Moving to Israel

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

Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu will recommend to the Board of Trustees of the Jewish Agency that Nathan Sharansky be appointed to head the agency in place of Zev Bielski, who recently resigned and was elected a Kadima Knesset Member.

This is important news for people considering making the move to Israel as the Jewish Agency, which was established in 1923 and served as a quasi-government of the Jewish population in Israel until independence was declared in 1948, has spent the past sixty plus years has focusing on bringing Olim (Jewish immigrants) to Israel.

Sharansky was a symbol of the struggle of Jews to make Aliyah (immigrate to Israel) from the Soviet Union and spent nine years in jail and in labor camps. Since being freed and coming to Israel in 1986, he has been extremely active in the political landscape of Israel, serving in the Knesset and taking various stands against the the planned withdrawal from Gaza and the uprooting of the Jewish communities there.

For those thinking of making the dramatic move of uprooting their lives and starting anew in Israel, it would be encouraging to see someone of such honor be appointed to this crucial post and help with the process of seeing other Jews making the final trip home.

Ari

As the winter moves towards its close for the year it made me take a long look this morning at another of the beauties of our country and what could be another little push towards making the move to Israel for the many people still hesitant to do so.

Getting into my car the rain was poring down as the work week began and all around me I saw the people rushing around….with smiles on their faces. Yes, the cold gloom of another wet winter day, usually met with such scorn and depression where I grew up in America, is being treated here in Israel with great happiness and even celebration. The winter had produced an unseasonably dry few months this year and every sunny day was met with more and more concern. After much anticipation and praying, thank G-d, the recent weeks have brought beautiful, wet weather. Whereas in other places these types of days usually bring gloom, here we are being thankful and knowing this is truly a gift that G-d has bestowed upon us in these hard times.

Looking forward to everyone moving home and let’s hope for more wet days.

Ari