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LETTERS

TO THE

EDITOR

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editor@mizrachi.org

Integration Challenges The Right and Wrong Ways to Encourage I would advise those who encourage Aliyah
I WAS INSPIRED by HaMizrachi’s interview Aliyah to not assume that those of us still living in
the Diaspora are just looking for excuses and
with Rabbi Larry Rothwachs (“Building a I LOVED THE article by Rabbi Elie Mischel are too comfortable. The obstacles are very
Diaspora Style Community in Israel”, Vol. about how to encourage people to make real and not to be dismissed.
6, No. 1) about his plans to make Aliyah and Aliyah without being discouraging (“The
become the Rav of Meromei Shemesh. Be’ez- Right and Wrong Ways to Encourage Aliyah”, Thank you for understanding the challenges
rat Hashem, many families will join him. of Aliyah – and for a wonderful magazine
Vol. 6, No. 1). Making Aliyah is not an easy that gives me hope every time. May Hashem
As an oleh and as someone who has been thing to do, even under the best of circum- bring us all home very soon!
working with olim for much of my life, I stances. It’s not as simple as “book your
understand that olim need a soft landing plane ticket, pack, and go.” There’s a lot of Meira E. Schneider-Atik
spot in Israel. Having a supportive commu- paperwork and other things to do before you Queens, New York, USA
nity and an easier social adjustment make book your plane ticket and pack. And many
a big difference. At the same time, however, of us are not in the best of circumstances. Teach Your Parents Well
this can create challenges. I ENJOY EACH issue of HaMizrachi, and you
The most common obstacle is money. Many
One of the main challenges of Aliyah is inte- of us are worried about how to pay the costs are doing a great job bringing important,
gration, an issue that was not mentioned in of moving and how we’ll manage once we relevant, interesting and “old” new material
the interview. As we see in existing commu- get home. Most olim do not have jobs waiting to our community. That said, I think your
nities with a mainly Anglo population, like for them when they get off the plane. Many essay, “Teach Your Parents Well” (Vol. 5, No.
Chashmonaim, Modi’in, and Efrat, young 9), about parents who discourage their chil-
olim in these communities find it difficult to of us also have debts from student loans and dren from making Aliyah after their gap year,
integrate socially with the local Israeli popu- mortgages. As one Nefesh B’Nefesh advisor missed a few important elements.
lation. This separation can lead to a lack of a told a friend of mine, “Eretz Yisrael is not a Many of us were only able to make Aliyah due
sense of belonging, behavioral issues, mental place to run away from debt.” to our parents’ financial sacrifice. We made
health challenges, and even, occasionally, Another common obstacle is health. There Aliyah not despite our parents but rather
resentment towards Israel. are those who would love to make Aliyah because of our parents. They sacrificed to pay
Many of these language barriers and cul- but who have health issues that make for many years of excellent Jewish educa-
tural barriers can only be broken down it difficult to leave, or who are caring for tion that instilled a love of Israel in us. Many
when young olim share key experiences with relatives who have health problems. And people I know have only been able to move
native Israelis, experiences that I’m afraid many people want to make Aliyah but do to Israel through their parents’ generous
the families of Meromei Shemesh won’t have not want to leave their grown children and financial support over decades of their lives.
unless a proper plan is put into place. A good grandchildren behind. Also, not every parent has the financial
ulpan is not enough.
It’s frustrating to hear people who dismiss wherewithal to fly regularly to Israel or fund
I urge World Mizrachi to address this critical these obstacles as “first world issues” and their children’s visits to America. For these
issue, alongside other organizations serving compare them to the obstacles faced by refu- families, a child’s Aliyah requires a great
olim, like Bnei Akiva, NCSY Israel and OU gees who came to Israel with only their lives sacrifice, as the parents will not have the
Israel. and the clothing on their backs. Someone opportunity to frequently see their children
Etan Zivan once said to me that she has no sympathy and grandchildren.
Founder and Director, Ruach HaNegev for people like me after meeting refugees. Aharon Ginsberg
Retamim, Israel How does that help? Beit Shemesh, Israel

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