Dr. Tiffany Schatz, a thoracic surgeon at Soroka Medical Center in Beersheba, Israel, recently completed a significant transition with her family, returning to live in Israel after nearly two decades in the United States. Her journey from the Philadelphia suburbs to the Negev desert underscores a deepening connection to Israel shaped by personal, professional, and cultural factors.
Schatz began her medical studies at the Medical School for International Health at Ben-Gurion University of the Negev in 2005. At that time, living in Israel and embracing Jewish identity were not primary considerations for her. Originally from a Christian background and having attended Messiah University, an interdenominational Evangelical Christian institution, Schatz’s perspective began to shift through her relationship with Jacob, a Jewish man she met while preparing for medical school admissions tests. Their relationship blossomed across continents, with Schatz immersing herself in Jewish traditions and culture during long-distance periods.
After marrying Jacob and spending time in Israel, their early living conditions were challenging, and Jacob initially expressed reluctance about permanently relocating to the country. Pursuing surgical training, Schatz completed a residency in Connecticut followed by a cancer surgery fellowship in Philadelphia, where the couple started their family. Their children include Noa, 16, and two sons, Caleb, 9, and Eli, 7, both born with significant disabilities. The family’s experience navigating medical and caregiving challenges influenced Schatz’s decision to establish a private medical practice near Washington, D.C., to better balance professional responsibilities with home life.
The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic saw the Schatz family resettle in Philadelphia, purchasing Jacob’s childhood home and planning what they assumed would be a permanent life in the United States. However, the events of October 7, 2023—referring to a significant escalation of conflict in southern Israel—prompted a shift in their plans.
Following that date, Schatz felt compelled to assist colleagues at Soroka Medical Center, where she had trained, volunteering to help with the influx of wounded patients. A webinar led by Prof. Shlomi Codish, Soroka’s director-general, made clear the hospital’s urgent need not for temporary volunteers but for medical professionals who would commit to staying long term. Inspired by this call, Schatz began seriously considering a permanent return to Israel.
In January 2024, after thoughtful discussions with Jacob and consultations with friends involved in Israeli arts and medicine, the couple initiated the aliyah process through Nefesh B’Nefesh and attended a medical conference supporting foreign-trained doctors relocating to Israel. Despite a temporary delay due to Jacob’s mother’s hospitalization, the family finalized their plans and moved to Israel in April 2024.
Since resettling, Schatz has resumed her surgical work, while Jacob has joined a start-up as a software engineer. Their daughter Noa attends Naale boarding school in Hod Hasharon, studying in Hebrew and actively participating in music and theater. Their two sons receive appropriate medical and educational support. The family has integrated socially through cultural activities, including Schatz’s involvement in local musical theater productions, noting a sense of belonging and community in Beersheba’s familial and social life.
Schatz describes the timing of their move as “remarkable,” reflecting on how remaining in the U.S. might have led them to postpone or abandon the aliyah amid regional tensions. Instead, their presence in Israel has deepened their connection to the country and its people, aligning both their personal and professional aspirations with life in Beersheba.
The Schatz family continues to adjust to life in Israel, aiming to expand their social circles and strengthen their Hebrew language skills, while embracing the challenges and opportunities of their new chapter.