The following is by Miriam Bleich. Miriam, 28, is from Houston. She moved to Birmingham seven months ago and is a psychiatric social worker at UAB Community Psychiatry. Miriam is a participant in The Birmingham Jewish Federation's new Leadership Writing Project which is providing opportunities for young adults to affirm their leadership voices by writing for Update and other media.

By Miriam Bleich

At 19, my brother Benji moved to Israel and joined the Israel Defense Forces (IDF). He was a lone soldier -- chayal boded in Hebrew -- with no close family in the country, but this didn't stop him. Benji's sole reason for moving to Israel was fueled by the deep connection he felt to the history of the land, people, and culture.

Benji's connection to Israel blossomed during his first trip to Israel the summer after his junior year of high school with a youth group program. As kids growing up in a religiously-observant household and having attended a Jewish day school, Israel was always in the forefront of our minds.

Serving in the IDF was Benji's first commitment to the state of Israel. His two years in the IDF seemed to be both extremely challenging and infinitely rewarding -- he fought in the West Bank and Lebanon, witnessing serious injury and even death. He and his platoon protected borders and entry points to defend Israel's safety and fight against terrorism.

As a lone soldier, Benji was taken in by warm and loving Israeli families and new friends to ease his transition into his army service and living in a foreign country. Benji was given opportunities to take time to come back to the U.S. and visit family, foster relationships with Israeli families, and spend time with new friends, again, to make him feel "at home" as a lone soldier.

Through my involvement in The Birmingham Jewish Federation, I have come to learn that funds raised by The BJF help provide these programs for lone soldiers in Israel. There is no doubt that these opportunities strengthened Benji's connection to Israel and emotional fulfillment of living in Israel. Since his IDF service, Benji continues to live and thrive in Israel. Almost two years ago, Benji solidified his commitment to Israel by making aliyah -- a Hebrew word that means "ascension" and refers to immigration to Israel -- and became an Israeli citizen on March 16, 2010.

OUR OWN ALIYAH

My husband, Steven, and I made our own aliyah to Birmingham on June 2, 2011, from New Orleans. We moved to Birmingham as "lone soldiers" with no family or friends here, only with plans for Steven to continue his medical training at UAB. Having both first visited Birmingham in November of 2010, we were charmed by the beauty of the city, friendliness of the people, and intense football pride (something we were familiar with coming from New Orleans!). Little did we know how much deeper our connection to the city would be after all.

It all started thanks to one college friend, who immediately connected us to Caren Seligman, the staff person who facilitates The BJF's You Belong in Birmingham program. She introduced us to two couples in town with New Orleans ties. As it turned out, Steven grew up with a spouse in each respective couple, but had no knowledge that they were living in Birmingham. These new friends have introduced us to more friends, which has broadened our social network and integrated us into a lively and growing community of young Jewish adults.

Thanks to a childhood friend, we were introduced to his freshman year roommate's family, who are active in Birmingham's Jewish community. They have welcomed us with open arms, including us for family events and outings, holidays, and helped connect us professionally.

Thanks to two more college friends who have introduced us to their families and are also active community members, they, too, have "adopted" us. Personal and professional connections have surfaced from Houston and New Orleans, linking us to many wonderful Birmingham families.

INCLUSIVE COMMUNITY

Last fall, we spent our first High Holy days in town with friends and their families, who so graciously opened their homes to us. The inclusive and hospitable nature of the Birmingham community became apparent very quickly. Thanks to all of our friends, their families, and community members along the way who have welcomed us and continue to do so with open arms and warm smiles.

Our "aliyah" to Birmingham has been meaningful to us in ways we couldn't have anticipated. Just like my brother, Benji, our new roots in the community in which we live and people with whom we have built and continue to develop relationships have impacted our lives tremendously, helping us feel "at home."

This is a remarkable Jewish community; though it is the smallest one that we have lived in, it is incredibly warm and engaging. I am deeply proud of my brother, Benji, and I am proud that Steven and I are now in Birmingham. With a smile on my face, I can say, "We belong in Birmingham!"