Video: Next Year in Jerusalem

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Published: March 25, 2012

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Visitor Comments: 21

(17) Éric, June 1, 2012 2:27 AM

Meh...

I already immigrated once to a country. It takes a lot out of you. It takes years to get accustomed to a new culture, new language, etc... Even when you're truly motivated, it is taxing. And then there is the painful distance between you and your loved ones. It's not easy, and I haven't even dived into the financial aspects. As much as I love Israel, I don't think I would go there permanently unless I were forced to for my safety.

(16) Anonymous, April 1, 2012 3:16 AM

Thank you Lori for your powerful words that have brought awareness to my eyes. I would like to request of you to follow up on your speech and express how one can come to love Eretz Yisroel, and really truly want to be in our Land in the Upcoming year. What can one do to express those feelings of longing?

(15) Rachel, March 29, 2012 2:02 AM

I mean it, but it will take a miracle

While all Jews may be legally entitled by the Israeli government to make aliyah, that doesn't mean it's feasible for everyone. Neither my husband nor I speak Hebrew, housing in Israel is expensive, we are educating our children, he has a good job here and absolutely no prospects of one there -- the list goes on and on. I don't understand the comments from people who think many/most American Jews have the wherewithal to pick up and move. As we look forward to retirement, we may well consider living outside the US -- but it would likely be in a country with a much lower cost of living, and Israel is nearly as expensive as the US. Furthermore, we have no family or close friends in Israel. And the culture is so brusque, it's intimidating. Maybe once you live there it's different, but on my only visit, I felt perpetually overwhelmed and often harassed because of the cultural differences. Actually, I think israeli culture is very different from what I think of as American Jewish culture, which is much more polite. Of course that's not everything, but one can understand how an Israeli might feel more at home in North America than an American Jew might feel in Israel.

Sj Grossman, May 6, 2012 4:18 PM

I agree with Rachel.

I agree with Rachel and appreciate her perspective. And, I have no inclination whatsoever to make aliyah. I find most Israelis to be very brusque and their abrasiveness just rubs my sensibilities the wrong way. Next Year in Jerusalem is a phrase I boycott saying, because I dont want it, I dont believe it, and I cannot bring myself to say what I dont feel genuinely in my heart.

(14) Ayalah Haas, March 28, 2012 11:21 PM

"Don't You Miss Israel?"

So sad that, for all of his riches, Mr. Yerida-from-Tel-Aviv is building a posh home in an upscale neighborhood … in Chutz L’Aretz. No amount of money (or anything) would entice me to trade places with him. He doesn’t want to live in Israel because of all the problems “there!?” Dude, every country and every neighborhood has its problems. Yes, the United States has been an incredible friend to the Jews and the Jewish State, but even the US has major problems – too numerous to mention. The United States is unfortunately on the brink of major conflict between the vast Christian and Muslim populations. The US will probably, regrettably no longer be a safe haven for Jews. If you don't believe are prophets, then just look at history. Please, please come home to Israel while you can do so with bracha! Everywhere you turn in Israel, homes are being built to accommodate those Jews who are flocking here. Yes, the Israeli government is far from perfect; so come home to Israel and be part of the solution! Live here and participate: study, work, explore, find your bashert, and VOTE. Imagine living in a land where you can fearlessly wear a kippa (if you want), and celebrate Holidays unapologetically because all of your neighbors are ALSO honoring Pesach, Rosh Hashanah, and Sukkot. It’s worth it to come to Israel if only to experience that incomparable connection to our Creator, the kind of palpable connection so many of us feel more intensely in Israel than elsewhere. … I feel so sorry for all of you in Chutz L’Aretz. You are missed. Return to the land of your Soul. THIS year in Jerusalem.

(13) King Solomon, March 28, 2012 6:14 PM

no way

No. I will not live there. I'm too comfortable here. At 75, why do I have to make problems for myself?

(12) Debby & Laibel Lipnick, March 28, 2012 6:08 PM

Great mussar shmooz!

We have been on Kibbutz Lavi for over 45 years from the states. You have started - your son is in the Tzava. Nu - it's now time for you. You'll love it and be setting a great example. Chag Kasher Vesameach!!!

Anonymous, March 29, 2012 11:38 PM

It's a small world

Laibel, Hi !! I saw your name and I got so excited. I am Motel Fisher's daughter and BatSheva Goldstein's mom and that makes us related !!! And yes we do mean the song in a non-making Aliyah type way. I

(11) Howard Yagerman, March 28, 2012 5:10 PM

In my Heart

Does being in Yerusalem mean physically being there or does it mean in your heart and mind and soul.Unfortunately we live ina materialistic world.Our living is tied up in the place we can provide for our family and find work,It does not mean that we should forget who we are and why our duty to preserve that being should be.So when we say next year in Yerusalem,it means we should not forget not necssarily being physically in that place.

(10) Judit, March 28, 2012 4:04 PM

I am a convert. A year after I said theese words the first time, I was in Jerusalem (without all the helps and money a jew can get for his aliya). It's true: Whoever really means it can make it.

Tehillah, April 6, 2012 12:34 PM

Kol haKavod Judit

I have also wondered why so many converts make Aliyah in comparison to those of Jewish ancestry. Amazing how when an open mind studies Torah they are able to grasp the truth so quickly and act upon it. Chag Kasher v'Sameach!

(9) Michael, March 28, 2012 2:15 PM

L'shana HaBa' B'Yerushalayim is a wish and a hope and a reality...

That wish and that hope has been realized by the Jews of the world in 1948. It represents the yearning and the hopes of the Jewish People who had been in exile for what seemed to be forever. That collective hope is realized and Israel exists. There are expatriates of virtually every stripe and color in the USA and in much of the free world. Free choice and circumstance governed these individuals. We collectively say, "Next Year in Jerusalem" not necessarily to make Israel our personal home location but to preserve it as the home of Jews the world over. I, too, mean it when I say it each Pesach but I choose to live in the country of my birth- the USA. I have visited Israel many times and I have family and many friends who live in Israel because that's where they choose to live. I believe in the existence of Israel.

(8) Anonymous, March 27, 2012 1:52 PM

The words do not refer to living in Jerusalem or Israel in its current sense but to the Mashiach

Although your comments are true and their are in fact many reasons why Jews today may choose to live in many places I feel you missed the main point of the statement. When we say next year in Jerusalem we are referring to Yerushalayim habenuya. The message is that we are wishing and praying for the Mashiach Bimheira beyameinu. I believe that most Jews truly do want the Mashiach, especially with what is going on today in Europe, Israel and the US, and do mean it when they say Next Year in the Rebuilt Jerusalem.

rachel forrest, March 28, 2012 6:42 PM

I ALREADY DID IT!

I moved to Israel in 2005! I live just outside Jerusalem.

(7) smb, March 27, 2012 6:36 AM

I understand that some people are overwelmed by the problems. But we can do something to help. With both physical and spiritual efforts, we can make a difference to improve things. We need to come together and with G-d's help I pray that the redemption will come soon

(6) Reb Mordechai, March 26, 2012 5:36 PM

A lot of European Jews will mean it this year!

After the murders in France, the BBC interviewed French Jews and was told by around half that they were planning on leaving France and coming to live in Israel. (The video was however removed after a few hours and replaced with another containing the exact opposite message). The truth is that many Jews in Europe, and that includes Britain, can no longer live a normal Jewish life. Only this week, the Jewish Telegraph in Britain told readers that they should no longer stand outside their shul and chat for fear of attack. They can no longer walk down the street wearing a kippah. Many Jews this year will mean it when they say “Next Year in Jerusalem”. See my blog post: here: http://rebmordechaiwrites.blogspot.com/2012/03/jewish-telegraphs-answer-to-anti.html

(5) SusanE, March 26, 2012 2:51 PM

Excuses, excuses, excuses.

Most of the secular and religious Jews could relocate. They have resources and friends and time and could live comfortably in Israel. There are hundreds of excuses for not returning, everyone makes excuses for what they don't want to do. - - - - - - - - Your question says "We sing the song, but do we mean it?" Lori, if one tenth of those singing meant what they said.....Israel would be full and vibrant and overflowing wouldn't it? But as it is, no ingathering, no temple............. no sincerity when asking messiah to come soon.

(4) Sharon, March 25, 2012 8:36 PM

I meant it and did it

As a kid I well remember singing it and meaning it. I was very glad when I was finally able to make that dream a reality.

(3) Chana Miriam Zelasko, March 25, 2012 6:15 PM

The right focus

Beautiful, Lori! I notice that lately many of your lectures focus on Israel and how important it is to the Jewish People. Good for you, Lori! Keep it up!

(2) Rho, March 25, 2012 4:47 PM

We said it one year and it actually happened. We Bar Mitzvah my nephew there, I look forward to going back.

(1) Rael, March 25, 2012 9:48 AM

Exactly.

I think most Jews when they say that line, do not mean it at all. They do not wish to live in Israel or even try to, especially ones with money and a nice materialistic setup outside of Israel.

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About the Author

Mrs. Lori Palatnik

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Lori Palatnik is a writer and Jewish educator who has appeared on television and radio, and is the author of "Friday Night and Beyond: The Shabbat Experience Step-By-Step," "Remember My Soul - What to do in Memory of a Loved One," and co-author of "Gossip: 10 Pathways to Eliminate It From Your Life and Transform Your Soul." She is a much sought-after international speaker, having lectured in the U.S., Canada, Mexico, U.K., Central America, South America, South Africa and Israel, including featured talks at Yale, Brown and Penn. She lives in the Washington D.C. area, with her husband, Rabbi Yaakov Palatnik. Lori is the Founder of The Jewish Women's Renaissance Project, an international initiative that brings over 1,000 women to Israel each year from ten different countries on highly subsidized programs to inspire them with the beauty and wisdom of their heritage. She is the busy mother of five children, ages 24 to 14; and her son, Zev, just finished serving as a sharpshooter in the IDF. Her weekly video blog, "Lori Almost Live" is a popular feature on aish.com, viewed by over 50,000 people each month.

Follow Lori on Twitter, @LoriAlmostLive

Next Year in Jerusalem

We sing the song, but do we mean it?

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