By Rachel Tescher
A Story of Resilience
Yaffa, born in Vienna, Austria, moved to Tel Aviv, Israel in 1938. After being in Israel for about 16 years she migrated to the United States with her parents and brother by ship in 1954. This embarkment was made up of two different trips. The first trip was from Israel to London in a small Israeli boat titled “Artsa”.
After getting off the small boat and staying with family in London for a few days, Yaffa embarked on the Queen Elizabeth ship, headed to Long Island, New York. This embarkment lasted ten days, with two brief stops in Naples, Italy and Marseille, France.
Arriving in New York City: An Uncertain Beginning
Upon arriving in America for the first time as an 18 year old, Yaffa discusses her feelings of being underwhelmed and overwhelmed at the same time. Yaffa describes feelings of being pale and sick during the embarkment due to the fact that it was winter time and there was no heat on the ship. When getting off the ship and seeing America for the first time, Yaffa explains that she “expected to see more color” in this country and was internally disappointed with her new surroundings in compared to her life in Israel, as she was just a teenager at the time and did not tell any of her friends and boyfriend she was immigrating to America because she did not want to make them upset or cause any confusion.
When first arriving to New York City, Yaffa explained her feelings of sadness and disconnection toward living in the United States after moving here from Israel. Yaffa stated that everyone was very patriotic when living in Israel and proud of their country, especially when it became a state in 1948.After seeing this experience firsthand, Yaffa explained that things felt “different” in America and struggled socially while creating a life for herself in America.
Additionally, Yaffa describes the idea that although both Israel and the United States were heavily flourished and developed, it took some time for her step out of the box in a social and employment aspect, and worked as a camp counselor for two years. Yaffa also describes the idea that she could feel the difference between her family life in Israel versus America. In Israel, Yaffa felt very intertwined and accepted by the Jewish community and people living in this country while almost describing it as one big family and being able to “feel it in the streets”. This aspect is very different in America and took some time for Yaffa to adjust to.
Moving to Miami: Turning Challenge into Opportunity
While still living in the Northeast region, Yaffa became a camp counselor for about two years and then enrolled in college shortly after. As explained by Yaffa, this time in her life was very uncomfortable and forced her to be more of an independent person. Additionally, she stated that the move from Israel to America was specifically hard for her as a young woman in her teenage years because she did not really have anyone to guide or teach her everyday things, although her mother immigrated with her.
Titled Gratz College, Yaffa applied to this teaching school located in Philadelphia and graduated with a Hebrew Teaching License. After attending a conference for Hebrew teachers in Atlantic City, New Jersey, Yaffa met the head of Jewish Education in South Florida. After being assured that he was going to recommend her to work at a Hebrew Academy in Miami, Florida, Yaffa received a call from a rabbi that directed her to New York City for an interview which got her a job at The Hebrew Academy in Miami, Florida.
While still having feelings of discomfort and uncertainty after moving from Israel to America, Yaffa moved to Miami with her mother in hopes to better connect with and feel comfortable in this country. Although she was given a job opportunity in Miami, she felt truly drawn to this city as the beach aspect of it reminded her of Tel-Aviv, Israel, the place she lived before coming to the United States. Shortly after moving to Miami, Yaffa received her “Jewish Floridian” card (pictured below) and began working as a Hebrew School teacher. A few years after being in Miami, Yaffa met her husband, settled down, started a family and has been living in Miami ever since she came down and started a family business with her husband, Edward. Through determination and resilience, she found love, built a home, and established a business that became the cornerstone of her American Dream.
Your Story Matters
New York State Office for New Americans
The NYS Office for New Americans (ONA) provides free services to all immigrants in New York State. Visit the website to access resources for housing, education, employment and community support.
National Immigration Day
NEW YORK STATE OFFICE FOR NEW
AMERICANS
JUNE IS NATIONAL IMMIGRATION MONTH. EACH DAY OF THE MONTH, WE WILL SHARE A STORY OF RESILIENCE IN HOPES TO INSPIRE AND EMPOWER OTHERS. WE MUST AMPLIFY IMMIGRANT FORCES TOGETHER
Join us in highlighting the stories that define the American Dream. Learn how you can get involved and share your story!
In Your Community
Answers to immigration and naturalization questions
Referrals to free legal help and programs
NEW AMERICANS HOTLINE
1-800-566-7636
Legal Help
Information about nearby Opportunity Centers
Report scams against immigrant communities
200+ Languages
Calls are confidential and anonymous
Monday-Friday 9AM-8PM
Yaffa is…
- 90 years old
- Female
- European
- Gay
- Upper Middle Class
- Ashkenazi Jewish