The oldest couple ever to make aliyah landed in Israel on Tuesday from Baltimore. Welcome to Israel, Phillip and Dorothy Grossman, ages 95 and 93.
They are part of a Nefesh B’Nefesh group with more than 40 other new immigrants from North America. The Grossmans immediately headed for their new home in Jerusalem.
“We love Israel and we are very excited about our Aliyah,” said Dorothy Grossman. “We are also extremely happy that we can live close to all our family in Israel.”
The couple was born in the United States and has been married for 71 years. Grossman is a retired accountant.
One of their three children already lives in Israel, and a second plans to move to the country this summer.
They also have five grandchildren, three of them in Israel, 14 great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren, many of whom greeted them at the airport upon Tuesday morning.
“Phillip and Dorothy are probably the oldest Olim couple that the State of Israel has ever absorbed, and they are proof that it is never too late to fulfill your dream and make such a significant decision in life,” said Erez Halfon, Vice Chairman of Nefesh B’Nefesh. “We congratulate them and wish them many more years of health and happiness living together with their family in Israel.”
The oldest person ever to make aliyah is a woman from New York who moved to Israel at the age of 102.
Nearly six years ago, another Baltimore resident and a former friend of the Grossmans made aliyah at the age of 99.
