From Aliyah to Independence
Rafael Benodis is 19 years old. He made aliyah on his own from France in November 2024, leaving his parents behind while joining his grandparents and extended family in Israel.
Growing up, Rafael witnessed the rise of antisemitism in France and across Europe. He realized he did not want his future children to grow up in that reality.
On October 7, his cousin, Natan Hai Liar z”l, fought like a lion in Kerem Shalom and fell heroically. At the same time, as pro-Palestinian demonstrations spread across France, Rafael understood he had no other choice; he had to come home.
At first, his parents were in shock. Rafael had left behind demanding engineering studies in France, and his father initially refused to support his decision. Over time, however, they came to understand that it was the right path for him.
Today, Rafael is part of an academic military program and is pursuing a combined degree in electrical engineering and physics at the Technion.
Adjusting was not easy. One of his biggest challenges was reaching the level of students who had grown up in Israel. He often had to revisit lectures multiple times to fully grasp the material, gradually finding a study pace that allowed him to succeed.
Learning Hebrew from scratch was another major hurdle, but one he embraced. He studied at an ulpan at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and chose to live with Israeli roommates from different backgrounds, an experience that helped him quickly adapt to both the language and the culture.
Through his military program and participation in the Anières Program — an honors program for outstanding students — Rafael has connected with peers from across Israel and around the world, gaining a deeper understanding of Israeli society in all its diversity. He was also struck by how Israelis take initiative from a young age, whether through travel, work, or volunteering.
This year marks Rafael’s second Independence Day, one of his favorite days. He plans to celebrate with flags and friends in front of the Western Wall in Jerusalem.
One of his most meaningful moments came during last year’s celebrations there, when he realized that the Jewish people have no other place in the world but Israel.
Every morning, Rafael feels confident he made the right choice. He hopes that Jews living abroad will one day feel the same and choose to return home.
Learn more about the Anières Program: https://anieres.org/scholarship/
