Devorah Ahavah Gerzoff, 79, hails from Cherry Hill, New Jersey, where she grew up in a Jewish household that did not practice the faith. Following the death of her father when she was 10, her first connection to Israel came through a memorial tree planted in his honor. As an adult, after experiencing personal losses, including her brother's death, she sought to provide her daughter with a Jewish education that she never had. This led her to explore her own Jewish identity, beginning with classes on Kabbalah and eventually connecting with Orthodox Judaism.

In 1992, she visited Israel with her husband, Simcha Moshe Gerzoff, and they developed a deep love for the country, returning annually for over a decade. After Simcha Moshe retired in 2020, they decided to make aliyah, moving to Efrat, Israel, where their daughter also resides. Gerzoff appreciates the vibrant community life and the fresh produce available in Israel, embracing the warmth of the people around her. Now, as she navigates her 80s with the help of a walker, she reflects on her journey with gratitude, feeling a sense of belonging in her new home.