Embarking on a journey 2000+ years in the making, we are thrilled to be in the process of making Aliyah to the land of Israel. This marks the final and deeply significant leg of our family's expedition, symbolizing the reclaiming of our Jewish identity. 

Our journey began in the mid-1980s when Chaim (Aleksey) was born in the former USSR. Living under communist rule, several generations of Chaim's family slowly severed ties with their Jewish identity to avoid persecution. 

Upon immigrating to the USA in 1997, with the assistance of the Jewish Federation of Houston, Chaim learned about his Jewish ancestry for the first time. While attending the Hebrew Academy, Chaim was placed in the first grade class at the age of thirteen as he did not speak English or Hebrew. Little did he know, this humbling experience would be the catalyst for reconnecting with his Jewish roots.

As a Houston native, world explorer, and truth seeker, I embarked on my own spiritual journey to Judaism during my teenage years. The first resonant notes of a shofar touched something deep within my soul.

With roots extending back to Andalusia, Spain, in my maternal ancestry, there's a compelling connection to the Converso lineage. The echoes of a rich and complex history add an extra layer of significance to my own personal journey to return to Judaism and the land of Israel.

After welcoming our first two children, Oriyah and Noach, we felt a deep yearning to provide our family with a profound connection to our Jewish heritage. Our desire was to raise our children within a supportive community and a strong Jewish identity.

In 2015, many years following his immigration to the United States and Chaim's initial introduction to the Houston Jewish community, our family took a transformative step. Selling our home, we relocated to a small apartment within walking distance of our synagogue, determined to reshape our family legacy. 

Our family expanded in 2017 with the arrival of Shlomo Meir, and by 2019, we decided to further immerse ourselves in a flourishing Jewish community. We moved from Meyerland to the blossoming Young Israel neighborhood in Southwest Houston, solidifying our commitment to building a vibrant Jewish life for our family.

In 2020, drawn by an undeniable connection to Israel and inspired by the Aliyah journeys of many dear friends, we took a decisive step and initiated an Aliyah application with Nefesh B’Nefesh. Now, nearly four years since that pivotal moment, the time has arrived for us to embark on our long-anticipated journey back home, a dream and prayer that has been nurtured and cherished for years.

Navigating the intricate logistics of making Aliyah presents daunting challenges, requiring us to step out of the cocoon of comfort and familiarity. Yet, with unwavering conviction, we wholeheartedly believe that this decision is not merely a choice but the optimal path forward for our family. In embracing the unknown, we are forging a destiny that resonates with the core of our beliefs and aspirations.

We look forward with anticipation to joining our many friends and extended family already living in the Land.

With our eyes and hearts set towards Jerusalem,

The Bobylev Family