First Impressions of Israel

It is Rosh Chodesh Av and the start of the 9 days. We asked a few women what their first impressions of Israel were.

Here are some responses.

P: The first time I came to Israel - I arrived with bleary eyes – After a long and tiring journey, I was so tired, and barely managed to collect myself, get the luggage, and greet my Uncle. So when he took us through a back road on the way to Jerusalem and stopped at a quaint restaurant for some chicken Shishlik - I couldn't help but marvel at the beauty around me and the warmth and the food tasting so delicious! I felt so at ease and it amazed me! (What gets me more is the fact every time I leave Israel, the tears just flow!)

Shoshanah - it was more of a very tired but relieved feeling that we finally made it to Israel. I'm not the type to get all wound up about this sort of thing. (and rude Israelis don't get me angry like it do some people) Hard to pinpoint when I felt a difference - but perhaps it really sunk in when we arrived to Ein Kerem (home of my Uncle) only to realize he lived in a Cave in the Mountain! (Literally) - it was an old Arab house - and basically it was carved into the mountain - and we had to drive up this cliff to the house - climb a lot of stairs and our room was at the very top! so we settled in - slept and in the morning woke up to a gorgeous view of the Ein Kerem Valley and a couple of mewing kittens! Very eclectic and not something you get in the States! All I remember thinking was - WOW!!!


MM: ! Yesterday was my 8th anniversary of my arrival on E.Y...which led to my getting married and making aliyah (in that order..there were a lot of strikes that summer)...I just felt lifted up by the air. That was the first thing I felt. And I remember the contrast I physically felt between Yirushalaim and Tzfat...I could feel the intensity here (in Jerusalem)..everything was more intense more potent and in Tzfat, the lightness and coolness. And feeling grounded and at at home in Chevron and joy in Tiveria with the water...

C: I cried....I was home....finally....I felt a spiritual relief....

Please send in your first impressions of Israel. The first time you saw or stepped onto the Land of Israel, what did you think, what did you feel? We want to hear your experiences too.

Chodesh Tov!

Chodesh Tov and Shavuah Tov to everyone. Since it is a new month and still the beginning of the year, it is a good time to chat about another adjustment to make when coming to Israel. Calendars and Diaries.

Sounds simple. At the end of the year or towards the end of the year, one purchases a new diary, new calendar, wall calendar etc and that's that - right? When making Aliya it is not quite so simple.

Yes, at the end of the year you need to obtain a new diary or calendar, but the new diary now will be different. The focus of the diaries and calendars all go according to the Jewish Calendar. Sounds good, now things come in keeping with the seasons, months, special days etc that we follow anyway.

Still it can be a little bit of an adjustment. Suddenly a new diary begins in September or October. The truth is the diary begins on 1st Tishrei. It might be an adjustment but in a very good way. It forces us to shift our focus to the yearly cycle that is in keeping with the Torah and Jewish festivals.

Yes, you can find diaries that have the Hebrew date with the equivalent secular date as well.

For those making Aliya, some banks give a diary as a gift to new Olim when opening a bank account, if you open it close to the beginning of the new year. They don't always offer this, so ask. The worst that can happen is they will say the diaries are all given out or this year we are only giving to our staff. But, the good side is you just might get a lovely new diary - as a welcome gift.

Misrad HaKlita also has a diary they compile that they offer to Olim around the start of the new year. If it is not easily visible when you are at the reception desk, again ask if they have any. The diary from Misrad HaKlita also gives you the option of having Hebrew and the Language of origin. English, Russian, French Spanish.

If you are new to Hebrew, here are a few new words for you:
Chodesh חודש is month
Tov טוב is new
Luach Shanah לוח שנה is a calendar
Yoman יומן is a diary

Speaking of Hebrew, the diary will obviously operate from right to left, the opposite to how you read or open your books and diaries in English.