Israel is a fascinating country as it is Hashem’s country.
You can speak with two people living in Israel and hear two opposite life experiences, and they can both be correct about their situation.
How is that so? Hashem leads you in the path which you choose, He hears the way you to speak about and view Israel.
Parshas Bamidbar Chapter 14:28 Hashem says:
אמר אלהם חי אני נאם יהוה אם לא כאשר דברתם באזני כן אעשה לכם
Say to them, ‘As I live,’ says the Lord, ‘if not as you have spoken in My ears, so will I do to you.
If you views about Israel are negative, Hashem leads you to stumble upon everything that can be interpreted by you as negatives.
Of course, if you believe Hashem that Israel is ארץ זבת חלב ודבש then you will only stroll down a very positive path.
Stereotypes and myths can be very harmful to society and cultures, and just as Hashem promised, in Israel, this is the most harmful to the person who believes them.
When we first arrived in Israel, we assumed the myths we grew up with were correct. We quickly discovered that all of those are just myths spread by people who were not worthy of seeing Hashem’s blessing.
Myths:
- I need a job before moving to Israel – False
The government has a great system to help new Oilem immigrants. They will help you find a job that works for you, in your preferred neighborhood and in the field of expertise. No experience is needed. They will hook you up with a job.
Before being employed, the government will give you money to live on until you are settled in your job. For the first 6 moths or 1 year if needed, the government helps each and every new immigrant with a nice amount of money so you can get settled in this beautiful country without the need to work while doing so.
Remember: It is Hashem who provided you a job before and is the same Hashem who provides for everyone here in Israel. Furthermore, Hashem said His country is
אֶרֶץ זָבַת חָלָב וּדְבָשׁ the land of milk and honey.
In Yermiya Chapter 2 Pasuk 2 is says:
הָלֹךְ וְקָרָאתָ בְאָזְנֵי יְרוּשָׁלִַם לֵאמֹר כֹּה אָמַר יְהוָה זָכַרְתִּי לָךְ חֶסֶד נְעוּרַיִךְ אַהֲבַת כְּלוּלֹתָיִךְ לֶכְתֵּךְ אַחֲרַי בַּמִּדְבָּר בְּאֶרֶץ לֹא זְרוּעָה.
Go proclaim to Jerusalem: Thus said the LORD: I accounted to your favor the devotion of your youth, Your love as a bride— How you followed Me in the wilderness, In a land not sown.
Hashem promises that he will remember the chesed that we the Jewish nation has done for Him when we followed him in the desert in a place where there was nothing.
This is how we need to follow Hashem to Israel, put all your trust in Him and follow Him. Hashem commanded us to live in Israel, and He provides for us. Hashem called this act a chessed on our part and He promised to remember our trust in Him and He rewards us accordingly.
The first year to year and a half may be a bit more of a challenge while navigating this great new country as Hashem is testing you, once you prove your Emunah and loyalty (without the constant thought of “moving back”) you will reap the benefits.
You also may still believe somewhat in the myths you were fed while still outside Israel.
- Children finish school at 1:30 – False
School and Cheder for all ages end about 3:30 or 4:00 PM (longer for older boys).
The morning classes end at 1:30 pm and then the children have lunch followed by afternoon classes.
We assumed class officially ends at 1:30 PM since we heard from so many Anglos that they have to serve supper during the day as their children finish early.
How wrong we were, and we suffered as a result of believing this falsehood.
After morning classes, parents have the choice to either their kids home or as most parents do, allow them to stay for the rest of the day to eat a hot lunch at school, more classes and extracurricular activities such as leaning to play guitar, painting, exercise and the like as well as do their homework supervised by their teacher, leaving no homework left for children at home! (except for first grade which may have some extra work to ensure their great reading skills.)
When our son first started cheder, since we were so ingrained in this myth of school finishing early in Israel, we picked him up at 1:30 pm. We saw that most of his classmates are staying in cheder, but we assumed that this is kind of a babysitting service for their mothers’ who are all working.
On an occasion, when we were running late, we called the Cheder to ask if our son can stay a few extra minutes until we arrived. When we got to the Cheder, our son was so happy with the privilege to stay and eat with all of his friends.
Still, we did not leave him there, thinking that if we leave him until 4:00 pm, he will feel abandoned and/or resentful.
Almost every day, I took him to the park where I met other English-speaking moms from different countries, apparently they were indoctrinated with the same lie as we were.
When it came to our daughter, we thankfully knew better. I met an English-speaking mother of a large family who chose to take them all home early so she can serve dinner to her entire family together.
In Israel, the main meal is served mid-day. This is a very healthy way of eating as it give you the energy to continue on the day and the heavy food has time to digest with the exercise you are doing throughout the day rather than going to sleep with the heavy food sitting in your tummy.
This mother explained that one of her daughters are begging her to be allowed to stay for the afternoon programs as she is missing out on all the fun, but the mother refused.
I often saw this woman’s older children taking care of the younger ones in the park or she tried to invite someone, who was also not in school at these normal school hours, to come to their home as a play date for her children.
After witnessing this we decided to try the afternoon program which is just 100 shekel (about $25) for a hot, healthy and filling supper, and our daughter loves it.
Benefits of full day school:
Our daughter learned Hebrew very quickly.
She made lots of friends. Instead of hanging out in the park or with one playmate she gets fun, structured activities, and outdoor playtime with their many friends and experienced teachers.
She tried many new foods, including a plentiful variety of chicken, fish, fruits and vegetables, and she likes these, and it was easy for her to try new foods as she saw everyone else eating.
Furthermore, she comes home happy and satisfied from the great meal she had in school. After those dinners in school/Cheder, children only need something light such a sandwich in the evening.
We found these full day classes to be a win, win situation for parents and children alike.
- I need to learn to speak Hebrew – False
You will be just fine if you speak English only. The Jewish nation here in Israel is extremely welcoming to any Jew who Comes Home.
I was always fascinated that the citizens of Israel never complain that people from all over the world are coming in here and bring their flavors, language and cultures instead of just accepting the local way.
Growing up in America we heard the media and others demanding that foreigners learn English. Even when getting citizenship, newcomers to America are required to learn English and American history very well. This is not the case here in Israel. You can be a citizen of Israel (or even worse live here on a student visa all your life) without knowing the language, culture or history, מי כעמך ישראל!
The amazing Israeli school system has English as part of their curriculum. Most men and women have at least a basic understanding of English. Despite the fact as you know, English is a combination of words taken from different languages and cultures, with no strong structure.
Every doctor, nurse and their secretaries in Israel must know English. The medical computer systems are mostly in English.
Every office, including government offices and the like, have people who speak English very well. Start your conversation in English, and they will usually respond the same.
(In case you come across someone who has not used his/her English in a long time, or maybe they cannot understand your accent, just ask politely if they can get you someone who speaks English, and they will (unless you give them an attitude of I am an American and I deserve better, then Hashem will not send you any success. See our how to be successful when moving to Israel guide.)
- Milk comes in bags, bottled milk is not available, or too expensive – False
You can almost determine someone’s successes in Israel by looking to see if they are a “bag milk or bottle milk immigrant.”
Bag milk is an old fashion thing and a thing of the past. Very few Israelis buy them. Those Israelis who do buy the bag it is because this is what they are used from since childhood and it’s a comfort thing for them.
However, if you visit these people, you will see many of them keep the bag of milk in a cool sophisticated spill proof bottle holder with a cover and cutter for opening the bag.
I was always surprised to see English-speaking women with shopping carts filled with canned food and nosh alongside bags of milk instead of the standard bottled milk.
We decided to ask some mothers why they buy milk in bags and the replies of all English-speaking women were truly shocking they believed the myth that bottle milk was expensive or does not exist. Some of them admitted that they never check the price difference, one woman said she checked the price only 20 years earlier when she moved to Israel.
Sadly, others just did not do the math correctly. They simply checked the price without checking the quantity of milk in each bag versus bottle.
They checked the price for a bag milk which is around 4.90 shekel ($1.50) each and the bottle milk which contains double the amount of the bag is priced at about 9.90 shekel ($3.00). Staple foods such as milk and bread are regulated in Israel and prices cannot be hiked up.
There is absolutely NO reason for an immigrant to buy bags of milk. It is NOT an “Israel thing” either. Please open your eyes and check the shelves in your local supermarket (not a makolet/corner grocery stores) and you will see a very large variety of all types of milk and creamers.
- Buy cars and a home instead of renting or leasing
Cars: There are many options for leasing cars. New or used cars as well as trade-in-options. Do a Google search for a new or used car dealership near you.
Many Israelis (including Charadim) can afford and drive luxury cars such as Audi, Lexus, BMW Mercedes, sports cars and the like. When walking the streets of Israel look at the cars, and you will be amazed how many luxury cars are on the roads.
Homes: It is a great merit to own a piece of property in Israel However, don’t rush into it.
Many people when making Aliyah feel they must buy a home immediately “as everyone in Israel owns their home”.
Give yourself time and try different neighborhoods before making your decision on where you want to settle.
There are many great and very low price options for renting apartments. Check out the Yad2 website for the best deals.
Don’t take a vacation rental for long term. The costs are very high as they are meant for short term rentals only. (kollel couples who consider themselves in Israel are known to take these vacation rentals).
Try to stay away from the “English-speaking bubble neighborhoods” as these places are usually for those living in Israel for just a few years and are being supported by parents, and rent in these neighborhoods are irrationally high. When someone does not pay their own expenses they tend not to look at the price and landlords (many of whom are from oversees and bought the apartment as an investment) take advantage of this.
It is true that most children who grew up in Israel and truly feel that Israel is their home (not calling another county “home”) merit to own their own home.
From our research we found that a person who moves to Israel and truly makes Israel their home (not going “back home” to another country for most holidays), merit great Divine providence in buying a home after living here for about 10 to 12 years.
- Paper goods are expensive or not available – False
Israel is the fastest growing country and is very advanced. In Israel, there is an entire industry in its own as so many paper good stores that specialize in high quality, חד פעמי “one-time” use items are all over. These stores carry every type of high-end paper good item including all sizes of aluminum baking pans, aluminum foil, napkins in every style and color, tissues, hard and soft plastic cups, foam cups, paper cups all the above are in all shapes and sizes you name it they have it in every size and color and for low prices.
Of course, you will find all of these items in supermarkets for very low prices as well, but for the greatest selection and variety you can visit your local חד פעמי store.
- My favorite foods are not sold here – False
If you did not yet find your favorite food and the same taste then you just did not look around enough or you may not know the name or packaging style.
Remember: we live in a global world and companies are always looking to increase their profit margin. Any good Kosher food that makes money in one country is either shipped to Israel or a partnership with an Israeli food company is made to produce their food here where there are 9 million customers to buy the item.
In addition, Israelis travel around the world and they also like great food. Chefs and companies travel the world and bring back the great tasting foods from all over. Nothing is lacking here.
As it says in the Torah ארץ אשר לא במסכנת תאכל בה לחם לא תחסר כל בה
Yes, Israel has everything and for low prices, just to name a few:
Bottled milk
Real orange juice, not just petel (kool-aid)
Hot dogs, salami, burgers, steakes and sandwiches, every cut of meat and chicken
When we first moved here, supermarket employees were very helpful in leading us to the exact product we were looking for.
There is a very large selection of freshly cut cheese at most supermarkets. We asked the employee behind the cheese counter at Ramil Levy if they have American cheese. He said yes, and he cut 2 slices for us to taste it and see for ourselves.
Once we knew the name of the specific cheese, we found it easily amongst the large variety of cheese on the shelves all over as well.
Meats are imported to Israel from the exact same place as is in America. My husband was a substitute moshigach for a butcher shop in America and found the boxes here to be from the exact same company in Uruguay, South America. These meats taste the exact same all over the world, it all depends on how you handle and cook it.
Burgers and salami: Before we moved to Israel we were told by an American (who lived in Israel and had business in America going back and forth between the two) to “forget about a good burger sandwich.”
A few weeks after we moved here, this man and his family decided to move back to America and needed help packing their lift. W went to assist them.
When we went into their kitchen, the woman had hot dogs on her counter. I asked where she bought it. She laughed and said that her husband brings them in his suitcase on his trips back from America.
We were dumbfounded as every supermarket (maybe not all makolets) have the largest selection of all types of hot dogs we have ever seen.
When we were done assisting them, the husband who had been driving a rented mini-van (not a good choice as it’s meant for short terms and priced accordingly) for the duration of their stay in Israel, offered to take us home.
On the way home, as a token of appreciation, he stopped at an eatery, which he said has great sandwiches. When he handed us the menu our jaws dropped. The place was a burger joint with all kinds of burgers and hot dog sandwich. How shocking, how is it possible that a man who knows of a place that sells delicious burgers, steaks and hot dog sandwiches, was the same person who told us there are no burgers or hot dogs in Israel.
The answer is: that this is how Hashem runs His country. If one believes falsehoods about Israel they will be blind to what is right in front of them.
The facts and their reality are not the same for them, either because they believe myths or because they speak negatively about the county, like the maraglim, leading them to see that which is good for the rest of us as bad for them.
Cookouts is a very popular pastime in Israel. Extended family gather in parks with tables and chairs, music and grills, which are filled with the best cuts of meats, steaks, burgers and hot dogs, nothing is missing here.
- Air condition, steams, washers and dryers are expensive to run or not available -False
When people moved to Israel after the World War, not everyone put steam or air condition into their home, as they were not used to this luxury in Europe and/or because the weathers are so pleasant year round that it was not needed.
Nowadays, everyone wants the most comfort and Israelis do not settle for less. Israelis will not rent an apartment which does not have steam and air condition.
We looked at many apartments in different neighborhoods and we found that apartments lacking these amenities are empty for many months until an American or European comes along and rents it as they believe the false stereotype that Israelis don’t have air condition, steam or dryer.
These above-mentioned are the same people will then complain that Israeli homes are made of stone and are very cold in the winter and very hot in the summer. If these people would live in their “home” country without steam they could freeze to death, while here they just bundle up and can easily make it through the winter). Or without air condition they could die of heat exhaustion, while here they can open their windows in the morning and nights to allow the cool air to enter and keep the apartment nice and cozy.
Steam and air condition units are available for low prices, and by law every, unit has to be grade A energy efficient and very cost-effective. No sane person lives without steam or air condition in Israel today.
Every household has a washing machine and dryer. If you see laundry hanging outside it is likely a Yerushalimi woman who is used to doing it this way since childhood, and it is more comfortable doing this way out of habit or due to the popular belief that dryers ruin the clothing or it is an American who thinks that dryers are not available or too expensive both of which are not the case.
- You eat chicken just one a week for Shabbos- False
Chicken and meat with the best hecsher are very affordable in the large supermarket’s fresh meat departments.
An American friend came to visit us and asked if we also eat chicken only on Shabbos like his sister does. Of course not! We eat full healthy meals and snacks every day including meat, chicken, fish, nuts, fruits and vegetables. Aall foods are at much lower cost than in America.
Turns out the man’s sister lives in the more expensive “American bubble neighborhood” in Jerusalem and her “American priced” apartment “eats up” all her income.
Do as Israelis do, know your prices by shopping around.
Try this: go to several supermarkets and buy the same few items which you use most often and compare prices. Just because your friends find products they often use cheap at one supermarket it does not mean it will be the same for the product you need.
Be a smart shopper, buy the best products for the lowest price by shopping around and comparing prices.
Speak to the person behind the counter, ask them about prices for different cuts of meat and chicken.
When we first moved to Israel we asked if they have chicken tops. We like that part, and we can also remove the bones to make chicken cutlets. To our great surprise, since most people buy the bottoms, they had an excess of tops and they were happy to give it away at a very low price. It was a win, win for everyone.
Make sure to shop around and check prices. Be aware: There are a number of so called “gemachim” targeting kollel couples that sell chicken and meat in bulk, most of the time their price are not cheap at all. Take their price list to your local supermarket (not makolet) and compare prices.
I heard from a woman who bought a large freezer just so she can order in bulk, and she had to borrow money to pay for the large amount of chicken and meat in advance. When I asked her if she knew how much she was saving, sadly, she had no idea. She handed me the price list and I was shocked to see the prices were almost the same as that in the supermarket.
She spent money on an extra freezer, this, and the electricity to run the freezer, takes off from the savings in addition to the money she needs to borrow and not know how much food is really needed, makes this a loss not a saving.
