For the Shterenshtein family, Yevgeniy, Marina, and kids Maxim, 8, and Alexandra, 6, their Aliyah fulfillment was many years in the making. Yevgeniy had been aware of his Jewish roots for a long time and was raised on the stories of his late Grandfather, named Israel. In the 1990s, when Yevgeniy was a child, his family planned to move to Israel, as it was his father’s dream, but unfortunately, his father died before they could make Aliyah.

In 2019, a cousin of Yevgeniy’s was able to make Aliyah with his wife thanks to assistance from The Jewish Agency. Another cousin and his family followed suit in March 2020, catching the last flight to Tel Aviv before the regular flights were canceled due to corona restrictions.

Yevgeniy’s family began the Aliyah paperwork process in late 2019. The Jewish Agency coordinator in Mariupol offered the Shterenshteins the chance to participate in a seminar dedicated to Aliyah programs, which was organized by the Kharkiv office.

“Besides tons of information on life in Israel, we were also introduced to the traditions of Shabbat, and felt the connection with other families who were at different stages of their ‘road of a thousand miles,’” recalled Yevgeniy.

After getting approval in January that they were approved for Aliyah, the Shterenshteins were finally able to get to Israel.

“Despite the pandemic restrictions, and global lockdown, my family and I made Aliyah on May 10 – and I can’t call it anything but a miracle,” shared Yevgeniy. “We are thrilled, and excited, and can’t even believe that this is finally happening. My father’s dream has become mine, and I am living it now!”