Back to Reality

There's a saying that you make aliyah for your kids and your needs come next. This is true for some. Perhaps many, though they fear sharing their feelings because it is such an amazing merit to be here. 

We've found that thankfully, our kids transitioned very easily, perhaps due to age but character as well. They are also very flexible when we tell them of the communities we will be visiting to seek a longer term option (the owners of our current rental are moving this summer) and where we will truly put down roots for long term (thinking in regards to high school, community demographics, hashkafa, vibe, etc). The next step will likely be a rental in a community we want to stay and then buy, we hope. Unlike the United States where you can put down 5-25% or more (maybe less), getting yourself into trouble, here the banks don't allow it without a standard. 

Let's be honest about transitioning to Israel and our being back to reality (it's only been two weeks!). 

Today marks our 4 month aliyah anniversary minus the month we were unexpectedly back in America. We woke up this morning, on our way to Jerusalem (still a wow!) wondering if we could move back. 

Here's why. 

Coming from a suburb, thats calm and people more or less aren't in your face, Israel is the exact opposite. For example, the liter along the streets in Beit Shemesh (so upsetting, though as an Israeli told me " הכל יחסית") and how two Israeli men insisted two women (maybe 15 minutes apart episodes from one another) to sit on the bus or rather forced them a bit too physically to sit down, is one level too high. In your face, as they say. If you like that sort of thing, great. Maybe it's better than not caring. Debatable. I mostly see these situations and observe. 

It maybe isn't terrorism that makes Israelis stressed (we don't think), but more just, culture. The same if we were to move to London and deal with driving on the opposite side of the road. That's not to say that America doesn't lack its own issues. The difference in America is that communities are much more nuclear (in small towns) that maybe you have one or two shuls where everybody knows your name (antithetical to the song "Boston, no one knows my name.")

In Israel, you are one among many. There's something beautiful about that but hard at the same time. It means it can take much longer to find your niche and where you fit in, especially when not born and raised here. 

It amazes us, in the most positive, beautiful way when:

1) the electrician comes and he's wearing a kippa

2) the non religious secretary in pants stops before closing the door to kiss a mezuza 

3) erev shabbat has echoes from houses and cars of religious music, thereby learning more Yishai Ribo songs and 

4) the country is like....mamash Jewish. 

Back to sharing about our upcoming moving hunt. 

On our list are to visit Tzur Hadassah, Efrat, Modiin and Karmei Gat. 

The goals are queit, clean and spacious. The consensus is also to find a place where we have either (1) family (2) friends we know  that are like family and (3) reconnecting with friends from the past. The only place none of this applies is Karmei Gat, but this neighborhood is one we've been tracking pre aliyah. We will share our observations for each place and hope one of them fits the bill. We will then visit that community one or two more times to check out schools, ammenities and so forth. If you have other recommendations, let us know! 

An important PSA - 

This week was interesting in that we tried once again to transfer an American driver's license to Israeli. The rules changed to make it easier with a 5 year driving record not to need additional driving tests and classes. That however doesn't mean that every Misrad Rishui is helpful. We strongly advise not going the Beit Shemesh office (and sadly, we aren't the only ones this has happened to, as many on an aliyah group from RBS noted the same frustration). This is ironic mostly because the leadership of Beit Shemesh prides itself on being welcoming to Olim - - and in many ways they are, which is why this occurrence was so surprising. 

The Beit Shemesh Misrad Harishui office insists on not just seeing a 5 year driving record, but also for the report to show date of issue and expiration. Contacting Registered Motored Vehicles two months ago, the reporting just doesn't come that way and it's easy with a type writer just to put it in. What's more shocking was that the clerk said לכי לירושלים (go to Jerusalem). They are aware their standards don't align and as this transfer applies to Olim, the logic doesn't make sense. There should be more attention brought to this, a solution and there's always room for improvement. If everything was perfect, we wouldn't be realistic to the needs of the few to many. 

The Talpiyot office was the fastest, most accommodating and friendly - a rare find to find all three with customer service (we've seen good places, not to worry). No questions asked. Teudat oleh, origional license, tofes yarok, rmv record, teudat zehut and you're good to go. Nefesh be Nefesh should take note. We aren't sure where this issue and expire date stems from. In any case, it is also important to know that the Talpiyot office will be moving locations in about a week or so. Of course, no signage or online notice about this. 

Up next is to receive our Israeli passports and flu shots. The children didn't want the shots to happen at school, which is common practice (who wants a friend to see you freak out and then be called chicken?). 

We've also started a series of photos titled חתולי ישראל where these cats do the most outrageous things. 

Stay tuned for more developments. 

We thank all who have reached out or check in. Every day is indeed, a blessing. We certainly try to up a YOLO here and there and bought a variety of more sufganiyot. Look to that post for different styles. 

Now we understand why Chanukah here starts early. 

(This post is no reflection as to the amazing people and neighbors who have been extraordinary kind and welcoming to us. Making aliyah, is a beautiful thing but it's a process. For some easier than others and many factors that impact this transition.)