Making Aliyah from Belem and Finding a Home in Israel
Making Aliyah from Belem and Finding a Home in Israel
The Jewish community of Belém, of Moroccan origin, is one of the oldest in Brazil, and its synagogues in the historic centre tell that story. Many families in Pará already have relatives in Israel, and aliyah is often a project that involves several generations at once. Housing is among the most important decisions along the way, because it shapes school, work, religious life and the support network. This guide accompanies a family from Belém through preparation in Pará, living near relatives and community, climate and adaptation, the first rental, the right moment to buy, the tax exit and assets in Belém, and building support in the first months.
Preparation in Pará
Open the aliyah file with the Jewish Agency and gather documents that show your Jewish background, such as community letters, synagogue records and family certificates. The long history of the Belém community often means records are available, but tracing them can take time, so start early and have civil documents apostilled and translated.
Think about possessions too. Deciding what to ship, what to sell and what to leave with family in Belém takes longer than expected, and the size of the first rental in Israel should match what you bring.
Living near family and community
Many families from Belém choose to settle near relatives who are already in Israel, which makes the first months far easier. Others look for communities with a strong Sephardi presence, such as Netanya, Ashdod, Ashkelon, Beersheba or parts of Jerusalem. Being close to a synagogue that follows familiar customs helps both children and grandparents feel at home.
Climate and adaptation
Belém is hot and humid, with rain almost every afternoon. Israel has dry summers and cool or cold winters, depending on the region. The coast is milder, while Jerusalem and the hills can be cold. Pay attention to heating, insulation and sunlight when choosing a flat, and prepare the family for the change of seasons.
Coast for milder winters
Jerusalem for colder winters and rich community life
South for dry heat and open space
The first lease
Most families rent at first. Israeli leases usually last a year and often require guarantors or other securities. Make sure the contract states who pays arnona, building fees and repairs, and ask your absorption advisor for help if securities are hard to provide without an Israeli credit history.
Visit the flat at different times of day before signing. Check water pressure, mobile reception, noise from nearby roads and how far it is to the nearest grocery and bus stop, since these details shape daily life in the first months far more than the view.
When to buy
Buy once work, school and language have settled and you are confident about the neighbourhood. An Israeli mortgage advisor, lawyer and tax advisor will guide the purchase. New immigrants may have specific conditions on purchase tax, but these must be confirmed for your circumstances.
Many families from Belém discover that the ideal neighbourhood is not the one they imagined before arriving, which is one more reason to wait until you have lived there for a while.
The tax exit and assets in Belém
Before departure, a Brazilian accountant should explain the definitive exit declaration and how property, businesses and investments left in Belém will be treated. An Israeli tax advisor can explain how Israel taxes income from Brazil for new residents, which is important if you keep rental property in Pará.
A support network
Relatives already in Israel, synagogues, community centres and the Ministry of Aliyah and Integration are all sources of help. Brazilian groups in several cities can offer practical advice in Portuguese. A few trusted contacts make the first months, including housing decisions, much less stressful.
Frequently asked questions
Should we live near our relatives in Israel
Often it helps a great deal in the first years, as long as the area also suits work and schooling.
How different is the Israeli climate from Belém
Very different. Summers are dry and winters can be cold, especially in Jerusalem, so plan heating and clothing.
Can we keep our property in Belém after aliyah
Yes, but it continues to have Brazilian and possibly Israeli tax implications. Ask a Brazilian accountant.
When is the best time to buy
Usually after work, school and language are stable and you know the neighbourhood well.
Elkayam Group
A family tradition begun in the forties has carried Elkayam Group through three generations, and today Kobi Elkayam Real Estate Ltd continues it from Rival Street 37 in Tel Aviv. Our projects include development, TAMA 38, pinui-binui and combination arrangements, often complex ones, and with partners and backing companies we are able to offer guarantees. We work in Hebrew, English and French and introduce families arriving from Pará to advisors they can rely on.
Preparing aliyah from Belém. Talk to us about communities, rentals and the right moment to buy.
+972-53-658-4252 · support@kobielkayamrealestateltd.com · Rival St 37, Tel Aviv