י ב א ד ב א י מ ר
א My Father Was a Wandering Aramean
From Lech Lecha to Exodus: Our First Immigration Stories
Rabbi / Cantor Idan Irelander
The story of the Jewish people begins with a journey. In the Book of Genesis, God calls Abraham with the words“ Lech Lecha”—“ Go forth from your land, your birthplace, and your father’ s house.” It is more than a geographical command. It is a summons to transformation— to leave the familiar and step into an uncertain future guided by faith.
In many ways, then, Abraham becomes the first immigrant of the Jewish story. He leaves home without knowing the destination, trusting that the journey itself is part of a Divine purpose. His path is not simple; it is filled with uncertainty, challenge, and confrontation. Yet Abraham responds with courage and trust, setting in motion a story that will shape generations.
Importantly, Abraham does not journey alone. He brings with him his family and those who share his vision. From the very beginning, the Jewish journey is communal. Our identity is not built around solitary travelers, but around a people moving together— bound by shared values, traditions, and hopes for a better future,
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