Ulpan Akiva participant Isak Mizrahi was born and raised in Istanbul, Turkey.  "It's a really cool Jewish Community" Isak says with pride.  "Small but cool."  With over 26,000 Jews Turkey holds the second largest Jewish population living in a Muslim country next to Iran. Although there is evidence that Jews have lived in Turkey for more

than 2,400 years, the modern Jewish population is largely comprised of descendents of Sephardi Jews who fled the persecution in Spain and Portugal.  The Turkish Sultan Bayazid II welcomed the Jews with open arms.  Turkey has traditionally shown its Jewish population a level of protection and support unmatched in much of the world. "Indeed," the European Jewish Congress website notes, "Turkey serves as a model to be emulated by any nation that finds refugees from any of the four corners of the world standing at its doors."

Isak came to Israel on the Ulpan Akiva program that offers participants a 5 month intensive Hebrew Ulpan. They have "excellent teachers," Isak states. "The education is really good."  The program also includes trips around Israel and opportunities to volunteer in Israeli organizations. Isak was able to work with Latet and Shulchan L'Shulcan (Table to Table), two organizations that help the poor and needy in Israel.   Also, as Isak enthusiastically pointed out, the Ulpan is located 5 minutes from the beach.

Already having a two year Tourism and Hotel Management degree under his belt, Isak is currently near the end of a four year Management degree in Istanbul, which he will finish upon his return.  As an open university, Isak was able to take 5 months off to study in Israel and Ulpan Akiva, running from September to February, fit well with his academic calendar back home.  Having a brother who made Aliyah 17 years ago, Isak admits he is exploring the idea himself and reveals he also chose Ulpan Akiva because of the platform it gave him to become more connected with Israel and to increase his knowledge of Hebrew, an element he views crucial to his ability to successfully integrate into Israeli society on both a social and professional level. 

Through his program, Isak has been able to meet people from all over the world, including participants on Career Israel, a MASA program who joined the ulpan at Ulpan Akiva for a two month period.  Isak said that he is still friends with many of the Career Israel participants he met at the beginning of his program.  In fact, he relates, he was out with many of them the night before at a farewell party in Tel Aviv.     

Isak is 24 years old and currently in the middle of a two year degree in Hotel Management and Tourism in Istanbul.  He plans to pursue a Masters Degree in Business Management either at home in Turkey or here in Israel.

Source:European Jewish Congress: Turkey