Looks Like We Made It
Leah and Dahvid Wolf
…[Y]es, it's a big step. But there is a quote that, "Mitzvat Yishuv Eretz
Yisrael Shkula keneged kol haMitzvot" [“The mitzvah of settling the Land is equal in weight to all the other mitzvot” – Ed.] and that should help get you going.
Would you drop Shobbos or Taharas HaMishpacha or any other mitzvah just because it's hard? Of course not! Because you see how much these things add to your quality of life. And you believe what the Torah tells you to do.
So, thank Hashem that you live in an age where you have the zchut (merit/privilege) to make aliyah and may Hashem grant you success, good health, nachas and an ability to appreciate that zchut. May you live a full Jewish life, something one can only do in Israel. You can live a very rich Jewish life in Baltimore and other fantastic communities but a FULL Jewish life requires immersion in the Land of Israel.
The best quote is that of Calev and Yehoshua who said (in Parshat Shlach
BaMidbar 14:7) "Tova Ha'Aretz Me'od Me'od." [“The Land is very, very good.” – Ed.]
Leah and Dahvid Wolf
ldwolf@netvision.net.il
The Wolfs made aliyah from Rochester, NY in 1978 and are living in Metar. Four generations of their family have lived in Israel. Potential olim are welcome to email.
Almost There!
Ruti Eastman
Relief has finally set in. The house has sold. Eight tons (16,000 pounds!) of stuff we don't need anymore has gone to its final resting place. We are renting a charming, smaller house, to get everyone used to living in closer quarters. We are studying Hebrew, and learning Israeli history and geography. The metric system is no longer a mystery to us.
Are we really making aliyah in less than six months?
We have been dreaming this dream for 16 years. All of my children have grown up thinking of themselves as "displaced Israelis." My husband and I have worked through all of our various concerns and outright fears. Will we make it financially? Will we ever get the language? Will the kids find friends?
The bottom line is this. The feeling that we can serve G-d best in His Land has grown in us over the years, rather than diminished. And since we work for Him, we certainly believe that He runs the world. There is exhilaration in jumping from the tree, into Tatte's waiting Hands. There is adventure. There be pirates there, and treasure…
At our age, adventure sounds pretty cool.
Ruti Eastman
rutimizrachi@gmail.com
Planning aliyah from Baltimore to Gush Etzion, October 2007.
Five Things To Bring With You To Israel
Paula R. Stern
I know that people may advise you about bringing certain electrical equipment, perhaps stores of some foods or medications, furniture, shoes, clothes, maybe even certain books. I'll leave that to others - here are my suggestions: read more
Top Ten "Reasons" for Not Making Aliyah
Orit
Excuses, excuses. People make excuses for anything and everything: why they're stuck in their dead-end job; why they're stuck in a bad relationship; and, of course, why they're "stuck" in America. read more
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