Immigration to and first experiences in Israel - August/Sept/Oct 2010
There are at least a hundred reasons why I decided to make such a seemingly drastic move. Many are spiritual and connected to identifying with the Jewish faith and people all my life and searching for deeper meaning in life. Many are mundane such as hoping to create a better living for myself and being able to live without owning a car. Many are social such as expanding my network in dramatic new directions and finding a new community. Some of the reasons have to do with it just being time for a major change and the fact that I want to be fluent in modern Hebrew before I finish life in this world. Some are ideological and idealistic - I've always been a Zionist. But I guess the bottom line is that it is something I always wanted to do, but never thought I could put together. After doing a bit of research, I realized it might be possible and went ahead and made my application through Nefesh b'Nefesh (nbn.org.il) an organization that encourages and facilitates North American Aliyah.
After months of paperwork, uncertainty, interviews with officials, planning, red tape, anxiety and dreaming, my journey started with the ordinary task of getting my belongings from Southern Oregon to the shipper in the Bay Area. Prior to that were many hard decisions, a huge garage sale, and lots of packing. Below is my aliyah journey in photos and captions.
