Ask most “sensible people” if they’re happy where they live, and you won’t be disappointed with their responses.
Only miserable folks pour out their troubles to you.
But aliyah is an exceptional subject.
I made aliyah in 1984 from the UK. I did it the easy way. I fell in love with a gorgeous lady. She happened to be Israeli. Had she been Canadian or Cambodian, would I now be writing about immigration to either of those countries?
Aviva and I met in 1973. I came to Israel later that year to meet the family. Her parents lived in Jerusalem. I was somewhat overwhelmed. I had grown up with minimal focus on my Judaism. Now, suddenly, my feet were touching the cobblestones of Jerusalem’s Old City.
I was excited in many ways. As a tourist, of course. But also much deeper than that. I was overwhelmed by what was flooding my eyes and ears: religion, history, and an incredible clash of cultures.
We married a few months later in Jerusalem. As far as I was concerned, I was making history. I couldn’t wait to tell my friends.
We continued to be based in London. I traveled extensively on business. Aviva was content living in London. I did not mind where my base was, as airports and hotels occupied much of my time. But we both knew that Israel was pulling us. We were just waiting for “the right time” to move here.
Being British, I was too embarrassed to kiss the ground upon finally landing for good on Israeli soil. Others near us did, when alighting from the boat. I totally understood. There’s something about Israel that does that to you.
What is that something?
FOR SOME reason, I used to compare the Land of Israel to New York City. (I have lived in that crazy place.) They both can throw everything at you all at once, whether you want it or not.
It goes without saying that aliyah should not be your first experience with Israel. Those coming to Israel need to be prepared, and having friends and/or family already here is important. They all have stories for you.
My experiences were typical. Aviva’s family immediately surrounded me with love, acceptance, and a voluminous history. They are Sephardi, with a family tree dating back to the Spanish Inquisition, and to Persia. (I was made very aware of the split in Israeli society between Sephardi and Ashkenazi Jews. Interestingly, Aviva’s brothers and sisters all married Ashkenazim, like me. So that little problem was solved.)
On my side, I had family who had escaped the Holocaust. Incredible stories, some tragic, but always with an optimistic ending; with children and grandchildren, new generations in a very new country.
What a country! How can a people be so talked about, so influential, so productive, and yet be so few in number? Often, I’ve had to assure people that there weren’t so many of us. In my younger days, there were perhaps three million Jews in Israel; today, it is approaching about 10 million.
I also point out that from my home on Tel Aviv’s coast, a crow flies only 15 km. to arrive in the West Bank, and a little more to reach Jordan in the east, Lebanon and Syria in the north, and Saudi Arabia and Egypt in the south.
Thank God for the beautiful Mediterranean.
Yes, Israel is small. But it’s got so much: mountains, valleys, desert landscapes to appeal to your penchant for nature. No wonder the migratory birds love to rest here.
Music? Almost every city has its own orchestra. The Israeli Opera is of the highest standard. The jazz scene is second to none, and, despite boycotts, many of the world’s greatest entertainers are welcomed here again and again.
I’ll name-drop some who have performed here, most of whose concerts I have been fortunate to attend: Michael Jackson, Madonna, Rod Stewart, Guns N’ Roses, U2, Paul McCartney, Lady Gaga, Burt Bacharach, Leonard Cohen, Justin Bieber, and dear Elton.
But what about the country’s negative aspects? It’s hard to escape this subject. It’s in the news every day and has been, ever since Israel’s Independence Day in 1948. Politics and monstrous events, tragedies, trauma. So how come we’re still on the world’s top 10 list of happy societies?
It’s tough to explain. The answer lies in a combination of many factors. Perhaps the warmth of being among friends. Yes, fellow sufferers, but usually with an indescribable determination to survive. It’s not just the “blitz mentality” to carry on.
Here’s an example: I was having coffee and a croissant recently at the Tel Aviv Port. Sitting next me were three young soldiers, two females and a male, who seemed to be no more than 19 years old. They were chatting, giggling, and sharing selfies and stories on every subject. On their laps, each cuddled – almost hugged – their guns.
For me, this is always a strange scene. I was never in the military. Yet, when I describe our soldiers, my first words are that they’re our children. Somehow, despite the gun, the potential violence, they are educated – not brainwashed – to be human.
That’s Israel. Here, despite what is being said, not only Jews can relax and live peacefully but also Arabs, Christians, Druze, Bedouin, Baha’i, and Mormons. You name it, they’re here, and they’re OK.
You want to look for something wrong with the country? That’s easy; you can do that anywhere. Try searching for the good things. You’ll get an abundance of them here.
The writer, a grandfather with a lovely family, is a retired traveler from the dental world. His claim to fame: He is president of the Dental Buddies of the Universe. He has published the book Baron Flo’s World.