Making Peace With Aliyah

I've been meaning to write this blog post for easily over a month now. Every time I sit down to write it, my brain goes in so many directions. I have scattered notes all over my room and multiple electronic devices and I'll likely re-write this ten times before I actually post it.

I guess a good place to start is the crazy looks I get from Americans and Israelis alike when informing them of the decision I've made. Americans respond with "you're moving to Israel?! But it's so dangerous there right now." I can't help but laugh that they think 1) what's going on in Syria is a recent development 2) that Syria is the only problem Israel has right now 3) that this region is usually more peaceful than it is right now and 4) the lack of understanding that Israel overall is much safer than the U.S.

Israel has some of the, if not the best intelligence in the world, a missile defense system that has proven very efficient and is soon to be further upgraded, a well-trained populace that handles itself well in times of emergency, and safe rooms/re-enforced structures in every building, among many other features that make me feel confident Israel can withstand any threat that comes her way.

I was home for three months this summer and actually felt anxious being away from Israel. Partially because my heart and soul genuinely feel at rest and at home here but also because when you're away from Israel, the only news you get about it feels like doomsday. You don't get the feeling that exists on the streets; streets I feel completely safe walking alone at all hours of the night-a feeling that has been confirmed as valid by my Israeli friends. Streets that are constantly full of people at cafes, walking with friends, pushing their kids in strollers, or taking their pets for a walk. There's just an unexplainable vibe you get when you are actually here.

People will push past you in those streets or accidentally bump into you without even considering an apology but if you need help or hit a language barrier, there is always someone within arms reach who will stop and help you without you even asking for it. Can you say any of the above things about America?

The truth is, I believe in Israel and what it stands for. I believe in the forward (or as some people call it: rude) nature of it's people because political correctness gets in the way of living our lives genuinely. I don't think Israelis are rude, I think they'd rather get to the point than play games to prevent someone's feelings from being hurt over minor things.

I think it's funny the way lines don't exist because honestly, if we all have a limited amount of time on this earth and only a small portion of that is free time we have to do what we enjoy, I don't want to waste any of that time standing in line. An Israeli may cut me in the line my American side still automatically makes from time-to-time, but that same Israeli would likely be late to wherever they're going to stop and help me if I need it. They won't even seem annoyed or come off as doing it because they're obligated, they do it because Israel is like a giant family that only functions if we all take care of each other.

I also love having my Jewishness built in to where I live rather than having to pick and choose like I always did in America. I grew up feeling not Jewish enough in the Jewish community but 'too Jewish' in the secular community and that is not an experience I feel comfortable forcing my future children to go through. 

I believe in the safe haven Israel provides for Jews-a fact the rest of the world seems to think isn't necessary anymore which is insane since Antisemitism is up 40% worldwide. Do I feel unsafe as a Jew in America? Not at all. But anyone who knows me knows how PR minded I am and the best thing I can do for Israel's image and to bring people here who would never consider it otherwise, is to move here myself and demonstrate in the strongest way possible my faith in this country and it's importance.

I'm not blind to the issues that are ahead of me. Adjusting to the lower wages and the general expensiveness of living here, the seemingly illogical things that happen constantly here, the infuriating bureaucracy, coping with my future children one day serving in the army. I'm aware of all of it and I'm sure I'll become aware of even more obstacles in the future.

The crazy looks I get from Israelis is because they wonder how on earth I can sacrifice so much to be here. But other than the distance I've now put between my family and myself, what exactly am I sacrificing? Will my house be significantly smaller here than my house in America? Yes. Will I have a shittier car here one day than I would in America? Yes. Will I make less money here than I would in America? Yes. But Israel is not about any of those things. Israel is about overcoming all of those things. Those things aren't important to me. What's important to me is to have close-knit family values and happiness, that of my own and my future family.

And you know what? Israelis are happier than Americans. Despite everything it deals with, Israel was just ranked 11th in happiness while America is 17th. Look at the list (Here: http://www.businessinsider.com/new-world-happiness-report-2013-2013-9) and consider what Israel deals with and goes through compared to the countries that surround her on that list. That for me is the obvious sign that people are doing something right here.

And that is how I have made peace with making aliyah.

Time For A New Blog

The blog that I started last year was named and framed around the program I was on at the time. It slowly branched into some pro-Israel ramblings and call outs of the bias against Israel but now that I am officially an Israeli citizen, I felt it was time for a new blog.

This new blog will have posts about making Aliyah, the ups and the downs involved with such a decision,my experiences in Israel, as well as the type of posts that had become the norm on my old blog. However, I am making it a stated goal to work much harder at being more consistent when it comes to posting.

We'll see how it evolves over time but currently the goal is to sit down and write once a week or so, likely picking a theme or big story going around that week to focus on.

I currently have a post in the works about what making Aliyah means to me, it's just been tougher to write than I expected as I can't quite nail down which direction I'd like to take it. My goal is to have it finished and posted by tonight.

Wish me luck!