Amy Bodoff, 49, made aliyah from Teaneck to Jerusalem in 2017. She happily works at Philip Stein & Associates as a U.S. accountant and lives near one of her best friends from Teaneck.

Aviva: Where did you grow up and go to school?

Amy: I grew up in North Bellmore, Long Island, and went to the Hebrew Academy of Nassau County (HANC).

Can you tell me about one of your memorable trips to Israel?

My first-ever trip to Israel was for my cousin’s wedding when I was 17. It was only four days long, but it was memorable in that it was my first experience in Israel.

What kind of Zionist education did you have?

HANC encouraged us all to go to Israel for a year. We graduated after 11th grade, so it was set up for us to study in Israel and then to go on to either YU, Stern, Queens College or anywhere else that we wanted to. This way, we could come back and start as freshmen if we decided to go to a secular college. I didn’t actually go to Israel for the year, and started Stern immediately after graduating from HANC.

When did you move to Teaneck?

I moved to Teaneck almost a year after my mom died, in 2006.

What motivated you to live in Israel?

One of my good friends was living in the States at the time, but she grew up in Israel and her family invited me for the chagim. I went very often, and I found I enjoyed my time in Israel. I could see it as a good place to live. I didn’t want to go home after each successive trip, and after one of those trips, I finally decided to start the aliyah process.

What was your aliyah experience like?

I wanted someone to guide me through everything from A to Z, so I signed up for the [Nefesh B’Nefesh] charter flight.

You work at an accounting firm. How did that happen?

When I met with the employment coordinator at Nefesh B’Nefesh in the States, it was the first time I ever heard someone squeal at what I do for a living. She was very excited because apparently, Israel needs U.S. accountants. I started working at my job six weeks before I got on the aliyah flight. I was a full-time employee a week after I landed.

What do you love about living in Israel?

I like having actual vacation days that aren’t used up for the Jewish holidays. That’s a big plus for me. I like working in the field that I trained for and not having to work 16-hour days. I work nine hours a day, and I’m quite happy with that. Israel respects the work-home balance. I like exploring the country in my free time. I take short hikes and visit historical sites.

Is there anything you miss about living in New Jersey?

I miss my friends.

Do you have a message for anyone who is considering making aliyah?

Try to have a soft landing by planning everything in advance as much as you can. Get as much advice as possible, but listen to your heart about what you need. Aliyah is a personal and unique experience.

I was never a person who said I’m going to make aliyah someday. Even when my brother told me he was making aliyah two years before I did, I didn’t really consider it. I never thought I could make a living here supporting myself, but when the employment coordinator squealed, I realized that maybe I was wrong. I’m not going to say it’s easy. You need to live on a budget, but you can have whatever life you want here.

By Aviva Zacks