[img]96|left|||no_popup[/img]Dateline Jerusalem —In the next few days I will be celebrating my two-year anniversary here in Israel. To all those who said I would not last more than a month or two, what do you say now?
I must admit that my having a job from almost the time I arrived was a contributing factor to my ability to stay here.
However, working fulltime for American English-speaking firms, at times working two jobs at once, also made it difficult for me to learn the Hebrew language.
I did not have the opportunity to go to Ulpan language school for 5 months, 5 days a week, 5 hours a day.
I was not permitted to live in an Absorption Center, as most new immigrants do, because I was too old! Since when is mid-50s considered “too old” in a country where life expectancy is 79 for men and 81 for women, higher than that of the U.S.?
But There Is an Explanation
Needless to say, I do not yet know Hebrew and people who know me look at me like I am some kind of moron because I cannot speak or understand Hebrew after two years. However, I have met a few other people who have been here over 20 years and know about as much Hebrew as I do. And although they claim learning disabilities or old age as excuses for their inability to learn Hebrew, I will, too. I am too old for an Absorption Center and my learning disability is a major “mental block.”
The last two years really have been special for me.
It is difficult for me to describe the spirituality I have experienced here. I feel G-d's presence at all times, not just when I am praying at a holy site.
Yet, when I go to the Kotel (the Western Wall or Wailing Wall), I get goosebumps on my arms and shivers from head to toe and tears in my eyes.
How can I adequately describe those sensations? If I were to take a word association test and the word “Israel” would be shown to me, my automatic response would be “home.” It is as though I am finally “home,” the home of my ancient ancestors, or my home from a prior life. I felt a magnetic pull from the minute I stepped on Israeli soil almost 30 years ago.
But, it took me 28 years to finally make aliyah.
Patriotism Proudly Waves in the Wind
How can I describe the pool of pure blue sky above the Kotel while the rest of the sky is cloudy or overcast?
How can I describe the stillness in the air and the silence except for the chirping of birds?
How can I describe the beauty of this country? It as though Israel is a 3-dimensional canvas that G-d has painted with His pallet of glorious acrylics and oils? I am entirely mesmerized by the topography and the geography of Israel, by the contrast of antiquities and modern architecture side by side, by Israel's scientific discoveries and technological inventions.
It is said that the U.S. is a melting pot for immigrants from all nations. The same can be said of Israel. I have met people from all over the world who have gathered here to live together in peace.
“Shalom” means “peace,” and it is the greeting used instead of “hello” and “goodbye.” Various cultures, customs, dress, spices, tastes and smells blend together in harmony. The different languages, accents, ethnicities and traditions combine into what is uniquely Israel. It is a magical experience.
The blue and white colors of the Israeli flag, with a blue Star of David displayed prominently on a white background between two thick stripes of blue, can be seen on buildings and homes throughout the country. Even cars on the road have flags flying in the breeze. The patriotism of the Israeli people is contagious.
Some Jews came to Israel as refugees from Arab countries that exiled them with just the shirts on their backs.
Some came as survivors of concentration camps.
Others fled here because of the rampant anti-Semitism in their native countries, such as the Soviet Union. Still others came of their own free will because of the spirituality of living among our biblical ancestors and holy sites, because of the pride they felt for all of Israel's accomplishments, and for a myriad of personal reasons.
Whatever the reason for immigrating to Israel, the majority of those who still are living here today are here by choice, for it is difficult not to be in love with this country.
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 22 months ago.
