Despite war, Lower Hudson Valley families make move to Israel By Shawn Cohen The Journal News July 20, 2006 http://www.thejournalnews.com NEW YORK - Standing near the departure gate at John F. Kennedy International Airport, Vita Wolinsky held tightly onto her 1-year-old grandson, half-joking when she told his parents, "You go, we'll keep Aryeh." The grandmother from Monsey paused, then handed the boy over to his parents before saying a bittersweet goodbye to them yesterday as they boarded an El Al plane for a one-way flight to Israel. "Call us when you get there," she said, tearfully, as they headed for a country that is now battling enemies on two fronts. The violence makes all of them nervous, but it also emboldens the young family to carry on with their mission to start a new life in the Jewish state. They were among 239 American and Canadian Jews who took the flight yesterday through the organization Nefesh B'Nefesh and are among 2,300 who are making "aliyah" - immigration to Israel - during the summer. The number is 15 percent more than last year and the most since 1984. And those who are promoting the aliyah movement say the threats facing Israel, including the rocket attacks from southern Lebanon, are one reason why the number is growing, said Michael Landsberg, executive director of the Jewish Agency's Aliyah Department in North America. "They believe they can make a difference, especially in these times," Landsberg said, cheering on passengers yesterday as they lugged their bags into the airport. "They are showing solidarity. No one canceled because of the violence, and I predict it will bring us more immigrants." Landsberg joined several Jewish leaders who held a news conference in the airport lobby, highlighting the large turnout in an effort to show that Jews will not be deterred by terrorists. Toting cameras, microphones and notebooks, journalists repeatedly asked passengers one question - are they having second thoughts about going home with all the violence? The common answer: No. They're nervous, they say, but feel compelled to go because they love Israel and want to stand up for its fight to secure the homeland. "I've always spoken about my support and solidarity for the state of Israel," said Ilanit Zakowski, Wolinsky's daughter. "Now is a better time than ever to express that." Beverly Weisbrot, 43, of New Rochelle came to the airport to wish her brother and his family a safe flight as they headed off yesterday from JFK. "I told him not to go, but not because of the rockets," said Weisbrot, whose brother is from Baltimore. "It's because I'll miss him. My children are very close to his children, so I'd rather have him with me. But I'm proud of him." Anna Melman, 24, a Croton-on-Hudson resident who was hauling two bags and a carry-on to the checkout area, had to say goodbye to her own parents. Melman, a conservative Jew with Zionist ideals, is moving to Israel in hopes of working in conflict management, wanting to improve relations between Arabs and Jews, and religious and secular Israelis. "If Israel's going through a hard time, I want to be there," Melman said. "I feel like my fate is tied up in the fate of my people." Her parents, who are remaining in Croton, followed her to the departure gate. Her father, Marty Melman, snapped pictures of her as she walked past security. "As a mother, it's very hard, but I'm proud of her at the same time," Amy Melman said. She embraced her daughter one last time and told her, "We'll see you soon."