Earl Shugerman, will bring every week a serie of stories about Anglo-Saxon immigrants to Israel. This project is aimed to promote a more realistic view of life in Israel. The following story relates to an American immigrant named Jordan.
My name is Jordan. I came to Israel four years ago from Miami after receiving a degree in mechanical engineering from The University of Florida. My family is reformed and not particularly Zionist.
My original intention was to study Hebrew for six months at a Kibbutz ulpan near Haifa. I was out of the plane for about five minutes and I was already in love with the country. It was love at first sight and I am glad to say that I still feel the same passion. I came here for the experience and now proudly serve in The Israeli Defense Forces in combat engineering. I still can’t quite explain why I love this country so much. Perhaps there is no single reason or reasons.
My first year in the country was spent at the kibbutz studying Hebrew four hours a day and working in the kibbutz factory four hours a day to pay my way. Kibbutz life was interesting but not for me.
The Kibbutz is a community where members equally own all property. Individuals live on the settlements and usually work at them as well. Most kibbutzim are involved in either agriculture, light manufacturing or both. Residents live in nice homes with kitchens; but can also eat at community dining halls. City life is still my choice.
I left the kibbutz and applied for Aliyah with the assistance of Nefesh B’Nefesh. Nefesh is an organization that promotes Aliyah from English speaking countries. They helped me to navigate the paper work and advise me of both my rights and responsibilities including compulsory military service. Visiting mom and dad was very difficult. They respected my decision, but like most parents worried about my new life in Israel, especially the war.
Today they are so happy and proud of my decision that they are planning Aliyah! My dad is about to retire and the folks visited Zichron Yaakov as a possible home. It is just right for us; they both exclaimed! It was love at first sight for them as well.
I am now in my last few months of military duty and rent an apartment in Haifa. Two buddies and I found a beautiful place in the Horev area of Haifa with a view that is incredible. We can see the ocean and much of Haifa through our large picture windows. All three of us are new citizens and choose to live in Haifa for the same reasons.
Haifa is a beautiful city of hills and beaches that offers city life advantages but without the tension that we felt in other urban areas. Haifa is also a very peaceful and pluralistic community where people just enjoy life. Jews, Christians, Muslims and others live together in peace. During the army I was stationed in both the West Bank and Gaza. My impression is that most Arabs and most people just want to live peaceful lives and enjoy this wonderful part of the world.
Upon completing the military I intend to continue my education at The Technion. Haifa’s Technion is a world famous technical school that offers both undergraduate and graduate degrees, primarily in the sciences.
I hope that those individuals reading this article will consider Aliyah and come to live in this incredible nation and this wonderful city!
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