July 26, 2007 / 11 Av 5767

When Katharina Raub came to Israel from Germany in 11th grade, her intention was to find friends with whom she could share her religious identity, a social circle in which she could feel as though she belonged, rather than feeling like an outsider as she did in Germany. Through an exchange program sponsored by the Jewish Agency and its donors throughout the world, Katharina enjoyed a level of social comfort that she never knew existed and developed a steadfast connection to Israel that facilitated her aliyah one year later.

Born in Bielefeld, Germany, Katharina Raub was unaware that she was Jewish until her parents divorced when she was eight. After the initial shock of this life-changing discovery, Katharina decided to learn about her Judaism. She began attending synagogue and wanted to become involved in the Jewish community. But there were barely 150 Jewish people in her town, with most being immigrants from the FSU without teenage children, leaving Katharina socially isolated when she so desperately wanted to feel included.

During 11th grade, Katharina came to Israel on a Jewish Agency for Israel exchange program to meet Jewish and Israeli youth. She lived on a kibbutz with 20 American Jewish teenagers and met Israelis her own age. “I simply fell in love with Israel, and at the end of the year I called my mother and told her I was staying in this great country.” After completing high school, Katharina turned 18 and officially made aliyah. “I then went straight to the army,” says Katharina, now 20, with a soft laugh. “I wanted to be like everyone else.”

Katharina’s basic training was difficult, mostly due to her minimal knowledge of Hebrew. However, when she was placed in the Foreign Relations Branch of the Ground Forces, she found her niche. “The people I worked with were great, and helped me so much with my Hebrew. I loved dealing with military delegations from countries all over the world.”

As a lone soldier in Israel, Katharina received assistance from the Jewish Agency’s Fund for Lone Immigrant Students and Soldiers. “Even though I was a lone soldier, I always knew that I had people supporting me,” recalls Katharina.

Katharina has just finished her army service. She wants to study foreign affairs at the prestigious Herzliya Interdisciplinary Center. “The most telling moment for me since making aliyah was when I was visiting Germany. As my mother was reading my flight schedule to Israel, I said to her, ‘Remind me, when am I flying back home’?”

Through the Jewish Agency’s student exchange program, Katharina was able to develop a strong connection to Israel and to find the strength to make aliyah on her own. As Katharina dutifully served her new country as a soldier, the Jewish Agency continued to provide support, enabling her to keep in touch with the family she left behind. With your help, the Jewish Agency can continue to help lone soldiers stay connected to loved ones in their native countries while building their new lives in Israel. Only $650 will provide a lone soldier with an international calling card, essential appliances and workshops to help them adjust to civilian life in Israel upon the completion of their service. Together, we can make a difference in the lives of those who make a difference in Israel. For more information about how you can help, click here.