Originally from Seattle, Washington, Ellie is now a journalist in Israel. She currently calls Jerusalem home.
Q + A with Ellie
Currently in: Jerusalem, Israel
Originally from Seattle, Washington
Occupation: Journalist and aspiring entrepreneur for the Haym Salomon Center, a News and Public Policy Group based in the U.S. Her bylines about Israel and Jewish topics have been published in many journals including Forbes, USA Today, New York Daily News, and The Hill.
“Jerusalem is my favorite city in the world and I believe that we should live in the place that inspires us the most! My work as a journalist focuses on telling Israel and the Jewish people’s story, so it makes sense both in the professional and personal sense to be in Israel, the homeland of my people.
After coming to Israel for the first time when I was 17, I made sure to return every year, including for five months on an internship program in 2013. I participated in a Masa Program called Career Israel, where I lived in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem. During that time, I worked at a private security firm and got a taste of what it is like to live in Israel.
The feeling of community here is simply unmatched. I was inspired by the people of Israel, who treat everyone as family (for better and worse), say exactly what is on their minds, and care about one another in a way I had never previously experienced.
After graduating college, I travelled and then finally made the decision to make aliyah (immigrate) to Israel. And I’ve never looked back!
I believe that you should live in the place that makes you the happiest, even if it’s not in the country where you grew up, and Israel is my happy place.”
