Moving to Israel

As the Pesach/Passover holiday begins to wind down, I thought it was a great time to link out to this fantastic video. It is an exciting and inspiring interview with former Prisoner of Zion, Jewish Agency Chairman Natan Sharansky, on moving to Israel, Aliyah, Zionism and Judaism.

In the video, Ari Abramowitz and Jeremy Gimpel, hosts of Tuesday Night Live in Jerusalem, meet Sharansky, who also was one of the founders and spokesmen for the “Refusenik” movement in Moscow in the 1970s after being denied an exit visa to Israel in 1973. Since immigrating to Israel upon his release, Sharansky has held various high governmental positions, headed a Knesset party and was Cabinet minister, and is the symbol of strength, resistance, and the Jewish dream for many people around the world.

This video is a must see for all and should help bring us in to the “second day(s)” of the holiday with the right frame of mind.

Ari

Still have those people who, no matter how hard you try, can’t get them to finally pull the trigger and move to Israel? Just bring them for a visit on Purim and let them soak in the incredible atmosphere that overtakes the country on the 14th of Adar (in Jerusalem, Purim is celebrated on the fifteenth of Adar, Sunday night and Monday this year).

The site of children in their costumes, everyone listening to the story of Esther, celebrants eating their festive meals and sending prepared food items to each other by messenger and everyone giving money to the poor in order to allow them to celebrate the holiday as well, all to celebrate the story of Purim, in which a sequence of events led to a Jewish woman named Esther (Hadassah) being crowned queen in time to use her position to save her people from a genocidal decree, should be enough to get even the toughest customer heavily thinking about finally making Israel their home.

This is truly one of the most special times of the year to live in Israel and I know that I will be cherishing every second of it.

Ari

As the festive holiday of Chanukah settles upon Jews all over the world this week we take time to remember some of the many miracles wrought for our nation. A nice piece I read this morning reminds us that is also a good time for a financial education.

This holiday, when even the youngest child may receive gelt (the Yiddish word for money; Chanukah gelt given out by parents and guests after lighting the candles is the traditional children’s present rather than gifts), provides parents with a timely opportunity to teach their children about money and good financial habits. The article mentions how, particularly in today’s times, impressionable children are constantly confronted with uneducational messages regarding money. For this reason, it is even more important for us to teach our children financial responsibility from an early age and Chanukah provides the perfect opportunity. We can teach them where this money comes from, the responsibilities it brings, how it can help others and more.

While the festive side of Chanukah will be bringing joy to the Jewish people in Israel and throughout the world this week, let’s all remember to take the valuable lessons it teaches us as well to further strengthen and fortify our people.

Chag Sameach.

Ari

The holiday of Sukkot has always been a sight to see throughout Israel (as well as a huge driving force for encouraging potential Olim to move to Israel) and this year is no exception. Check out this video - courtesy of Arutz Sheva - which provides live coverage of the scene in Hevron where thousands of Jews are streaming in for a full day of fun-filled family-friendly events celebrating the Sukkot holiday, including concerts, arts & crafts workshops and a joyous Simchat Beit HaSho’eva celebration (Simchat Beit HaSho’eva commemorates the water pouring ceremony that was performed in the Holy Temple, when the priests would draw the water from a well and pour it on to the altar).

Take some time watching the events in Hevron and let it be an inspiration for you to make your own move home.

Chag Sameach.

Ari