Like many other Israelis, the events of October 7 and the war that followed were the main reasons behind our decision to leave the country. We lived about 40 kilometres from the Gaza Strip, in the southern region of Israel, and were deeply connected to that area. My husband's work warehouse was in Kfar Aza – one of the kibbutzim that suffered some of the most severe attacks on Israeli territory. 

My husband and I both owned private businesses in the events industry. I worked in photography and videography, while he was a sound engineer. Just as we were starting to recover from the impact of COVID, this crisis hit, and the industry was thrown into uncertainty again – and still hasn't fully recovered to this day. With no steady income and no clear prospects for the near future, we faced the difficult but ultimately logical decision – we came to Canada in April 2024. 

Changing countries is never easy – and the older you get, the harder it can feel. Our decision to come to Canada wasn't spontaneous. It was made during a time of crisis, and we left with heavy hearts, knowing we were walking away from everything familiar – our home, our loved ones, and the lives we had built. 

That said, one positive surprise was the accessibility of information in Canada. Our documentation process, including obtaining a visa, went relatively smoothly. We were also lucky to have acquaintances who quickly became close friends and offered incredible support, especially during our first few weeks. 

One of the challenges we didn't fully anticipate was housing. Trying to secure a place while still overseas didn't lead to much success – and even finding a short-term rental turned into a stressful ordeal, with multiple cancellations, rejections, and even what felt like scams. Once we arrived in Canada, we began looking in person, but that came with its own hurdles. The rental market here moves very quickly. Listings disappear almost instantly, and as newcomers, we often faced refusals even with the help of a realtor. Many landlords preferred long-time residents and required months of rent upfront — a nearly impossible ask when you're just arriving and still trying to stabilize financially. 

As expected, financial insecurity has been one of the hardest aspects of this transition. Back home, we had built stable lives – running our businesses, working in familiar circles, surrounded by people who knew and trusted us. Coming here meant starting over entirely. Even when you stay within your field of expertise, it's still a new beginning. You must reestablish yourself from scratch – prove your skills, build a new network, all in a different language and cultural context. That part has been especially tough. 

However, even the things we expected – such as cultural differences – still took us by surprise. Canada and Israel are distinctly different in terms of mentality, lifestyle, and how things are handled on a day-to-day basis. In some cases, we found ourselves frustrated by how slow certain systems felt here. In others, we had to adjust to entirely new ways of doing things. That cultural adjustment is still ongoing. 

But the most meaningful help came when we connected with JIAS. Their assistance, particularly covering one month's rent, made a huge difference for us. It relieved a major financial burden during a very stressful time, and we're incredibly grateful for that support. We also received some beautiful gestures, such as a produce gift card and support around Jewish holidays, like groceries for Passover. These small but thoughtful moments meant a lot – not just practically, but emotionally as well. They helped us feel connected to our roots, to tradition, and gave us a sense of home. 

One of the most challenging aspects to cope with is being far from our extended family. It's something that weighs on us daily. Visiting isn't easy – not just because of the emotional toll, but also because it is expensive and time-consuming. With the high cost of airfare and the demands of work and school, it's not something we can do whenever we feel the need. That distance is deeply felt. 

That said, we have already overcome a lot. We navigated the immigration process, found a home, and started to build a new daily rhythm. Things are slowly improving – we're finding our way, adapting to a new pace of life, and meeting kind and supportive people. The challenges are still real, but so is our determination to move forward.