Opinion
Farewell Milan, hello Raanana
Anat Levy
Published: 06.10.12, 14:20
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98 Talkbacks for this article
1. Why does Jewish Agency require intervention of Chairman?
Orly ,   Jerusalem, Israel   (10.06.12)
I have family with a very similar experience. It makes one wonder whether all that government money is being well spent, or if these government funded agencies are more worried about preservation than the services they were established to provide.
2. Congrats...The only future for the Jew is in Israel
Al   (10.06.12)
Jewish life in the golus has an expiry date. Welcome back to the only home you can ever call your own. Ignore the piss heads who will try to rain on your parade. They are nothing...
3. Keep the bags packed dearie
Raptor   (10.06.12)
and I hope you purchased a return ticket, you'll change your mind, it won't take too long.
4. welcome but load of propaganda nonsense re europe
chen   (10.06.12)
referring to Europe as a USA style continent is rare. Especially from an Italian. It is easy to live in Ranaana, its not the real Israel, its like EU/USA in Israel.
5. Welcome home, Anat
Devorah   (10.06.12)
You covered many bases in this well-written article -- personal, geopolitcal and the rigors you encountered in the process of making aliyah despite being a sabra. So happy that you and your family enjoyed celebrating in your very own sukkah. The apples dipped in honey must have seemed like ambrosia. Thank you for sharing your experience. May you and your family be blessed with good health, happiness and prosperity.
6. Mazel Tov!
Jean-Pierre ,   Austria   (10.06.12)
I am glad for the people to return to their ancient kingdom of Israel, live long and Prosper.. cheers and viele glück
7. I wonder how did the Italian authorities treat her 27 years
Just Askin' ,   Israel   (10.06.12)
ago when she arrived in Italy? And I also wonder how long it will be before her children decide they want to go "home" to Italy? And I wonder were the reasons for her return all that patriotic or were they economic? (I mean after all let me just ask and the level of unemployment in Italy is...?) In other words well...I am just askin...?
8. She immigrated to Ra'anana & she's whining...wow!
(10.06.12)
9. Welcome
Mike ,   Ra'anana   (10.06.12)
Welcome to Ra'anana. But you did not make Aliya - you left Israel for greener pastures and then decided to leave when those pastures where not as green anymore.
10. Dear Anat: You sound really racist and prejudicial
Orly ,   Jerusalem, Israel   (10.06.12)
In time, I hope you learn the politically correct speech that Israelis have developed since you last lived here, and the finely-tuned way for concealing your prejudices. No one talks like that about anyone any more.
11. Wherever you will live or whatever the reason
olim hadashim ,   tel aviv/israel   (10.06.12)
WELCOME !
12. #3
Alex   (10.06.12)
Whatever you say... Although Italy is probably one of the better places to be in as a Jew compared to other European countries.
13. Anat you're stupid
Gregg ,   Haifa Il   (10.06.12)
You were yourself an immigrant 27 years ago and now you spit on them? Who do you think you are? Jealous that Arabs are holding markets in Italy and not Jews? Who do you think hold markets in Israel? I would swap my place with yours voluntiery right now so I could go back to mine in Italy with my Arab markets. I'm glad Italy got rid of you
14. anat
Lily ,   tel aviv and london   (10.06.12)
you sound very racist and ignorant, i hope you haven't educated your children that way too
15. Anat, you haven't lost the Italian habit of complaining
Enzo ,   Tel Aviv   (10.06.12)
I made aliyah in 2008 and I enjoyed the warmest and welcoming feeling of everybody involved in the bureaucracy. Starting with the Jewish Agency official in Rome all the formalities were easy and fast. Also in Israel all officials were helpful and very kind. The lady in the Immigration Dept. could not be more helpful and friendly. I thank Hashem every day for making me feel so happy here in Israel. The Israeli people are wonderful, full of life and sense of humour. The only defect I find is that they drive much worse than the Italians and don't seem to have much concept of what proper driving should be. Anat, you are one of the priviledged ones, like me. Just enjoy Israel and its people and just thank Hashem for your good fortunes. May G-d bless Israel forever!
16. Where will she do her clothes shopping? She has been spoilt
Rocco ,   Italian Jew   (10.06.12)
in Milan. Maybe she can check out the shops of Allenby and start to wear the very tight tops/skirts that some older women who dress like they are 20yo do so shamelessly in Israel..
17. well said
ilanadiamant.org ,   USA   (10.06.12)
18. questions for Anat
ilanadiamant.org ,   USA   (10.06.12)
Why do you have a problem with "1 in 3" people born in Italy being immigrants and with Arabs selling in the markets in Italy? Weren't you an immigrant in Italy yourself too? Would you like the same comments to be said about Jews in Italy or anywhere in Europe? What kind of person thinks that way? while you're in Europe you want to be treated fairly as a Jewish immigrant...as long as there's not too many Arab immigrants too. Your thinking is morally repulsive.
19. To: No. 13
Sarah B ,   U.S.A. / Israel   (10.06.12)
Then leave. No one is forcing you to stay in Israel. Go join the Arabs that you love so much -- you'll have a first-hand seat as Italy -- along with the rest of Europe -- returns to the Dark Ages.
20. I wish you good luck in Israel now
Rachel   (10.06.12)
that there are many that got tired of living here and try a way to live elsewhere in the world. In particular with the "smell" in the air of a fastly approaching war that can begin every moment. A war that will be on every place of Israel. I can understand you Anat that you longed to return to Israel during the many years in Italy. You left Israel in the beginning of your twenties. You grew up here. The question is how your children will get used to be here, they grew up in Italy.
21. I'm sure the Italians are pleased to see the last of you.
Chas. ,   Los Angeles   (10.06.12)
22. Gregg and Lily
Charles ,   Petach Tikva   (10.06.12)
It's a fact that in Europe markets are invaded by north African and turkish dealers . To tell it is not racist at all . They bring some mediterraean taste , at the cost of the "local" dealers who pay their helpers , while the "new" ones , use their family , children included , to maintain the businness . Gregg , in Israel it are mostly Jews who hoild the markets , at least in my town .
23. #3 Raptor
Enzo ,   Tel Aviv   (10.06.12)
If you made aliyah just re-pack your bags and get out of this blessed land. You must be an anti-Zionist and we in Eretz Israel don't need any more ungrateful foreigners. There are enough self-hating Jews in the US and even among the Israeli left. Lech lecha and good riddance.
24. Excuse me? Born in Israel? So where was ur Israeli Passport?
(10.06.12)
That's a serious question. You write: "The Jewish Agency continued to demand mountains of documentation, and in order to receive the authorization to make aliyah we had to present papers proving that we are Jewish, despite the fact that my husband and I were born in Israel." Ok fine so really where was your Israeli Passport, where was your husband's Israeli Passport and where were your children's registration of Israeli born abroad certificates?
25. #10 - Racist???
Chaya ,   Bat Yam   (10.06.12)
It's 'racist' to describe the situation in Europe?? Take your PC head out of the sand, Orly!
26. Praying? Out in the open? In Arabic?
Orly ,   Jerusalem, Israel   (10.06.12)
Oh, no! That should be illegal, shouldn't it? I'm certain that complaint was made at one point towards Jews who recited "asher yatzar" or "borei nefashot" on the sidewalks of Madrid. How did that turn out, Chaya?
27. #24 asks very excellent questions!
(10.06.12)
28. About the passport, and similar questions...
Orly ,   Jerusalem, Israel   (10.06.12)
... those are for the Interior Ministry to deal with. The author wanted the Jewish Agency to handle certain costs and work out certain benefits afforded to Jews living abroad who come to live in Israel. For this, proof of being Jewish was necesary. However the Agency has no litmus definition for who is a Jew and it's standards and inquisitions can hardly be withstood by some of the great rabbis of the Diaspora--that is, unless their shul has a logo. That's the crazyness she's talking about.
29. 3 raptor
alsky ,   toronto   (10.06.12)
lol sad but very true !
30. Opinion from a catholic Milanese
Marco ,   Milano-Italy   (10.06.12)
What Anat describes about the islamization of Europe is true. Nobody should doubt it. I add that the present mayor of Milan, Mr. Pisapia (left) is about to go on with construction of a mosque in every Milan's neighborhood. The situation is so serious that I support her decision to fly back to Israel. Anyway there is a minority of Milanese and Italians that are trying to fight back islamism with information at all level. The task is tough because we are boycotted by the press that is 90% left wing and antiisraeli. But we will go on in supporting freedom, democracy and fighting the shameful anti Israeli propaganda. I wish Anat and her family all the best in Israel, a country that I love.
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