When I tell people I spent the last year of my life studying abroad in Israel, they usually look at me funny and respond politely.
When I tell them I'm planning to move there permanently, the flabbergasted look on their face demands an explanation.
I'm a 21-year-old student at NYU majoring in journalism. I have blonde hair and blue eyes. I come from the average American family, and look like the average American girl. So why am I leaving the land of opportunity to live, permanently, in a land ravaged by war?
A rabbi once told me that when God took Abraham to Canaan and showed him the land, promising it to Abraham's future generations, He also showed him every Jew that was ever to be born. The rabbi went on to explain that, according to the legend, when a Jew stands in the exact spot where thousands of years ago Abraham first beheld him, he becomes intimately and eternally bound to the land.
Like many Jews, I had been to this land, now called Israel, numerous times, to see the holy sights and visit the home of my forefathers. And while I felt a connection, and perhaps had the feeling of "coming home" that many Jews boast of, I never viewed the country as anything more than a place of religious and historical significance to visit every once in a while.
But two summers ago, when I visited Israel with my family, something was different. I suddenly felt a visceral need to identify with the people and the culture, and so I decided to spend a year abroad studying at the Hebrew University in Jerusalem. The only explanation, albeit fantastical, that I can offer is that perhaps that summer I stood in the very place where Abraham first regarded me, so many years ago, and my soul anchored itself in the sacred soil.
I was overcome with the realization that there was a country whose land had been promised to me, where millions of my people lived, yet their lives were so different from mine.
I was overcome with the realization that there was a country whose land had been promised to me, where millions of my people lived, yet their lives were so different from mine. I wanted to see that land and that life, learn about it, be part of it.
I quickly became part of life in Israel. I got used to having my bag checked every time I went into a store or restaurant, I got used to seeing my Israeli soldier friends walking around with huge M-16s on their shoulders. I mastered haggling with the taxi drivers. Taxis, not buses -- that was the rule my parents, and many of my friends' parents, issued before we left. With all the suicide bombings on buses, it just isn't worth the risk. And though I don't travel on buses, I'll admit I still feel frightened walking by a bus, or sitting at a red light in a taxi with a bus in the next lane. It's just too hard to get the television images of blown-up buses out of my head.
Two weeks after I arrived, I was lucky enough to land an internship at The Jerusalem Post, which was an invaluable opportunity for me as a young journalist. There, I was thrown right into the thick of things, with no choice but to learn quickly. On my very first day, I wrote an article that appeared in the newspaper, and while it wasn't front-page news, it was my debut into the world of journalism.
The internship was my first step into the "real world." The Post staff treated me like a full-fledged reporter, giving me assignments and deadlines and sending me around the country to gather information. It was great training, and it was often fun.
But, living in Jerusalem was also often very stressful.
I remember one night that was particularly nerve-racking. It was a Saturday night. My parents' plane had just taken off after a brief visit, and all my friends were on a weekend get-away hiking in the Golan. I was in my dorm at Hebrew University when I got a phone call from a friend in the Israeli army. He said he couldn't talk, but he wanted to warn me not to leave my dorm that night.
"Why?" I asked.
"Because we're on our way to Jerusalem right now to look for a terrorist who's on the loose, who according to intelligence is planning on blowing himself up in Jerusalem tonight."
I was terrified. I was all alone. I couldn't call my parents, and I was scared to leave my dorm. I had never before experienced such real fear and danger.
But in Israel, that sense of fear and danger is the norm. In Alaska, it's normal to wear snow boots all year round. In New York, that would be absurd. In Israel, the snow boots are simply bulletproof vests.
Life is about adjusting, and I'm still struggling with the adjustment.
When I told my best friend that I was going to Israel for a year, she couldn't believe it. She couldn't understand why I was going to spend a year of my life in a country filled with angry extremists who would jump at the chance to kill me.
She was correct in that what we see on TV is scary -- images of the burned frames of blown-up buses or cafes, the Israeli military in the slums of the Palestinian refugee camps in the West Bank and Gaza.
But the majority of the cafes in Israel are modern, popular places where Israelis spend their evenings or lunch breaks, and many Palestinians are not the suffering, impoverished people we see on TV. Many live in mansions in developed Arab villages.
I explained all of this to my friend as best I could, but I didn't say what I was really thinking: Honestly, how safe is it to live anywhere these days? Today, terrorism is a global threat. How many New Yorkers were scared to go to work at the World Trade Center on that Tuesday morning in September 2001? But today, everybody is wary, everywhere in the world. The point is that we still go on living. Not just existing, but actually living. We can't live life scared to go around every corner, or none of us would ever leave the house.
It's no different in Israel. Living means putting the fear behind you.
Of course, managing the fear is a personal battle. On the one hand, no one wants to forget the 3-year-old child killed by a Palestinian rocket while he was walking to nursery school with his mother. On the other hand, we do want to forget. We want to move on and not dwell on all the sorrow and tragedy.
Yet while their survival requires Israelis to harden their hearts to the pain, to take a deep breath and push the grief out of their minds, doing so is slowly turning Israel into a very hardened country. I fear once I live there, I might harden with it; so while some may worry that I will lose my life, I worry more about losing my heart.
It is Israel's mostly futile effort to block out the pain of all the death that is causing them to lose the media war. The Palestinians bring the journalists and cameras into their homes, showcasing their anguish for the world.
Everyone can remember the last time they saw an Israeli bulldozer destroying a house, or an Israeli tank plowing through a Palestinian village. But rarely do we see the footage of the Israeli mothers, wives and children crying for lost relatives. We hear the names of the dead, but rarely do we see the victims who remain maimed and crippled. They do exist, but Israel avoids revealing its vulnerable side.
So instead, Israelis appear tough and military.
People are actually living life there. It's not a third-world regime. It's a modern democracy, just like the United States, trying to exterminate terrorism.
Oddly, once I arrived in Israel, I felt further from the war-torn country I was familiar with than when I was at home, watching suicide bombings and shootings on the news every day. There I was, living in what is technically considered East Jerusalem, and I was oblivious to the danger around me. Despite the terror, bombings and deaths, there is a living side to the country, and that's the Israel I became a part of.
And that's my answer to those who can't understand my decision to live in Israel, exactly what Israelis want the world to remember: People are actually living life there. It's not a third-world regime. It's not Afghanistan or Iraq. It's a modern democracy, just like the United States, trying to exterminate terrorism. The roads are paved, there are prestigious hospitals and universities and they even have The GAP and IKEA.
But none of that makes news, so we don't see it -- hence the flabbergasted looks when I say that after spending a year in Israel, I'm moving there permanently this summer.
So while perhaps it was my religious beliefs that led me to explore the country in the first place, it was the country itself, the people, the culture and the life, that kept me there.
This article originally appeared on Foxnews.com
(50) Seree Zohar, January 14, 2014 6:40 PM
Welcome and thank you!
I came in '76, on my own, just turned 20, . It's great to see you young adults coming. Thank you for joining us and sharing the journey, the events, the growth and the uniqueness. There's a little trick to it: think of everything that happens to you here as an adventure. Then you'll always be happy and you'll stay here, and in no time you'll be writing this message to someone else, just like you!
(49) Wendy Pearl, February 28, 2009 12:44 PM
Fear
Everybody is in danger. Truth is in America we have taken all the discipline from the parents and the State is in control of your family and life. The children are growing up to be gang bangers with no conscience that kill inocent people everyday for not better reason but to get initiated as a gang member. Danger is all arround us at all times. People has abandoned any values and the ones that do have any is far and few in between. The news papers are written on a fifth grade level because the government has decided to keep the people in America ignorant so they will be much easier to handle. This is a beginning of someone like Hitler or Stalin to come into power. We elect actors who can pretend to be anything, right or wrong.
(48) Matt, February 27, 2009 1:56 AM
Trying to Move to Israel
Do you have any tips for people trying to move to Israel? Im 23 and have been working in the middle east for almost three years now and plan to take a year or two off. I've been to Israel twice and love it more each time I go. Im wanting to move to Israel during my time off and learn Hebrew and further my studies. Maybe end up there perminitly. I have money to live there but dont want to just eat away what ive made over the past few years. Do you know how hard it will be to get a job to pay for little things(Specially not speaking the Hebrew)? I know a few people from my past visits and hope they will be able to help me out. Im not ready to go back to the states just yet. Any thoughts you might have please let me know. Thanks
daliya robson, May 23, 2011 1:13 AM
suggest you go on ulpan
What kind of work do you do ? If you go to an ulpan or work on a communual farm or a moshav you will not use much money but you need to be able to contribute something to society What are you trained for?
(47) kristina, July 15, 2008 1:34 PM
Great Choice!
I can't believe that you actually did it and moved to Israel. Israel, the holy land, very holy and beautiful and I will move there as well. I wish all jews would understand and be inspired by this beautiful article and it inspired me. Its sad that every one is afraidto move in their. Why can't these palestinians just stop everything, is it ever going to stop? I PRAY EVERY DAY FOR THIS TO STOP!
(46) Nancy, May 19, 2008 9:33 AM
my daughter moving to Israel May 20, 08
I was searching for an article of another young student moving to Israel. My 18 year old daughter who visited Israel in December is moving there tomorrow, or atleast going again and hopes to get into Haifa, and make Israel her home, she tells me. I am worried because she doesn''t know many people there,.except a few Israeli''s see met on the trip. She tells me she has found a purpose and needs to go and that I can not stop her. Her mind is made up and I need to support her decision. I do not want to interfere with her happies and want her to move forward in life., but I right now don''t know how to live here in the US without her...My heart is aching from sadness of her leaving. Any advise for me or how your parents are dealing with it please let me know. I am a single parent and she was my only child living with me....l
(45) Cory, May 15, 2008 4:03 PM
I was in Israel in the late 70''s.
While staying at the hotel, (Intercontiential) in Tel Aviv, the PLO set of a bomb a couple of blocks from us.
As an American, I was shocked and uneasy about it but then I noticed how the people took it in stride and it then dawned on me that they live with this everyday.
Due to the constant threat of violence, I saw lots and lots of armed people and I actually felt safer in Israel than I have ever felt in the United States.
I so wish I could go back and see how much the country has changed.
We enjoyed our private (no tour bus) travels, living among the people, partaking of the Sabbath and just emersing ourselves into the culture.
What a truly blessed people and land.
I will always have a loving heart for the Israeli people.
(44) don muntean, May 13, 2008 1:34 AM
wonderful...
Very nice and inspiring!
(43) Annette, November 12, 2007 1:11 AM
Thinking of Moving to Israel
In a couple of years, when my youngest goes off to college, I'm thinking of moving to Israel. This article is a very good article.
(42) eva jellin, October 21, 2007 5:17 PM
Love it!!! as well as some of the other articles
(41) YAEL, June 25, 2006 12:00 AM
WOW
I live in israel, and it's realy nice to hear. for once that not everyont hates us. on the other hand, I've learned to block myself in front of the world... the UN and tnd the CNN may say whatever they want, I know who I am, I know who's right and that's enough for me...
(40) Anna, June 5, 2006 12:00 AM
I've been living in Israel for 15 years...
... and I go by bus every day! Dear writer, the chances to be blown up in a bus are FAR less than dying in a common car accident.
And I'm really surprised by that "Wow, they actually LIVE there" attitude! Perhaps it should have been mentioned that we also have running water and electricity??
(39) GLORIA COHEN, May 2, 2006 12:00 AM
THANK'S, Wonderful , Encouraging Article
HELLO, And Thanks Erica Chemofsky,--your
article,WHY I'M MOVING TO ISRAEL,Is Inspiration to Me.I have just begin to make plans, to go home TO LIVE, ISRAEL.---NO REASON TO BE FRIGHTENED,-----JUST
REMEMBER, G-d IS WITH HIS PEOPLE.------THANK,S, TO YOU, AND, SHALOM!
(38) Connie Harris, May 1, 2006 12:00 AM
Another with my life's dream
Wonderful article that I idenity with in so many ways. So thankful to see another blue eyed blond, who finds herself in the same catagory, as myself.
Loved the article and hope to read more of Erica's articles. I too, have written for the paper. Only difference, I am now old, and Erica is young.
Todah for the article!
Connie
(37) Anonymous, April 30, 2006 12:00 AM
Why?
Why is it that we don't see wonderful articles as this in our daily papers. I much prefer to read this marvelous article instead of the junk that is printed in daily papers.
Thank you
(36) Anonymous, April 30, 2006 12:00 AM
to robin
i understand your yearning... being here, while belonging there myself. still, it saddens me that (among other things) you could consider leaving your husband and children to move to israel. i hope lots gets sorted out for you over the next few years.
(35) Robin, February 4, 2006 12:00 AM
Thank You
Thank you for a wonderful article. I have never been to Israel, but lately, I feel a yearning and want to go there very much. Something in my heart tells me that once I get there, I will never want to leave!!!!
I envy those who are financially able to make it to Israel, even for a visit. It is my goal to get there within the next two years. If I decide to move there (which I am considering), I may have to do it alone, for I cannot seem to convince my husband or children to come with me. They won't even visit - much because they see and hear the media stories about the "dangers" there.
I am not afraid. I want to go and nothing will stop me.
Again, thank you for a wonderful article!!!!
B'shalom. Maybe I'll see you in Israel in the near future!!!
(34) Anonymous, December 8, 2005 12:00 AM
What an insightful and amazing article written by a 21 year old! All the credit to you on your life altering decision. I am sure you will find in Israel the life you sought and the reality of all your dreams. You serve as an inspiration to Jews all over the world....this article is a must read and should be sent to Jewish communties throughout the world. Congratulations on a brilliant article!
(33) Ben Steinberg, August 14, 2005 12:00 AM
A life-long hope to be realized.
Ever since childhood I have had a desire to see a homeland for the Jewish people. Life's foibles have always cropped up at the most inopportune time to thwart such an event from taking place.
As an infantryman in WW2, I was able to see in Europe, the necessity for a homeland. Please send me your thoughts as to how an 80 yr. old can make a successful visit to a place visualized only in dreams Ben Steinberg
e-mail Benviolin1@AOL.com
(32) Mickey Abutbul, May 25, 2005 12:00 AM
Welcome to Israel Erica!!
Waiting for you in Israel. This country is the home for all Jews in the world.
(31) Ben W., May 16, 2005 12:00 AM
Want To Make Aliya
Someone asked how they could make Aliya - go to www.nbn.org.il - this is the website run by nefesh b'nefesh, which helps North American Jews make Aliya - they provide financial grants, help deal with the paperwork and does a whole lot of other stuff to make it easier to make aliya (like help you find a job). B'ezrat H' the entire Jewish people will make it hope safe and sound :)
(30) Anonymous, May 12, 2005 12:00 AM
Me too!
I felt like I wrote this article, and only wish I could make aliyah sooner than my 2-3 year goal. This was well written and thought out.
(29) Rebecca S. Maddox, May 9, 2005 12:00 AM
I get it know.
After reading this article I understand a dear freinds choices. He planned to go to Israel and study for 6 months. When he returned to the U.S. he told me he would be moving back for good. At first I was shocked, then saddened, I thought he was crazy. After reading this article it is easier for me to relate with what he was telling me. It wasn't just the country that drew him, it was the way of life, and poeple who embraced him. This is a great article.
Thank You,
Rebecca
(28) Stacey, April 13, 2005 12:00 AM
Way to go!
Erica ~ I applaud you for fulfilling your committment. I have traveled to Israel twice and am looking forward to a return trip in October. There is a wonderful draw to the Holy Country. Praying for you.
(27) Daniel Hood, December 7, 2004 12:00 AM
The most beautiful country on earth
Erica, Your comments are from your heart, it is beautiful that you should experience this calling back to your homeland. I am a British Jew, however I am blessed even more in that my mother is Israeli, which makes me an Israeli citizen. Its funny I feel more accepted in Israel than I do in England. For any one out there who has doubts about our country, let me set the record straight;-
Israel is a paradise that was created on this earth, All its people are second to none, its lands are the most sacred, beautiful that the earth has to offer, there is so much life in a country that has been constantly ravaged by terrorism, death and pain. This is an irony but just goes to show the resilience of the human spirit. The harder you try to destroy the Jewish people, the brighter their lights will burn. Forever live Israel!! and forever the Jewish spirit!! After 2000 years Its about time that the world understood that Jews are human beings too and personify all that is good on this earth. We are not a threat, Peace to all nations and let Israel live in peace.
(26) Christina Levy, December 2, 2004 12:00 AM
Permanent move to Israel
Dear Erica,
I just would like to thank you for your article about your permanent move to Israel. My husband and I are also planning on moving to Israel in the next few years and it was no coincidence that I stumbled upon your article. Thank you for your insight and for sharing it with everyone.
(25) Ermelinda, November 22, 2004 12:00 AM
Aliyah is only a dream for us
I was saddened when I read your article.
There are many like me all throughout the Americas. Our forefathers were Spanish Sephardic Jews who were forced to convert to Catholocism by the Spanish Crown at the time the Americas were discovered. Many of them shared in establishing the various nations of the American continent. Even though, some continued to practice their Jewish faith in secrecy ,eventually, most of their descendents lost their Jewish identity.
(24) raye, November 10, 2004 12:00 AM
Aliyah at any Age
The 77-year-old man wrote that he was too old to move to Israel. I am moving to Israel at 85. I have a B.A and an M.A. Making Aliyah is like getting a PhD. I will improve my Hebrew, I will write my poetry, I will perhaps be a tutor. I will do my tai chi at 6:30 every morning. I will visit friends. I will prepare my vegetarian meals.And if IY"H, I find an apartment where I can invite people for a meal, I will feel
truly blessed.
(23) Kevin, October 27, 2004 12:00 AM
got that feeling
How do i explain i not from isreal and i dont think i have any relation there put the invirioment that i have been in for the last 24 years is not the inviorment that i would like to bring up my kids in when i meet that special woman.Its hard to live inviorment were your views and belives are laughed at or they think your strange or point your finger at you like your an alien.Im only looking for truth when you are surround with people who degrade your belives it is hard i know im rambling but im a little bit annoyed. I know that you have to be strong the only way i have been strong is my belive in isreal and there way of live when i go to isreal i will be happy.As long as im here im going to feal that i dont fit in.
(22) Michal, October 13, 2004 12:00 AM
she descibed the real life in Israel
best reporter
(21) Anonymous, October 13, 2004 12:00 AM
Israelis are all heart, and their hearts are turned to Heaven.
I made aliyah two months ago, and while I have heard the same responses that Erica heard to her drastic decision, I feel differently about the terror issue. I feel the protection of G-d here much more, when the busdriver, cashier, taxi driver, and flower seller all wish you Shabbat Shalom on Friday afternoon and heap berachot on your head before Rosh Hashana for all the good things you could ever imagine. I think Israelis don't put on a tough front, but instead, follow the halacha - there is a time for grieving in the way, lehavdil, the Arabs do, loudly and publicly. But there is also a time to rejoice - G-d wants us to be happy, and we are, because we are His people, under His protection, in His land, the most wonderful place for a Jew to live, because Israelis are all heart, and their hearts are not hard, they're like sabra fruits-prickly outside, but so soft on the inside. But they do live normal lives, not because they're hiding the pain, but because pain is the prickly part of the sabra - it's only on the outside, but it's connected to the whole and tempers it, but doesn't eliminate the sweetness.
(20) Jonathan, October 10, 2004 12:00 AM
See You In Israel
I also spent the past year in israel and I've never felt safer. The statistically supported reality is far from dangerous. See you in Israel, Erica.
For anyone interested, check out this related article:
http://www.aish.com/jewishissues/israeldiary/Sorry3_I_Cant_Come_to_Your_Wedding.asp
(19) Anonymous, October 6, 2004 12:00 AM
Well Said
Erica,
Thatnk you for such a beautiful article. I think that you aptly summarized for us all the specialness of this mitzvah, and the motivation that we all need to eternalize in order to make the move. My wife and I are planning on going next summer and I can tell you that despite our desire being so strong our motivation wavers at times because of external pressures in America. It is important for us to keep seeing inspirational articles like this to keep us going. So from the bottom of my heart, thank you.
(18) Pedro Rosenblatt, October 3, 2004 12:00 AM
Why I can't move to Israel.
I live in Rio de Janeiro and I'm sure, that the life here is much more dangerous as in Israel, owing to the insecurity, assaults, murders, poverty, drugs, etc.
But I don't speak Hebrew and are too old (77) and an old tree you can't replant.
If I would be younger I would move tomorrow to Netanya were I have an old aunt of my wife, but to move in my age, it's impossible and my wife is very sick.
(17) Sarah, October 3, 2004 12:00 AM
WOW! :)
I really enjoyed and was inspired by this article. I, too, experienced a deep connection to Israel and decided that I want to make aliyah when I graduate from college. Several of my friends have already made aliyah, and I long to join them. Reading emails from them about what they've been up to makes me jealous and want to make aliyah right this second, but I have to finish college in the United States first. I just have to hang in there! :)
(16) Anonymous, October 3, 2004 12:00 AM
Relocate to Israel
How does an observant single 55-year-old male without a lot of money relocate to Israel? Israel appears to be for the young or wealthy.
(15) Anna, September 28, 2004 12:00 AM
I am so jealous!!!
I am terribly envious of Erica going to Israel, as my Jewish ancestry is too distant to let me do so or even be classed as a citizen. I would love to at least visit Israel before I die. I hope Erica has a wonderful life there.Spare a thought for me, longing to see this wonderful country. L'chaim!
(14) Judith, September 28, 2004 12:00 AM
I hear it too Erica !
I too hear that shofar sounding loud and clear. I love the land of my birth, America, and I thank G-d that as Jews, we have this country as a refuge. But it is time for Jews to remember their ancestral home, the land promised to us, and the comand to return. May you be blessed by your sincerity and effort.
(13) tamar, September 26, 2004 12:00 AM
israel is not THAT scary
i am american an i have been living in israel for the last 8 years. it is more safe than america that is for sure. yeah we have bombs but we don't have millions of serial killers on the lose and rapists and drug users. i have a son he is 5 years old and you can be sure that i would never even consider to raise him in the u.s. no place in the world is perfect but i definately have more security raising my children in israel. if it wasn't for the political problems in israel it would be the number one country in the world.
(12) Victoria, September 24, 2004 12:00 AM
BRAVO!
With great attention we must learn from this fine young lady. She has heard the sound of the shofar calling her home, back to her roots, her people. She is in tune with Hashem, she hears His voice and obeys. Surely she will succeed in all that she endeavors, for He is with her, His hand is upon her.
(11) Nanette, September 23, 2004 12:00 AM
Erica you have made the best decision in your life - to live right in the land of your forefathers. how i envy you!to me Israel is still the most blessed land on earth.i pary that someday i will be able to visit your country.
(10) Anonymous, September 22, 2004 12:00 AM
To Be Young and Somewhat Fearless
I am 64 yrs. old, alone, female and no knowledge of Hebrew. In 19 days my application to immigrate to Israel was approved. Then my world inpluded-plans fell through and I am afraid of the lonliness to come to Israel alone.
Baruch Hashem for this beautiful daughter of Abraham. May this year of 5765 bring her all the sweetness and prosperity she needs.
I UNDERSTAND!!!!!
(9) Joseph, September 21, 2004 12:00 AM
Shalom and Shana Tova dear Aish !!!
thank you very much to your efforts
kol tuv
(8) Karey, September 20, 2004 12:00 AM
WOW!
I was so impressed with your story, I know EXACTLY what you mean by the general public having a slightly clouded perception of Israel. Coming from South Africa, I've heard some strange opinions people have of this country. We have one of the highest murder rates in the world. But some how you learn to deal with it, though never accept it. By running away you let those cowards win, so good for you! Make a life for yourself there and you will definitely play a very important role in shaping your country for the future.
(7) Julia Agee, September 20, 2004 12:00 AM
Thanks for the article- I understand and feel the same way. I'm just waiting for my opportunity.
(6) jose nigrin, September 19, 2004 12:00 AM
Living in Israel
I remember forty years ago, when I was younger, and Israel was emerging, we all had the jalutzim desire and ideal of trying to build Israel and move to help in the jewish strugle. Its my impression, that today, our country has become, so developed and modern, that just by going there, we will become part of a problem, and not able to play an important place, like in its beginnings. Its looks everyday more difficult to make a living or work, there. The Media is saturated in all fields of knowledge and advancement.When you arrive, you have to adjust to many things that didn't exist , long time ago, to start a new life, in the promised land. I feel there are still problems of poverty and unsolved, immigrant and religious acceptability. We thougt Israel was a place for the young generations. Not having a family or friends, makes it more difficult.That was my main problem when I arrived alone in Israel, younger and full of dreams. I was not able to find a single person willing to help or a govermental organization to place me. Though I still consider Israel, as the only place in the world, for a jew, to become realized and feel at home, and free to embark in any field, without the watchful,discrimination, done by non jewish countries, I hold this dream, for my children and their future.As a doctor, and diplomatic graduate, I still could give my humble contributions to Israel, if god would allow me to move to Eretz Israel.
(5) Rivkah, September 19, 2004 12:00 AM
I applaud you.
The world needs more young people like you, who are not blind to the reality of life in these times.
(4) Avigail Slavin, September 19, 2004 12:00 AM
absolutely inspiring!!!
(3) Martin Wallack, September 19, 2004 12:00 AM
I, too, stood where Abraham stood when he saw all of the future Jews who would inhabit the land
I envy a young person having the ability to make Aliyah. My soul was captured by the land late in life. Israel is special and every Jew must visit and experience the Country. It truely is the Garden of Eden.
(2) Anonymous, September 19, 2004 12:00 AM
Great article
I really enjoyed reading this article.
(1) Lewison, September 19, 2004 12:00 AM
How incredibly true!
I relate to the article as I have also gone back and forth over the years to visit Israel, sights, family, etc. but this past summer in Israel something happened, a special connection and plans to return!