in 2006 on a one-way ticket — not out of fear, but out of choice. In this episode, Jay explains why life in Tel Aviv offers something Jews can’t find anywhere else, why Aliyah can be a “selfish” decision in the best sense, and how the city has transformed into a global hub of young Jewish life. In this wide-ranging conversation, Jay explains why his Aliyah was, in his words, “selfish” — a decision rooted not in ideology alone, but in quality of life, human connection, and the lived experience of being Jewish in Israel. He contrasts the quantity of life available in cities like New York or London with the quality of Jewish life found in Tel Aviv, arguing that some things simply can’t be purchased elsewhere. Jay reflects on the transformation of Tel Aviv over the past two decades — from a provincial city with almost no English-speaking olim into a global hub of young Jewish life. He shares why Tel Aviv, despite its secular reputation, may be one of the most Jewish places on earth, and why Western Aliyah has fundamentally reshaped the city. Mentioned in this episode: Am Yisroel Foundation - https://www.amyisraelfoundation.org/jaymshultzJaffa (Yafo) – https://www.tel-aviv.gov.il/Residents/YafoNefesh B’Nefesh – https://www.nbn.org.il/Hebrew University of Jerusalem – https://www.huji.ac.il/Albright Institute of Archaeological Research – https://www.aiar.org/Israel Antiquities Authority – https://www.antiquities.org.il/Birthright Israel – https://www.birthrightisrael.com/Produced by Dellet Studios for Lightboat Media Social Media Coordinator: Tehilah Simantov Edited and Mixed by: Yazek Shrem www.lightboat.media IG: @aliyah_stories © Lightboat Media Ltd.  Please don't forget to like and subscribe! And please leave a comment! IG: @aliyah_stories Produced by Lightboat Media Ltd.  https://lightboat.media

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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
3 Ratings

About

Join David Levine, kids media content expert and DEI champion, 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
    37
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Oleh at Large: Aliyah Stories
  • Show Website
    Oleh at Large: Aliyah Stories

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