It seems Rabbi Hecht was walking in the storied borough when he heard the voice of an approximately 11 or 12 year old Caucasian boy chanting the words “dirty Jew” at him. The mother of the boy was right there, apparently not caring and undaunted.

While I try to use this blog to encourage Aliyah and moving to Israel and try not to use fear tactics for this agenda, sometimes there seems to be incidents that just cry out to be heard with messages that are coming in loud and clear. This is one of those times. While this boy and his mother do not speak for the entire country I think Rabbi Hecht puts it best when he says the following:

“The fact that this mother let her son say what he said, and did not reprimand him, makes me wonder what this new generation is being taught.  When an 11-year old boy has no clue about tolerance and respect for another, and thinks that calling someone ‘dirty Jew’ is acceptable or even cool, then I think it is safe to say that we are in big trouble.”

Just another instance of G-d perhaps telling us that there is only one home for the Jews…and it is not America.

Ari

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Howie Mischel, 58, is a new immigrant to Israel from the United States who had a long, successful career on Wall Street. While all Aliyah stories are inspiring, I particularly must advise reading this one as Howie, in this one little article, takes us through the challenges, fears and, ultimately, victories in his Oleh process.

Howie was someone who left America at the top of his game and profession after a 32-year career as an analyst and banker. He takes us through the process of his job search and it is quite a familiar story: lots of rejections, lots of discouragement and lots of eroding confidence.

However, as he managed to put things into perspective and change his outlook things in Israel quickly fell into place. Howie is now employed as an aliyah advisor for Nefesh B’Nefesh, far removed from the pressures of Wall Street and, as he puts it: “Today I have a new client— Am Yisrael (the People of Israel)!”

I have summed up the story very quickly but, again, this is truly a must read and an inspiration for all of us who have either made, or are considering making, Aliyah. Give it a read and be ready to be even more inspired to come home.

Ari

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Simeon, who came here with his wife Galina and sons Gideon, 6, and Benjamin, 4, nearly three years ago, is a successful osteopath and left a booming practice in London to which he still returns for one week a month, and opened a new practice in Ra’anana which has really taken off. He grew up in London and until 23 was not religiously observant. He found religion through Lubavitch, just before he met Galina and they married in 1994. After 10 years of marriage, Gideon was born and two years later, Benjamin. On a visit here in 2007, they had dinner with friends and in the taxi on the way back they looked at each other and said “Let’s do it.” Looking back on the decision, Asher says, “You can’t really explain it if your heart brings you here.”

“When we think of our Aliyah, it’s been literally that, a going up and a wonderful experience that has surpassed all expectations,” says Asher. “Israelis don’t appreciate what they’ve got here, because they didn’t choose to live here the way we did. Living in England you are obsessed with news about Israel, and being here you have released yourself from that whole narrative. Israel only really makes sense when you’re here.”

Obviously, everyone has different experiences when making Aliyah and some are smoother than others. However, when reading the JPost’s Cafe Oleh section it makes for a great feeling for the rest of us Olim (and potential Olim) to see others in similar situations who manage to overcome their fear and apprehension to make Aliyah and moving to Israel a reality. It is a daily must read for many of my visitors and comes highly recommended by this North American Oleh.

Ari

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Shiver relates a story about how she had recently shamelessly berated a dear Jewish friend for becoming paranoid about unfolding events in America. The friend was noticing the telltales in American foreign policy under the new administration and calling her attention to signs she couldn’t then read. To her credit, Shiver has come to see the light on the realities of how America’s White House higher ups seem to be viewing the whole “Jewish question” and the article crisply and clearly takes us through her process of realization.

It is a highly recommended piece and puts a great perspective on Israel’s latest crisis from a non-Jew who ends off with the fitting statement “I say again, shouldn’t we all be Israelis now? Yes, we should.”

Ari

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Averbach, who made Aliyah and moved to Israel in 1982 at age 16, tried to thwart a suicide bomber on a Jerusalem bus in 2003 and was left with injuries that made him a quadriplegic. After the bus incident, the Israeli Internal Security Ministry wrote Averbach a letter thanking him for saving lives; the terrorist had planned to blow up the crowded center of Jerusalem, but thanks to Averbach detonated his bomb prematurely.

Averbach was a personal friend of mine and I made many visits to see him in the years since his accident. I must tell you that there can be no greater inspiration to defend and love our country than Steve. The son of Monmouth Medical Center surgeon Dr. David Averbach and nurse Maida Averbach, he grew up in West Long Branch, where his parents still reside and could have lived the typical “American dream” life while Israel went about its usual business of trying to stay in existence as the rest of the world continues to plot and hope for our demise. Instead, he devoted himself to our country, spent his life defending it and ended up making the ultimate sacrifice. I am beyond proud to have had the privilege of knowing and being friends with him and can only hope that Hashem has him in a better place now and that he is being rewarded for his devotion to the Jewish home.

Steve is survived by his wife Julie and four sons as well as the rest of his family.

May his soul now be at peace and his memory be a part of us forever.

Ari

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The story of how Esther, now 81, and her mother arrived in the tiny, newborn Jewish state from South Africa is a must read for anyone who dreams of making Israel their home but is scared or discouraged by family, friends and finances that they will be leaving behind. Esther faced all that and more and now is happily celebrating 60 years since her immigration.

As Esther says regarding the best thing about Israel: “The most wonderful feeling of being in your own country.”

Read her story and inspire yourself to be the one celebrating your immigration in another 60 years.

Ari

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The biggest problem, says Moncharsh, is the lack of true leadership here in Israel and he points out that this is not a new phenomena. He talks of how this has been a problem dating back decades. In his words:

“Israel needs a real leader. A real leader who is more than hot air. A real leader who has a red line, any red line. A leader who knows that when the red line is crossed, the time to talk is over, and the time to act is crucial.”

Moncharsh is a true Zionist, lover of the land and a very astute observer of the political landscape here and in the Middle East. This is a highly recommended article and, as you’ll see by the comments at the bottom, a lively discussion and debate is already brewing. Enjoy the piece.

Ari

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“The counting reminds us of the important connection between Passover and Shavu’ot: Passover freed us physically from bondage, but the giving of the Torah on Shavu’ot redeemed us spiritually from our bondage to idolatry and immorality. Shavu’ot is also known as Pentecost, because it falls on the 50th day; however, Shavu’ot has no particular similarity to the Christian holiday of Pentecost, which occurs 50 days after their Spring holiday.

“It is noteworthy that the holiday is called the time of the giving of the Torah, rather than the time of the receiving of the Torah. The sages point out that we are constantly in the process of receiving the Torah, that we receive it every day, but it was first given at this time. Thus it is the giving, not the receiving, that makes this holiday significant.”

While Shavu’ot is perhaps not as “well known” as some of the other Jewish holidays throughout the year, it is imperative that we understand its complete significance and how being given the Torah truly turned us into Hashem’s chosen people.

Let’s try and take this year to especially reflect and appreciate our lot as Jewish people who have been given the privilege to serve Hashem and to be worthy of the magnificent gift he has blessed us with, the gift of the Torah.

Ari

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The dust continues to settle in the wake of the Obama administration’s misguided rebuke of its best friend and most trusted ally in regards to potential new construction in Jerusalem and, thank G-d, it seems that some of Israel’s true friends are indeed beginning to lose their patience. A string of prominent Jewish communal, political and social leaders - including former mayor Ed Koch, ADL National Director Abraham Foxman, Nobel Laureate Elie Wiesel and World Jewish Congress President Ronald Lauder - that have publicly called out the President and his Israeli policies have now been joined by New York’s senior senator, Charles Schumer. As this link and its corresponding article states, many U.S. Jews are continuously growing frustrated and breaking their silence against Obama’s seemingly one sided crusade against Israel.

While, obviously, it is Hashem that ultimately decides our fate as a country and a people, it is our job to continue to put pressure on the powers that be in America and around the world and let them know of the dire consequences that will result from more hostility towards Israel.

Ari

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The piece is especially poignant as it reminds us not to just count the Omer and light fires on this day but to do so while also learning a lesson from the tragic circumstances of Rabbi Akiva and his students and to make sure such a colossal lapse in judgment is not repeated by us and future generations.

Enjoy Lag BaOmer and, as the great Rabbi Akiva used to preach “Veahavta le-raiacha kamocha” - Love your neighbor as yourself.”

Ari

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