The Israeli Hug Center

When I first arrived in New York as a young psychology student, I never imagined I would stay here for 25 years. Like many Israelis, I thought my time here would be temporary — but life had other plans.
Over the years, I longed for a place that would truly feel like home — a place where Israeli songs would carry us back to our roots, and where the word “community” meant more than just neighbors.As a mother raising children far from family, I felt the absence of a circle that truly understood the Israeli experience — the joy, the struggle, and the complexity of living between two worlds.
I have always felt an inner conflict. Israel is a country one can leave, but you can never truly leave your Israeli-ness behind.We remain connected to the place we care for so deeply, carrying it within us wherever we go.This identity — with its language, warmth, and history — continues to shape who we are, no matter where we live.
For me, as a mother, it was not only a question of belonging — it was a question of identity for my children.
I could not allow them to grow up without holding on to their roots, their language, and their pride in being Israeli.