Vroom


One of the most exciting developments for Olim is the fact that Israel changed the law to transferring international drivers licenses (at least for the United States, perhaps others as well). With proof of a 5 year driving record and cash, everything should be simpler than sitting in driving school and taking an exam.

It took us three times a charm.

The first time the rejection was due to the fact that the RMV did not specify the dates of when each respective license was renewed. The report also has to be consecutive, without a lapse. The second attempt was to show copies of our old licenses and this too wasn't good enough. Upon asking fellow Olim of 2019 as to what they did, we were quickly advised not to go to the office which we were attending and to go to another.

Third times a charm. 

The beautiful piece of paper for a temporary license was bestowed. Though we decided not to own a car (between local employment and schooling) the occasional rental cars are helpful to get things from Rishon Letzion and to visit my aunt in Haifa. The beginning was truly challenging without a car. There are days it's so hot that it's hard to walk one more inch. But then you realize just how accessible things are in Israel. From the house we are renting, there's a "beefed up" makolet with American products (fruit by the foot!) and four rows of stairs down, another makolet.

The vibe of life here is incredibly different. From going to work where honesty to dislikes and likes is really open to the fact that kids play on the street and on one hand your thrilled to see the children more independent with friends. On the flip it's sad that you no longer have control over space as a backyard where they can't go anywhere. There's a lot of letting go and transitioning for parents as this lifestyle creeps up very quickly.

It hasn't been 2 months in Israel but feels much longer. Not sure if that is good or bad. We started to do a little bit of homework as to where we'd like to move long(er) term (runner ups, another area in Beit Shemesh, Karmei Gat, Tzur Hadassah and if our cousin allows, Meitar). Come September and early Fall we will visit 3 communities and continue reading Shavua Shvii to see what developments are in process throughout the country.

Another realization is that Israel really isn't for everyone. As much as I'd like to say so, the religious levels are different from the United States (ask us about this offline).
If the country was for everyone, we'd all be here and integrated into this beautiful land. This makes life in the diaspora a little bit more understandable. Though we hope many who consider the move make the jump. And it's OK to still love where you came from.

We are looking forward to family visits coming our way and the feeling of chagim coming. There are certainly stores with pomegranate figurines peering through the rows of school supplies. And it's beautiful walking in the middle of the road on shabbat with hardly any cars. There's no place like home. Even if we are working truly hard to feel that with every inch of our body and soul.

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