Français
Español
English
Portuguese
DeLuca said his move followed years of planning that began after his first visit to Israel two decades ago.
By Shula Rosen
Two North American Jews arrived in Israel this week to begin new lives in the country despite the war with Iran and widespread flight cancellations that disrupted international travel.
Henry Garfinkle, 26, from Toronto, reached Israel on March 8 after repeatedly attempting to rebook a canceled flight.
Michael DeLuca, 39, from North Carolina, landed a day later, also after navigating disruptions tied to the conflict.
Both immigrations were arranged through Nefesh B’Nefesh in cooperation with Israel’s Ministry of Aliyah and Integration, the Jewish Agency for Israel, Keren Kayemeth LeIsrael and Jewish National Fund-USA.
Garfinkle had originally planned to arrive on March 1, but the outbreak of the war with Iran forced airlines to cancel his flight.
After searching for alternatives, he eventually found another route and completed the move he had planned for months.
“Regardless of the situation, I wasn’t deterred at all,” Garfinkle told Ynet. “It actually felt strange for me not to be in Israel while all this was going on.”
The Toronto native had spent eight months living in Israel last year while participating in an internship program in Tel Aviv.
During that stay he began arranging his Aliyah.
When the 12-day war with Iran erupted in June 2025 near the end of the program, he returned temporarily to Canada and continued the immigration process from there.
“I have ambitions for the life I want to live in Israel, and the war isn’t going to stop me,” he told Ynet.
DeLuca said his move followed years of planning that began after his first visit to Israel two decades ago.
“Twenty years ago, after that trip, I remember coming home and saying that one day I wanted to live in Israel,” DeLuca said.
He returned again during the Jewish High Holidays in September 2023. When the October 7 attacks occurred while he was visiting the country, he chose to remain for several weeks and volunteer during the early period of the war.
“It didn’t even cross my mind to leave,” he said. “I wanted to stay and help in any way I could and be part of something bigger.”
After returning to the United States, DeLuca opened an Aliyah file in December 2023 and continued preparations for his relocation.
His planned departure was later delayed by canceled flights after the war with Iran began.
“The first thing that crossed my mind was that I was anxious not to be there,” he said. “It never crossed my mind that I wouldn’t go anymore because of the war. I just wanted to find the next possible way to get there.”
Do You Love Israel? Make a Donation - Show Your Support!
Donate to vital charities that help protect Israeli citizens and inspire millions around the world to support Israel too!
Now more than ever, Israel needs your help to fight and win the war -- including on the battlefield of public opinion.
Antisemitism, anti-Israel bias and boycotts are out of control. Israel's enemies are inciting terror and violence against innocent Israelis and Jews around the world. Help us fight back!
