Living and Breathing Torah

In honor of Israel’s 70th year, we asked our alumni in Israel to share their aliyah story. Read Heather Andron’s (’97) story below. Click here to return to the whole page of olim who submitted responses.

What year did you make aliyah and how old were you?

Did your experience in high school influence your decision to make aliyah and if so, how?

Attending ICJA for all four years absolutely had an impact on making Aliyah. Learning all about Am Yisrael and Medinat Yisrael was an important part of our curriculum.

What was your path to aliyah like?

My husband Eric and I got married January 2002 but we did not make Aliyah until 8.5 years later. Once we had our first son, we decided to make Aliyah before he entered first grade. We were zoche to make Aliyah when Eitan was 3.5 years old.

What has been the most rewarding about living in Israel?

The most rewarding experience has been learning with my children and being able to say “we live 20 minutes away from Kever Rachel” or “look we visited Beer Sheva before.” To live and breathe our Torah is an absolute bracha.

What is the most challenging part of making aliyah?

What do you do professionally?

I teach English 3 days a week in a local school. I also teach private English lessons at home. I also am a professionally Ema.

What is your advice for our students today?

Learn! Absorb everything you can and build a solid foundation in Judaic and Secular subjects. I loved my years at ICJA. High school was filled with classes, basketball, extra curricular activities and friendships. Also, never stop asking questions and being open to new ideas.