Maayan Singer, 9, made aliyah with her parents Natalie and Arnie, her brother Yehuda, and her sister Ayelet, from Teaneck to Modiin in July, and her grandfather Motti joined them last week. She has aunts, uncles, cousins and a Saba in her new neighborhood and is very excited to see what school is like in Israel.

Hi, Maayan. Welcome to Israel. Where were you born and what school did you go to in New Jersey?

Maayan: I was born in Manhattan. We moved to Teaneck when I was 6 months old and I went to Yeshivat He’Atid from pre-K through third grade.

Before you made aliyah, you visited Israel many times, right?

Maayan: Yes. We came in the summers to visit my family. Two years ago, when I was in Israel for the summer, I went to Camp Pesek Zman (a swimming instruction camp) where I had a great time. And I also went to All Stars Camp (a sports-themed camp in Hashmonaim), which was also awesome.

When your parents told you you’re going to move to Israel, what did you think about that?

Maayan: I was excited, I was scared, and I was sad that I would be further away from my friends.

That’s exactly how I felt, too, when I was deciding to move to Israel. Do you know anyone here in Modiin?

Maayan: Yes, I have family here, and I know girls from my previous years in camp. I also have two friends from Teaneck that are making aliyah this summer and one of them is moving to Modiin.

That’s really great because that makes aliyah easier. Since you’ve been here, once you got out of quarantine, have you done anything fun?

Maayan: I went to camp, to the aquarium, and to the Kotel. I also saw a lot of my family, which was really fun.

What do you like to do for fun? What are your hobbies?

Maayan: I like to read, do gymnastics and swim.

What do you think this coming school year is going to be like?

Maayan: I know it’s going to be new and a little scary, but I’m going to make new friends and improve my Ivrit.

How is your Ivrit?

Maayan: Thanks to Yeshivat He’atid, my Ivrit is pretty good, but I know I’m going to learn more because I will learn it in school and use it as an Israeli.

Do you know anyone who is going to school with you?

Maayan: My sister is going to be in the same school. I also have a friend named Avigail who also made aliyah from Teaneck who’s going to be in my school.

You have been writing your thoughts and stories about things related to the parsha for The Jewish Link for the last few months. Are you planning to continue to write?

Maayan: I am working on a parsha blog—www.maayansinger.wordpress.com/—which I can’t wait to share with you all.

What do you think you’re going to miss the most about New Jersey?

Maayan: I’m going to miss my friends and my school. I’m also going to miss my house because I lived there for a long time and it’s familiar to me.

What do you want to tell your friends back in New Jersey, if they’re reading this interview?

Maayan: I really miss you, and I can’t wait for you to come and visit.

Do you have any advice for a child, like you, whose parents tell them that they’re going to make aliyah?

Maayan: Try not to worry about it that much. It’s an exciting adventure that you are doing with your family. Find a way to keep in touch with your friends, but don’t forget how many new friends you’re going to make.

That’s good advice. Thanks, Maayan, and good luck with your aliyah.

By Aviva Zacks