Why I Want to Live in Israel - Guest Post

Those who already live in Israel, know well the Brachah (blessing) of being able to be here. There's just something about it. Well of course... this is the Land that was promised to our forefathers Avraham, Yitzchak and Yaakov. It entailed an entire story of Bnei Yisrael (the Children of Israel) having to be taken down to Egypt, then redeemed by Moshe and finally brought through the Wilderness over a 40 year journey until they were taken into the Land itself by Yehoshua the son of Nun. It's where every Jew should be. That was the plan! After hundreds of years of living in the Land, having gone through two Temples lasting 410 and 420 years, we were exiled - and so the history of the Jewish people continued in the diaspora. Our focus must be on getting back into the Land again! It's special - because such has the Creator made it so - and wanted us to be a part of it.

For some, the desire to live here remains a dream. They may lack the financial resources to make it a reality or other reasons may apply. Financial considerations should not have to take away from the opportunity to live here. The world is filled with wealth. Not all organisations who offer assistance are prepared to back those who lack the means, however, to be able to make their wish of living here a reality.

"Welcoming Olim" has shared posts on how to make a success of some of the practical details of living in Israel. In addition, our team are also here for you for the practical day to day activities when you come here. If it's setting up your bank account, your telephone or Internet services, your Bitauch Leumi (national insurance) or Kupat Cholim (medical aid) or any of the other daunting tasks - were happy to assist you practically in getting through these giant hurdles - to begin to be settled here! It's a private service and it's not associated with any of the main organisations. We just believe that we have to do whatever we can to make your wish a reality.

Recently, Benjamin contacted us sharing with us his own dream of coming to live here. His story in his own words is below and we ask you to listen with care and see if you have any ideas of how to help. He has a lot to offer, but it's not always easy to just arrive and get work - if you don't already have something planned from before you arrive. It's also not easy once you're getting on in age - and practically, anything above 30 is already considered a stumbling block if you don't have something planned or someone you know to help make it happen for you.

Benjamin wants to make a success, come to Israel, contribute and live in the Holy Land. He's looking for anyone can help him to obtain work or assist in any financial capacity to allow him the ability to arrive and settle in while looking for work.

If you can help Benjamin or know anybody who can assist, please be in touch with us directly at chessedveemet@gmail.com and we will forward your email on to Benjamin. In short, Benjamin is involved in teaching and writing. He'd like to contribute here in any way he can - so whatever other alternatives may be available will also do just fine!

~ Eliyahu

Co-Director Chessed Ve'Emet

www.lovingkindness.co

Here's what Benjamin has to say about living in Israel:

Living in Israel will enable me to express myself fully as a Jew. Finding work while also keeping shabbos will be easier. I would work very hard to contribute to the Israeli economy and society. Living in Israel would give me pleasure knowing that I am fulfilling a mitzvah. 

I would like to contribute my knowledge of health to help people overcome maladies. I was a teacher. I love to teach English as a second language.

  

My integration into Israeli society would be smooth since I am a happy-go-lucky person. 

I would be very proud to be a citizen of the Jewish state. I would be eager and optimistic to wake up every day there. My integration into Israeli society would be smooth because I adapt well to different surroundings.

Rabbi Riskin of Efrat said on YouTube, I forgot it was X-mas. No one was in the office when I called the U.S. Isn't that great? Where else can you wake up in the morning and on the opening broadcast of the day hear Shema Yisroel? 

All of me yearns to live, work and breath the air of Israel. I am a hard worker. I feel I can be an asset to Israel simply by working hard and giving my all to better myself and the state because I learned enough Torah to realize it is my home. 

Living in Israel will be a challenge which I am ready for. I don't expect Israel to be a picnic, but Hashem isn't always easy. When I hear Hatikvah, every word resonates with my fiber. I attended Hebrew school as a child in Jersey Cty, N.J. I learned Torah and only spoke Hebrew for six and a half hours a week. I had a great teacher who was a holocaust survivor. I had only one classmate. Those years implanted in me a great appreciation for Israel. I know enough Torah and history along with experience in life to know Israel is where I belong. 

  

Israeli culture is different than American culture. That's great! I tend to be eclectic in my desire for socialization. I get along with people from all walks of life. The U.S.A. is a great country for opportunity and freedom; but Israel is where I feel energized and I will contribute energy to support the state.

~ Benjamin

Thoughts on the Plight of Olim in Israel (Guest Post)

[CC BY-SA 3.0 or GFDL], via Wikimedia Commons

Zev Wolf shares his thoughts with us about making Aliyah. He speaks about the struggles, and takes an honest approach to the process and considerations to take into account. He gives us a fair view of things here and gives us the opportunity to consider how we can do better at integrating more successfully into the Land of Israel. Here is what he shares:

Being an Oleh myself who made Aliyah 16 years ago and then returning to the States after 3 years only to once again journey back to Israel 10 years later I can relate to the struggles and hardships of assimilating successfully into Israeli society. In my case I have Israeli parents so grew up with the language and culture and it was and is still difficult but definitely helped.

Learn your Hebrew. However, some of the things that helped me and may help others is to remember the Sabra mentality of being closed and aloof on the outside and warm and caring on the inside. It is necessary to speak up in this country even if it is not in your nature because otherwise you will get drowned out by the masses. For better or worse that is the culture and if you remember that it will help you immensely

Don't be afraid to ask for help and speak confidently. People generally want to help and telling them your story may move them to take action but don't expect that just because you are an Oleh you are entitled. Yes, I believe as a cross section of the Israeli society we have our own unique needs and desires and those voices should be heard, so yes, we should organize peaceful rallies because we must show that we are one, united and strong. Never be complacent. Israelis are fighters and so must the Oleh if they are to integrate into the Jewish homeland.

Thanks Zev for your thoughts!

If you're thinking of making Aliyah or have already made Aliyah and have some tips, experiences or just thoughts you'd like to share with the entire world - please email us directly. We'd be delighted to add your thoughts to our blog!

Making Aliyah? Here are Some Financial and Other Realities: Problems and Possible Solutions (Guest Post)

Biggest Issue for Those in Need of Gainful Employment

The biggest issue for those in their 30's to 60's is jobs - being employed in a job that uses their skills and pays a living wage.

Biggest Obstacles

• The biggest obstacle is not having a high level of Hebrew, written (both block and cursive), comprehension, and speaking.
• The second biggest obstacle is the illegal ageism which gets worse as the person ages.
• The third biggest obstacle is having skills that were in demand in another region of the world but are not in demand in Israel.

Possible Solutions

• Online Ulpan starting a year before Aliyah.
• Once in Israel having a buddy who you can teach your primary language and they can help you with Hebrew.
• Lobby the government to enforce current laws, educate employers.
• Have NBN, JAFI and other organizations produce skills matrixes so people can retrain before Aliyah.

Other Obstacles

• The biggest obstacle for a portion of Olim and most Israelis - the cost of housing, the cost of living in general. 
• A large issue for those who come in their 50 and 60's - who have no family in Israel - don't have the issue now but can have the issue in another 10 to 20 years is the dearth of native language assisted living, nursing home, and hospice facilities around the country. Continuing Care Communities (active to death) are expensive and out of reach to most of us. As you age, and if dementia happens you revert to your native language - most places don't have staff that speak different languages. Look at how the elderly Holocaust survivors are treated then look at the world baby boomer population.
• General language barriers - when you are sick, infirm, disabled, it is hard enough - not having personnel available to aid someone when they need it, be it clinics or the hospital needs to be rectified. Personally, Maccabi does have many people where I live that speak enough English for me to get by - and almost all the signs are in Russian along with Hebrew so people do get by but it's not optimal. The French and Ladino communities are still small but growing and they too need help in the health care related functions.

So here are 3 - I've heard many others - problems? Possible solutions?

Please feel free to share your own difficulties, challenges and solutions you have come across in your journey in making Aliyah by emailing us. We would be happy to include your own experiences and stories on our page.

~ With thanks to Stevie Sacks for this clear and direct post giving an insight into some of the challenges, difficulties and problems encountered in making Aliyah, and offering some possible solutions.

Stevie Sacks made Aliyah just over 11 months ago - in July 2014. She is the founder of the Lone Seniors Landing Pad Aliyah for 50+ solitary people making Aliyah - an information sharing and support group on Facebook.

Five Tips for Preparing Your Move

Guest post by Galit Mador

If you are moving to Israel soon, you may want to prepare in advance … here are 5 tips for you: 

As one who experienced the move back to Israel after 8 years in the US, even as an Israeli family, it is a challenging process in many ways. Beyond the technical tasks that need to be taken care of, there are few critical factors to consider:

1. Plan for at least two years of acclimation. It actually takes more time…

2. Where to live: look for a community with a similar background, ages etc. to yours. This community will likely offer services that you and your family need, such as English Speaker class at school, English library and such. Above and beyond, you will find a common language with them which will make you feel at home.

3. Where to work: look for a local job in Israel as soon as possible, avoid working remotely. Again, belong…

4. Become an active part of the community: for example: sign up for sport club, volunteer to some group that you care for (at school, safety related or such). This will greatly help you connect with your new community, to make new friends.

5. Consider professional assistance throughout your moving process. It can be related to a specific need that you have identified such as finding a suitable job or taking language lessons etc. However, if you feel confused or unhappy, get a professional coach or an advisor to consult with. Sometimes only few personal meetings may guide and motivate you in moving forward towards your goals.

I wish you a smooth and soft landing!

Galit Mador

Professional Certified Coach

Ghost Apartments

Have you heard of "Ghost Apartments". Can it be possible that a small country which requires every house / apartment to be available for families to inhabit can actually stand empty? Our friend Raphi Bloch explains this strange phenomenon in his article below.

One of the phenomenon relatively unique to Jerusalem is the “empty apartment” or as the Israelis call it, the “ghost apartment”. This is a property which stands empty for most of the year and is used by its owners only on Jewish holidays or during the holiday season. There are a large number of these properties in the city and even complete residential complexes which are totally uninhabited during the off-season.

The advantages to the owners of not renting out their apartments when not in use include absolute flexibility in setting dates for personal visits and the comfort of knowing that your vacation home will be as you left it when you return. The flip side of the coin is that these homes continue to be liable for municipal taxes, building maintenance and various other expenses which are normally covered by the tenant if the apartment were to be rented out.

From the point of view of the government and the municipality these apartments provide another potential source of rental housing in a city where the demand for rentals far exceeds the supply. To encourage owners to enter the rental market a number of new laws have already passed the committee stage in the Knesset , the major one being that apartments that stand empty for the majority of the year will be subject to double municipal taxes. This will make leaving an apartment empty an expensive exercise.

Despite this there will still be many owners who feel that the costs justify the benefits of not renting out their apartments and so the “ghosts” of Jerusalem will be here for some time to come.

Shalom From Jerusalem
Raphi

Were you aware of this trend? What are your thoughts? If you had the means to purchase an apartment in Jerusalem, would you leave it empty most of the year or would you come and live here yourself?