בנשמה

We just celebrated our 6 month aliyahversarry. Will it ever get old to count? Since around this time we decided to make aliyah (and if you are in the same boat, you may be likely stressed with gearing up), we wanted to provide a look back and tips. The Wife On a variety of our visits to check out other communities, I have come to learn that the grass is not always greener on the other side... plus every move requires a change on your teudat zehut, new doctors, school politics and all the lovely requirements that come with moving. When it's already been done... 6,000 miles away. That said, we do not regret passing up on a pilot trip, since there is really so much more to learn about what Israel has to offer that just can't be done or fully processed in 1-2 weeks.  Another lesson is not to rush into a decision, if you can afford to buy yourself a bit more time. There are comforts in the United States that we definately still miss, but there ar...

On the hunt for creative hamentachen. Who is with me? 😂 The rain is in full swing in Israel. Floods, sadly seven deaths and more surprises. First about the hamentachen here. There was such a variety of sufganiyot that I was disappointed not to see some fun attempts here. Apricot filling, marshmallows, sprinkles, caramel, warm fudge, icing. The ideas are endless! It was the same feeling on Rosh Hashana when there were only regular challahs, seed and whole wheat. Where were the apple filled ones, cinnamon, pomegranate seeds and anything else that screams high holiday? Someone out there, please take note and start a wide chain of amazing holiday related culinary themes. I had thought of a name. Something like Chalomot (dreams, yes, get it?). Anyhow, feel free to take the idea and roll with it. You can thank me later. Back to the rain. It is chilly. Not as cold as Boston where you can't feel your face, but the winter now is in full swing. A friend shared with me ...

Today we mixed family and business by visiting Meitar. This neighborhood boasts unique (affordable) houses, a Shupersal, pizza/falafel store, schools all in the same migrash (including ganim), a community shopping center with a judaica store, produce market and klalit/Macabi (Meuchedet is not as popular here - - take note - - though you can change your provider every 6 months). There are three pools within the town, offering separate hours for men and women's swim. A dedicated library and lots of space for strolling. The closest hospital is Saroka, about 20 minutes away. The roads of the yeshuv-city are flat, on a grid and easy to get around.  The community is proud of its diversity. The mamlachti dati school, Chemdat, has boys and girls of all religious (and non religious) levels learning in harmony. The school goes through 8th grade and splits the genders in 6th grade. Many also choose to send their children to schools in Arad, Susya or Sansena. It is customary in Isr...