The Agency
Yesterday we drove to downtown Boston where a shaliach (messenger) from the Jewish Agency in NYC came to Boston's CJP building. We had wondered for some time what this meeting would entail and heard from others who had to schelp to NYC that the Agency isn't always very helpful. Waiting for our turn to be called, I was particularly intrigued looking at the donor wall of the newly remodeled CJP Kraft building and looking more closely, realizing it was to mirror an effect/resemblance of the Western Wall. The receptionist answered every call with "Shalom." In between nose sniffles and 38 weeks pregnant, I don't have any further insight about this.
Going up the elevators, to the meeting room, we were introduced by what I'd call "an American tzuzik." The agent, more or less our age, was very proud of his Bronx roots and when we asked why he works for the Agency, he stated he's Zionistic. I believe I wrote a post earlier about the struggle Americans have in claiming Zionism, yet living comfortably in America. Of course American Judaism and support of Israel is crucial and important, but hard core Zionism is much more than that. To add, his job doesn't include routine travel to Israel, so it was rather interesting. Expecting an Israeli, as you would at the Consulate, there was definitely an apparent disconnect between the Agency and Nefesh be Nefesh efforts (ex we had downloaded our marriage license but the Agency claimed not to have received it, so the agent took a screen shot right there with his iPhone -- thank you for saving us a trip!).
The meeting process was fairly standard. First a review of all our documents (make sure everything is original and organized -- especially the Rabinical note, needs an authentic signature. We need to have that redone). After that was completed, we were asked standard questions such as where we went to school, if we were involved in any youth organizations, and why we want to make aliyah. I answered without blinking an eye "it's time to go back Home." The agent liked this answer and that I was "yashar ve la inyan." There really isn't that much more to it or personal information to go into. At the end of the day, every country has its pos and cons. We aren't disillusioned that Israel will be perfect, but more hoping that there will be more opportunities to control our decision making and I won't have to keep telling my kids that so many store items aren't kosher.
What did spark and grab my attention, was the repeated question on a form if anyone has anxiety, depression or mental illness. This question is so vague. In a country where rockets are being launched and kitchen knives used to slaughter the innocent, how could you not have some form of anxiety? And in general, to get on a plane, to a new destination 6,000 miles away, from family and friends, how could that not cause some level of discomfort? This question definitely needs to be reformatted to a scale or if you've ever been hospitalized. And say you have, what then? You can't move?
On the way back home, I really started to wonder and think if there were to be a national or international crisis, who has time to upload documents? For example, I was surprised to learn that even though we all have passports, Josh and the kids would need temporary Visas issued. I do not need this because I have an Israeli passport, but if you're going through the process, a Visa seems rather added and unnecessary. "It's what they need, so we'll do it," Josh replied. We talked about the immigrants who fled to Israel and were in jails, camps. I suppose this route is much better -- just plan accordingly!
In any case, should you need to visit the Jewish Agency, it was great that we didn't travel four hours to NYC for a half hour meeting. It is definitely worthwhile to check if they will send a representative to your location.
Have patience. Lots of it. Becoming a citizen anywhere is full of governmental stresses and frustration.
At some point, in the next thirty days, or as the shaliach said, by the time or before our new baby is born, we will receive a Mazal Tov email. And yes, there's still more to do!
Going up the elevators, to the meeting room, we were introduced by what I'd call "an American tzuzik." The agent, more or less our age, was very proud of his Bronx roots and when we asked why he works for the Agency, he stated he's Zionistic. I believe I wrote a post earlier about the struggle Americans have in claiming Zionism, yet living comfortably in America. Of course American Judaism and support of Israel is crucial and important, but hard core Zionism is much more than that. To add, his job doesn't include routine travel to Israel, so it was rather interesting. Expecting an Israeli, as you would at the Consulate, there was definitely an apparent disconnect between the Agency and Nefesh be Nefesh efforts (ex we had downloaded our marriage license but the Agency claimed not to have received it, so the agent took a screen shot right there with his iPhone -- thank you for saving us a trip!).
The meeting process was fairly standard. First a review of all our documents (make sure everything is original and organized -- especially the Rabinical note, needs an authentic signature. We need to have that redone). After that was completed, we were asked standard questions such as where we went to school, if we were involved in any youth organizations, and why we want to make aliyah. I answered without blinking an eye "it's time to go back Home." The agent liked this answer and that I was "yashar ve la inyan." There really isn't that much more to it or personal information to go into. At the end of the day, every country has its pos and cons. We aren't disillusioned that Israel will be perfect, but more hoping that there will be more opportunities to control our decision making and I won't have to keep telling my kids that so many store items aren't kosher.
What did spark and grab my attention, was the repeated question on a form if anyone has anxiety, depression or mental illness. This question is so vague. In a country where rockets are being launched and kitchen knives used to slaughter the innocent, how could you not have some form of anxiety? And in general, to get on a plane, to a new destination 6,000 miles away, from family and friends, how could that not cause some level of discomfort? This question definitely needs to be reformatted to a scale or if you've ever been hospitalized. And say you have, what then? You can't move?
On the way back home, I really started to wonder and think if there were to be a national or international crisis, who has time to upload documents? For example, I was surprised to learn that even though we all have passports, Josh and the kids would need temporary Visas issued. I do not need this because I have an Israeli passport, but if you're going through the process, a Visa seems rather added and unnecessary. "It's what they need, so we'll do it," Josh replied. We talked about the immigrants who fled to Israel and were in jails, camps. I suppose this route is much better -- just plan accordingly!
In any case, should you need to visit the Jewish Agency, it was great that we didn't travel four hours to NYC for a half hour meeting. It is definitely worthwhile to check if they will send a representative to your location.
Have patience. Lots of it. Becoming a citizen anywhere is full of governmental stresses and frustration.
At some point, in the next thirty days, or as the shaliach said, by the time or before our new baby is born, we will receive a Mazal Tov email. And yes, there's still more to do!
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