anniversary of aliyah

Today is the sixth month anniversary of my aliyah. I arrived here in Haifa on August 16th, two days after the war, and found a city in shell-shock.

For the first time in my life I was in a different country to the one of my birth, without my husband of 32 years and in a war zone which had left psychological as well as physical scars.

What is more, in Haifa I found that the language you really needed to speak to get by in the initial stages was Russian, followed by Arabic, and I don't speak either. However, after six months, for some reason my French has improved, as well as - hopefully - my Hebrew.

I came at what is generally regarded as a difficult age to make aliyah: neither young or retired and without the support systems of language and husband, who has an important job still to do in Britain.

So what are my thoughts on aliyah so far?

Until today, I had not found a synagogue in Haifa that made me feel at home like the one in Manchester. And there is no doubt that what the diaspora has contributed to Judaism is both Shabbat hospitality to strangers and welcoming synagogues. For that I would go to Jerusalem, where my friends and their synagogue have welcomed me with open arms, because they have not forgotten what it is like to be an olah.

But today, quite by chance, I think that a solution may have been found, and that all those people who had suggested that I transfer to Jerusalem or Netanya may have good reason to change their mind.

Because I have found a network of strong and supportive women who know what it is like to be new and on your own in Israel. Work is gradually trickling in. If people are direct with me in a way that would never happen in Britain, I realise that this is just the Israeli way.

Because, just look at the plus side. For me, Haifa is still the most beautiful city in Israel, just as it was when I arrived. It has a sea like no other, glorious views and a great deal of potential. It has music and theatre and - like the whole of Israel - a hugely talented population.

Yes, I think that the attitude of men here to women is problematic, but on the other hand, this male-dominated environment ensures safety on public transport and a respect for the family which is no longer there in Britain. Two sides of the same coin.

I had a dream before I came that what Haifa has gone through in attempts to boycott its university and destroy it through war would be no more. Who knows what the future holds? What I am glad to say however is that very recently the number of western olim arriving in Haifa is going up and I look forward to welcoming someone who has just bought a place directly opposite me and who - despite being a huge loss for Britain - will be a great asset for this country and for Haifa, I am sure.

So, the next six months will entail me giving courses for Hadassah-Israel here as their new Chair of Education; more editing and translating work, I hope; ever more opportunities to swim in the wonderful, glorious sea; and of course - the music-making.

And let's hope that the recent plumbing jobs will put an end to the rats, once and for all.

Comments

[Gavriel]

Mazltov on your anniversary.
Israel is of course a very different planet from the UK
and you are right to point this out. However this one of the very reasons that I decided to stay here.

As for Russian speakers, the Russian immigration of over one million has been one of the most important factors in Israel's constant qualitative and quantitative progress in the most positive way. I have waited in vain for a real and motivated Aliya from the English speaking communities ( there are a few notable exceptions to this generalisation). I myself having lived here for over 40 years ( ex North East England) and functioning from the start in Ivrit have never found that Arabic was necessary, though one might say its always nice to chat in Arabic or Russian or Punjabi or Pashtu if you live and work in certain districts of the UK.

Al Yiush -Yishar Kohech!

G