Talking Tachlis

Moving to Israel
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By: Paula R. Stern
( http://www.paulasays.com/articles/on_my_mind/moving_to_israel.html )

Moving to Israel is a personal decision that I made when I turned 13 and learned about the courageous fight for the re-establishment of the land of Israel. It was a battle fought in desperation by a nation that had longed for its homeland for almost 2,000 years. That many of these fighters had only recently survived Hitler's Final Solution made their battle and their victory even more special.


Today, moving to Israel, or aliyah as it is called, is so much easier than ever before. Once, centuries ago, the roads to our land were dangerous and now we fly here on the wings of eagles and the grace of El Al. Now we don't debate how to achieve statehood, how to build our land, but rather the fine points of the laws and rights of each new citizen. Each oleh, depending on the country from which he originates, receives a package of benefits to help him acclimate. It is one way that Israel works hard to ensure a successful aliyah.


There are thousands, even tens of thousands of Jews from North America and around the world who are contemplating and dreaming of coming to Israel. Once, it was as a place of refuge. Today, many come because they recognize that they can offer their families a better life, measured not against materialistic goals, but in favor of community, simplicity, education and more.


For those potential olim, I think the key to a successful aliyah begins in the months before you come. Your attitude, what you expect, what you think is "coming to you" has a lot to do with how successful you will be.

The one, and I stress this, the one thing bad about Nefesh b'Nefesh and other organizations dedicated to helping Jews return to their ancient homeland, is that they give a false impression from the start - out of the best of intentions and love in their hearts. They make you think that there will be thousands of people to greet you at the airport and celebrate your arrival.


Now that is the reality. The Prime Minister has met some planes, ministers, Knesset members, army representatives, thousands of other recent immigrants, friends and family fill the tarmac and cheer as they come off the plane. But it wasn't always like that, and the crowds aren't what you think.


You imagine it's the start - that these thousands will be there to help you with your aliyah but the reality is that in many ways, you are moving across the world, to a "strange" country - and you have to adapt. The country will NOT adapt to you. The crowds will go home. Yes, you'll be invited to meals at families and people will help translate for you and do what they can...but there comes a moment when you make aliyah, when you stand there with your papers in your hand in the bank or in some government office...and there's no one but you...and Israel. And, in that moment - you fly or sink.


If you rant and rave about how things are done in America (in English, of course), you sink. If you sit and explain in your broken Hebrew how you think you brought the right papers, but you aren't sure and you can't fill out all the forms...and sometimes, when there are almost tears in your eyes out of frustration - you fly. Because Israel comes to help you - the real Israel...not the one that met you at the airport.


When I came, I pushed my way, with two small boys in tow, through the lines. Someone from AACI greeted me (thank you, whoever you are) and walked me a few feet to the steps where I went upstairs (alone with my boys). My husband was somewhere outside but I had to take the next few steps alone in order to get to him. And that was an improvement over those who came before me. I did it - with my broken Hebrew and my exhausted little boys and my 12 suitcases and the baby carriage and the baby seat that the airlines didn't let me use anyway and all those carry-ons. And I walked out to my husband - who met me with flowers...and the guy at the airport got us a van for all of our stuff and explained to the driver where to take us...and we got to the place we were renting and the guy dumped all our bags in front of the door and left...and I walked inside this empty place...and sat down and thought. That's it. I'm here (and where did I pack the sheets?)


After all is said and done - the coming home is between you and the land, not you and Nefesh b'Nefesh or the Jewish Agency. The day after you land...or the day after that...or maybe a month later, it will be just you and the Israelis. Accept them (us)...or you won't survive here. Accept all of the quirks of the place. You can complain - but that only damages you because Israel isn't going to change.


Here's a flash for you - you are coming to live in Israel, and as much as we very much want you to come...we'll survive without you. Does that sound harsh? Let me explain. Israelis are very determined to build and protect this land. They (we) have been doing it for 60 years and with God's help...and mine...and yours...they...we... will continue doing it for the next 600 and beyond. In a very short while - you can turn to the next batch of olim and say the same thing.


Despite the laws of the State that say those who come here get this benefit or that benefit, despite Nefesh b'Nefesh's policies that offer this grant or that one, this assistance or that one - nothing is owed to you. If someone trying to help you doesn't act "professionally" enough for you - well, that's not really a fair way to look at it. They are trying to help you - that's more than they have to do. If they succeed - great. If they don't - ok, well, at least they tried - now figure out how to go about getting done what needs to be done.


Amazingly enough, the danger of these organizations is that in helping olim to get here, they may be giving the false impression that this country can't function without you, that our sole purpose for living is to ease your aliyah.


Don't get me wrong and don't be insulted, please. The point is - you are coming to an amazing country. The benefits you will receive (and I do NOT mean monetary) far outweigh the inconveniences, the hardships, the bureaucracy, the pushy Israeli, the overcrowded Misrad HaPanim, the triple stamp so they can throw one copy out in the bank routine, and so much more.


If you look at each day in Israel as a gift...as I do, than you'll do fine here. If you look at your aliyah against a checklist of things you think you have coming to you...you may not do as well. In the end, busy with dealing with kids and registering and finding a job, I never even collected my shipping allocation from the Jewish Agency. It was minor and a hassle to get the papers in order...but I also took some pride in saying I got here on my own...well, mostly on my own (they paid for the flight and the cab).


All this talk about what these organizations do or fail to do ignores the most basic of principles - they are trying to help you fulfill your dream. But, at the end of the day - it is your dream. Come to Israel - don't come (my advice is to come). Israel will still be the most amazing country in the world. If you look at these organizations as an added benefit and not that it is their JOB to get you here...maybe your aliyah will go more smoothly. Maybe you will be sitting here almost 15 years later with a son in the army, a thriving business, a member of a warm and welcoming community, with friends you hold dear and family close by. You'll rise each morning knowing you have the greatest of all priveleges, something Jews dreamed of doing for 2,000 years...you can breathe the air of our land, walk the streets and fields of our country and know as you lay your head down to sleep at night, that there is no place on earth you'd rather be