[img]96|left|||no_popup[/img]Dateline Jerusalem — Many have asked me if my perspective has changed since I arrived in Israel two years ago.
It has.
I have learned that the Israel I knew from my short vacations here and from newspaper, TV and media reports is not the real Israel I have come to know and love.
I have learned that I should not make comparisons with the U.S. because life here is so different.
Israel is not the 51st state or a vassal state.
Its very existence is dependent upon the fact that the U.S. does not consider it as such.
Israel is a distinct, separate entity, a sovereign country, the only democracy in the Middle East. Its diverse population, strategic and security needs, and unique way of approaching life demand it function as a strong independent nation.
When I first arrived two years ago, I did the calculations necessary between U.S. dollars and Israeli Shekels. It has fluctuated between 3.6-4.25 shekels per dollar. Whenever I would go to the market or figure out rent or buy any product or hire a taxi, I converted shekels into dollars in order to determine whether I was paying too much.
Everything seemed so inexpensive compared to U.S. prices. I have since learned that the cost of living here is different. The salaries are much lower ( I earn about what I paid my receptionist in my law office in the states).
Food is more expensive.
Utilities are about the same.
The electrician I hired was a bargain.
The plumber I hired was like the U.S. The air conditioner repairman charged an exorbitant price. Most people are honest and friendly. Some take advantage because I am a woman, because I do not speak the language, because I am not Israeli or because they think I am a “fryer” (sucker).
The Way They Dressed
There was a small fire near the train station last week. Someone from my office called the fire department. Only one truck arrived with 4 firemen dressed in matching t-shirts! I have never seen a fireman in the U.S. fight fires without protective clothing. They took out no hoses, no fire equipment. And, within minutes of their arrival, the small fire became several fires fanned by the firemen. Two hours later the fires burned out and the firemen left the scene. Only in Israel!
Today I went to the bank to pick up checks.
Checks can only be ordered in person at the bank and picked up in person from the bank. They are never sent through the mail. That becomes a problem because of the 3 bank branches in my city. All 3 are closed on Friday and Saturday, my only days off.
I finally went to a branch near where I work to order and have the checks delivered there instead of my home branch.
The problem is that they are only open one afternoon a week.
Here Comes the Worst Part
They open up only 15 minutes before I must start work. It does not leave any time to transact bank business, especially since I must go to different tellers to withdraw money, to order and pick up checks, to open an account, to order a credit card or debit card. And if you are with one teller and your number is called by another, then you lose your place in that line and must start over again. Bureaucracy at its best!
How has living here changed me?
I am calmer, more patient, trust in Hashem (G-d) more than ever.
I relate normal everyday occurrences to events in the Torah. When the Palestinians refused to accept all the land some naive Israeli leaders were willing to give up for “peace,” and the Palestinians kept demanding more and more unilateral concessions on the part of Israel, this made me think of the Passover (Pesach) story of Hashem (G-d) hardening the heart of Pharoah when Pharoah refused to let Moses and the Hebrews leave Egypt.
G-d will not allow some leftist Jews to give away the land G-d gave to the Jewish people because He hardens the Palestinians’ hearts and makes them refuse everything Israel offers.
They could have had a Palestinian state years ago had they really wanted a two-state solution. But they only want the destruction of Israel.
When Israeli cities are bombarded by rocket fire on a daily basis and the number of casualties and deaths are minimal as compared to those of Palestinian terrorists and those who support them, I know that G-d is watching over Israel and protecting its people. When I go to the Kotel (Western or Wailing Wall), the last remnant of the Holy Temple, I feel G-d's presence. It is the most wonderful experience.
How has my perspective changed? How have I changed? I believe for the better.
L'hitraot. Shachar
Shachar is the Hebrew name of a California-based attorney and former Los Angeles County Sheriff’s deputy who moved to Israel two years ago.
