We Had 90 Seconds To Reach Our Safe Room
While we were cleared to leave the mamad 10 minutes after the siren ended, we continued to sit there long after, trying to process what had just occurred.
The Ins And Outs Of Ulpan
While I generally had a lot of fun on these interviews, I still am embarrassed when I recall our first in-Hebrew television interview.
A Belated Birthday
Indeed, I could not believe how grown up she looked at her party. Sitting on her birthday throne, crowned in a wreath of flowers, bedecked in her best party dress, she looked like such a little lady!
Sukkot – Sun Or Snow?
With Sukkot evenings as delightful as this, I no longer understand the age-old dvar Torah about why Sukkot is celebrated in the autumn instead of the spring.
Hebrew Lingo
Think that despite it all, things are going fine? Perhaps you “chai b’seret,” live in a movie – i.e. not in reality. (Someone who is a drama queen is referred to oddly as “l’echol sratim,” someone who “eats movies.”)
Taking Out The Trash
Before calling the municipality to arrange a special pickup of furniture or large appliances, residents often post pictures of these items on Facebook or WhatsApp groups with the simple message of "limisira b'ahava" (for donation with love).
First Grade!
As I approached the school along with tens of other children and parents, the excitement was palpable. The principal stood at the gate of the school, greeting each child with an elbow bump and a smile.
Israelis’ Amazing Spirit
I know I will probably be processing this experience for a while to come, but one lesson that is already apparent to me is that Israelis are amazingly tough and resilient people.
Making Aliyah… During A Global Pandemic
Making aliyah is never easy, let alone in the age of coronavirus.
Finding A Home In The Homeland
He advised us, though, that we didn’t need to be a “fryer” (a naive oleh) and accept the terms since everything in Israel is subject to negotiation.
Buying A Car In Israel
While olim are offered a steep discount on taxes associated with purchasing a new car, it comes with many complicated strings attached.
Life Under Lockdown – Again
In true “Big Brother” fashion, the Shin Bet finds contact points between Covid-19 patients and others using cell phone tracking systems generally employed for counterterrorism operations.
Tu B’Shevat – A Whole New Holiday
In the late 19th century, when the first aliyah arrived in Palestine, the land was a barren desert. Through hard work, sacrifice, and belief (not to mention a whole lot of hashgacha pratis), the land was transformed into the lush beautiful country we all enjoy today.
Doughnuts Galore
Every gift came with a personalized note, letting the recipient know that her Secret Maccabee was thinking of her.
Holding History In His Hand
Throughout the city there are various historical and archeological sites connected to the Maccabee time period, and my husband and son were lucky enough to participate in a shul trip for the local kids to one of these sites.
Food In Israel
We find daily excuses to run in to pick up just a loaf of bread, and leave with our hands laden with hot bourekas, pita, and lachmaniyot (rolls).
Beyond Our One Kilometer – At Long Last
As my kids and I have taken daily walks for a month now, it is not an exaggeration to say that we literally know every crack in the sidewalk within our allowed kilometer.
Our First Blackout
Neighbors congregated in the building hallway to commiserate. Apparently, like cats on patios, power outages are a common part of life here in Israel – especially in the summer.
Opening A Bank Account
I wish I could say it has been smooth sailing since then, but the banking system here is more complicated than I can do justice to here.
Voting For The First Time
While sometimes the letters spell out the party name or represent the party leader’s name or platform, there isn’t always a clear connection between the two.
Entertaining The Kids Under Lockdown
While I certainly don’t love giving my Adi too much screen time, I must admit that I found myself easily caving whenever he begged me to allow him to “review” the videos just one more time.
Choosing A Gan For My Daughter
Her eyes, however, were wide open, taking it all in. She was fascinated by the surrounding babies after our long indoor confinement.
In Search Of A Teudat Zehut
In an apparent effort to ensure both employee and public safety, only a limited number of people were being allowed into the building at a time.
Why Did I Move To Israel?
Why did I stuff my life into 15 duffle bags and fly with my husband and kids amidst an international pandemic to live halfway across the world?
Moving Logistics In Israel
As we’ve learned time and time again through this aliyah process, ultimately everything is in Hashem’s hands.
Ordering Online In Israel
The items wouldn’t be replaced or refunded. I was informed that they had been delivered by their use-by date and that I could have frozen them.
Job Hunting In Israel
Interviews in Israel are run more casually, and an interviewer may ask some pretty personal questions.
Yet Another Lockdown
Despite the chaos, it's clear that the government is committed to trying to keep us safe while allowing life to continue as much as possible.
A New School
I spent the rest of the day wondering how he was doing. When I arrived for pickup, I was relieved to see his smiling face.
Celebrating Shushan Purim On Masada
While the chag was still nice, it just wasn’t the Adar excitement we had expected. Reflecting on this over Shabbat, my husband and I decided we still had time to make this holiday special.