Oleh at Large: Aliyah Stories

Join David Levine, kids media content expert and DEI champion, on his journey as a new immigrant ('oleh') moving to Israel (making 'Aliyah'). You'll be updated on the adventure, and also hear from other immigrants who have made the move, along with expert tips and suggestions on moving and acclimating to life in Israel, from a newcomer's pov. A Dellet Production for Lightboat Media Ltd. Contact: David Levine IG: @levineatlarge, @aliyah_stories www.lightboat.media

Oleh at Large: Aliyah Stories is a society podcast hosted by David Levine, with 37 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80. PitchCentric scores this show on Booking Probability, Listen Score, and live audience signals refreshed every 24 hours.

David Levine hosts Oleh at Large: Aliyah Stories, a society show with 37 episodes published.

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  Episode #6

  From Wall Street to Israel in 3 Weeks - Ian Mark Entrepreneur S04 E06

  Jul 24, 202627 minS4

  Ian Mark joins David Levine to share his Aliyah story — from a stressful finance job in New York to moving to Israel in three weeks, finding work, building community, dating as an oleh, and eventually creating DateNight AI after co-founding the viral Corona Crush Facebook group during COVID. Ian Mark thought he would move to Israel one day — maybe after a successful finance career, maybe after making enough money, maybe in retirement. Then one day, while working a stressful Wall Street job, he realized he did not have to wait. Within three weeks, he was living in Israel. In this episode, Ian joins David Levine to talk about making Aliyah at 26, searching for work in Israel, discovering how much networking matters, building a social life in Tel Aviv, dating as an oleh, learning Hebrew, and eventually marrying an Israeli. Ian also shares the story behind Corona Crush, the Jewish dating Facebook group that went viral during COVID, and how that community led him to build DateNight AI — a virtual speed dating platform that now works with communities and organizations and has hosted tens of thousands of dates. This is a conversation about Aliyah, entrepreneurship, dating, community, perseverance, and why sometimes the best thing you can do is stop waiting and start. Please don't forget to like and subscribe! And please leave a comment! IG: @aliyah_stories Produced by Lightboat Media Ltd. https://lightboat.media

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  Episode #5

  Buying a Home in Israel? Don’t Make These Mistakes - Moshe Binyamini S04 E05

  Jul 11, 202628 minS4

  Israeli real estate lawyer Moshe Binyamini joins David Levine for a practical guide to buying property in Israel as an oleh or overseas buyer. They discuss remote purchases, hidden costs, mortgages, taxes, developers, new-build risks, currency issues, and the biggest mistakes olim should avoid before signing a contract. This is a practical episode for anyone thinking about buying in Israel, making Aliyah, or helping family members purchase a home from abroad. Mentioned in this episode: Moshe Binyamini – https://www.binyaminilaw.co.il/ Tel Aviv – https://visit.tel-aviv.gov.il/ Israel Canada – https://israel-canada.co.il/ BSR Group – https://www.bsr.co.il/ Bank Discount – https://www.discountbank.co.il/ Israeli Ministry of Aliyah and Integration – https://www.gov.il/en/departments/ministry_of_aliyah_and_integration Nefesh B’Nefesh – https://www.nbn.org.il/ Filmed on location at Soho House Tel Aviv. Credits: Host: David Levine Guest: Moshe Binyamini Editing: Laura Brickman Associate Producer: Daniella Edelman Social Media: Tehilah Simantov #Aliyah #Olim #Israel #IsraeliRealEstate #RealEstate #TelAviv Please don't forget to like and subscribe! And please leave a comment! IG: @aliyah_stories Produced by Lightboat Media Ltd. https://lightboat.media

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  Episode #4

  How ChatGPT Saved Me 20,000 Shekels & A Yafo Tour S04 E04

  Jul 6, 202613 minS4

  In this solo episode of Oleh at Large: Aliyah Stories , David Levine shares a personal update from his own Aliyah journey — from life in Yafo to finally getting the keys to his new apartment in Sarona. After two years in Israel, several temporary apartments, and six months living in Yafo, David reflects on what he has loved about the neighborhood: the Old City, the flea market, the beach, the dog beach, the synagogue community at Zikhron Baruch, and the everyday rituals that made Yafo feel like home. But the next chapter is beginning. David has finally become a homeowner in Israel. His new apartment in Sarona — in the center of Tel Aviv, across from the Kirya and near Sarona Market — is ready for renovation after years of delays, bureaucracy, and waiting for the building’s occupancy approval. The episode then turns into one of the most practical Aliyah stories yet: how David navigated the Israeli mortgage system, compared offers from Bank Leumi and Mizrahi-Tefahot, translated documents, negotiated terms, and ultimately saved himself 20,000 shekels by using ChatGPT to help understand and manage the process. It is a story about bureaucracy, Hebrew WhatsApp groups, Israeli banking, renovation plans, storage units, London trips, family simchas, and the strange feeling of finally becoming a property owner in the Land of Israel. A funny, practical, and honest update on what Aliyah looks like after the first big emotional leap — when the next challenge is building an actual life, one Hebrew document and one WhatsApp group at a time. Please don't forget to like and subscribe! And please leave a comment! IG: @aliyah_stories Produced by Lightboat Media Ltd. https://lightboat.media

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  Episode #3

  Leaving Comfort for Purpose - Entrepreneur/Mom Maayan Gordon Explains S04 E03

  Jun 26, 202629 minS4

  Entrepreneur and new olah Maayan Gordon joins David Levine to share why she and her family left the comfort of American life and made Aliyah during a war. From motherhood and business to community and purpose, this is a story about finding home and building a life in Israel—one messy step at a time. After years of building businesses in the United States, Maayan never imagined she would one day leave the comfort and convenience of American life behind. But after October 7th, a long-awaited trip to Israel changed something deep inside her. For the first time, she experienced a sense of belonging and connection that made her realize Israel wasn't simply a place she loved—it was home. In this episode, Maayan shares the emotional journey that led her family to make Aliyah, including convincing her non-Jewish husband to take the leap, welcoming a daughter, and ultimately arriving in Israel during the middle of a war. She reflects on raising children in Israel, building community, entrepreneurship in Startup Nation, the realities of Israeli life, and why she believes that even amid the messiness of Aliyah, they are living the best life they could be living. This is a conversation about identity, family, purpose, and finding home. Follow Maayan: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/maayangordonmedia/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@maayangordonmedia LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/maayangordon/ Website: https://www.maayangordon.com/ 🎙️ Oleh at Large: Aliyah Stories Real Stories. Real Advice. Real Aliyah. Hosted by David Levine Credits Editing: Laura Brickman Associate Producer: Daniella Edelman Social Media: Tehila Simantov #Aliyah #Israel #Motherhood #Entrepreneurship #StartupNation

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  Episode #2

  Shlomo's Journey Is Still Being Written - LGBT and Zionist in Israel S04 E02

  Jun 18, 202630 minS4

  Writer Shlomo Kates joins David Levine to discuss his Aliyah journey, life in Tel Aviv, volunteering for IDF service later in life, and why he believes Israel is the only place where he can fully embrace all parts of his identity. Shlomo shares his views on the future of Canadian Jewry and how LGBTQ Jews fare in Israel. This is a conversation about belonging, resilience, and finding home. Links Mentioned Times of Israel @ https://www.timesofisrael.com/ Havruta @ https://havruta.org.il/en/ LGBT Olim @ https://www.lgbtolim.org/ 🎙️ Oleh at Large: Aliyah Stories Real Stories. Real Advice. Real Aliyah. Hosted by David Levine Credits Filmed on location at Soho House Tel Aviv Editing: Laura Brickman Associate Producer: Daniella Edelman Social Media: Tehila Simantov #Israel #JewishLife #LGBTQ #IDF #Toronto #TelAviv #canada

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