Dateline Jerusalem — Happy anniversary to me! Mazal tov and congratulations for this week marks my 10th aliyah anniversary as an immigrant to Israel. It is hard to believe that 10 years ago I packed my bags and left family and friends to begin a new life in Israel. “Aliyah” means ascent or going up.
Usually it is referred to as the immigration of Jews to the land of Israel. Since 1948 when Israel gained its independence, it has absorbed 3.2 million immigrants, 43 percent arriving after 1990.
Ever since I first visited Israel in 1979, I had a burning desire to live here. When I first landed way back then, I got tears in my eyes, shivers down my spine, and goosebumps on my arms. It was so much more than an emotional experience. It was physical as well.
I knew I was home, the home of my ancestors. How could I not want to be here, where the presence of G-d is felt at all times. It took several visits over 28 years to finally make the move.
The Hebrew word for peace is shalom. My soul definitely has been at peace living in Israel. Just as the aliyah process is a going up, or ascent, my immigration to Israel has been a rising up of my attitude on life.
In Israel I am calm in the face of danger, relaxed when I should be nervous.
Perhaps it is the knowledge that G-d is watching over His people here, providing miracles on a daily basis.
Perhaps the serenity is a result of the incredible beauty of the land. Or a combination of both.
Life here is difficult. Salaries are one-quarter what they are in the States. Expenses are four times the cost of living there. Having “protexia” is part of Israeli life but really it is no different than in the States where who you know and nepotism also exist.
We are always living under the threat of war or terror.
Believe it or not, though, I feel safer in Israel than anywhere else. I never have learned Hebrew but I have been able to survive.
It wasn’t easy trying to learn a new language so late in life. I am often referred to as a fryer, a naive person, a sucker, patsy, or fool.
It is a description of new immigrants who fall victim to situations a native born, a sabra, instinctively would avoid. A fryer is so naive that paying double for something is often taken for granted. I am a happy fryer, though.
Every new immigrant has his/her own reason for making aliyah. Some fled rampant anti-Semitism in their native countries. Some came as refugees from Arab countries where they were exiled with just the shirts on their backs. Some came for religious freedom. Some wanted inexpensive religious education for their children. Some came for the pride they felt for Israel’s accomplishments.
Some came for the spirituality of being surrounded by biblical holy sites or wanting to live in the footsteps of their ancestors. Some fled terror and modern day pogroms. Some came as survivors of concentration camps.
And some, like me, left a comfortable life of freedom and prosperity because of a yearning in our souls. Whatever the reason for immigrating to Israel, the majority remain here, by choice.
For all my family and friends who did not think I would remain in Israel for a month, six months, or even a year, join me in celebrating 10 years of happiness in this precious land I cherish.
If you cannot take the steps to move here, at least come and visit. It will be an experience of a lifetime. For Israel has something for everyone, no matter their religion or ethnicity.
L’hitraot. Shachar