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 breaki... Read More...

A (First) Year in the Life of an Oleh Chadash

‘Tis the season. For looking back and Top Ten lists, I mean. Especially this year, as we say good riddance bye to the aughts. I’ll spare you my thoughts on the ... Read More...

Making Aliyah in the Facebook Age

Baruch HaShem for Facebook. It’s the ultimate tool for staying in touch with friends and family back in the U.S. (Embedded Aliyah Tip # 1: Do not refer to your ... Read More...

Making Aliyah: my first Yom HaZikaron and Yom Ha’atzmaut, Part II

There is a period of time where you feel the atmosphere changing in Israel. It’s not a moment like flipping a switch quickly, but more like a light on a dimmer... Read More...

Making Aliyah: my first Yom HaZikaron and Yom Ha’atzmaut, Part I

Memorial Day and Independence Day. These two days are intricately connected in Israeli society; here, we really wouldn’t have our independence and be the count... Read More...

Making Aliyah: My first Passover in Israel

Hello readers! This week I’m going to take a diversion from the regular informational columns about things to know as an oleh and I’m going to talk about one of... Read More...

Making Aliyah: getting to grips with Israeli banks

The bank system in Israel is very different than the system in the United States in general. The first thing is that banks charge you for EVERYTHING. And they c... Read More...

Making Aliyah: Paying for stuff (Hora’at Keva and Tashlumim)!

Hora’at keva is the term used for payments that are deducted straight from your bank account automatically. For example, your health insurance/kupat cholim.... Read More...

Making Aliyah: First steps upon arrival in Israel

When you arrive as an oleh, the first government office you meet with is Misrad Haklita. They have an office in the airport, and when you arrive you go to them... Read More...

Making Aliyah: The Flight (part II)

This is a bit more personal than the other entries as of yet. The actual making aliyah—the flight, the ceremony, the welcome…it’s something you can’t really dep... Read More...

Making Aliyah: The Flight (part I)

Now the exciting part: The actual making aliyah… I actually wasn’t quite sure when I became Israeli—when I got on the plane? When I landed? When I got my teu... Read More...

Beginning the Aliyah Process

So continuing on with the aliyah process… There is a lot that has to be done before you actually MAKE aliyah. There are applications to fill out, forms to g... Read More...