From Colombia’s high court to Israel: Chaya Bisker's story of aliyah

Born in Bogotá, Colombia, on August 16, 1983, into a Catholic family, Chaya Bisker grew up embracing family values, consciousness, and good customs, though she was not religious as a Catholic. Throughout her life, she persistently questioned the purpose of life and what God wanted from her. These questions lingered in her soul, often overshadowed by the demands of daily life, studies, and business, but they never ceased to exist.

Her dedication became evident when a university dean, recognizing her commitment, offered her a position at the Supreme Court of Colombia – a legal bastion in Latin America. Over time, Chaya became one of the central lawyers in the country with nearly 60 million inhabitants, working closely with the chief justice and the minister of justice.

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Chaya was instrumental in drafting laws that benefited millions. She changed legislation regarding euthanasia to ensure that every decision about ending life required the intervention of a lawyer, a psychologist, and the judge, ensuring that no citizen died from self-determination. She also fought tirelessly to change laws that did not recognize the basic needs of thousands of Venezuelan children fleeing dictatorship to Colombia, contributing to laws that provided them with human rights, education, and medical care.

Despite these successes, a voice within reminded her: “Chaya, what is the purpose and goal of your soul in this world?”

The turning point

The change began in Israel during a course at a university in Rehovot, where she experienced her first close encounters with religious Jewish families and was introduced to concepts such as Shabbat, kashrut, prayers, synagogues, Torah, Talmud, and Jewish teachings. Her life took an irreversible turn.

A supporter of Israel holds flags during a protest, following Hamas' biggest attack on Israel in years, in Bogota, Colombia October 9, 2023. (credit: REUTERS/LUISA GONZALEZ)

Returning to Colombia, she continued to advance professionally, gaining direct access to the president and government ministers. However, something bothered her: “If what I discovered is true and the Jewish people are the chosen people, I no longer want to be Catholic.” She was excited to be part of the Jewish people and was ready to go all the way on this journey.

Nevertheless, the challenge seemed immense when she encountered resistance from the Jewish community and the Orthodox rabbi in her city.

Embracing Judaism

Initially met with rejections, Chaya did not give up. She sent letter after letter until she was invited for an interview. In the meantime, she continued her influential work, changing legal and moral realities. After months of perseverance, she was accepted into the conversion process, which lasted several years.

Every Shabbat, she stayed in a hotel near the synagogue to participate in prayers and community meals. Nearly all her salary went toward hotel costs, kosher food, and buying Jewish products, but it made her happy.

As time passed, her enthusiasm for her law career waned. She knew her life’s purpose was to be Jewish, to study Torah, to pray, and to help the Jewish people. However, she was not Jewish yet, and this deepened her sadness as she saw where she wanted to be – dependent not only on her efforts but also on the approval of a rabbinical court and community leaders.

Finally, after years of struggle, her conversion day was set, and she was immersed in the mikveh, officially becoming Jewish.

A new chapter in Israel

“My name is Fernando Bisker, but in Hebrew I am known as Chaim. I’m originally from Brazil, born in the vibrant city of Rio de Janeiro. My family and I made aliyah about a year and a half ago. It was a decision that brought us immense happiness,” Chaim says with a warm smile.

“Hi, my name is Chaya Bisker. I am the mother of a beautiful girl with Down syndrome, who is thriving here at this wonderful facility called Shalva in Israel,” Chaya introduces herself with evident pride. “We were living in a picturesque setting in front of Copacabana Beach in Rio, where we were starting new projects and embracing a new phase of our lives. However, the birth of our daughter, who was diagnosed with Down syndrome, initially presented a profound challenge. Adjusting our mindset to embrace this new reality was crucial. We learned to love our daughter unconditionally, recognizing her as the angel she truly is.”

Reflecting on their decision to move to Israel, Chaim says, “The first year was particularly tough, as our daughter battled health issues, such as bronchiolitis compounded by COVID-19, which led to a critical hospitalization. During this dire time, my wife and I made a solemn promise to God: If our daughter recovered and her respiratory health improved, we would make aliyah. This pledge was about providing her with the best possible environment to grow and thrive. A pivotal moment came when a good friend, Yossi Raibi, visited us from Israel and urged us to move there.”

He praises Shalva as the finest institution for special needs globally. Skeptical at first, I joked about his typical Israeli enthusiasm – claiming everything from hummus to start-ups as the world’s best. However, a personal visit to Shalva changed my perspective entirely. It was indeed more than just “the best”; it was, as an ambassador once put it, ‘the Disney World for special needs.’”

“Both Chaya and I would like to extend our deepest gratitude to Bridges for Peace for their unwavering support of the aliyah project for families like ours. Their commitment provides a pathway for many families with special needs children to find a new home in Israel. Thanks to them, many families can give their children the best opportunities in a loving and supportive community,” says Chaim Bisker, his voice filled with appreciation.

The Shalva Aliyah Project, which facilitated their move, stands out as the most remarkable initiative they’ve encountered. It enables families like theirs to relocate to Israel, ensuring that their special needs children receive the best care possible. This project is something that truly deserves widespread recognition and support, reflecting a deep commitment to family, faith, and the pursuit of a better life for all.■