I doubt it. There is a sense of cameraderie amongst Israelis that comes right to the fore under times of outside danger, something you Americans have never experiences since no-one has ever even remotely threatened your shores. Oh, and please don't quote the scare that Calilfornians had during WWII when there was even the mere thought of Japan attacking the west coast.

Dekel, you are absolutely correct! Soon our Jewish people around the world will learn that we have "no other country" but Israel.

i am an American who made Aliya. I have great friends both in America and in Isreal. Just because you didn't make "good" friends and that you associate all of America with a single city is fallacious and insulting. Israel is a great place but it has its failings. America is a great place and it has its failings too. but it is NOT just about the money. Grow up and take a deeper look at your reasons and maybe take some responsibility. an opportunity is what *YOU* make out of it.

Made aliyah 13 years ago from the US and left a life of luxury. Brought 3 children who spend summers with cousins and peers in the US. All three have thanked us for bringing them to Israel and giving them a life of meaning. Kol HaKavod, Dekel

Where in NYC is rent cheap???? Not according to Forbes Magazine, the Wall Street Journal and other financial publications. NYC has the highest cost of living of along with San Francisco, Los Angeles and Chicago. Is he living in a paper bag????

Thank you for this beautiful article. You articulate so well what I try to explain to all of the Israelis who call me crazy for making Aliyah from the US.

Your soul is speaking to you when you say you are lonely. Israel will give you the life you need as you seek it. The emptiness you feel is because you did not have to struggle in your previous place of residence. When one makes an effort to find meaning in one's life the satisfaction of finding it will bring you home. That is what I find living in Israel, Try and find appreciation in every thing you have and buy-then imagine not having it. Remember-the only one who gets something out of a tattoo is the tattoo master.Try putting other words on your arm- like the ones printed in a tephillin box-"lay straps" and you'll really be connected. Wishing you all the very best

For people who immigrated to Israel, the propensity of some Israelis not to appreciate their country, and to assume that everything is better elsewhere, is in equal parts frustrating and understandable.

This guy is either in Alice in Wonderland or a macho cist. As a frustrated and disillusioned Anglo Saxon oleh there is no comparison in the standard of living and quality of life here. Who needs to live in this region with continual internal and external sectarian extremist religious conflict? My fervent wish is to return and enjoy my twilight years in Gods Own Country

the problem is to live hard life outside your home or inside your home . but realy i can love my country keep my value in any place i prefer the easy life but seldome it is here or there

I read the article and well, great for him if he wants to leave NYC and come back to his home country. To say that you can't find true friendships outside of Israel is pure baloney. And that Israelis are kinder to one another than elsewhere? Well, that is blatantly untrue. If there were any notion of respect here, this country wouldn't be the cesspool that it has become - drivers would respect one another, garbage wouldn't line the streets and mothers wouldn't let their kids go to the bathroom wherever and whenever (to name a few)! I, for one, after 3 years of living in the "paradise" that is Israel, have had enough. I would rather return to the great good ole US of A and live the rest of my life in a country where most people understand the meaning of respect and where during the holidays food, clothing and toy drives are the norm.

Your far from crazy, your Jewish.

I agree with the author, I have feelings similar to the author after 40 years in the US.

Stop with your rubbish. You have to bring the Opium that curses so many into an article that has no connection to it. And who r u to tell someone what to do or not do. Mind your own business. Obviously you do not know or understand what it means to be an Israeli!!!

Sorry bro...but I will be here long after you have run back home to Boston! Chag Samayach!

I made Aliyah 8 years ago by myself and served in the IDF. 3 years ago I came to the states to visit my family and ended up meeting my husband. We are planning on moving together back to Israel in the next few years but I posted on facebook when the conflict broke out: "you know your heart is in Israel when, hearing that rockets are falling, you are wishing you are there instead of being happy you are "safe" in America. I feel your heart and admire you following it! Behatslecha! See you in Tel Aviv!

Dear Dekel: Perkei Avot: Who is wealthy--he is is satisfied with his portion. We look forward to seeing you here, brother.

While I can agree with you about separating the State from religion, your insinuation that it's up to Israel to make peace is utterly delusional. Why is it up to the Israelis to do all the heavy lifting as long they're surrounded by Arabs who refuse to give up their wet dream of removing Israel from the Middle East?

Israel is not doing all the heavy lifting, as you say. Most of the world views Israel as the country which is not willing to settle the conflict. A lot of the heavy lifting remains to be done, hopefully with both sides sharing in the effort. The Great Powers should help, along with the UN.

After 22 years I too am returning to Israel. No nice house, comfort, or ease of life is comparable to life in Israel. Indeed, it is home. Had to go to "OZ" to find there is no place like home. And I am not a masochist, It is harder in many more ways here amongst all this "comfort". Here, in the USA, I do not feel truly free. In Israel, however, my soul soars!

I've always had good friends, where ever I've lived. But I've never felt as "at home" as I do here, in Israel. Sometimes you dont get it until you get it. Dekel never said he did not make friends in the USA. He just said that suddenly he know where HOME is.

TATA