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Immigrants from US hopeful about life in Israel
Sharon Roffe-Ofir
Published: 25.12.06, 20:23
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51 Talkbacks for this article
1. A real concern
B. B. ,   Karmiel, Israel   (12.25.06)
As a NBN olah from last year, I am conerned about my new home being over run by terrorists. The government is letting them out of jail, taking down roadblocks and giving them money! How do you contact the Kenesset and tell them that this is a real threat to us?
2. COOL!!!!
(12.25.06)
please leave the USA- you are not LOYAL to AMerica- and we dont want you then!!!!
3. Great.....but
Rysk ,   Tel Aviv   (12.25.06)
Mazeltov to the Gluck's and may they have a successful and stress free Aliyah. There is much hyperbole around Aliyah, to all intents and purposes you're just trying out living in another country. They seem to have their head screwed on though, and are aware that their 100K$ annual salaries will be quartered, if they're lucky.... Its a shame though, that the typical demographic of U.S Jews who move here is so heavily weighted towards the modern Orthodox moving to Jerusalem or its feeder communities.... We need more secular Jews moving to Israel....and taking in all that this amazing country and amazing city..Tel Aviv has to offer.
4. Welcome home Rachel and Simcha
Judah ,   Golan Heights,ISRAEL   (12.25.06)
5. Duh?
D Hirod ,   UK   (12.25.06)
I thought that this dreamy-eyed zionism was long dead. Grow up!
6. Kol Hakavod! Be'hatzlacha!
LEE ,   NY, USA   (12.25.06)
7. Welcome home to Israel!
Dan ,   Israel   (12.25.06)
8. Rachel & Simcha
Lee Lipman ,   UK   (12.25.06)
Sorry to rock your apple cart (5 Duh) but this type of Zionism is alive and well. The only one who needs to grow up is you. As long as a beautiful secular democratic Israel exists then beautiful secular and democratic young people will come.
9. aliya
mordechai ,   jerusalem, israel   (12.25.06)
Congratulations, but you are mistaken if you think Israel is a place where you can live without questions.Many years after your Aliya , native sabras will still be asking you why you did what is in their eyes a ridiculous act. They believe that we who have come from the West are suckers.
10. #3 Rysk displays ignorance
Dan ,   Israel   (12.25.06)
Rysk doesn't seem to get it: no matter if we are religious or secular we are ONE people. Rysk has a Holiwood childish vision of the US. There are millions of poor people in the US and most Americans can only dream about a salary of USD 100.000 per year. Despite all problems that still need to be solved, Israel today is a modern and affluent country with a very bright future.
11. we love you wellcome home
bracha ,   israel forever   (12.25.06)
12. RIGHT ON #2!!
Jewish CANADIAN ,   Toronto Canada   (12.25.06)
To every American,Canadian and British Jew whose first loyalty is to Israel and not to their country PLEASE LEAVE NOW!! You are not wanted and do not deserve to live among us.
13. no 2 and 12
rasjie ,   Jerusalem, Israel   (12.25.06)
Remember those German Jews who decided to stay and be loyal to their country? Wake up and understand one day that you have no country but Israel. Israel is the only homeland you have. You will always be a Jew first to Americans and Canadians alike. Be proud of it. Rachel and Simcha. Good luck, we did it in 1993 and are happier than ever. Bruchim habaim.
14. #9 Aliya is changing focus
Dan ,   Israel   (12.25.06)
Aliya has for years been associated with poor and oppressed Jews in Eastern Europe, Russia, Arab countries and Iran. Israel is part of the western world and the standards of living in Israel are today comparable to Europe. Israel's fast economic development will in 10-20 years bring Israel among the top 10 richest countries in the world. We are today witnessing only the beginning of a new aliya era, aliya by choice by a larger and larger number of Jews from Western Europe, the US, Canada and Australia. Also more and more sabra Israelis are realizing that living outside of Israel is not necessary paradise and are also reutrning in ever increasing numbers.
15. Yes, Rachel, you will always feel like...
Adama Adamati ,   Israel   (12.25.06)
a foreigner, here... and Israelis LIKE it that way. Your four uncles here should have warned you... unless any of them went to the army, here. Without army and childhood connections here you are always an outsider. Years from now your future children will be explaining things to you about israeli custom. The home I sold before aliyah is now worth THREE times what it was when I sold it; I have been mostly unemployed or underemployed, here, and the apartment I purchased here is only up about 10%. SO, If NBN had a de-aliyah program, I'd be the first to sign up. After a bit of research, I made some discoveries... 1. most nbn-ers are religious, and are encouraged to further overpopulate Jerusalem and the settlements. 2. Part of the nbn financial benefits to westerners include free religious education and/or as-needed free fertility treatment, both of which are very expensive outside of Israel and are paid for by the outrageous taxes working Israelis pay. Hmmm?
16. Rachel and Simcha
poppy   (12.25.06)
to #2 Have you ever visited Israel??? If every Jew Living in the diaspora would visit Israel once in their life more jews would come and settle in Israel. Why is it that the Arabs most important duty in life is to go on Hag and many of our jews breathren couldnt care if they never visit Israel. What a shame. You may live in Canada or United States but your home is in Israel. You are naive and putting you head in the sand. Everywhere you will go you will be called a Jew. And in most circumstances you will be called a blady Jew.
17. To no10
Rysk ,   Tel Aviv   (12.25.06)
Its very much because we are 'one people' that I and quite a few others like me, are peturbed by the facts that virtually the ONLY 'type' of people who make Aliyah are from the 'Modern Orthodox' sector in the wester diaspora. Surely there's a role for all Jews in Israel, secular, modern orthodox, Haredim and Ashkenazi to Sephardic?? As I said, its sad that the only people who have such a connection to Israel to end up moving here are the modern orthodox. Whether that heralds the end of secular zionism is another matter, its just sad that's all. I'm not ignorant pal, you are...
18. Yay!
Muskinhead ,   Jerusalem, Israel   (12.25.06)
Simcha and Rachel, We (all your brothers and sisters in Israel) welcome you HOME with open arms.. We are soo proud of you and we hope you have started a trend in your family and communities. Wishing you a safe flight home. The journey is just begining... Congrats!
19. No.1
Gilly ,   Jerusalem, Israel   (12.26.06)
To contact the Knesset go to www.knesset.gov.il - the site is in English as well as Hebrew and Arabic. You can find the contact details of each MK and write to them. Behatzlacha!
20. My prayers go with you
Grafted Wild Olive S ,   Sojourner   (12.26.06)
As you take this huge step be assured that your G_d, the SOVEREIGN LORD goes with you. Read Ezekiel 36 and claim His promises, they are yours. Extract from Ezekiel 36:8-12 " 'But you, O mountains of Israel, will produce branches and fruit for my people Israel, for they will soon come home. 9 I am concerned for you and will look on you with favor; you will be plowed and sown, 10 and I will multiply the number of people upon you, even the whole house of Israel. The towns will be inhabited and the ruins rebuilt. 11 I will increase the number of men and animals upon you, and they will be fruitful and become numerous. I will settle people on you as in the past and will make you prosper more than before. Then you will know that I am the LORD. 12 I will cause people, my people Israel, to walk upon you. They will possess you, and you will be their inheritance; you will never again deprive them of their children."
21. # 2; # 5; and # 12 Jewish ????
Grafted Wild Olive S ,   Sojourner   (12.26.06)
If you are you then it is only by name and you will never know the blessings of the G_D of Israel. His covenants and promises are not for you because of your unbelief. "Yet to this day the LORD has not given you a heart to know, nor eyes to see, nor ears to hear". Deuteronomy 29:4 Am Yisrael Chai
22. mazal tov, but beware, #15 makes some good points.
yonatan ,   nyc   (12.26.06)
23. nefesh b'nefesh is a waste of valuable resources...
yonatan ,   nyc   (12.26.06)
i am completely in favor of promoting aliyah, but giving giving such outrageous financial grants to already rich americans is a complete waste of resources, and encouraging them to settle in and around certain places to promote their agenda is just as bad. this money should be going to struggling underpriveldged olim who really need it.
24. HOW MUCH
(12.26.06)
HOW MUCH THEY GOT PAID TO LEAVE THEIR GREAT HOMELAND,WHAT IS THE PRICE NOW
25. Yep, that's the problem
John ,   USA   (12.26.06)
It's all "Israel First" and "God Bless America... so long as it supports Israel"
26. Bruchim Ha'baim!
Tips from an Israeli ,   Haifa, Israel   (12.26.06)
Great to see more high quality Olim from the States. We need your help in turning this country around to where it deserves to be, and is able to be - if Zionism, values and quality replace the mediocrity shown by vast portions of the Israeli population, and especially - by almost all of Israel's politicians. Be prepared to earn much less, try to hang out with Israelis and not with other Olim (!), and read my lips: *LEARN HEBREW* if you wish to succeed here!
27. Welcome Home!
Barry & Bev Berger ,   Qiryat Tivon, Israel   (12.26.06)
Welcome home! If / when you feel the urge or need for a substitute family, look us up in Qiryat Tivon! We made the same move as you are doing - only 34 years ago and three children and eight grandchildren later! B'hatslacha! Barry and Beverly Berger
28. All articles are about coming to Israel...
John ,   SAD   (12.26.06)
... but I didn't see no article about going out from Israel? Can anybody tell me, how many people leave Israel to live in other countries? Anybody have a link? And, since we are here - can anybody give me a link to any Israeli demographic data - like, from total population, how many are religious, in what group do they fall (orthodox, conservative, liberal...). Thanks!
29. 12# Jewish Canadian,Merry Christmas you poor soul
Judah ,   Golan HEights,ISRAEL   (12.26.06)
30. and the moral of the story is...
Tal ,   London   (12.26.06)
If you've a million dollars, you can make aliyah.
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