1Aliyahversary

The cake and smiles makes it look easy. In truth, minus a (very) bumpy start professionally and personally with the passing of my mom, Israel has been good to us. We recognize that it isn't easy and we've had frustrations. But will share highlights and insights. 

על הדבש ועל העוקץ על המר והמתוק

על ביתינו התינוקת שמור א'לי הטוב 

1) We bought a car, with no horror stories. And the price kept going down. If you can, use your Olim benefits. They are there for a reason, and have you ever heard of another country that does this? 

2) Both kids acclimated fantastically at school and made an amazing group of friends. Instead of shipping out for Ulpan, one school brought a teacher in and the other had bnot sheirut. We also hired a private teacher to help brush up dikduk. But these teachers, young guys, have served as positive role models. 

3) We were pre approved for a mortgage. This takes time. Not going to lie. And is an art with FBAR filings, taxes, proof of assets, pay stubs, etc. And then there's real estate in Israel... this is proving to be challenging but is a national issue where owners have lots of control and timelines that are unlike the USA (you can wait a whole year till moving in!). 

We hope this next project on our list, when ready, goes well and smoothly. Sooner we hope, rather than later.

4) Survived 5 annual visits. Healthcare here is awesome. But it does take time to navigate. If there's an option on the phone to select English, just do it. They'll answer and it's much easier. Make sure there are friends who have been here longer to help guide you with what is normal and what's not. 

5) School is Sun - Fri which is really still bizarre. The kids don't seem to mind it, surprisingly. And we no longer have to figure out how to fill up boring Sundays. Instead, we've learned the secret of taking a Yom Kef and taking the kids to places to learn about the country. We do miss Sundays, but only because there isn't a day to really sleep in or have simchas.

6) Reading has become easier. We take weekly booklets like Nofim Ve Nofashim, Shiv'i and so forth, to help us catch up to speed on this front. It's only slightly annoying when a word is transliterated from English.

7) We've learned more or less where to buy things. And cereals that are NOT the same, so sometimes the cost is just worth it. Clothing also, the Children's Place is more expensive, but since there's a uniform, that can be done inexpensively and keep the nice dresses and shirts for shabbat. 

8) Financial options have allowed us to breathe. It's completely different for us here when not paying $63,000 in tuition. To give an idea of this, school for Kita bet cost 1400 shekel. For the year. Kindergarten was 700 shekel. And care for the baby came out to the equivalent of $5000. Camp is costing us 75 shekel for every child and private Anglo backyard camps 650 shekel each. We recognize that these numbers can be a struggle, but again, we are comparing this to costs we had back in the United States.

There is no tuition crisis here.

Get that?!

There are also so many communities to choose from. Prices of real estate are different everywhere. Don't lock yourself in. There's a Jew for everyone here in the country. 

9) Ikea has arrived in Eshtaol! And we are resisting the urge to go. In hindsight, I'm often asked if we truly needed to lift everything. You can get what you need here. And styles are different in Israel. Furniture is more modern and light. Here's what we should have just brought:

1) corelle dishes

2) pots and pans

3) kitchen aid

4) transformer

5) food processor

6) English books, esp for the kids

7) clothing

8) folding chairs

9) folding table

10) shabbat silverware

11) Dramamine / sea bands 

12) Tylenol, Sudafed, Neosporen, Benadryl

13) Simplehuman trash can

14) Computers

15) Any Judaic sepharim

Paintings and sentimental items. That's it. Though I love my bed, it could have stayed behind. There are no olim benefits with bringing a lift, other than you can bring three. Everyone will say something different about bringing things over. Narrow down, if you can. 

You don't need to bring zip lock bags, garbage bags, foil, bikes, a grill, your old 9 year old couch, clunky 8 seater dining room set, China dishes, servingware plates and American beds. They've got them here.

10) Working with Tamarim, the conceirge service was still the best thing we did. We got to living here right away. And had beds shipped from Ramat Beit Shemesh.

Here's to year num. 2 which we hope involves settling permanently and continuing to make Israel our home.