[img]96|left|||no_popup[/img] Dateline Jerusalem — I have one major complaint about living in Israel. It is too far away from my family and friends. A non-stop flight from Tel Aviv to Los Angeles takes 15 1/2 hours. Considering Israel is 10 hours ahead of California, I still arrive the date I leave, but on my return to Israel, I arrive the next day. With all the regulations regarding flights, there is no longer the “luxury” of flying with two pieces of baggage. It is down to one, and one that has a ridiculously low weight limit. Who can travel for any length of time with only one piece of luggage on an international flight? I need a change of clothes just for the length of time I am in the air. How can I travel to the States to visit my granddaughter and newborn grandson without bringing a suitcase filled just with presents from Israel?
The 10-hour difference in time zones also makes living here a problem. In the winter, Shabbat begins in Israel on Friday evening, as early as 4 o’clock, while everyone in California is still asleep from Thursday night or just awakening at 6 o’clock to go to work. Calling my family at 6 a.m. is a too early. Being “shomer Shabbat” means I cannot use the telephone once Shabbat begins. Although I am able to use the phone Saturday evening when Shabbat ends, it is still Shabbat in California, so I cannot call anyone Jewish because I would be disturbing their Shabbat. That means I must wait until 2 a.m. Israel time (Saturday night or actually Sunday morning) to speak with people on the West Coast.
When It Is 6 p.m. Here. Oh, Well.
Speaking of calling, I have an unlimited phone-calling plan since moving to Israel so family and friends can be in contact with me here. I pay a low flat monthly rate that allows me to call to the U.S. and others to call me in Israel without having it cost them to do so. It is a California area code and phone number that rings directly in Israel. Of course, that was until today when I was on an important call and got disconnected because there was a glitch in the system. Needless to say, if it can go wrong, it will. I contacted my service rep on his Israeli line only to find that he is now in the States. He gave me another service rep in Israel. When I called there, I received a voice message informing me that someone will get back to me within 24 hours. In 24 hours it will be Shabbat. Therefore no one will get back to me for another 25 hours, until after Shabbat ends. If they have to coordinate with the States, then there is a possibility that I won't have service until Tuesday next week, since Israel doesn't work on Friday U.S. time and the U.S. does not work on Sunday Israel time. By the time businesses open on Monday morning U.S. time, it is Monday evening Israel time when Israeli businesses are closed once again.
Because of all the cyber-fraud and identity theft going around, my banks will not do anything without me coming into them personally so they can check my ID and see me sign any instructions in their presence. It is kind of difficult to fly to California from Tel Aviv just to fill out a change of address form. Not only is it cost-prohibitive (anywhere from $1,300-$2,200 for a flight) and time consuming for a flight of miles, but I get sick every time I fly. Considering I am now suffering from bronchitis and a bacterial influenza (am on my second bout of antibiotics), I am hoping by the time I come to the States I will be immune to whatever may be lurking on my flights.
The worst part was being so far away when my grandson was born the other day. Yet, other than that and the other logistical problems involved with Israel and California being so far apart, I cannot think of anything else to complain about living in Israel.
L'hitraot. Shachar.