From Zero to Aliyah in 2 and a bit months!
Time for a new column to be launched, we thinks! Welcome to the world of Scott, originally from the US, who describes how he made Aliyah in almost record breaking time, and what it’s really like living in the Holy Land for a newbie…stick around, this could get interesting!
I hated Hebrew school. I’m only ever at Temple for weddings or Bar Mitzvahs. I never spent a teenage summer in Israel, and Birthright Israel didn’t even exist until I was in my 30s.
So, will somebody please tell me what I’m doing, living in Israel?
I had never even been here until last winter. I first set foot inside the Holy Land on December 25, 2008. The conflict in Gaza erupted the next day. By the time I left on January 9 (with a job offer), I was convinced I wanted to stay here. I filed my Aliyah application the same day Barack Obama was inaugurated and arrived here an Oleh Chadash on March 1, 2009.
As my mom says – “But why, Scott? Why??”
I’ll try and break it down for you. First & foremost, it was all the Jews! I’m from New York City, where there’s a couple hundred thousand of us. But we’re not predominant. On my first day here, looking down from an upper level at a packed Dizengoff Center, teeming with Jews doing last minute shopping before Shabbat, all the storefronts emblazoned with Hebrew signage, I almost fell to my knees overcome with emotion.
Then there was the Gaza conflict I mentioned. Emails from friends and family in the U.S. poured in, asking me if I was OK. Life in Tel Aviv felt safe (and peaceful), but war was in the air (and all the TV screens, hovered over by hungry crowds in packed cafes). I read every update on NYTimes.com, and in Benny Morris’ op-ed piece, “Why Israel Feels Threatened,” I learned for the first time that if current demographic trends persist, Israel may no longer be a majority Jewish state by the year 2040. I felt a clear, simple inner directive: more Jews have to come here!
From there, the reasons to move cascaded: I was getting laid off from my job in New York and had received an offer from a friend to consult in Israel for his startup nonprofit (a wonderful cause that would also expand my skill set). I wasn’t married, didn’t have children, hadn’t traveled the world, didn’t own my apartment, had been in New York almost two decades and was feeling the “seventeen year itch,” and besides all that, the economy there was tanking. I was able to feel a window in New York closing and one opening for me in Tel Aviv. And I went for it.
Was there any fallout? Next week, I’ll discuss how I deal with missing friends & family in the U.S. and if I ever get homesick. Stick around, bvakesha.
About the Author: New York publicist Scott Piro visited Israel for the first time at the end of 2008. He liked it so much he made Aliyah two months later. Today he studies Hebrew in the morning, works for a nonprofit in the afternoon, does his Hebrew homework like a good motek in the evening, and serves up his experiences as an oleh chadash late nights at 
Al | Jul 19, 2009 | Reply
very heart-warming Scott. We’re proud of you back in NYC, but miss you just the same. If you’re there for more Jews in the land that HaShem promised to Abraham, Issac and Jacob, then you’ll need to take the next and make more!
Leah | Jul 19, 2009 | Reply
Hey Scott- I loved your post! You are definitely a great addition to the columns here! Looking forward to reading your next post!
Babs | Jul 19, 2009 | Reply
So proud of you! (Yes, that Babs)
Jimmy Mack | Jul 20, 2009 | Reply
Scott, loved your column, love you! Am so happy to see you following your dream and thanks for sharing it!
Tim | Jul 20, 2009 | Reply
Good luck dude
Ben R | Jul 20, 2009 | Reply
Great article Scott!! Thanks for the update!
Jennifer | Jul 20, 2009 | Reply
Love this! But, then again, I am one of your biggest fans! Can’t wait for the next column. xo!
Paula | Jul 20, 2009 | Reply
Scott, you have the writer’s gene. Great article. You amaze me. Paula
דינה | Jul 21, 2009 | Reply
התרגשתי לקרוא את הטור הראשון שלך.
רואה את ההתקדמות שלך בעברית כל יום
ומאחלת לך המון הצלחה בהמשך.
Gil Vinokoor | Jul 21, 2009 | Reply
Scott,
Mazal tov on making aliyah!
First of all, nice article. Way to “keep it real”. I look forward to your future posts.
As an oleh from Canada that has “been here and done that” (moved here 9 years ago at age 24 and, among many other things, is married to a “sabra” and has a little boy), one of my mantras of making aliyah successfully is to “Keep your head in the clouds and your feet on the ground”, if you know what I mean.
Again, all the best,
Gil
P.s. The following article has some more worthwhile tips of making your aliyah a success: http://www.canaancommunications.us/10_Tips_to_a_Successful_Aliyah.html
Walt | Jul 21, 2009 | Reply
Love your column. You’re too much. Plus, you look steamy hot in that picture. You’re gonna have a line of drooling Zionist ladies outside your apartment, so make sure your address is unpublished, stud.
Frank Piro | Jul 21, 2009 | Reply
Scott,
You make your dad proud!
Love,
Dad
Lori G. | Jul 24, 2009 | Reply
This post just makes me want more! You could put the Nanny Diaries to shame! It’s a wonderful narrative — witty, funny and touching. I see “Gefilte Fish Out of Water” the book in your future. You go, guy! Lori
Aunt Bernice & Uncle Dave | Jul 24, 2009 | Reply
Scott:
Please keep in touch, we love hearing about you and your experiences.
Eyes | Jul 25, 2009 | Reply
I think a gig at Tel Aviv’s Camel Comedy Club is in your future. And that’s final, Fay.
Dimmick | Jul 25, 2009 | Reply
Sometimes we need to leave our place of Origin to find our home or as it seems in your case, we leave our home to find our place of origin. I love hearing about your new life. Stay true. I love you very much Scott.
david reinhardt | Jul 26, 2009 | Reply
Nice work Scott. I will follow future updates. I admire your courage and envy your feeling of connectedness. I luckily feel no connection to Germany and sadly none to Italy, my family’s two diffferent places of origin.
Monica | Jul 28, 2009 | Reply
You are such a great writer! I love keeping up with your blog. Good luck-it all sounds very exciting
Itay Barr | Aug 8, 2009 | Reply
Congrats, Scott.
It’s great to know that you’re here and feel a bond to Israel.
I also read the article about the isntant coffee… (I never thought we were any different from the US).
Some instants are very good.
Did you try “Jacobs”? It’s the best.
Anyway, I hope you won’t have anymore maulfunctions with your BlackBerry.
have a good day,
Itay
Scotty P | Sep 21, 2009 | Reply
Thanks, Walt.