“When I finished high school at 17, my first destination was Israel. I never doubted that this was the place where I wanted to spend the rest of my life. After some time, I returned to Argentina for one last year, and it was then—almost like an unexpected gift—that I met the love of my life. Together we returned to Israel, where I studied, grew, and enjoyed every day with the certainty that this was my home.

With time, adulthood and new responsibilities led us to rethink our future. We began to ask ourselves where we could grow as a family and what opportunities might open up beyond what we already knew. That was when a family connection told us about a place we had never heard of: Tulsa, Oklahoma. The idea seemed impossible, especially as immigrants, but curiosity and the desire to broaden our horizons were stronger. Arriving in Tulsa and living here has been one of the greatest challenges, and at the same time, one of the most rewarding experiences.

Being an immigrant in the United States is not easy, but the warmth of this city made us fall in love with it from the very beginning. We fight every day to be able to stay, and no matter what the future holds, we know that the mark Tulsa is leaving on our lives is beautiful and will remain with us forever. In Tulsa we are building ourselves as a family and also growing professionally. If I had to sum it up in one phrase, I would say it is a place where there is always room for everyone.

Here, if you have an idea, the will, and the drive, you can achieve whatever you set your mind to. Tulsa invites you to be who you want to be and to create what you want to create, knowing that there will always be a community ready to support you, back you up, and work alongside you.

Looking back now, I understand that Tulsa was never an accident in our journey, but rather an unexpected gift. It is the ideal place to develop an idea, a family, and a life—even when your loved ones are far away. Our story here is still being written, but we already know that this chapter holds a special value: it has taught us that the least expected destinations can turn into the most meaningful ones.”

“What I enjoyed most about the Tulsa Tomorrow weekend was experiencing the community here in Tulsa. As someone who grew up here and is now returning, it is really cool to see how the young Jewish community is continuing to grow. The weekend was organized so well, and I felt like it showcased what Tulsa has to offer in terms of things to do, networking, community, and Jewish life.”

“Learning about the Jewish community through Tulsa Tomorrow was the icing on the cake that convinced me Tulsa was going to be my next home. The Tulsa Tomorrow program opened my eyes to the vibrant, welcoming, friendly, engaging, and beautiful Jewish community that exists in Tulsa. It introduced me to amazing people who were instrumental in helping me transition to a new city, and who have become quick friends. I feel so grateful for Tulsa Tomorrow and the community of people it has brought into my life.”

“Honestly, when we visited Tulsa the first time we had zero intention of leaving Chicago. We own our home, we love our friends, and we love the city. But our friend enticed us with a subsidized trip to Tulsa through Tulsa Tomorrow, and we were both looking for jobs so we figured, why not go visit? However, we were so surprised by the community and the energy we found in Tulsa; I think by the time we saw the Gathering Place our second day in Tulsa, we were starting to imagine what our lives would be like as Tulsans. It wasn’t until someone said the magic words that I really got hooked: ‘Tulsa could really use someone like you here.’ I don’t know what that says about me, I guess I like to feel needed, but who doesn’t? After our second trip to Tulsa 3 weeks later, we began to see the various organizations in Tulsa working toward the same goal of making Tulsa a great,
inclusive city.

This is a unique time in Tulsa’s history because some of the high profile efforts such as the Gathering Place and the Arts District are beginning to take off just as the city is approaching the centennial of its darkest chapter, the Greenwood Race Massacre. This is the city’s opportunity to provide healing and reconciliation at a time when our nation needs it the most, and I believe all eyes will be on Tulsa in the months leading up to May 31, 2021. We ultimately decided to move to Tulsa not just because of the welcoming community or rich environment in which to raise our daughter—we could find those elsewhere in the country—but because we wanted to lend our voices to the efforts to properly recognize the wounds that still remain from the massacre, in hopes that Tulsa can be an example to the country of how to heal these divisions.

I’ve spent the last month splitting my time between Chicago and Tulsa and I could not be more excited for the possibilities that await us here. We have been welcomed so warmly, and there are seemingly boundless opportunities for us to be involved in our community, for personal growth, and entertainment. The only thing I’m short on is hours in the day and sleep!”