oleh

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Pronunciations

oleh (oh-LEH) listen

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Definitions

  • n. An immigrant to Israel; a person who makes aliyah.

Example Sentences

  • "The Israeli government now realizes that there are countless challenges facing the average North American oleh and they have decided to take an active role in improving the situation." (source)

  • "There are several events throughout this week to celebrate the contributions of olim to the country." (source)

  • ”American olim are advised that it is difficult to obtain cranberry sauce in Israel...” (Glinert)

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Languages of Origin

  • Modern Hebrew

Etymology

  • male: עוֹלֶה olé, female: עוֹלָה olá

      • Who Uses This

      • Israel: Diaspora Jews who feel connected to Israel and have spent time there

      Regions

      • North America
      • Great Britain
      • South Africa
      • Australia / New Zealand

      Dictionaries

      • Yiddish and English: A Century of Yiddish in America, by Sol Steinmetz (Tuscaloosa, 1986).
      • The Joys of Hebrew, by Lewis Glinert (New York, 1992).
      • Dictionary of Jewish Usage: A Popular Guide to the Use of Jewish Terms, by Sol Steinmetz (Lanham, MD, 2005).

      Alternative Spellings

      ole

Notes

  • feminine: 'ola'
    masculine plural: 'olim'

    Often used in the phrase olim khadashim 'new immigrants'.

    See also oleh chadash and alilyah.

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