Yom HaAliyah By Rachel Raz, Jewish Life Specialist

Yom HaAliyah יוֹם הָעֲלִיָּה, or Aliyah Day, is a relatively new Israeli national holiday celebrated annually on the 10th of the Hebrew month of Nisan. What is Aliyah? Aliyah, in English, is ascent or the act of going up. When we say that someone “made aliyah,” the idea is that they go up spiritually or their soul is uplifted. The day commemorates the time when Joshua led the Israelites into the Land of Israel, as written in the Tanakh. This was the first mass Aliyah to the land following years in Egypt and in the desert. The holiday also acknowledges and honors the ongoing contributions of Olim (Jewish immigrants) to Israeli society in the modern state of Israel. Since Yom HaAliyah falls on school vacation in Israel, it is also observed in Israeli schools on the 7th of the Hebrew month of Cheshvan because of the proximity to the weekly torah portion of Lech Lecha, when Abraham goes to the land of Canaan (Israel). For all those who made Aliyah, happy Yom HaAliyah; we would love to hear your stories and about your experience. And for those of you thinking about it, reach out to our Moishe Houses in Israel, many of the Residents and Hosts have made Aliyah to Israel over the years. May everyone’s spirit ascend on this holiday!