{
  "id": 16271941,
  "title": "Shabbat Aliyah: Israeli communities that make aliyah possible come together to honor new olim",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/24/shabbat-aliyah-israeli-communities-that-make-aliyah-possible-come",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-24T03:44:51.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Jerusalem Post",
    "slug": "jerusalem-post",
    "url": "https://www.jpost.com/aliyah/article-912506"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "This Shabbat, communities throughout Israel will come together to honor those who made aliyah, or immigrated to the land of Israel. The observance, known as Shabbat Aliyah, coincides with the Torah portion Lech Lecha, read during the weekly Torah reading. While the day typically passes without much fanfare, Young Israel in Israel and the Mizrachi-Young Israel Shuls Network will mark this occasion.\n\nForty-two communities across the country will celebrate the day with various events, from communal kiddushes to seudas shlishit, all in honor of their new olim. These communities range from smaller Israeli towns to larger cities like Beit Shemesh, Gush Etzion, and Jerusalem.\n\nAt the Karmei Gat community of Karmei Zion, guests will share personal stories and historical perspectives on aliyah, from ancient times to the present day. Elementary school children will participate in an activity discussing Abraham's journey and their own experiences of aliyah. The community is also distributing prompt cards for Shabbat table conversations to bring the themes of aliyah and \"Lech Lecha\" into members' homes.\n\nRabbi Matanya Kaplan, rabbi of Mitzpe Netofa, explains that the strength and resilience of the families who have made the move to Israel are deeply felt in the community. Rabbi Yossi Goldin, director of Young Israel in Israel, emphasizes that olim bring idealism and a vision for the future to Israel, which may not be fully appreciated by those who have lived here all their lives.\n\nWhile this year's Shabbat Aliyah celebrations primarily focus on English-speaking congregations, Rabbi Goldin hopes to include olim communities from other countries in future observances, making the Shabbat of Parashat Lech Lecha an annual aliyah celebration for Israeli communities.",
  "summary": "As 42 congregations across Israel celebrate Shabbat Aliyah, they honor both the journeys that brought olim here and the communal spirit those immigrants bring with them.",
  "key_points": [
    "Shabbat Aliyah honors Israeli immigrants on Lech Lecha Torah portion.",
    "Forty-two communities across Israel celebrate new olim with events.",
    "Rabbi Matanya Kaplan highlights families' strength and resilience."
  ],
  "editors_take": "Formalizing these communal celebrations signals an effort to integrate new immigrants into the social fabric of Israel by recognizing the unique idealism they bring to established local populations.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}