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The Schmooze

Couple Becomes Oldest Ever To Make Aliyah

Philip and Dorothy Grossman could think of no better way to show their love for each other, their family and for Israel than to make aliyah this Valentine’s Day. The husband and wife, ages 95 and 93 respectively, are the oldest couple to have ever immigrated to Israel.

The Baltimore couple, married 71 years, were joined by 41 other olim on a Nefesh B’Nefesh flight that landed at Ben-Gurion International Airport early this morning. “We are in love with Israel and are very excited to be making aliyah,” Dorothy said. “We are so happy that we will finally be living close to all our family members in Israel.”

Of the Grossman’s three children, one has already made aliyah and another intends to immigrate this year. Three of their five grandchildren live in Israel, and two of their 14 great-grandchildren were on hand at TLV to welcome them upon their arrival.

This story definitely calls for adding a little red to the Blue and White. Although Valentine’s Day is neither a Jewish nor an official Israeli holiday, the seemingly coincidental timing of this highly unusual aliyah goes to show that it is truly never too late to show your love.

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