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Couple married 71 years makes aliyah

A Baltimore couple married 71 years is believed to be the oldest couple to make aliyah. Phillip and Dorothy Grossman, 95 and 93 respectively, made aliyah Tuesday on a Nefesh B’Nefesh group flight in cooperation with the Ministry of Immigrant Absorption and the Jewish Agency, together with 43 new emigres from North America.
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February 14, 2012

A Baltimore couple married 71 years is believed to be the oldest couple to make aliyah.

Phillip and Dorothy Grossman, 95 and 93 respectively, made aliyah Tuesday on a Nefesh B’Nefesh group flight in cooperation with the Ministry of Immigrant Absorption and the Jewish Agency, together with 43 new emigres from North America.

One of their three children lives in Israel; another will be making aliyah this summer.

The Grossmans were met at the airport by some of their grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren living in Israel.

Single olim in their 80s and 90s have previously made aliyah, including a woman, age 99, in 2010. 

“Phillip and Dorothy are probably the oldest olim couple that the State of Israel has ever absorbed, and they are proof that it is never too late to fulfill your dream and make such a significant decision in life,” said Erez Halfon, vice chairman of Nefesh B’Nefesh. “We congratulate them and wish them many more years of health and happiness living together with their family in Israel.”

They will make their home in Jerusalem.

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