The aliyah that took a century shows what olim can bring to Israel - opinion
There is something moving about finding one’s place in Israel by helping Israelis through one of our darkest mornings. Norman arrived with the skills this wounded country needed.
This Shabbat, 42 communities in Israel will commemorate Shabbat Aliyah. The Torah portion's opening verse recounts God's command to Abraham, "Go forth from your land to the land I will show you." Abraham's pioneering journey remains a guiding principle for generations of immigrants to our homeland. Young Israel of Ramat Poleg in Netanya is among those participating communities.
Dr. Norman Goldwasser, a clinical psychologist who recently relocated from Miami Beach to Israel, is one of the honored guests. Dr. Goldwasser's aliyah began over a century ago when his grandfather fled the Galician town of Chrzanow by boat to the Holy Land in 1919.
In 1920, Norman's grandfather succumbed to malaria on the Mount of Olives, leaving behind seven children and descendants who would later face unimaginable horrors. Only Norman's father and one brother survived the Holocaust. When Norman first visited his grandfather's grave in 1968, he found a poignant inscription, "Hassid vehalutz," a Hassid and a pioneer. This motto embodied the deep devotion to the Land of Israel and the values of Hassidic tradition.
Dr. Goldwasser's connection to Israel runs deep, stemming from his grandfather's interrupted aliyah and his father's harrowing journey from a concentration camp to displaced persons camp and eventual reunion with his family in the United States. Settled in Newport News, Virginia, Norman built a successful career before being compelled to return to Israel following the October 7, 2023, terrorist attack.
In the aftermath of the attack, Dr. Goldwasser's expertise in trauma treatment proved invaluable as he helped survivors regain control and navigate the trauma they had endured. His dedication to Israel's wounded citizens has led him to volunteer extensively, train Israeli clinicians in EMDR, and contribute his unique perspective to the nation's recovery.
Shabbat Aliyah recognizes the courage of immigrants like Dr. Goldwasser and the vital role they play in strengthening Israeli communities. Rather than merely accommodating newcomers, Israel must embrace their diverse experiences and allow them to shape the nation's future. Norman now calls Jerusalem home, finding a sense of belonging amidst the challenges of modern Israeli life.
While acknowledging the complexities of aliyah, he affirms that it is a deeply personal decision guided by family, health, work, and circumstance. Shabbat Aliyah honors those who have made the journey, while reminding us that Israel remains a sanctuary for Jews from every corner of the world, inviting us to welcome them with open arms and hearts.
Written by urgent.news from Jerusalem Post's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
