It Takes Less Money To Live in Israel

(The following is from Breslov.org)

One of the things that really kills me, now that I’m living in Eretz Yisroel, is how much money I had in the UK, that I wasted on nonsense. We were tremendously in debt in the UK. Even though I had my own high-earning business and my husband was a lawyer, we still spent far more than we earned every month.

Why Aliyah Is Important For You

(The following is a post from Kumah.)

Wherever you might be right now there is one thing that is certain, you are a Jew. You might be a Jew living in New York, you might be a Jew living in London, you might even be an accountant. Its even possible that you might be looking for a whole new way to identify yourself, either way no matter what, you are a Jew first and a Jew last. It is important to clarify that because by speaking of Aliyah and its importance we need to understand what being a Jew and living in Israel has to do with each other. There are many countries and regions in the world filled with all kinds of people. There is but one country promised to one people, explicitly stated by G-d, and that is the land of Israel for the Jewish people...

One Woman's Description Of Why Her Aliyah Was Succesful

I do not, and have not regretted or questioned my decision to make Aliyah.

Even once since I opened my Tik with the Jewish Agency in October of 2006 right up until now. Not to say I haven't encountered ˜challenges". I am in my third apartment, and my 5th job.  But one can have these issues in the US, especially these days.

I firmly believe that my Aliyah has been successful because, in addition to all the great things listed on the attached document, I DECIDED that it was going to be successful. All I needed to do was work out all the details.

For anyone considering making Aliyah-while having a contingency plan in mind to address the remote possibility that you would ever return to the  US permanently, consider the following comment I made to my friends when they asked me why I would sell my house, what if I have to come back?

I knew they just didn't want me to go because they would miss me. But, as I told them, if I am making plans for what I would do if it doesn't work out, then why am I going in the first place? My Aliyah IS GOING TO WORK. Period.

And it has.

Only In Israel: Computer Program Ensures That Chametz Not Sold On Pesach

Chief Ashkenazi Rabbi Yonah Metzger Shlita explained on Wednesday that last year, realizing that unacceptable realities exist regarding the sale of chametz on Pesach, compelling him to act, and do so immediately following Pesach last year.

The Rav explained that in many cases, stores segregate chametz items in a corner, behind a curtain or sheets, and too often, shoppers will reach into that area during yomtov and take something out, which is brought to the cashier and purchased, many times without anyone noticing.

Charedim Are Entering the Army!

Hareidi Participation in Army On the Rise

The number of hareidi-religious men in the army is on the rise: Over 1,000 in the IDF, and nearly another 1,100 in National Service.

So reports the “Freedom of Religion and Conscience” organization in its latest report. The group’s Deputy Director, Haaretz reporter Shachar Ilan, submitted the report to MK Yochanan Plesner (Kadima); Plesner chairs the Knesset supervisory committee on the implementation of the Tal Law that outlines the framework for the enlistment of hareidi men.

Living Safely in a Non-Jewish Country Is Only Temporary

(Here is an interesting Dvar Torah that some may find inspirational for making aliyah)

The path to redemption in joy is open for every single Jew in the world. You need but get on a plane and come home to Israel, leaving the exile behind you. For sure, Jews in many countries are still living in comfort, plenty and safety. But the only guarantee we have is that one day, this will come to an end.

Nefesh B Nefesh Is Awesome

(This is an interesting blog post that I found defending Nefesh B'Nefesh against an editorial from Michal Hirsh at Jpost).

Michael Hirsch published in The Jerusalem Post an article entitled "American Aliya - An Exercise in Futility." (The article can also be found here, at Matzav.com.) In his essay, Hirsch basically slam-dunks into the ash can the entire program of Nefesh B'Nefesh, apparently because it has not emptied the Jewish streets of America into flights headed for Israel. The article was subsequently published by the estimable Rebbetzin Dr. Rivkah Lambert Adler on her "Baltimore Chug Aliyah" list (which can be sought -- and joined! -- at http://groups.yahoo.com).

Resolving Employment Issues For New Imigrants

(I found this blog entry written by Ron Machol, who works at Israemploy, an organization which assists immigrants to Israel and others prepare for the job market and find work. In one of my roles, I act as an employment advisor, assisting people to identify transferable skills and career paths, create Israeli style CVs/resume, and perform an effective job search)

New Immigrants' Employment Issues
In my job at Israemploy, I am in touch with many new immigrants and potential immigrants to Israel. While certainly each individual has questions/concerns/problems that are specific to their unique situation, there are issues that are common to many people relocating to a new country. These do not impact new immigrants only, but most new immigrants do consider some of these questions:

@thekotel - Twittering Tefillot to the Kotel

New Aliyah Memoir

(Comments from Rivka Adler: This one is a breezy read. Great for a long Friday night. Special interest to those in Gush Etzion where the Englards landed, but a great read for anyone in the "aliyah parsha".)

* SETTLING FOR MORE: From Jersey to Judea by  Zahava Englard *

Leaving behind a daughter in college and a comfortable suburban life in Teaneck, New Jersey, Zahava Englard packed up her husband, two teenage sons, and ten-year-old daughter to move to the Judean hills in the midst of the 2006 Hezbollah-Israeli war. Armed with wit and humor, she passionately conveys a candid account of the family's drastically altered world. Zahava's wide-ranging anecdotes of her initial years in Israel evolve unexpectedly into a strong and spiritually infused argument for aliyah.

Purchase here.

100 Tips for Succesful Aliyah & Klita

(The following list is compiled by Ronda Israel, who made aliyah many years ago and helps other follow in her footsteps. She coordinates the group pilot trip for AACI)

100 Tips for Successful Aliyah & Klita

Everything you need to know about aliyah and didn’t know you should ask!!!

By Ronda Israel

Modi’in, Israel

Everyone who has made aliyah will be glad to give you aliyah advice. And as we all know everyone’s experiences are different. I have compiled a revised “100 Tips” for you to read BEFORE you pack your suitcases and seal your lift. I hope that there will be many tips you can use that suit your family. Good luck with your aliyah plans, start decluttering your life and come home soon‼!

1. When packing your suitcases for your aliyah make sure you take essential clothing, medicines, personal toiletries, games, books, toys and linens to get you thru at least a week or two in case your lift is delayed or stuck in a port strike.

2. Put all your important documents, copies of important papers, valuables and copies of prescriptions in your carry-on and make sure it stays with you throughout the trip. Put a copy of all these documents you are carrying in each person’s suitcase in case a suitcase gets lost or left behind.

3. Before you leave the USA, ask your current USA car insurance company for a letter that states you, and each person who are current drivers, have not been in any accidents for 3 years (if this is true). Your Israeli car insurance agent can get you a lower insurance rate if you have this letter. When you go for car insurance remind the agent of this.

Departing On Our Pilot Trip

Tommorrow morning we depart on our pilot trip to Israel.

Nefesh B'Nefesh In Baltimore Jan. 12

Making Aliyah: You Can Do It

(The following is an old post that I found from the blog Aliyah Revolution by Goel Jasper.  The blog isn't really updated all that often but I thought this post was particularly relevent, especially considering that I will be making a pilot trip to Israel in 2 weeks to see if we will make aliyah this summer)

I had the privilege of speaking with a Tehilla Pilot Trip group the other day, and the following is the talk I delivered. Comments always welcome!

You know, I often have the privilege of speaking to groups of people that are somewhere along the process of making Aliyah. Sometimes, I speak to those who are already here. Sometimes, to those who are still over there.

Is Antisemitism in the U.S. A Sign To Make Aliyah?

Here are two top stories today of blatant antisemtisim that happenned in the U.S.  Germany was the golden land for yidden and so was Spain before things went sour.  According to Rav Kook and the author of "Eim Habanim Semeicha," Hashem will always make goyim attack yidden in galus to inspire the yidden to make aliyah.  Like Rivkah Adler was quoted as saying in the Baltimore Jewish Times (see here): "...Dr. Adler said she believes such recent developments as the economic downturn and President Obama’s election demonstrate that “God is closing the doors for Jewish life in America, to bring on the redemption and bring us home."

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Blatantly Anti-Semitic Exchange on C-Span

Excerpt: A caller on a C-Span interview program Monday complained about "all these Jews" having "way too much power" in America and pushing the U.S. into wars with the Muslim world.

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Arab Shouts 'Kill Jews' on Miami Plane

Excerpt: An Arab airline passenger in Miami shouted "I want to kill all the Jews!" before police forced him off a Northwest Airlines plane in Florida Wednesday night, the Associated Press reported.

North American Olim Huge Boost To Israeli Economy

(The below is from the blog "Aliyah Blog").

The 6,493 households which made aliyah through NbN between 2002 and 2008 have yielded a whopping 989 million shekels, with the cost of absorbing them standing at only NIS 528 million, leaving the immigrants’ contribution at NIS 461 million so far.Visiting friends and family of NbN olim have also given their boost to the economy by supporting the national tourism industry to the tune of NIS 347 million. Adding this to the tally, NbN olim are accountable for a total GNP contribution of NIS 808 million (over $212 million). Considering the passage of another year and the continued employment and success of North American olim, that number could be higher than NIS 1 billion (almost $262.5 million)

Wow. Go us. I had always suspected that olim (especially from North America, but also including the growing numbers from Britain and other countries) were making significant financial contributions to Israel – it is nice to see it quantified like this. And I don’t know if this survey took into account people like myself, who earn salaries from US companies and spend 100% of it in Israel (so we end up pumping tens of thousands of dollars directly into the Israeli economy every year). Expect these numbers to only go up as a proportion of Israel’s GNP as the years go by and God willing the numbers of olim grow higher and higher

A Perspective From J-Post on How to Bring US Aliya

American Jews make up the vast majority of the Diaspora, anywhere from two-thirds to perhaps 80 percent. Many national Jewish communities number in the thousands, even in the tens of thousands, but only the United States is home to five million.

A North American oleh blows a Shofar as another holds a Torah scroll upon their arrival at Ben Gurion airport.

Yet the aliya statistics don't reflect this demographic reality. Just 3,000 Americans, out of almost 20,000 olim, make their way to Israel each year. (The figure for 2009 may prove to be as high as 4,000, but it took the worst American economy since the 1930s to achieve that modest increase.)

Chinese Jews Come Home to Israel

Good News: Unemployment On The Decline in Israel

Unemployment figures declined 0.4% last month, according to Employment Service figures that point to a positive trend in the labor market since July. Simultaneously, demand for new workers has increased.

(Halacha) Handing Over Portions of Eretz Israel in a Situation of Piku'ach Nefesh

(The following is from the Yeshivat Har Etzion.  Its an interesting read.  The reason I post is purely to reinforce the importance of Eretz Yisroel in Halacha, and therefore how important it should be to every Jew living in Israel or in the diaspora.  May God bless Israel with peace and protection).

Handing Over Portions of Eretz Israel in a Situation of Piku'ach Nefesh

Rav Chaim Navon

Forr many years now a fierce debate has been raging in the State of Israel over the issue of "land for peace." Within the Torah observant community, beyond the political-security disagreement, there is also a fundamental halakhic controversy: Is it at all permissible to hand over portions of Eretz Israel in a situation of piku'ach nefesh, i.e., in order to save lives? That is to say, even were we to assume that handing over territories that are part of Eretz Israel would lead to peace, would it be permissible to do so? This is the question that we shall attempt to answer in this shiur. Let it be noted, however, that we shall not address either the factual issue or the ethical dimensions of the problem.

Immigration to Israel hits 16,244, highest jump in 10 years

For the first time in 10 years the number of immigrants to Israel has risen this year, according to Jewish Agency chairman Natan Sharansky and Immigration and Absorption Minister Sofa Landver.

In 2009, 16,244 people immigrated - a 17 percent jump over last year's 13,859.

The number of immigrants from English-speaking countries has also increased by 17 percent this year, from 4,511 to 5,294, said Eli Cohen, the director-general of the agency's aliyah department.

"After 10 years during which we saw less and less immigrants, now we see an increase," said Sharansky yesterday at a press conference at the Jewish Agency's Jerusalem headquarters. "This year there were more immigrants from the former Soviet Union, more immigrants from the United States, from Britain and from South Africa - there's an increase from almost everywhere."

The largest number of new immigrants still comes from the former Soviet Union, where the numbers increased by 21 percent from 5,867 to 7,120.

Sharansky and Landver attributed the climb to what the Jewish Agency calls its "Red Carpet" program, which includes so-called aliyah fairs for new arrivals during which they are assisted with their initial absorption, such as opening bank accounts, choosing health care providers, etc.

The numbers presented at yesterday's press conference include four planeloads of immigrants who are scheduled to arrive in Israel this week, but exclude Ethiopians who moved to Israel this year, as they did not immigrate according to the Law of Return but based on a special law, called the Law of Entrance.

(Source: Ha'aretz)

Signs of oil found in Israel

Givot Olam shares soared on the news.

Givot Olam Oil Exploration Limited Partnership (TASE:GIVO.L) today notified the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange (TASE) that it found "significant quantities" of oil at its Meged 5 well in Rosh Ha'Ayin. The company cautioned that it could not precisely estimate the size of the find at this time.