Avigail’s Story: From Dallas to the Negev, Finding Inspiration and a Voice in Israel’s Literary Landscape

How an Olah Turned Her Journey Into a Platform for Honest Storytelling

Author: Jessica Scalisi
Photo by Jessica Scalisi

For many Olim, making Aliyah to Israel is about fulfilling a deep connection to Israel, one that feels more like a return home than just a move.

For Avigail, Aliyah wasn’t a bold move but rather an inevitable return.

“I wanted to live in a country where I was free to be Jewish without explanation and enjoy the melting pot of Jewish expression and the incredible nature in Israel,” Avigail shared. “Moving to Israel meant I could raise my children in a Jewish environment and in a country where they would grow up surrounded by Jewish history and culture.”

“Israel is home, and making Aliyah was just returning home in every sense of the phrase,” she shared. Avigail didn’t feel at home in Texas, where she dabbled in various careers, but it wasn’t until her move to Israel that she found her true calling—writing.

Life in Israel has also held its surprises. “Israel has the amenities and opportunities of every other first-world country but with its own Israeli twist,” Avigail noted. “Something that should be very straightforward here can be unnecessarily complex, but there are also technologies and services that make a quality life even more accessible than in countries like America.”

 

Photo by Jessica Scalisi

Her Aliyah process, however, was smoother than she anticipated.

One of her most memorable moments was stepping into the streets of Jerusalem. “I felt it was fitting to descend the stairs of the office building and see beautiful Jerusalem neighborhoods and hills spread out before me. It really solidified the feeling of becoming Israeli and taking steps into a new life in our beloved homeland.”

Balancing life as a stay-at-home mother, Avigail began writing what would eventually become her first book, The Camel in the Forest. “I started writing in 2019, just bits and pieces about making Aliyah and adjusting to life here. But when Covid hit in 2020, everything changed,” she said. Confined to her home, Avigail started taking long walks into the Negev desert. Those walks became the source of her inspiration. “I discovered a whole different side of the Negev Desert… I knew I had a story to tell.”

Photo by Jessica Scalisi

Her book, which reflects her journey through the vast landscapes of the Negev and the challenges of adjusting to life in Israel, became a #1 New Release on Amazon.

“Going from unfinished short stories in my desk drawer in Dallas to a published memoir here in Israel—it’s been an amazing journey,” she said.

However, establishing herself as a writer in Israel hasn’t been without challenges. The language barrier remains a significant hurdle for Avigail. “My first book is in English, and I’m currently seeking a Hebrew translator. I can speak and understand Hebrew fluently, but it’s not the language I think or create in.” Despite these challenges, Avigail’s dedication to her craft continues. “Strangely, it is the language I dream in,” noting the complexity of her relationship with Hebrew.

Avigail’s writing has also evolved since moving to Israel. Where once she struggled with writer’s block, now her words flow effortlessly. “Here in Israel, my words just flow. Writer’s block or a lack of inspired ideas used to be an issue for me before Aliyah, but now everything inspires me,” she explained. The Negev, with its wild camels, beautiful desert ecosystems, and Bedouin neighbors, serves as an endless source of inspiration for her.

Looking to the future, Avigail has big plans.

She recently launched Negev Publishing, a small publishing house focused on uplifting unique voices that challenge conventional narratives. “I want to read more Jews writing their honest opinions, not the ones that are socially acceptable or politically correct,” she said. For her, creating a space where authors can share raw, unfiltered perspectives is crucial. “I would be honored to publish work that is deemed too provocative or honest to be published without censorship from a traditional publishing house.”

 

Avigail’s journey is a reminder of the strength and creativity that so many Olim bring with them. Her story, like many others, reflects the deep connection between the personal and the universal—a connection that continues to inspire her work in Israel.