Hey everyone!
Big news! I just moved to Israel, also known as making aliyah. Shalom! My name’s Andrew.
Today, I want to chat about the practical side of things, and answer that burning question: why move to Israel?
Coming Home
I came here under the Law of Return, which lets Jews immigrate and become citizens. Many Jews see this move as a homecoming, reconnecting with their ancestral land. Even scattered around the world, Jews always prayed towards Jerusalem and longed to return.
The Law of Return is often seen as a safety net, a refuge from persecution. Many Israelis, from Yemen to Ethiopia, share a history of being a targeted minority. Even today, some Jews face discrimination and violence.
A New Wave of Aliyah
But there’s a growing number of us making aliyah by choice. It’s not about escaping, but about contributing to a thriving nation and reconnecting with our roots.
An Israeli woman once told me, “It’s only every two thousand years that Jews have sovereignty here. I wanted to be a part of it.” That stuck with me.
A Remarkable Story
The story of Israel is incredible. After being scattered by the Roman Empire, Jews maintained their identity and dream of returning. Despite persecution, they never gave up.
From the ashes of the Holocaust and exile, Zionism led to a strong, independent nation with a powerful military, booming economy, and a revived culture. Hebrew, once a dead language, is spoken again!
More Than Just Safety
Moving here isn’t just about escaping anti-semitism
The Holocaust occurred relatively recently, spanning from 1939 when Germany invaded Poland, triggering World War II, until 1945 when Germany surrendered. During this period, the Nazi regime under Adolf Hitler initiated a campaign to exterminate every Jewish person, starting with those in Europe. What set Nazi anti-Semitism (Jewish Racism) apart from other forms of ethnic hatred was Hitler’s indiscriminate view of all Jewish individuals as enemies deserving of death, irrespective of age or status.
. Israel has a responsibility to be “a light unto the nations,” helping others and fighting injustice. Those who come here by choice want to be part of that.
There’s still a “mental and spiritual diaspora” to overcome, but we’re getting there.
Making Aliyah Easy
Israel actively encourages Jewish immigration. They offer free flights, temporary phone cards, cash, and even a taxi to your first stop. There’s also universal healthcare, rent and education subsidies, and free Hebrew classes.
Nephesh B’Nefesh helps with everything from insurance to finding a job.
Challenges and Realities
Let’s be real, there are challenges. You might be far from family, face a language barrier, and deal with bureaucracy (no Amazon Prime yet!).
Israeli society has its issues too, like political divides, a wealth gap, and the conflict with Palestinians. But there are also movements working for peace.
The media often portrays Israel negatively, and things can be expensive compared to the US. But money isn’t the main focus here. Family and relationships are more important, which contributes to Israel’s high happiness ratings.
A Young, Growing Nation
Israel is constantly evolving. Water shortages used to be a problem, but now they’re even exporting clean water thanks to desalination technology.
Those who come here share a sense of idealism, wanting to build something bigger than themselves. It’s not easy, but it’s meaningful.
The Israeli Spirit
What I love most is the Israeli culture – bold, honest, and unafraid to speak their mind. It can be a shock, but I find it refreshing.
People get excited to hear I’m a new immigrant (“Oleh Hadash”). This tiny country packs a punch with diversity from over 150 countries.
Judaism is a natural part of life here, with something for everyone. There are also large English-speaking communities with plenty of social events.
There’s a constant energy and a strong sense of community. Israel honors its history and fallen heroes, but also has areas where Jews and Arabs live peacefully together.
Living the Dream
So much sacrifice went into building this country. Now, we get to participate in rebuilding the Hebrew civilization. It’s a privilege to be part of this ongoing revival.
I was tired of hearing about Israel from afar. I wanted to be here, living the dream. Israel isn’t just a country, it’s a 2,000-year-old dream coming true. We went from surviving to thriving in our homeland. Come experience it for yourself!
