Page 56 - issue
P. 56
DREAMS COME TRUE
NETANYAJOURNEYTO
THE ALIYAH OF THE LEHMAN FAMILY
Wby Shira Bracha Shugarman
hen I think of Netanya, my cruising along the cliff line like giant When they did make aliyah, Dina
mind’s eye goes straight to kites, Dina shares her aliyah story. explains why they settled in Netanya.
its beautiful beach. The Dina’s parents were actually raised in
blue sky, warm sand, ◆◆◆ Israel. Her father was eighth generation
sparkling water, and, of Israeli; his family originally came on the
course, the waves – crash- Yehoshua and Dina Lehman left aliyah of the students of the Gra (the
ing against the shore one their Pickwick home in Baltimore in Vilna Gaon) in the 1800s. Dina’s grand-
after the other, each one in 1999 and settled in Netanya with their parents on her mother’s side made
harmony with the next but coming in at three young elementary-age children. aliyah from Germany before the out-
a different angle. Recently, I had the They figured they should not delay the break of World War II. In the 1950s,
privilege of spending Shabbos with a move because, according to Dina, “It’s food was scarce in Eretz Yisrael, so
most incredible family in Netanya. so much easier while the children are Dina’s parents left to chutz la’aretz to
Similar to the waves of the ocean, the younger. When we first told the kids we find means of support to feed their
Lehman family has found a home in were moving, they were young enough children, literally. Even though they left
the welcoming community of Netanya, to see it as an adventure.” At this point, Eretz Yisrael, they retained an apart-
yet remain distinct. years later, the Lehman children have ment there, “because they felt they
all adjusted and are more Israeli than would come back.” The last one they
I meet Dina Lehman by the board- their American parents. owned was in Netanya, so upon aliyah,
walk on erev Shabbos. I assume she the Lehman’s moved into that apart-
frequents the beach quite often, but I ask Dina what prompted their ment.
she laughs and says, “People have to move. She answers me simply, “I think
bring me out.” When the grandchildren it’s a mitzva to live in Eretz Yisrael; it When Dina’s parents moved back to
visit, she enjoys the ocean’s beauty with brings you closer to Hashem.” When Eretz Yisrael, the Lehman’s bought a
them, but life is busy, and she doesn’t Yehoshua and Dina were dating, they smaller and more affordable apartment
always have the time to relax by the discussed their mutual dream to live in for them a block away. In addition to
beach. As we sit on a shaded bench Eretz Yisrael but were unable to do so her parents, Dina’s sister was already
next to the boardwalk, with paragliders immediately. Yehoshua was in medical living in Petach Tikva when they
school studying physical medicine and arrived, and they had lots of aunts,
rehab and had to finish his internship
and residency before relocating.
52 u www.wherewhatwhen.com u
NETANYAJOURNEYTO
THE ALIYAH OF THE LEHMAN FAMILY
Wby Shira Bracha Shugarman
hen I think of Netanya, my cruising along the cliff line like giant When they did make aliyah, Dina
mind’s eye goes straight to kites, Dina shares her aliyah story. explains why they settled in Netanya.
its beautiful beach. The Dina’s parents were actually raised in
blue sky, warm sand, ◆◆◆ Israel. Her father was eighth generation
sparkling water, and, of Israeli; his family originally came on the
course, the waves – crash- Yehoshua and Dina Lehman left aliyah of the students of the Gra (the
ing against the shore one their Pickwick home in Baltimore in Vilna Gaon) in the 1800s. Dina’s grand-
after the other, each one in 1999 and settled in Netanya with their parents on her mother’s side made
harmony with the next but coming in at three young elementary-age children. aliyah from Germany before the out-
a different angle. Recently, I had the They figured they should not delay the break of World War II. In the 1950s,
privilege of spending Shabbos with a move because, according to Dina, “It’s food was scarce in Eretz Yisrael, so
most incredible family in Netanya. so much easier while the children are Dina’s parents left to chutz la’aretz to
Similar to the waves of the ocean, the younger. When we first told the kids we find means of support to feed their
Lehman family has found a home in were moving, they were young enough children, literally. Even though they left
the welcoming community of Netanya, to see it as an adventure.” At this point, Eretz Yisrael, they retained an apart-
yet remain distinct. years later, the Lehman children have ment there, “because they felt they
all adjusted and are more Israeli than would come back.” The last one they
I meet Dina Lehman by the board- their American parents. owned was in Netanya, so upon aliyah,
walk on erev Shabbos. I assume she the Lehman’s moved into that apart-
frequents the beach quite often, but I ask Dina what prompted their ment.
she laughs and says, “People have to move. She answers me simply, “I think
bring me out.” When the grandchildren it’s a mitzva to live in Eretz Yisrael; it When Dina’s parents moved back to
visit, she enjoys the ocean’s beauty with brings you closer to Hashem.” When Eretz Yisrael, the Lehman’s bought a
them, but life is busy, and she doesn’t Yehoshua and Dina were dating, they smaller and more affordable apartment
always have the time to relax by the discussed their mutual dream to live in for them a block away. In addition to
beach. As we sit on a shaded bench Eretz Yisrael but were unable to do so her parents, Dina’s sister was already
next to the boardwalk, with paragliders immediately. Yehoshua was in medical living in Petach Tikva when they
school studying physical medicine and arrived, and they had lots of aunts,
rehab and had to finish his internship
and residency before relocating.
52 u www.wherewhatwhen.com u
