So...is aliyah possible?
Tuesday, May 29, 2007
OK....so after my gung-ho announcement about making aliyah the other day, I'm finding that it will be close to impossible to achieve.
I spoke with Nefesh b'Nefesh who basically let me know that it would not be a wise choice for use to make aliyah right now. They said we need to take into consideration the fact that our children are older (between 8 and 13) and the adjustment would be very difficult, taking into account the language and cultural barriers. They especially brought up the fact that we don't have a large savings account or professional (high paying) jobs.
So, I figured I'd try my luck going strictly through the Jewish Agency. Here's the thing...we have not made a "pilot trip" so they won't even talk to us about making aliyah until we do that. Unfortunately, we don't have the money it would take for us to pay for even 2 round trip tickets, plus hotel and food and transportation there for two weeks. If we had it, we'd go in a heartbeat.
While I can understand the theory that it is best to make the pilot trip before making aliyah, I must admit that this all came as a shock to me. For some reason, I was under the assumption that Israel was the homeland for all of us, for all of the Jewish people. The past couple of days, unfortunately, I came to find out that it is mainly the homeland for those Jews who happen to have money. So, because we don't, we are basically pushed out of the dream of living in Eretz Israel, the land that Hashem gave to us as an inheritance.
I feel like I've just been punched in the stomach and then kicked while falling down.
I'm not giving up though. I'm just very hurt and I'm open to suggestions as to how to proceed from here, who to contact, etc.
I am so sorry to hear about your aliya nightmare. Never trust the Jewish Agency, they only ever get in the way of people coming to Israel.
The money and the pilot trip could be dealt with, but i have to admit that the ages of your children might make it difficult to adjust to life in Israel. My eldest was 8 when we came and it was a real struggle for him. A couple of years older and he might not have made it. My wife was 10 when she came to Israel, though, and she somehow survived (but it was very difficult).
Please contact me if I can help you in any way. There must be some way of getting here.
Good luck and don't give up!
Gavi
You know how sometimes when you have kids people tell you how can you afford kids? And you find a way anyway because children are a gift from HaShem.
Well Israel is a gift from HaShem also.
I cant believe that if your family wants to make Aliya that there isnt someone or some agency that will help you.
When you keep serching usually a path appears.
Thank you both for your encouragement. I am definitely going to keep searching and find a way to make this happen. I agree 100% with you yid about children and Eretz Israel being gifts from Hashem and I am going to fight to make sure that other people don't take that away from me. I will keep you all updated as I search and one day, B"H, I will post saying that I am there already!!!
They push for the pilot trip but your legal right to make aliya has nothing to do with that.
You know how a person who wants to convert is put through tests by the rabbi to see if they really want it? The same thing happened to me when I was making aliya and when I told my rabbi how surprised I was by the way I was being treated he said, "They want to see if you really want it."
Because I had made up my mind to make aliya it didn't deter me. I don't know if you've ever been to Israel but unfortunately you sometimes have to push to get things done here. The people you're dealing with may be the same way, so you may have to tell them, "Look, I know it's our legal right to make aliya, we're not going on the pilot trip because it's not smart financially, and here's how we're going to make it in Israel..." If you're determined, they can't stop you.
I'm not a mother but in my opinion, it will be a lot easier at 8 and 13 to learn Hebrew than by waiting several more years, when it might be even harder for them to make friends and fit in. I've seen kids their age do well and others who didn't - it depends on the kid. My closest friends here have an 8-year-old daughter who's an only child and she's doing beautifully.
Much success to you and if you'd like, you can contact me through my blog.
Shalom from Tzfat,
Olivia
Thank you so much, Olivia. You have also given me tremenendous chizuk. I know that I will make aliyah. I will fight for it and I will make sure whomever I speaks to is aware of my determination. I just got thrown off guard and I am rather embarrased by my little rant here.
I will take you up on your offer to contact you.
Todah!!!
Gavi
Gavi,
I first read of your plans to make aliyah on Mr. Bagel's blog, and I was so happy, and excited for you !!
I also read your kind remark that you left on the Tamar Yonah Show blog comments !! Both of these are wonderful blogs, and wonderful people !!
So, I decided to check-out your blog, and I'm so glad I did !!
I can imagine the surprise, and the heart-ache, of discovering that it's not going to be as easy as you had hoped to make aliyah, but please, don't give up !!! Israel needs you desperately right now !!
I can understand why they want to make certain that a person has really thought it through and is determined to make the move, before they proceed. So many people have made aliyah, only to throw in the towel when it gets a bit tough, and have returned to their former lives elsewhere, but if Israel only realized that aliyah is her greatest hope at this desperate time, they would be more encouraging and less negative in their approach.
Sure, some people won't stick, but most will, and that's a chance, in my opinion, that's worth taking !!!
I do know of a Rabbi, here in America, whom I have supported for many, many, years, in Chicago, who is involved with Nefesh b'Nefesh, and other Jewish organizations, in assisting Jews in making a successful aliyah, who might be able to help you.
He has in the past concentrated largely on Jews from the former Soviet Union, but in recent years has shifted his efforts toward assisting American Jews in making aliyah. I could get some info for you, if you'd like ???
As far as your children, I think it would be the greatest gift you could give them, and your grandchildren would bless you for having made them, the first generation to be born in Eretz Yisrael !! May HaShem guide your heart, and your steps !!!!
Shalom,
Elaine
very sad situation indeed. You will find a way, HaShem will bless you!
And as for the children, sure, it will be hard, but pull together as a family and get through it TOGETHER.
I once wrote a children's story about making aliyah. I dont know if its very good. But I'll post it on my blog if you'd like to read it. I wrote it from an older child's perspective and the trials she faced in making aliyah. ;)
Blessings on your striving.
G-d is merciful and mighty.
Shalom
a fellow aliyah fanatic
Neshama
Elaine and Neshama, thank you both very much. Elaine, I would be very grateful if you could get some information; I will contact you also through your blog. Neshama I would love to read your story! I'll check it out at your blog!
Thank you both for your kind and encouraging words!
Gavi,
How is it going with your aliyah plans ??
I look forward to having you come over to my blog sometime for a look-see, and please leave a comment if you find anything of interest. It gets lonely at times, and I really love to get comments !!
I'll be most honored to get you all the info I can about assistence making aliyah !!
Thanks for the link !! I'm very touched that your including my little blog in your links !!
Hope to hear from you soon !!
Shalom,
Elaine
If you're in the NY/NJ area there is a 3 day Israeli Housing Fair next week. It might be interesting for you.
I'm shocked NBN told you that.