Making Aliyah… During A Global Pandemic
Making aliyah is never easy, let alone in the age of coronavirus.
Israeli Credit Cards, Kitniyot, And Bananas Galore
We knew that making aliyah three weeks before Pesach would be a challenge...
In Search Of A Teudat Zehut
In an apparent effort to ensure both employee and public safety, only a limited number of people were being allowed into the building at a time.
Why Did I Move To Israel?
Why did I stuff my life into 15 duffle bags and fly with my husband and kids amidst an international pandemic to live halfway across the world?
Israeli Ovens And Cats
Living for years in American apartments with either no laundry machine, or a shared laundry room, we had gotten used to planning our weekends around doing laundry.
A New School
I spent the rest of the day wondering how he was doing. When I arrived for pickup, I was relieved to see his smiling face.
Our First Blackout
Neighbors congregated in the building hallway to commiserate. Apparently, like cats on patios, power outages are a common part of life here in Israel – especially in the summer.
Buying English Books In Israel
Generally, orders arrive in a matter of weeks. Little did I realize that due to coronavirus-related postal delays, our lift would arrive weeks before the books I ordered from this site!
Finding A Home In The Homeland
He advised us, though, that we didn’t need to be a “fryer” (a naive oleh) and accept the terms since everything in Israel is subject to negotiation.
Our First ‘Yom Kef’
As I watched my family devouring their ice cream cones on the walk back to the car, one thing was clear. My family was really enjoying their time in Israel.
Choosing A Gan For My Daughter
Her eyes, however, were wide open, taking it all in. She was fascinated by the surrounding babies after our long indoor confinement.
My Visit To The Dentist
After days with no return call, I was desperate. My Israeli friends advised me to show up at the dental clinic as an “emergency case” and insist on being seen.
Opening A Bank Account
I wish I could say it has been smooth sailing since then, but the banking system here is more complicated than I can do justice to here.
Electronics In Israel
In New York, you can walk into a showroom and examine a range of models; here, most stores carry a few show pieces and otherwise direct you to look through their catalogue to see if you like anything.
Moving Logistics In Israel
As we’ve learned time and time again through this aliyah process, ultimately everything is in Hashem’s hands.
Buying A Car In Israel
While olim are offered a steep discount on taxes associated with purchasing a new car, it comes with many complicated strings attached.
Unpacking 175 Boxes
Admittedly, the lift included some items we had planned to leave behind and others that we had wanted on flight, but while packing had not gone as planned – a running theme in our aliyah – it would have to do.
Customer Service & School Dress Codes
Here in Modi’in we have a wonderful Absorption Department, with olim coordinators that go above and beyond to help.
Food In Israel
We find daily excuses to run in to pick up just a loaf of bread, and leave with our hands laden with hot bourekas, pita, and lachmaniyot (rolls).
Taking Out The Trash
Before calling the municipality to arrange a special pickup of furniture or large appliances, residents often post pictures of these items on Facebook or WhatsApp groups with the simple message of "limisira b'ahava" (for donation with love).
Hachofesh Hagadol
There is actually a fantastic Facebook group – “LoveLoveIsrael-Tried and Tested” – where you can find everything you may want to know about visiting almost anywhere in Israel.
First Grade!
As I approached the school along with tens of other children and parents, the excitement was palpable. The principal stood at the gate of the school, greeting each child with an elbow bump and a smile.
The Ins And Outs Of Ulpan
While I generally had a lot of fun on these interviews, I still am embarrassed when I recall our first in-Hebrew television interview.
Rosh Hashanah Under Lockdown
While my children and I did not attend shul this year (my husband attended a very small, very early morning minyan), we did manage to have a special davening experience.
Life Under Lockdown – Again
In true “Big Brother” fashion, the Shin Bet finds contact points between Covid-19 patients and others using cell phone tracking systems generally employed for counterterrorism operations.
Sukkot – Sun Or Snow?
With Sukkot evenings as delightful as this, I no longer understand the age-old dvar Torah about why Sukkot is celebrated in the autumn instead of the spring.
Yet Another Holiday Under Lockdown
Missing out on the candy bags? KDT had us covered. The shul set up a “pekalach swap” whereby every KDT family was tasked with delivering a candy bag to another family in the shul.
Shopping In Israel
At a loss, I thrust my American credit card into her gloved hands and explained that we were new olim and did not understand. Could she please just charge us for the shoes?
Celebrating Rain?
Not a day goes by here in Israel that we don't think about water.
Olim Cholim
Unfamiliar with other parents in my daughter’s gan, we also didn’t have anyone to commiserate with during the long sleepless nights of my daughter’s illness.