Never Settle For Less

A couple weeks back, I was told by an agency designed to help new Olim Hadashim (new immigrants to Israel) to lower all my expectations while pursuing my job search here in the eretz (Israel). This message was discouraging, and put a damper on my positive energy about making the big change. I came here to the holy land with a Bachelor's degree in Psychology, and a solid base in written Arabic.  I spent the past 5 months pouring my heart and soul into mastering the Arabic language, specifically the Palestinian dialect. To be told to lower my expectations, regardless of my qualifications, didn't seem just.  For a while, I actually did lower my expectations and standards. But after talking to some friends and family, I regained inspiration and rethought my attitude. Moving to a new country, on my own, starting fresh, has giving me the motivation not to give up, and to reach my highest potential. As my Bubby (Yiddish for grandmother) always told me: You live once, do what you love, and don't depend on anybody. I know she'd be proud of me for working towards my aspirations.

Yesterday while grabbing dinner to-go, I came across a guy, about my age, who made Aliyah three years ago. He warned me how hard it is to live here, both financially, and mentally. I constantly receive the same message: Israel is such a great place to live, but is extremely difficult and challenging. I did not come here for an easy life. Anyone who knows me knows I don't just take the easy way out. I challenge myself constantly.

I moved to the big city (Tel Aviv) on Friday. My last week of IAS (Intensive Arabic Semester) was a series of random events, as usual. We went on a field trip to Tziporri, and Tzvat (one of the four holy cities in Israel). On Thursday, we visited two art Museums, one in the Arab city of Um-Alfhm. Naturally we started the day at a Hummus place for breakfast. We said bye to our host families in Baqa, where of course I ate massive amounts of food.

Onion and toasted almond bread

Coconut cake and fruit

This bye wasn't a real one, since we are still planning on meeting up at least once a month! They invited me to come celebrate/observe Ramadan later in the summer. Not just my host sister, but her cousins, and grandparents. (During Ramadan, those observing do not eat/drink during the day, but wake up at about 3 AM for a large meal. Most people actually gain wait during Ramadan. This is also a time for those to apologize to their friends, and let go of any grudges).

I just saw this ad for IAS on Givat Haviva's webpage :).  (Highly suggest the program).

Since the move to Tel Aviv, I have managed to keep super busy! In less than 24 hours I spent time with friends from Palo Alto, DC (SO to Milad),  Montreal, and Israel. Pretty incredible, eh? (Or as South Africans apparently say, Heh?)

So you might be wondering my future plans. Now what? Great.. question.
My parents are coming to visit Friday. It's been 6 months since I've seen them.
After that, I am hoping to have completed the Aliyah, where I will be able to legally work. Hallelujah.
For now, trying to stay cool. Local weather... 90s. all day, everyday.


P.O.F.N.


J

"We don't have the right to dream it"

Wow. Today was a long day! As usual.. I did not sleep well last night. I'm turning into an insomniac (Thanks mom, I blame that one on you). I woke up with chocolate smeared on my face; apparently I lethargically crave sweets. Okay let's be real, I always crave sweets. But walla himmkum (don't worry pl. - arabic), I have been swimming lots since the pool opened!

We started the day by having class by the pool (rough life, I know). A classmate told us the story why her host mom, a teacher at a local Arab High School, does not wear a hijab (head covering). She explained how she wanted to, and even tried it for a couple weeks against her husband's will. Contrary to the stereotype, it was her husband who explained to her how much he hates the idea of a hijab- how in his mind, it's sexist, ugly, and unnecessary. Because this head covering was now causing her martial problems, she decided to stop wearing it. When she told the principal of the school that she was going to stop wearing it, the principal told her she couldn't. This action would send a controversial, confusing messaged to the students. It would be okay if she chose not to wear it all, or wear it all the time, but nothing in between. The next school semester, the principal let her go without the hijab. But deep down, she still wants to wear it. Below is something to think about. (Of course this can apply to other religions too, like Jewish orthodoxy).

When I went to Baqa today, I was very much effected by what my host family was telling me. 

My host sister's cousin asked me why I am moving to Israel, and if I like it better than the States. I told her (without thinking about it), I love Israel because I don't feel like a minority here. It's the only place in the world I am part of a majority, and feel truly at home. After I said that, I felt almost guilty. Here I am, an American-Canadian, who can become a citizen of this country because I am at least 1/8 Jewish (the same fraction of Jewish descent that Hitler used to kill Jews in Nazi Germany) and be treated as an equal here. Yes of course I will be treated slightly differently, at least at the beginning, but most likely not in a negative way. I was sitting across a table from 3 Palestinians who have lived here for generations and are treated as second-class citizens. When I asked one my host sisters if she ever dreamed of a state with full equality she responded,"We don't have the right to dream, because it's never gonna happen." My heart sank. She continued on telling me how she went recruiting agency to help her find a job. The recruiter was Arab, but told her that if she wanted to find a job in Israel, in a mall as she desired, she would need to stop wearing her "jilbab" (long conservative jacket). She said the hijab was okay, but no one would hire her with a full Muslim outfit. She got so discouraged, she gave up the job search right away. 

Another girl at the table (one of their cousins) further continued on how the Palestinians are a minority everywhere. They are a minority in Israel, but also in the W. Bank, and in other Arab countries. In the W. Bank, where the Palestinians there do not have Israeli citizenship, they look at the Israeli-Arabs differently. I was shocked when the cousin told me Arabs there will even speak to them in Hebrew, even while wearing their head coverings. 

I completely empathize with them, I first-hand know what it feels like to be a minority in a larger society. At the same time, I do consider myself a Zionist. I believe in a Jewish homeland. So what needs to be done to address this idea of second-class treatment? Is it okay? 

After this full politically charged conversation, they still invited me to their cousin's wedding on Saturday :).. and I can't wait!!  

P.O.F.N. (peace out for now) 

J 

Under Pressure

Only two weeks left on my program, which I know will fly by. 

It's been a year since I graduated from UW-Madison, and began my internship with the Madison Police Department. (Still can't believe I spent three months of my life raiding bars, going on drug busts, and riding in a cop car down State Street). If you asked me a year ago where I think I'd be today, I'd say looking for jobs in Washington DC. If someone were to tell me I'd be making Aliyah and establishing myself in Israel, I'd think he/she was crazy. These past several weeks have been incredibly stressful for me. It was/is hard to concentrate fully on my classes knowing that at the end of the program I will be homeless, and unemployed. Thankfully I found an awesome apartment in the center of Tel Aviv for the summer, and cannot wait to move in!

The job search has been ... no words. It's unbelievable how different the job market functions here. I've applied to a couple jobs already, and all have told me I'm applying way too early. They tell me to resend my CV 2 weeks max before I'll be able to begin working. It's hard for me not to have a secure plan for the next couple months, but life is much more in the moment here. 

Another stressor has been the fact that I've been studying (spoken) Arabic for the past 5 months (past 5 years if you include written Arabic), instead of Hebrew. I live in Israel, and speak at a basic level. Thankfully, I find Hebrew much easier to learn than Arabic. I have already picked up a lot considering I only had 2 weeks of formal instruction, which took place over two years ago.

Although I may sound like a complete stressball, I'm surprisingly calm :). Thankfully the pool opened on the Kibbutz, and it is phenoms (Definitely the hidden gem of Barkai). I have made the most amazing friends since I've been here, and am ecstatic that 4/7 people on my program are staying for at least the next couple months. 

I also have a lot to look forward to in the next couple weeks; I have several good friends coming to visit, and my parents just booked their trip to come see me. It's weird knowing that I won't be going back to FL before I "start my life" here. I'm at the point where I don't know what to call home anymore. I was born in Canada, but lived in California until HS, but now my family lives in FL. 

It's crazy to think that in less than three weeks I will be living in TEL AVIV. I guess I won't be taking daily walks by cows, tractors, and haystacks.

I am so thankful for the experiences I've had, and incredible people I've met these past several months. What's ahead... I guess ..נראה

J