Letters

Well I note it has been a full month. I was hoping to have completed all three letters, no such luck. Actually two got done and they have been replied to, and the current cycle with them completed ie making inquiries as to short term accommodations in Haifa for my pilot trip. The third and very important one concerning recognition of my professional status in Israel awaits completion, it is 2/3rds done, just a little more umph. It requires going through years of papers to pull out information and that is time consuming.

As to Hebrew lessons, I prove not to be any more studious then I was thirty some years ago, difficult to get back into that kind of routine having been out of it for so long. Still early in the day today, between shopping, cooking, cleaning, laundry and walking the dogs I will try to carve out some "Aliyah" related time!

Steps....

September and the holidays are coming to a close, fall is most definitely here and I am back at school - well at least one evening class in Beginner's Hebrew. I chose beginner's despite having some knowledge wanting the basics to become second nature. Also persuaded a few acquaintances to participate and all three of them, are interested in making Aliyah. It appears there are a few more at the synagogue I attend so there is no end of opportunity for discussion.

this week coming I have intentions of writing at least three letters - here's hoping I succeed !

Getting back on track

Well clearly it has been a while, my focus has been diverted and not entirely pleasantly – life does throw curves, much has happened - some Aliyah related, much not.  Now with the New Year here, getting back on track is what I am aiming for.

After Pesach I had been so looking forward to my appointment with the Jewish Agency (April 14). I anticipated a surge forward in information and much clarification. I could not have been more disappointed, not just in the lack of knowledge but most particularly in the lack of professionalism demonstrated by the staff. I was finally clued into at least one reason for the disinterest on both their and NBN’s part in providing ‘aid’ – My anticipated date of arrival in Israel is not until the spring of 2012 – apparently when the government approves the Aliyah application it is valid for only 6 months and then must be renewed.  They would rather not process mine just yet; I felt left in Limbo – literally walked out of the office thinking nothing would happen until they had what they judged to be a firm commitment from me, imagine my surprise when I got a call on May 18th to tell me my application had been processed and I was all good to take flight – Yeah!  One tiny caveat; permission would need to be renewed, if I took longer then one year and I know I will, but that’s O.K. 'cause now I know I am an “Oleh Hadasha” with all the rights and privileges, and that puts my mind at ease.

Next a colleague had kindly provided the contact info for a physician in Israel. I spoke with him and though informative; definitely not encouraging, unless I was prepared to provide my expertise for free. Frankly, I have trouble at the moment seeing myself doing that. Although while being contemplative during these High Holiday services, have begun to notice a softening of the armour I usually wear, and yes those two thoughts are related.

Now on to the next steps ....................

Hag , Pesach, Sameach

my days and evenings of late have been so full, I am up early in the morn to grab a few moments so that I may scribe a few thoughts
Pesach is coming to a  close for this year and it marks the first time I have attended both the Seders that occur "ahutz l'aretz"/outside Israel. Actually I am able to count all the Seders I have attended in my life time still on both hands, and charmingly enough the  very first was in Israel in 1978, in the Old City of Jerusalem, all be it with a rather secular family.
Now, as I often hear it said 'G-d Willing' / 'Baruch HaShem', as I start counting toes instead of fingers very soon it will be one in Israel.
otherwise I am slow in getting documents together and sending them off, fortunately I have an appointment with the Jewish Agency coming up, so that imposes a deadline of sorts
continue to do reading of materials available in cyberspace and studying the internet map of Haifa, at this rate I may have it well etched in my brain cells before I even get there and won't require a hard copy

nachus (happy) making

the following is a wee bit of something I wrote that will be published in my synagogue's monthly news letter - I just had to share (it may be a bit repetitious of earlier posts), and there will be photos - right now am working on photo shop skills to put together a collage of 'people'



" this is not so much a reminiscence, but rather a telling of how the past year, and my first at Darchei Noam has been quite instrumental and pivotal in helping me come to/clarify a goal and a future for myself

it has been a life long dream to return to Israel (I was born there in Dec. of  '49), I tried it out for 9 months in '77-'78, unfortunately (or perhaps not) it was a stillbirth, Israel and I were not on the same page at that time and I choose to complete my studies and have a career as a psychiatrist here in Toronto

the desire continued unerringly to flicker, and while clearing out a bookshelf recently I discovered Aliyah applications from the mid eighties, for the life of me I do not recall - how odd yet true to the urging within

then just over one year ago a major change in my life - my mother died, there has been sadness but also gradually a "lightness of being", my last major responsibility had been discharged, I could now chart my own course unencumbered, perhaps an enviable position

the second serendipitous event was finding Darchei Noam - I was on my way Home - how could I know this?  there was tremendous warmth and welcoming and I heard Hebrew spoken with an Israeli accent, how wonderful

it became evident in short order that not only the congregation as a whole but also it's  members have close ties with Israel

this upped my awareness and then I started to dither, most uncomfortable, knowing of the necessity to make a trip to assess my relationship status with Israel; and I was so loath to do this on my own - did I not come to Darchei Noam  at a fortuitous time? a Rabbi led trip was on the table, I jumped as high and as fast as I could to nab this opportunity

then came the cautionary words - Israel has changed a great deal, yes I expect so, and I had chosen not to stay before

for me; after my two weeks there, I learnt that the essence of Israel, something I am still having a tough time articulating, had not changed, yes there are modern highways, and there has been a construction boom throughout the country;

the people though, the people I observed were as they ever were, and I fell in love with a sweetness as I have never known, I am continuing my journey Home

thank you Darchei Noam for being the supportive one as I pursue my dream ! I am blessed, and may I be able to “pay it forward”! "

networking

have spent the last few days doing what feels like way too much 'surfing' and sampling of all kinds of sites, two have stood out so far and the "Anglo-list" for Haifa I am sure is most promising - now if only the municipality of Haifa would send me a map of the city that I requested, I'd be all set for my next phase of checking out neighbourhoods and real estate

the other - also relatively new, is one that connects Anglo newcomers/potential comers with those who have been in Israel awhile, so far lots of 'stories', including a lawyer, whose posts to my mind are pure melodrama, hardly convey an inspiring image, ah well, to each his own....

YEAH !!!

finally the chits and such have been deposited at the accountants and I can get back to what I want to do and put aside for a bit what I have to do
did take a  brief detour yesterday to listen to a WEB seminar, which is also posted on Utube concerning purchasing property in Israel - the bottom line - find yourself a very competent lawyer

a slight change of focus

great distraction this evening - went to see a show "The Jersey Boys", it was spectacular !


and now for a little promo spot for a dear friend - Eliane, a truly, marvellously talented illustrator   - check out her blog here and then have her do your portrait or better yet of another whom you would like to present as a gift - Mother's & Father's Days are coming up!


and not to veer too far off - I realised (as I walked my young dogs) doing this blog is actually my first step in my wish to network, so my readers do you know any friends of friends six times or less removed who would be happy to pass some tips along about making Aliyah or have anyone in Haifa who would enjoy 'chatting' about their town, thank you

progress?

like father, like daughter
father's photo is circa 1948; mine is circa 1978,  
both of us posed over looking the port of Haifa
his arrival had been on a boat called the Altalena, mine on an El Al flight


in the meantime I had a one on one with a NBN   
representative - a pleasant chat which essentially clarified how much more research I needed to do and that NBN really prefers to hear from those who wish to make Aliyah within a year, and my minimum is 2 years, note this is less than the 3 years I mentioned some days ago, which until I sort out my  professional practice, and other business and personal affairs here, is still more likely, for as much as I want to have all the pertinent information 'yesterday' my progress on acting on it is at a much slower pace - it is a major decision/change and I don't care to be rushed - as it is my original community list included Tel Aviv & suburbs and Ber Sheva, and by internet research alone it has narrowed down to Haifa


the key word from NBN was - network - something I am not terribly good at, perhaps this 'old' dog can learn new tricks................ ha!

a continuing touch of chaos

my mind continues in overdrive, and speech is at times pressured..............

anyway, my research continues - flitting from topic to topic -  landed on Aliyah to Haifa recently and I like what I saw, at the moment Haifa heads the list of communities I might choose, actually it is the only one on the list, which means I better get over there and check it out

if the roll I am on holds I will come back being ecstatic 

NBN aka A Three Ring Circus

well, tonight was my first and if I have anything to say about it, my last "Mega Event" 

it may suit some, but left me with a headache - I won't bore you with the details, I want to forget them quickly

my advice to others who may be on the same path and prefer a calm atmosphere - read their web site - all 500 + pages - the general overview is all there & that is what they recommended themselves, as well as doing a whole lot of other internet surfing to find out anything including the cost of groceries in Israel

did I learn anything useful ?  

primarily,  I will really need one on one's with those in the know - my first one is coming up on Sunday, though again that one may just skim the surface as it is with a NBN staff - I really need to figure out what their area of expertise is

I did get some clarification on the state of my status form the JA who had a booth there - so despite having been a 'temporary resident' there in '77-'78 and doing a five month ulpan then, I can/am allowed to start with a fresh page, & so entitled to do another ulpan, I am pleased about that

Veronica (of the JA) almost threw a spanner in the works though when she said I would need a letter form a Rabbi to prove that I was Jewish, I wondered how a Rabbi would know any better than I - fortunately my Hebrew birth certificate states it clearly.

This raises a political hot potato I have read a bit about - the acceptance of converts is coming under question - which considering I know several (one was there this evening) who would consider making Aliyah, I find this distasteful for them.

p.s. have ventured to greater blog exposure.........................

JA versus NBN

this article offers some explanation to my confusion

and another......

surfing results - this one is an entertaining read, even if at times abrasive - the impatience of youth, she hasn't yet acquired "savlanut" , though in reading hers -  does give me courage to go public with mine sooner then later

and of course now I am becoming a maven at this search - as if I didn't have info overload by now, and a challenge to sift through to find common agreed upon threads that illustrate the challenges ahead

thank you Matt

I found one! Yeah, now the gates will open to more. Toda raba Matt, he doesn't know me from a hole in the wall but no matter. Thankfully some are not so shy to open up their blog to everyone. Me, well soonish. 

I have registered for a NBN seminar this coming Wednesday (three sleeps and counting) hoping to get a much better sense of everything. Curious about why go through this particular organisation rather than a more direct route, such as with the Jewish Agency of Israel. I asked this the other evening at a "Jewish" gathering and it was suggested that NBN had the gelt/money. I suggested I don't need assistance - "take it anyway"- hmmm!

Alright ( an aside - spell check always tells me this is incorrect and I always correct it, today I decide well I must have learnt this somewhere, so I look it up in the dictionary - and there it is 'a frequent but incorrect spelling of all right', now to decide whether to just go ahead and be incorrect because the artist in me likes the aesthetic of it, so there).

All right, all ready - now one of the principle reasons for this blog - une aide de memoire - (learning another language, always has me using the others I know, a sentence could come out quite a polyglot), things I would like to learn sooner rather than later in this process -

• will I be able to work in my field in Israel i.e. as a psychiatrist
• will they allow me another five month ulpan at minimal cost (yes I would accept that one), I did one in Kfar Saba some 33 years ago, and I have reawakened my "kitchen Hebrew", now I would be a much more studious pupil !
• will Samson & Miss Delilah be welcomed
• there was another.............

I anticipate this will be at least a three year process for me ( my dear readers be prepared) and after Wednesday I am hoping to have a much better idea of my time line.

information highway

Couldn't sleep, so surfed looking for other blogs, after all I am not the first to want to make Aliyah, so ............ if I really want to know I will have to buy the book - how enterprising!
If it is about the time after arrival in Israel, there are several, but that is not where I am at. Will need to come up with a different word/phrase to search. Now off to walk the dogs. How about Aliyah for Samson and Miss Delilah? She is the black and white sweetie, he is in need of getting his winter coat shorn. 

paper work

searching for documents, filling out application forms as requested by Nefesh B'Nefesh (NBN) is almost entertaining, if it weren't such a 'serious' undertaking 
with a bit of a start there is a realisation - this is not a vacation I am planning, this is a major undertaking that is different from my childhood experiences of moving and living in different countries (England, Germany & France), when my parents and/or the Canadian Army took care of the details
so I don't have Mummy and Daddy's expired passports (do I even have mine? hmmm, where would I have put them?)- what to do ?

challenges

a little bit of Ivtrite/ Hebrew, a little bit of history

never mind that it means learning a new alphabet, feminine & masculine vocabulary, the conjugation of verbs, and the writing there of does not include vowels…….
French was difficult enough for an agile young mind, now a bit “older” Ivrite is proving to be quite the challenge; then, I have always enjoyed such……………..

The information kept on coming - during the 10 day tour, with little time to absorb it, now with a bit of rest and my curiosity in full bloom I get to go back over things and come across ‘neat’ stuff while surfing and learn some more
to the right - mine - as viewed from the "Women's" room
to the left, from a little bit of reading - the history is quite phenomenal, to this new initiate

                                  

http://international.aish.com/seminars/tunneltours/overview.asp

the mundane

having to refocus for a bit, as it is that time of the year - doing a whole lot of receipt sorting...... need I say more

Angelical

did I mention this adventure also includes learning about being Jewish? yes I was born one, but raised in a non observant family.

over the years I have made periodic forays into synagogues - intrigued though never quite comfortable

until a year ago, when I was introduced to Darchei Noam - I had come home, and I want to experience it all; no, this doesn't necessarily mean I am going to become a religious person, mind you I do wonder how that is defined these days

the past evening has been one such experience - my first ever Purim party and what fun - even the adults got into the act in quite a big way, not what I expected but well worth the effort it took to get my second wind of the day; after morning services, to go

Kabbalat Shabbat

It is that time of week, and though I know little about my own religion and even less about it's practises, I have been deeply moved by some experiences I have had in the name of Judaism.

In particular a Friday evening spent at the Western wall.

reading

there is going to be a lot of that going on in a new direction:

so much to investigate and follow up on - like Rabbi Elyse's blog - and what a delightful, informative read

I did want to know about this flower - had asked the tour guide, during my most recent trip, to stop for a photo op should we find a field full of them, surprise, he had the same thought - the fields we passed though were only sparsely covered with poppy anemones – 'calaniyot', happily Rabbi Elyse filled in the details

learning

that is the thing about learning - it is time consuming, I have never been exceptionally quick, but have always wanted to dabble in many things

I wonder if students today are given the same advice I was oh so many years ago - "practise this for at least 15 to 30 minutes each day" - I would have had to be up all night, it's a wonder.............

well today I did my time, plus with Hebrew, on to other things!

so many CONSIDERATIONS

the learning curve is a remarkable thing, do not have a youth's ease with things technical, not entirely delighted with the blog's appearance and so much time has been spent figuring out how to up load images from my computer, never mind doing a Hebrew lesson - that's enough for now

the back story - in brief

from an Israeli birth to the Diaspora; for the most part, even though Canada has been, and is a most giving home, there is a missing 'je ne sais quoi' here

a thread, a nigun (a word I only learnt recently, but it is appropriate here), always held my attention, drawing me to Israel

then the big trip in the '70's only to realise the country & I weren't prepared for each other

now relatively unfettered, another trip that has me enthralled and quite determined to make the move; our time has come, and I couldn't be more thrilled !!

let the adventures begin

well here at the brink of a double "whammie".............. starting a blog - what DO I say ?

and taking the initial steps to emigrating to another country - Israel to be exact, there will be so much