Not Your Mama's Aliyah

Saying goodbye is hard.

My mom would share stories how when she came from Israel to the United States in the 1970's she had three suitcases to start a new life and didn't speak English. Becoming a citizen was a journey and dealing with government issues...not seeing family... not fun.

A few reflections on what we've felt and done contrary to "not your mama's aliyah."

1) Accessibility -

We have been in touch with a concierge service tamarimconcierge.com that helps select all appliances in advance, stock your fridge, get high speed internet up and running. This is something new and from what I understand there are now simcha services that will help organize bar and bat mitzvahs for US clients visiting Israel. Brilliant. We will see how this goes. But who wants to arrive to Israel and then shop for appliances, schlep around and deal with those nuances? Here's to hoping it's as good as it sounds! So far, they've been helpful and I'd recommend to check the service out.

2) Sleeping -

Growing up there was a tan green sleeping bag in my parents linen closet. It was pretty worn out. Haven't a clue where it is now but word had it that the sleeping bag was used at the start of their marriage and nights under the stars. You know, type of romance we don't have today.

We would describe our current living conditions now as "rustic" but not comparable to camping outdoors (although I found a way to make squash kugel without my mixing bowl yesterday - - not exactly easy).

I had envisioned that the weeks prior to our aliyah and upon arrival that we'd be on air mattresses and on the floor. We rented a  bed and couch from Rent a Center for a month which turned out brilliant and inexpensive (husband thought of it - I wouldn't recommend renting furniture for 12 months). And the children are on mattresses we had decided not to bring to Israel so that they could have it for the time being. A community member is purchasing it - - so if this is something you are thinking of doing, just have all that figured out. Not too many organizations will take used mattresses.

We are also working with a vendor in Ramat Beit Shemesh that sells beds and learning that the measurements and styles are different from the US. If we can get beds there on time, prior to our arrival, we will be able to be in our own space. Could be worth every penny. They'll also pick out the linens. We will just need fitted sheets since the sizing is so different.

Will update how that works out.

3) Technology -

I've learned over time how lucky we are that this isn't 1920/30 where saying goodbye and moving to another country was equivalent to going MIA.

The friends I've had over the years, those that make an effort to Whats App or FaceTime, have really stayed near and dear. That said, I recognize it isn't the same as going to shul every week or to the local store and seeing a familiar face. Interactions do change, but you still can learn a lot about your friendships and relationships. For example, the close friend I may have mentioned in earlier posts that moved from Sharon to Israel visited and it was as if she has still always been here. My husband noted after dinner one night with them (unplanned), that there's few people he can have real conversations with, but with them it's real. The two men discussed meeting up in Tel Aviv and what  shabbats we can meet in between.

4) Governance -

Yesterday we waited over an hour at our local bank to notarize documents granting Power of Attorney for the closing of our house (or what was our house) on July 12 when we are out of the country.

The wait was extremely frustrating because in the US we have come to expect customer service to come first. The customer is always right.

Here's what I'd like to share out of this experience - - any process related to contracts, legalities, exchange of money is going to be a pain. More or less when we get into a routine and live our lives, we don't have to deal with these annoyances so we forget.

Given the nightmares we hear of in Israel, we'll update if it's anymore unusual than what we've seen throughout the aliyah process in America.

5) Transportation -

The Gina Alfa Romeo and Maxima (I believe that was her name) and other cars my parents purchased throughout my childhood were a big deal. I shared earlier in the blog how we said goodbye to CoolRunnings our CRV and we are working on returning Elan the Elantra.

When we lived in NYC we used Zipcar. Beit Shemesh has 6 or so cars that we will look into using for when we want to go on family vacations or visit my aunt in Haifa or cousins in Meitar. CitiCar, we have been told it is called.

Having wheels is a big deal, yet I do not want to own a mini van! We will see how long we survive on the eco friendly front.

6) Familiarity -

I've just been advised to stock up on 4-6 weeks worth of comfort food for the kids. We've actually been back and forth about this, but have compromised to buy one large packing box at Home Depot and load it up with Cocoa puffs, Fruit Loops and Gogo Apple sauce pouches. A 36" duffel bag at Walmart costs $41 ish but to buy time till we find foods we like, this does make sense.

Otherwise from Costco we bought:
Extra folding chairs
Foil
Press and seal (Walmart)
Syran wrap
Allergy medication
Neosporen
Allergy medication
Ibuprofen
Garbage bags

That's about it for now.

Off to the Hamptons today for a family gathering and I haven't packed for that. Excited to see what it is like there and maybe the weather will clear up for some nice pool to time.

Approximately 17 days to go. Wow. And with so much to do, there aren't really pockets of time to be anxious. And my daughter cried enough for the both of us on the last day of school. Had I cried, it would make the process harder and keeping them in mind, to be excited and feel encouraged I feel is important.

Life has its many goodbyes and beginnings. Walter from Strand was right that it's all about perspective and wanting to be home.