Project Spotlight: The Centenarian Who Made Aliyah

IFCJ Canada  |  December 5, 2025

The Fellowship is proud to have assisted 100-year-old Sara Unterberg from Uruguay this past month as she made aliyah (immigration) to her biblical homeland. Her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren all live in Israel, and she’s visited several times in the past and watched the modern Jewish state grow since its founding in 1948. Recent events made her realize that she should come to Israel, not just to live out the rest of her long and storied life, but to use her remaining time on earth to contribute to Jewish life in Israel.

Sara was born in Lithuania in 1925 and immigrated to Uruguay when she was a little over a year old. She would be a pillar to the Jewish community in Montevideo, founding the local Yiddish Club and serving as its president for 30 years, and attending both an Ashkenazi and Sephardic synagogue. Meanwhile, Sara volunteered her time visiting the sick and elderly. She also raised three children on her own, having been widowed, and is now the grandmother of six, several of whom live in Israel.

“I realized I might not have long to live,” said Sara, “I want to be close to my grandchildren and great-grandchildren. The world is becoming less safe for us. I believe all Jews should live in Israel.”

Sara visited Israel for bar mitzvahs, weddings, and some holiday observances. However, the plane back to Uruguay was always waiting for her afterwards, and she never could imagine staying by herself. But after October 7, 2023, Sara felt she could no longer ignore how much anti-Semitism had swelled. Resolving to make aliyah for her 100th birthday, with The Fellowship’s assistance she moved to Israel and settled in the coastal city of Hadera.

“Israel has welcomed me with open arms. I’m finally home,” said Sara.

The Fellowship visited Sara at her new home 12 days after she arrived, gave her an early Hanukkah gift of sufganiyot (jelly doughnuts), and lit the candles with her. Sara calls it a miracle of the holiday that she was able to make aliyah at 100. This year, she celebrates Hanukkah with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren as she always has. But this time, there is no return flight – because she is already home.

“When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought me joy” (Psalm 94:19).