Great story. But nothing impresses me more than a Jew or an Israeli returning to Israel. And knowing that Israel is their home. I wish more American Jews would realize the significance of Israel. Go IDF!!!

I came , I saw and run as far as New Zealand. The tax brigade got furious when they got their hands and clothing soiled with fresh paint. I haven't opened my dental office for business, but they already turned up for an audit.

Reading this article made me feel exactly as I did 10 years ago, when I moved to Israel for a 4 years period in which a have also served in the IDF. Way to go Liat, I look forward to reading your next columns! Adam.

It’s not so often that a young woman (as it seems from the picture) can be so fluent and fascinating in her writing. Some of the observations are very true, got only knows how many times I had to explain my name to my classmates…

Nice one, thanks, it was a pleasure reading it.

How does she survive economically? Teaching English? Or...? Inquiring potential olim want to know

AS I RECOGNIZED THE SAME FEELINGS I HAD, ONLY BEING A TOURIST IN ISRAEL. I DISCOVERED A PEOPLE WHICH I REALLY BELONGED TO; THE OLD JEWISH BUTCHER "I DON'T CARE IF YOU ARE A BRAZILIAN OR ANYTHING ELSE, FOR ME YOU ARE A JEW" . ASKED A YOUNG AMERICAN ASHKENAZI JEWISH TOURIST IN THE SAME BUS I WAS IN A VERY SEFARADIC VILLAGE "DO YOU FEEL AMONG YOUR OWN PEOPLE?" "YES" HE ANSWERED, WITH SUCH A SATISFACTION................

as your father this article makes me proud,both as a parent and aJew!!!love ya

Sounds like a million other stories we've all read before...let's hope she doesn't develop the post immigration blues when she can't find a job or a husband or a reasonable group of non-critical friends!

what??

we need more bright young writers like this shpigler girl. Awsome! I AM a Zionist and a proud one! Liat- do not fear using that word!

Couldn’t agree more, for better & for worse this is who we are. I would like to meet this girl

Get in line!!

i loved the article....hope it will be something like: "sex in the holy land column"....

your name is your fate is interesting.my hebrew name is menachem-until i studied conversational hebrew i did not realize the meaning of my hebrew name-i am a physician for over thirty years now and comforting of course is something we try to impart to each patient. having lived in israel for a year over twenty years ago and having my daughter born in ashkelon,liat's mentioning a zkanah going to the front of a line recalls my month long journey to leave israel through all the bureaucratic hoops.the last time i stood in a line at the bank i was next and suddenly an old woman cuts in front of me to be next for the teller-i pushed her aside and did not tolerate this very israeli behavior.hitragalti?

Great article. I made aliyah over 30 years ago, and love my life here. I could never think of leaving.

that such a nice girl came to join us here.

What an adorable and imaginative idea - I can't wait to read more about Liat's adventures in this wacky, crazy country!!! Never mind the crap that we all put up with here - the lunatic government, the missiles in the south, escalating domestic violence, holocaust survivors ripped off by their fellow Jews... The important thing is that you are invited for a Shabbat meal every week and if you keep your head stuck in that little bubble then life is good.. Oops! I guess my cynicism just gave me away (also a touch of bitterness, which I am proud to say took me years to develop) I have been here way to long to be even slightly amused by another mushy blog written by yet another bright eyed and idealistic immigrant / returning Israeli to this country. Sorry Liat, but it's just too much fluff for me. However, there are many who will love this kind of article, so what the heck, write away.

After 5 years of living here, I cannot stand reading such deceivingly happy, everything's perfect kind of stories! Enough already!! It's time we olim tell the truth: living in Israel is not what it's cut out to be!! I came here as a Zionist, proud to finally be living in our Holy Land, defending our people in the IDF, and living amongst Jews.. but when you finally arrive here and the Jewish Agency treats you like a nuisance, you immediately realize that this isn't the ideal place you thought it was. As time passes, you start feeling more depressed as Israelis, of all people, call you an ignoramus for believing in Judaism. (The audacity!-how dare you believe in such fables??) This country is continously turning its back more and more on Judaism. The IDF tries to represent itself as an apologetic army for everyone, rather than a proud Zionist Jewish army (and I say this as someone who served for 4 years). Good jobs are impossible to get here without connections. Israelis are nasty and rude, and you should never trust them because they will take advantage of you. There is no such thing as customer service, and you should always expect that companies will "accidentaly" take extra money from you or not let you cancel your account. When you call to have it fixed, they will send you from place to place and finally claim they fixed it. But when you receive the next bill, they charged you double and didn't even cancel! Good luck getting that fixed. Life here is not good. I would be happy to go back to the third world country I grew up in, but the army forbids me from leaving or visiting my family for the next two years. Yep, great place we have here. Recomendation to all Diaspora Jews: STAY where you are.

MORE Liat please !!!! and hurry

Lilat, try breaking the prozac in half next time.

If you actually need to work for a living think three times before you make the move to Israel. It might be best to wait until you're a pensioner. If you are planning to work in the Medical Community don't bother moving here unless your fresh out of school. Experience in that field means nothing and can be a detriment to your being credentialed. The process of getting credentials is beyond absurd in this country and may take you several years. Best to stay in your country earn a real living and move here when you can afford to retire.

Very nice!!! Waiting to read more form Liat Shpigler!! (So differant from the articles you read in hebrew Ynet...) Get on that keyboard and keep writing!

I enjoyed a lot the article that Liat wrote, it was both amusing and authentic.. waiting for more Shira Keryat Eqron

it is weird what Israel does to people, your no the first person i heard these similar stories from.

Really enjoyed your article! You express yourself well. Thank you for serving in the army!

I really enjoyed reading this. I made aliyah years ago and am happy here. In the States I lived in a private house and we had 2 cars and here we live in an apartment and don't have a car. The important thing however is that my kids and grandchildren are all Jewish, and this is something that many of my friends and relatives in the US don't have. That has always been my priority. Also, we have great friends and neighbors and I love being with my "own people". Sure there are plenty of problems here, but there are problems all over the world. In another generation or two, the majority of Galut Jews will disappear. The Jewish future is here and only here--in Eretz Yisrael!! PS: Liat, you seem to be a lovely young woman---hope we'll hear soon about your wedding!!

Hello Liat, Your face looks so familiar. I think that I used to babysit you many years ago in Cleveland, Oh. Please ask your mom if Sharon Stone from Cleveland Hebrew Schools sounds familiar. My husband, son and myself are look to move to Israel and I saw your article!!