I’ve interviewed former aliyah shaliachs who expressed remorse about their former jobs. They relate that giving misleading information is common.
Israel and Aliyah: What You May Not Know
By Eyal Fahima
First of all I’d like to express that I support the state of Israel and am religious (Sefardi). It is thisthat drives me to explain these things to olim chadashim (new immigrants) and those considering making Aliyah. I do not subscribe to the view that ignorance is bliss in this case. I think the truth should be told upfront and honestly since this will be a better guarantee of successful klitah (integration; absorption). Otherwise, people end up frustrated, upset, and disparaged. This article is a result of several years of research. Due to pressure by those I’ve interviewed and media outlets, I have been “encouraged” to remain anonymous and keep my sources confidential if I feel I must print this; I’ve been told much to my dismay for propaganda, “we know this is true, but we cannot print it.”
The first thing is that it must be made clear that the government and private organizations have a vested interest in getting Jews to Israel. Sometimes their goals are similar, but often they have divergences. This should be clear from the benefits they give and promise. Even Taglit (Birthright) trips aren’t just a form of philanthropy, they are designed to bring in tourism dollars and encourage support for Israel. The results are what matters to these institutions; this is more of a concern allowing them to justify their actions in an effort to make these goals reality. The problem is we are talking about people, not goals which is dehumanizing. That is not to say that they are malicious, rather they are doing what they think is morally right in a perhaps misguided manner.
I’ve interviewed former shaliachs (emissaries) for the Jewish Agency for Israel (JAFI) who candidly expressed remorse about their former jobs. They relate it is not official policy per se, but to give misleading or to withhold information is common. One justification was that it’s an essential ingredient for them to endure hardships like other Israelis have. In other words, they know what Israel and the bureaucracy is like, and they feel they are doing you (and Israel) a favor to see how tough you really are. If you’re not and you go back, then “we never really wanted you either.” They often tell people their plans are good, even when knowing they are not or that their views about life in Israel are wrong: this seems to be what most former shaliachs regret doing.
Social hazing is not unique: every group has their version of it. The group wants you to be more like them. That is after all the whole philosophy of the klitah process here: to become more like a cultural Israeli. For those who continue for instance say, to act nice and polite, they are thought of as “freirim” (suckers) that people will try to take advantage of and view with cynicism. The idea is you’re nice to those you know otherwise they believe you to be fake. Relating problems is seen as weakness. However, complaints about others and cynicism are ways more Israelis relate to each other (a different form of “co-miseration”).
JAFI and Nefesh B’Nefesh (NBN) will make claims to you about what you can receive. If it’s not in writing, tend to not believe it. You can always ask for it in writing, especially from a government source. Don’t accept excuses and it may behoove you not to feel pressured into making a choice before you know all the facts. Israeli salespeople also use these tactics to get you to buy before you know everything. The general idea is to make you feel welcomed, to trust them and then when you ask questions to make you subtly feel dumb & impolite for asking and for them to appear almost insulted that you would question their integrity. You can, like other Israelis, engage in shouting matches showing who is dominant or find your own way to remain resolute, but sincere. Just be forewarned, they might admit there is no guarantee, but then proceed to pressure you.
Most Israelis will readily admit that JAFI and NBN are difficult to work with, made false promises, and showed little to no concern for them once they actually arrived. However, there is a strong social stigma to refrain from discussing this in front of non-Israelis (Jew or no). Rather, even most people who’ve had a difficult klitah might be the first to ask you on your vacation here, “so…when are you making aliyah?” This is a normal question that many run into. As such, sometimes it’s hard to get reliable information as many will not discuss anything that can dissuade a potential oleh.
What are some of the difficulties with JAFI and NBN? For instance, both agencies might tell you that they will help you with a contract if you don’t read Hebrew. What they didn’t tell you was how. While some may get very lucky to find someone to help, most will tell you a professional needs advise you and refer you to a lawyer friend of theirs. The lawyer will charge you a moderate sum (e.g., rental contract: 1-2 months of rent) to translate the document and may also represent you in the contract negotiation. If however you decide to go that route, the owner of the property will assume you have ample money which can cause additional difficulties and legal costs (as an aside, according to Israeli imagination all Americans are rich). Whatever promises they give you, ask questions and look for it in writing. Otherwise, consider it a possibility. Also you’ll find it difficult to reach either by phone or JAFI even in person. The same goes for government agencies. You might find that the employees are rude or argumentative; this is even the case with customer service for private businesses here, although many are shifting to better appeal to Americans and Europeans.
NBN undoubtedly does have activities for olim chadashim more so than JAFI. As such many veteran olim feel jealous of new olim who come through NBN because the assumption is that they were pampered and had their hand held (even if they too had assistance from them years ago before they took over North American aliyah for JAFI). The activities for the most part are singles breeding grounds. Young people (20s-40s) are primarily there to meet other members of the opposite sex. Woe to the person who is just looking for friends. If you’re into the fake, sad, and artificial atmosphere of trying to make a relationship happen out of thin air, then you’ll love it.
Many times it’s said that the health system is better here (like right-wing extremist Zionists like “Israel National News”). If you do happen to do your research well enough you will learn its not necessarily true (even if you think Google is a reliable research tool, if you scroll past the first few pages of propaganda then you find the other side of the story). Waiting lists exist for disabled housing and if you choose not to take whatever town it is in, you must wait even longer. Organizations exist here simply because many disabled or chronically ill people are not cared for enough and have an extremely difficult financial situation, even more so some non-profits say than the US (even though the US health care system is undoubtedly flawed). However, medical tourism currently underutilized, can provide better care than the US or Europe for a smaller sum. Also, single mothers do tend to have better benefits as you will hear. This is a welfare state, but it just may not offer what you think it might or would. Finances are the biggest reason why people leave and go back, so plan diligently and don’t expect support. For small businesses one can get loans fairly easily (the process may be long), but they are not always lucrative and fail more often than not.
Most know about the housing situation: smaller, not as modern and clean, and landlords take advantage of immigrants and tourists. It is not enough to know it that one can avoid it. If you speak Hebrew well, then you can tend to avoid this if you are also resolute. If however you speak English looking in English ads, then time and again an agent or owner will misrepresent their property, trying to change prices, or pull one over. The worst thing is that it is most religious looking and speaking people that “contrive deceit with their right hands.” They can obviously be very ritually observant and/or active/prominent in the community, but do not put it past them to lie, mistranslate documents to your face, or worse. Remember, many are looking for freirim (suckers) and have admitted to me that doing so is a mitzvah - the chutzpah and chillul HaShem! They act nice and pious extending their right hand to you, but really are trying to get you to trust them so they can take you for a fool. The sad thing is, sometimes this doesn’t become obvious for some months as many olim chadashim and religious Israelis can live with rose colored glasses. Housing is difficult to find and when you need housing fast (and it goes fast!) then you might find yourself weighing options between the lesser of two evils. This is why it is very important you have friends and family here who will help you and who speak Hebrew. You need good ones who have time, desire, and the ability to help (“protexia”). “Do it on your own” later after you speak Hebrew.
If you haven’t yet realized, taking a long term trip especially to make the preparations for housing, is a very wise. However, NBN is making a pointed effort to attract the economically challenged who may not be able to afford a “fact-finding” preparatory trip, but have spent some time in Israel. The assumption is, if it’s a one way trip because of financial reasons, then they know you can’t return even if you want to so they’ve succeeded in their goal of increasing aliyah with olim here for 3 or more years. A good plurality of recent olim report they have had financial difficulties before making Aliyah, that they’ve spent little time here, and “would rather struggle financially in Israel” than in the country they’re from. NBN is also very consistent in their affirmations and praise; many olim chadashim report almost the same phrases given to them, “you’re one of the best/most prepared candidates I’ve seen!”
JAFI and NBN are struggling for power at the moment. Each agency is chock full of criticisms for the other. They often squabble about statistics and trends; JAFI claims quite convincingly that NBN is inflating their numbers. JAFI is facing many internal issues and is considering becoming a private organization. NBN is also targeting Jews who feel scared by anti-Semitism and targets religious and politically right-wing Jews. Many olim chadashim relate that they have felt rising anti-Semitism. In fact, many of the activities NBN organizes attract these people and these tend to be the dominant discussions. That is not to say that NBN staff are present and encouraging this; it is to say that the olim chadashim themselves are the ones who engage in this dialogue on their own accord. JAFI activities tend to attract the more secular and left-wing crowd, although the left-wing crowd in Israel is losing ground or “in hiding” as several I have interviewed feel intimidated by the right-wing politics that have increased dramatically, especially amongst the dati-leumi community, but even amongst the more progressive religious Jews. Threats and even physical violence have occurred to leftist Jews by right-wing Jews, even on Shabbat.
Making friends and having a social network is probably the most daunting and scary task one faces. It’s common to hear that “Israel is very friendly” and “you’ll never be alone” yet some Israelis say they are very lonely and many also report a decrease in friendliness (it is rarer to be greeted these days than in years past, even “shalom” or “Shabbat shalom” on the streets; more and more people keep to themselves). If you are outgoing people will talk with you in the bus, in the shuk, anywhere. Establishing a friendship with that person though might not be immediate. There is a broad spectrum of people even within groups and sub-groups. Some people are open, warm, friendly people. Others are guarded, angry, and impulsive who might not like that you are “American” and this is true of all types, from the hiloni (secular) to Hareidi (ultra-Orthodox). Whatever look you give off though people will typically be very responsive from that group.
Many Israelis do not understand American and European sentiments towards animals. Most have never had pets and they don’t know why we feel so strongly to care for them. Walking a dog you might see reactions like a Hareidi child crying and cowering out of fear or a secular Israeli spit at you, warily eyeing the dog. Certain neighborhoods will not permit you to live there if you have pets and some neighborhoods (Chassidim or Hareidim) will not allow you walking through with an animal. Similarly, there are poor cleanliness standards, such as excessive littering and public urination. Many Israelis feel the best way to make you “a real” Israeli is to be aggressive and force you to accept their customs and change your ideology; I find it’s rewarding making friends with animal lovers and environmentalists here.
While rabbis are abundant here, many are more interested in making names and money for themselves rather than serving a community (few are “pulpit rabbis”). Unless you are Hareidi or Chassidic, you might find trouble getting a rabbi to inspect your mezuzah, help you kasher your kitchen, and do the other tasks that their American counterparts are more willing to do. Most synagogues only have services on Shabbat and yom tov, so plan accordingly. If you are dati, there is a saying: “either you will become hiloni or hareidi.” Chumrot and debates over halakha are exceedingly common. Sephardim very greatly, yet many are more Masorti in practice, but believe Orthodoxy is the sole legitimate form and find squabbles over halakha tedious.
Tapping into the right community and making friends comes down to seeing how you fit in with their practices. Their ideology may be similar to yours, but look at what they do. You might have someone look down on you for dressing differently or subtly tell you, “this [other] form of dress is more kadosh (holy).” Trivialities are normal causes for arguments here. There are good people and tight-knit communities of all streams and persuasions (and vice versa); it takes time to get to know where you fit in. Magical and superstitious thinking are common here, so don’t get sucked into the traps that others try to persuade you with or their explanations for why things happen(ed) or the frenzy over moshiach. Listen to yourself and keep a critical mind.
The bottom line: do your own research and come here for fact-finding first. It’s important to talk to diverse people and get diverse views. Hopefully this article does some of that for you. Question what you hear and what people tell you; find out where their interests are. For example, Aish will not admit it, but is Hareidi. NBN is Chassidic, even though most front-line staff are not. JAFI is staffed primarily by the old-guard secular left-wing, but are struggling with the moderates and right-wingers for who will control it now. No group is hegemonic. While Taglit activities are often left-wing, they do have right-wing trip organizers and even the notorious PR firm 5WPR. Please, don’t let your Zionist dreams tint your glasses to a rosy shade. Yes, there are incredible opportunities here and we definitely need support, but do so realistically – it will increase your chances of successful klitah and thus better help Israel too.