So 30 years after the guy makes Aliyah he still doesn't know how to cross a check and that's the fault of the Jewish Agency? Give me a break. So many Olim have made a success of their Aliyah - not everyone granted but you can't blame the Shaliach for everything. This article sucks.

"If we want Jews to come here and live,” he concludes, “we’d better change our ways" -- Aliyah and americans will help better and change the ways. I am here 1 year + so far - was greeted at the airport. Loving it so far. things have been amazing.

Yet all I have seen reported are unhappy ones. This Aug. I have been here 36 years and have made a successful life here in Israel. I am not alone,so why don't we who have had successful Aliyah interviewed?

You should draw two parallel lines sloped fom right to left (left lower) above to recipient name on the check. Crossed check can only be redeemed to recipient account, can not be given to third party, and can not be converted into cash without passing through recipient account. However it's not 100% proof: bank clerk could miss those lines. I was putting the check into my account once (bank Mizrahi) and the clerk put the money not into my account, but to someone's else ! I fogot to check the reciept, and only found out a week later. It took more than a week(another) and a lot of anxiety to get money back. Bank balmed me - why hadn't I checked the reciept.

The country desperately needs us but most of us leave cause they don't know how to keep us.

"Aliyah" is a spiritual and physical ascent; "rising up" if you will. In this case, "aliya" is immigration to Israel; "rising up" to the holy land from all other regular lands. By the way, aliyah is considered the important mitzvah (commandment) of all 613 mitzvahs.

Your response is eminently sensible and it's good to hear that you've made a successful transition, albeit with some hardships. I would only add that immigrants to Israel working at menial jobs, is probably not a unique situation. In fact, there are a surprising number of Russian doctors cleaning offices and driving cabs in New York City. It's an immigrant experience that I daresay is probably repeated in many western countries.

"...do away ...with the pointing finger [blaming others]..." Isaiah 58:9 SELF-RESPONSIBILITY: RUNG ON THE LADDER OF SUCESS. God bless.

I made aliyah when I was young and single and met my husband right away. I avoided a lot of difficulties b/c my husband is Israeli sabra thank g-d.

a former financial manager who earned top bracket in 1979 doesn't cross his checks ?? I don't buy this story.

The business with the checks is outrageous! My sympathies. What Chaya was talking about, though, at least as I saw it, was how it *should be.*

You summed up the situation very well. I certainly don't recall my shaliach ever promising me paradise, an ocean view or anything remotely like that. But, even assuming that that one *did*, it would seem ridiculously naive to fall for it hook, line and sinker. As far as his problem with those checks goes, it *is* terrible. Don't get me started on bureaucratia and Israeli banks! To conclude from this that no more olim should come to Israel, though, is really throwing the baby out with the bathwater, IMNSHO.

I was surprised when I discovered this too. In order to ensure that the check may only be deposited in the reciient's account, you need to make two parallel lines, ascending left to right, not an X. I don't know if location is critical or not, but, on the theory that I want *no mistake made about it* I always make my // over the left side of the recipient's name.

I decided a long time ago to make Aliah... I had a wonderful life outside... but nothing compares to Israel. It is not easy... but nowhere is easy. It depends only on you. Stop blaming others for your disgrace. In US, if you don't have money for medical insurance, you can die on the streets and no one care about you!

If you want to leave Israel, i will pay for your airfare, why do u need to have your plight written up in a paper????? we do not need your kind in Israel!! Leave!! send me an email with your phone number and contact info to dovix85@gmail.com and i will buy your one way ticket back to the US

Thank you! So is it basically slashes above the name? Like this? / / John Doe So sorry about your problems with Bank Mizrahi, but glad you got it worked out! If you ever move to the America, don't open an account with U.S. Bank -- they make lots of mistakes too!

I made aliyah in the middle of the war with lebanon (two months ago). I am so happy, and it's important that wherever you go, don't expect anything! As long as you are ready to make a life for yourself and not expect everything to be handed to you, than you can do anything (including Aliyah!)

You always get people like this that blame their entire lives on making aliyah. I wonder if Reuben realizes that in many other countries his life threatening condition would not have been treated because not every country has medical aid like we do. I moved to Israel almost 6 years ago. Its hard, no doubt about it, there are many things I have yet to learn. The point is, I don't cry about the fact that I'm ignorant and this is Israel's fault. Aliyah is the only way. We need our brothers and sisters to come home, when they do, we will all live happily together

I feel sorry for him, but agree that there is too much red tape. If you are Russian you will get everything printed in Russian, but go anywhere and ask for the information in English you are told not available.

How is it possible that one great person, out of his own pocket provides more and better resources for making aliya and learning Hebrew than all of the misrad Haklitah. AACI, British Olim Society , Telfed are all in the same catagory as Misrad Haklittah and Socnut - Useless self serving offices, whose only function is to pay the employees to waste peoples time. I little bit of innitiative goes a long way and a lot of beurocracy goes nowhere.

I cannot speak for the others but I know that the way that you described Telfed as a "useless self serving office" is totally untrue. There are people at Telfed who dedicate their lives to helping others. They are here to help with aliyah not do it for you.

i agree, its hard to live here. i have a similar love/hate relationship with israel. i was promised the world and have so many crazy bank stories. i'm thinking about writing a memoir about all of the madness turned love i have experienced in this country. it's not easy becoming israeli. i'm poor.

#21, and this from someone living in the U.S.! LOL i just moved back from israel, to regroup financially, before heading back. i totally empathize with the gentleman in the article. #39, Great joke!

BECAUSE IF YOU HAVE FAMILY MONEY, ACCESS TO FAMILY MONEY, OR A NICE CUSHION NO MATTER WHAT OR WHERE YOU ARE THEN LIFE IS EASY, BUT IF YOU DEPEND ON YOURSELF 100% FOR EVERYTHING FINANCIALY AND HAVE ABSOLUTELY NO INHERITENCE OR FAMILY MONEY AND MAKE EVERYTHING ON YOUR OWN COMPLETELY AND LIFE IS EASY AND GOOD THEM TELL ME WHAT IS THE SECRET?

Israel is exciting, vibrant, involving, profound, safe and the best country I know to bring up kids. You have to committed, tolerant and flexible or you've no chance.I could make more money abroad but would I be more fulfilled? I doubt it.

An American has to go through hell before he can live in peace with himself in Israel. But for those of us that know that we have no other country, going back is never an option. For me its simple. I'd rather be a beggar in Jerusalem than a millionaire in Los Angeles. Every person from the West thinking about making aliyah should know: you will not become rich here, in fact you're probably going to become poor. But you just might save your soul.

What kind of a putz buys a deadbeat's check? I do not understand the rationale behind the transaction. Businesses factor their accounts receivable but there are tangible assets involved. Who is going to buy a personal check from the payee when there is no indication that the writer of the check has any assets? The only individuals I am aware of who might do this are bookies or pimps who can "punish" deliquent debtors or make them sell their asses. This being the case, who bought this putz's check and what is his line of endeavor?