Making Aliyah: And off we go. . .

The 7th JNF UK London - Jerusalem Car Rally, in celebration of Israel's 60th Anniversary, is departing London Sunday, May 18th.

Twenty Five classic and historic cars will drive the 2,500 miles- on a route that trails through France, Switzerland, Italy, Greece and finally Israel.

This year, two of the Rally's participants - Aly Singer and Yan Cohen- will be making Aliyah upon arriving in Israel. The young Brits will be driving a 1948 Rolls Royce to Jerusalem where they will be welcomed as new Olim on June 4th. The cars will drive right up to the Knesset and be welcomed by the heads of State. 

At the end of the rally, when all the drivers will return to their homes, Aly and Yan will begin life in their new home in Israel. Follow the two young pioneers on their amazing adventure -  read about the passing scenery, the hotels they stay at and their feelings through this life changing journey.

_______________________________________________________________

About the Olim:

Aly Singer

Known as Aly to my family and friends, I am 28 years old and I am making Aliya with Nefesh B'Nefesh from the UK.  Being able to do this in a 1948 Rolls Royce as part of the JNF London to Jerusalem Car Rally is a truly unique opportunity and it promises to be an incredible experience.

A little about me and my background. . .

I was born in Edgware General Hospital on 26 October 1979 and grew up in Stanmore, North London. I attended Rosh Pinah Primary School, a strongly Zionist school, where I really felt that they encouraged children to excel at what they showed an interest in. At the age of 11, I went to Hasmonean High School in Hendon. After finishing High School and having banked some good grades, I went to Israel to study in Yeshiva. As well as developing a depth of Jewish knowledge, the time that I spent in Israel connected to an environment with which I could identify provided me with the tools to help refine my religious identity, and develop my desire to live in Israel in the future.

I was pretty good at sports growing up and having peaked in my football (English!) and tennis playing abilities some time between the age of 9 and 12, cricket became more my thing in my teens and twenties. I have held various leadership roles for MAL Cricket Club for the past ten or so years. 

Over the past year, I've also introduced skiing into my sporting repertoire but I must say that this is still very much a work-in-progress.

I returned from a year in Israel in 2000 to study Chemistry at University College London. I enjoyed studying Chemistry but by the time I graduated I had realised that a career in finance rather than in the lab was more my thing. I began my professional career at a large accounting firm in London on their Graduate training program, and received my professional qualification in 2006.  In 2007, I was selected to join the firm's International Tax Department in New York. I lived on the Upper West Side of Manhattan for 12 months and had a great experience there  I now feel very fortunate that the firm is supporting my Aliya by offering me a position in their Tel Aviv office.

And now back to the car rally….

I could never have imagined in my wildest dreams that I would be making Aliya in this way. Although I will of course miss my nearest and dearest in London (and New York) as well as all that these cities have to offer, all is set for the trip of a lifetime and the life which follows, and I can’t wait for the rally's grand finale in Jerusalem.

Along the way on this 18 day journey, I look forward to sharing my experiences with you - the highs, the lows, the ups and downs, the challenges we confront, the emotions we feel; and together with some pictures, the descriptions of the sights we pass along the way.

I really hope you enjoy sharing this journey with us. Who knows, it may even inspire you to come and join us here - watch this space!

* * *

Yan Cohen

In a weird way, my Aliyah journey began when I selected my chosen network on Facebook as 'Israel' a few months ago. As I sit here, my mind and heart are already in Israel and, if I'm honest, left London quite a while ago.

My relationship status is "Single", I know shocking isn't it!? How can such a good looking nice Jewish boy be single? It's going to be interesting to see what I make of Israeli women (or at least their mothers that always try setting up their daughters on a Shiduch).

My hometown is Tel-Aviv. Yes that's right I am actually a Sabra. Rather than an Oleh Chadash (new immigrant), I will be making Aliyah as a Katin Chozer (returning minor). I am proud to be from Tel-Aviv, though right now I am worried that I have none of the key attributes necessary to survive and prosper in a city that I get tingles down my spine just thinking about. Having spent most of my life in suburban Manchester, Nottingham and most recently London, I am worried that I have developed the one flaw that will initially hold me back in Israel's greatest city.

In my twenty years in the UK I have developed the crippling condition known as 'British middle class sensibilities'. That's right, I love a good queue and often find myself saying please and thank you at the end of every sentence. I'd probably thank inanimate objects just for performing the function they were created to do if it didn't result in sectioning under the mental health act. My one saving grace is I enjoy a good Rugby scrum; and although Israel is not a nation known for it's superiority with the oval ball, I am sure they could win any scrum down against even New Zealand if it meant getting on the bus first or the freshest challah on a Friday morning.

My political views are 'Very Liberal'. When I was fifteen I bought a T-shirt with a picture of Che Guevara on it. The rest, as they say, is history. I have always leaned to the left and have been involved in left-wing activism for a number of years. I was Mazkir of Habonim Dror in the UK and have a political background steeped in socialist Zionist education and inspiration. Though my choice to live in Israel is personal and not political, I cannot wait to participate in a political system that gives me such pride and utter despair at the same time. I genuinely believe that a fully democratic Israel with complete equal rights for all, living parallel to an equally democratic Palestinian state will ensure that future generations will live in a region free from war, terror and the emotional and cultural baggage that goes along with it.

I have some of the greatest friends anyone could ever wish for. I am going to miss them terribly and hope to show many of the ones who have never visited Israel before, what a truly incredibly place I have chosen to live in when they come visit next year. Finally, as I sit here, I find myself happy to be leaving one thing behind. Only two days ago my beloved Manchester City FC were beaten 8-1 at the hands of Middlesborough. No longer will I feel the need to read every scrap of news in the papers and online regarding The Blues; and no longer will I need to make ridiculous journeys to go and watch them get beaten one week and then destroy Manchester United the next.

Who am I kidding. David Ben Gurion, Yitzchak Rabin and Sven Goran Eriksson have all ensured that blue and white run through my veins.