Moving to Israel

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

The issue of  the American government refusing to name Jerusalem as the capital of Israel is a long standing controversy in Israel-US foreign relations. Is was therefore noteworthy when, last week, seven United States senators sponsored a bill that would abolish the “security” waiver that American presidents have used to prevent implementing a 1995 law declaring that Jerusalem is, indeed, its capital.

Things like this always make me, an American born Israeli, proud but, unfortunately, we have heard many similar promises over the years from American presidents during their campaigns only to be dissapointed when the moments of truth have arrived. This is an important issue that we Americans need to push for, as Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat said, “I believe moving the American embassy to Jerusalem will be the first step towards other embassies moving to the capital, as in every other country in the world.”

Strong words on an important matter.

Ari

As many of the audience of this moving to Israel blog is from North America, I thought it would be interesting to point out the investigative report released this week by the Center for Near East Policy Research (NEPR) that U.S. assistance to the fledgling Palestinian Authority military puts Israel in a precarious position despite congressional limits on aid to the PA. The Congress had intended the limits to prevent the aid from undermining Israel’s security.

Journalist David Bedein, head of the Jerusalem branch of the NEPR, reports that the U.S. gives Fatah-affiliated PA forces training and military equipment, while at the same time the Fatah-led PA attempts to reconcile with Hamas, which the U.S. recognizes as a terrorist organization.

One risk of America’s heavy involvement in building up PA troops is that the situation could lead to an open attempt to limit Israel’s counterterror options, Bedein said. “Let’s say that Israel wants to go after [Fatah] terrorists – there will be a sort of American veto, because the terrorists are affiliated with the Americans… This has extremely serious implications.”

This should be very disturbing to all of us, particularly we American born Israelis who have a vested interest in all the joint ventures of the U.S. and Israel.

The full NEPR report will be available to the general public on the Israel Behind the News website on Wednesday so everyone is urged to check it out.

Ari

As the Jewish new year is upon us over here in Israel and throughout the world, we would like to wish all our readers and their families a happy and healthy new year. May the coming year bring only joy and bring more of us back to our homeland in Israel.

To sign off on the year, here is a cute video that was sent to me by Michal Moreno that I thought you might like. It’s a new video by the Israeli Ministry of Tourism and the Municipality of Jerusalem aiming to introduce Jerusalem to new crowds and to keep the city fresh in the minds of people who have already visited and might plan another trip in the future. Please pass it around to whomever you think might enjoy and let’s try to keep the visitors and Olim coming all year long and making the move to Israel.

Have the most wonderful year.

Ari

In attempting to be THE moving to Israel blog on the Internet, we are constantly seeking to provide our readers with tips and advice on making Aliyah. Another, less publicized adjustment for new immigrants in Israel is the move within the country itself. As Olim are often unsettled upon relocation, moving to several places until a permanent home is found is extremely common. Yesterday I found myself is such a situation as I moved my family across the city to my second home since making Aliyah and thought I would share a bit of my experience to you.

We moved from our home in the German Colony Jerusalem to the neighboring community of Old Katamon just a few blocks away. As someone who has moved a reasonable amount of times over the years back in America, I was prepared for the grind of the day. However, looking back on the day, I can say that I was pleasantly surprised with how it went. The moving company showed up at about 8:00 a.m. and worked efficiently from there on out. They were out of our old apartment by about 12:30 p.m. and had all of our stuff moved in to our new place by 3:30 p.m. The company seemed to be proffesional throughout and was accomodating with any requests made of them.

Now, this is not to say that any moving company should feel the right to act in any way other than the above. However, reality is that not all companies do. I have had very bad experiences with my moves in America and it would be nice if this was a general indication of company practice here in Israel. Unfortunately, my wife dealt with all the arranging and everything was paid in cash so I do not know off hand the contact information of the company to link to them. However, I will get it and post it in a future post to let everyone thinking about moving a chance to test them out.

Making Aliyah is always tough and making a move within Israel is just another challenge that many Olim face within their first few years in the country. As we always are trying to dole out information when first moving to Israel, please never hesitate to post a comment here or to contact me directly for ANY answers or advice you may seek regarding the move within Israel as well.

 Ari

Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert declared the establishment of a high level committee whose goal will be to to alter Israel’s relationship with the Diaspora. In what some may call a revolutionary change, Israel is to take a more direct role in Diaspora affairs, to give and not just take. Although some believe there is more to this recent media spin by Mr. Olmert.

According to Mr. Olmert, Israel should not be seen as a poor and needy state, always in need of financial support from Diaspora. According to figures presented by the the prime minister’s office, the financial situation in Israel would get along fine without the monetary supplement.

But financial experts have claimed this for years, so why is the prime minister’s office only waking up now.

Perhaps there is a connection to a statement made by Mr. Olmert at the recent high level peace summit held in Annapolis. During the negotiations Mr. Olmert was under heavy pressure from the Diaspora not to negotiate over the division of Jerusalem. Such an event would bring Palestinian controlled areas to the doorstep of Jerusalem neighborhoods, and possibly a Sderot situation would follow. Mr. Olmert, in a one sided self indulgent manner, basically told the Diaspora that Jerusalem is non of their business. Apparently, in his opinion only Jews who move to Israel can have a say in Jerusalem’s future.

Is the establishment of the high level Diaspora committee an attempt to repair the strained relationship? Or perhaps it’s an attempt to control political opinions in the Diaspora and stifle future complaints.

Another reason could be the incredible budget increase shadily approved for the prime minister’s office. In a time where all other ministries in Israel are tightening their belts, Mr. Olmert, in his usual manipulative way, has succeeded in doubling his ministries budget from 300 million shekels in 2005 to 770 million shekels for 2008 . Perhaps he is looking for expenses to justify this budget increase. The public will surely find out when Mr. Olmert’s next corruption scandal comes out in the press.