Aliyah Diary 23: The West Bank. (Shomron)
The Scary Place Little more than a mile from me is the barrier to the “West Bank”. Since I moved here, the barrier in my head has also moved: Month 0: “I’m never going...
Author: tostien
Aliyah Diary 22: Seeing the doctor as a “Choleh” Hadash and cultural differences
Choleh (Sick) It’s been longer than usual since my last post because I’ve been a “Choleh” Hadash … a play on the term used around here for “Oleh Chadash” which is a “new immigrant”....
Aliyah Diary 21: It’s a free country??
Security in America Entering the apartment building to get to my college housing (not depicted above) with a box of heavy books in my hand – I head gestured over to the girl to...
Aliyah Diary 20: Tel Aviv Art Museum
Introduction The time came to visit somewhere North of Ben Gurion airport for the first time since I moved to Israel. To the right of me are secular communities. To the left of me...
Aliyah Diary 19: Taxes for Americans
Introduction I’ve just passed the three month mark since making aliyah and got around to talking to / finding an accountant before the end of the year. This wasn’t my first concern … it...
Aliyah Diary 18: Language – l’at, l’at – little by little
The fall has sprung near the end of November with our first day below 70 degrees during the day. The weather since October has been beautiful; highs in the 80s with bright blue sky...
Aliyah Diary 17: Jewish Identity and Outlook
WARNING: This post includes politics. You might want to skip it!WARNING 2: This post contains personal views which might change repeatedly. Living “Over the Green Line” My secular brother in America asked me, “are...
Aliyah Diary 16: Where People Look Like Me
Return to Israel On a hill top near Jerusalem lives Melech, a 42 year old man, in a one-bedroom house, surrounded by desert in the only house around. Born in Miami, and now raising...
Aliyah Diary 15: Safety Fourth
“Safety” comes after, 1) fun, 2) education, and 3) because I want to. I want fruit trees The idea of growing and picking my own fruits and vegetables sounds great – fresh and there...
Aliyah Diary 14: Traveling with the Kindness of Strangers
Received My Israeli Driver’s License Arriving on the plane did not make me feel Israeli. Done that many times and I was … gently cajoled into doing this after my wife and kids all...