Complaints from people living in the East because they are being woken up every night by the helicopters flying very low doing surveillance.... unfortunately they missed the attack in Maroubra last night.
There are quite a few non Jewish residents who are fed up with all this noise and nightly disturbance and blaming the Jews for it. Just because the Jews are being terrorized .... why should their sleep be disturbed?
They don't realize that the Jews are just the canary in the coalmine and the main game is to terrorize everyone. Even our government seems to overlook that fact, and it's the government itself who caused this problem in the first place, by denouncing Israel and thereby emboldening anti-semites. [See Gideon Saar Status on X]
But the real eye-opener is all the Jews, who are scared and don't understand what is happening. They know nothing about Geula, or Moshiach, or chevlei Moshiach, which is what all this is.
Nobody is telling them. I keep waiting for a Rabbi to jump into the conversations on FB and explain to them what is going on, but so far.... nothing at all. Not surprising, because they'd probably all attack him instead. Everyone is so far from the truth.
Where are the Rabbis ? The orthodox rabbis here may be talking amongst themselves and selected groups of people, but I don't see any of them publicly speaking about Moshiach. At least if they re-assured people that we are living in the End Times, and these are the birthpangs of Moshiach, and maybe some of them should be thinking about Aliyah if they are able to..... but all I'm hearing is a silence from them, and a great deal of angst from local Jews.
Everyone is beginning to really understand why their grandparents or great-grandparents changed their last names.... welcome to 1939 re-visited.
People being woken up by police helicopters.... or people awakening to the concept of Geula and Chevlei Moshiach.... so far it's just the helicopters.
An Anonymous Member just posted this to an Eastern Sydney FB group:
ReplyDelete**Posting on behalf of a friend**
In light of the recent antisemitic events in Sydney, I’ve been wondering—has anyone in our community thought more seriously about making Aliyah and moving to Israel? With the rise in antisemitism globally, we are re-evaluating where we feel safest and most at home. For those who have considered it, what are your thoughts? What are the biggest factors influencing your decision—security, identity, community, or something else? And for those who have already made Aliyah, what advice would you give to those thinking about it?
This isn’t an easy conversation, but it’s an important one. I’d love to hear different perspectives from our community.
I would tell them this....its a complicated process. Begin it now....do not wait till the last minute when you need to flee for your lives.
DeleteIf you sell your homes, or have savings or financial security, the process is easier. There is still a cultural adjustment and the language barrier. If they are thinking about making aliyah they should open a tik with nefesh b nefesh or a similar organization immediately. It takes time for them to vet and process all the documents they will need to send. They should begin learning hebrew immediately, do not wait until you get here. Don't assume because you can daven in hebrew or you've been frum your whole lives that you will learn the language in a snap. That's simply not always the case.
The next challenge is finding a way to male a living, start looking into it now during the aliyah process don't wait till you get here either. If you're a professional there's a process to getting your degrees approved. They've made it easier in recent years but it can still take time. Language a a job will be your two biggest hurdles because the truth is Israel for better or worse has become alot more westernized and if you so choose you can find enclaves of english speaking communities .
Having brought up some of the challenges, let me just say this....you will never do anything better or more worthwhile in your life then making aliyah. You will never feel safer or more at home anywhere else. And as far as I'm concerned once you have had the zchut of living in Eretz Yisroel every other place in this world no matter how beautiful, feels dead , lifeless and unlivable. When I go abroad to visit family, I cannot breathe properly until I return to Eretz Yisroel.
CSF
I would add to CSF's comment:
DeleteTry to set up some kind of remote parnasa online at least for the transition period, either related to your field or not. Israel has a very low unemployment rate. So most people, including olim are working in regular jobs.
Regarding learning Hebrew, many people are disheartened after having failed to learn a language at school, whether Hebrew, or French, Spanish etc and assume that they are inept. The truth is that school learning largely sets people up to fail, and there are much better ways. Bli neder, will write more about this. Obviously it helps to have good Hebrew, but there are people who don't, and they also earn a living.
Google English only jobs in Israel
DeleteNot everything that comes up is strictly only English, but there are stil quite a lot.
For ex, https://www.claudemasseyconsulting.org/the-best-job-opportunity-in-israel-for-english-speakers/
There's a company called Greenpoint Global, outsourcing professional services. See the website.
Contact the Israel branch, with a short summary of skills and resume, and ask if they have an opening. jobs-israel@greenpointglobal.com
See if you can start before making aliya.
Even though English is widely spoken in Israel, don't underestimate the value of your native level English in the job market.
From 5741 until 27th Adar Rishon 5752, The Rebbe spoke nonstop about Moshiach and gave each year based on the Hebrew letters a title for that year for all the 5740's connected to the Revelation of Moshiach. The Rebbe revealed the now famous Yalkut Shimoni to the world at the end of 5750 into 5751. Read B'Soros HaGeula or all the Sichos in Sefer HaSichos 5750, 5751 and 5742. 5741 started "We Want Moshiach Now".
ReplyDeleteSichos in English
DeleteThank you
DeleteYear of the Snake 2025 - You Tube Shorts
ReplyDeleteRabbi Palvanov
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/vHUuhyfj9mw
Israel is your only home, what prospectives do you need?
ReplyDeleteCSF I've felt it for a while now, I hardly go out anymore, this is not the Australia it used to be. It is not the world it used to be either. The problem is that Aliyah is impossible for many people for a myriad of reasons, all of which has been discussed before. If I could I would have made Aliyah a while ago. But I also don't believe that everyone has to, because if something is impossible then there's little you can do about it. It says that Moshiach will gather in the exiles. So that means there are still Jews who need to be gathered.
ReplyDeleteI hear you and I understand. I have family in the States in a similar position. Hashem knows what's in a person's heart and if a person truly wants to be in E"Y, but cannot for circumstances beyond their control....I'm sure Hashem will take it all into account and rescue yidden stranded in the Galut.
DeleteI think, I just don't understand all the affluent Jewish people that could easily and comfortably make aliyah and don't. I think its an ethos that pervades the galus mentality and communities, and their dubious leaders.
And its sad because people are davening about returning to E"Y 3x a day, and for the first time in a millennium thats an actual possibility should you choose to do so. I find the irony starkly mind boggling. Just think what a massive influx of frum Jews would do to change the character of the secular state!! It would be like Nachshon ben Aminadav at Kriat Yam suf, we kickstart the miracle or the geulah from down below and show Hashem we refuse to accept galus anymore.
Nevertheless Hashem should protect all of our people everywhere and safely return all of Am Yisroel back home with Moshiach Tzidkeinu, bkarov maamash.
CSF
Not just that, Devorah, but i vaguely remember being taught that people should seek to improve their living situation, rather than enter a worse one. Which is why I may as well shoot from the hip & tell it like it is. See, in my murky past, i was in a location in Israel which was totally incompatible with me. I was a round peg in a square hole, with no way out, and (emphasis) not of my making. Stuck, despite how much i tried to find a way out. That's because nobody has ever listened to my needs in a way that counts. Only superficially. The living conditions of the apt. were harsher than they'd been in the U.S. That took a toll on me physically and psychologically, due to longstanding, severe FMS.
DeleteThe moldy wall was never my choice, the layout, and outsized tasteless furniture cluttering the tiny rooms were not my choice, the tiny/plastic kitchen counters with drawers only on one side, ditto, the 1960s-era basic Israeli tiles, ditto, the crazily-designed fridge wherein items put in the doors would fall thru to the floor ditto, and much more. It boggles the mind. I was very depressed and had nowhere to turn, nobody to relate to, none of the rabbi's could help, so I skedaddled back to the U.S. where I came from. Actually, the circumstances here have been abnormal too, but at least here i've been skimming by, by the skin of my teeth.
Nowadays you read wonder-stories, such as about Henny Machlis A"H, but the REAL-LIFE reality was, that nobody ever bothered to tell me details about her or her whereabouts. This, despite that I needed someone like that to resort to at that time, just as much as the characters in her biography did. The real-life reality was also, that any info i was desperate for, it was like pulling teeth to try to get practical info from anyone at the time i needed it, rather than when it was too late. More often than not, if i'd ask for practical info, i'd be grilled in return with questions about myself. I lacked the physical stamina to handle such complications. In a nutshell - I encountered this naivete continually. In fact, I documented notes of the numerous difficult incidents i endured during my stay there, whether it was countless no-show buses, or disillusioning ulpans and merchants.
And now? I periodically read these "bleeding-heart" idealists who are comfortably ensconced in the lives of =their= choice, urging chutznikim to flee before its too late. So hear me well, all ye idealists. That's no practical solution! And it's way too late anyway, as my life has been a disaster from squat, due to obstacles within obstacles every step of the way. I refuse to endure ANY of that anymore. הגיעו המים עד נפש And so i hope against hope that i'll be granted an easy passing before events in the U.S. become as unbearable as predictions say they will.
What you write is heartbreaking. Tragically, there are always people who fall between the chairs, and it is terrible that nobody was able to help you.
DeleteSome women are beaten and battered and worse by their husbands. Does that mean that no-one should get married?
I think that we all need to be able to distinguish between a general principle or direction and our own circumstances. It very much would seem that Hashem is closing down the exile, both for Jews who have their home there, and for Israelis even to visit. How we respond to our personal challenges does not negate the global trend.
Israelis encouraging Jews to make aliya, do so out of ahavat yisrael. I agree with you that aliya should not be only for the monied and able-bodied. To my mind it is simply disgraceful that the government gave tens of billions of shekels to Arabs. Also the disgraceful Non Jewish Agency that by its own admission brings a majority of non Jews to Israel. All that money could have been used so that no Jew wishing to live in Israel is left behind.
I know that sometimes a person goes through so much, that there is no energy left to daven and even hope for a yeshua. Nonetheless, I wish you all the yeshuot bekarov memash.
Hi everyone, my name is Mike and I'm American.
ReplyDeleteIs there anyone here who can give me some basic budget of living in Israel, I have a basic income avaialable to me of approx 500 US per week but I need to pay rent out of that as I cannot afford to buy anything. Is that enough money to survive in Israel? I would also need to pay for medical things like doctors appointments and medication and all the other general things we need in life. It would be very helpful if someone could let me know. Thank you for this blog.
How many people in your family and if children what are their ages and what area of the country are you looking at? Rfael Yaakov
DeleteFor Mike,
DeleteObviously it all depends on your circumstances, needs, age, would you share with someone, etc.
You should look into any aliya benefits for rent and other expenses you might be eligible for.
I live in a small, but nice apartment with a garden, about 20 to 30 minutes from Jerusalem.
My monthly expenses
Rent is 2000nis
Arnona including water 130 nis
Elec, about 250nis average, but this is probably on the high side as I feel the cold, although I don't use aircon in the summer (most people do).
Groceries, mine are probably a bit on the high side, food allergies etc, but someone told me she spends about 500nis, including chicken and fish etc. To me that sounds low, and she is petite, eats less. Let's be generous, about 1500.
Cell phone 25 nis.
That's about 4000. You have about 7000nis. Take into account your rent might be higher. But it sounds enough.
Obviously it depends on your issues, but health care is largely free, or subsidised. Some people need to pay for medication outside the official health basket, but if I'm not mistaken that is the exception.
for renting go to a site called yad2
Deletechoose
נדל"ן
דירה להשכרה
סוג הנכס
דירה
מחיר price, choose the your max amount
חיפוש the orange button
Then you can see the kind of housing available
Every apartment appears, rooms, floor, meter
חדרים, קומה מ"ר
https://www.operationhomeagain.com/
DeleteEven if you don't use their help, it's good to be aware of the model.
Everyone's aliya is different. Some people want to jump into a completely native Israeli environment from day one, like ducks to water, others are at the other extreme, and everything in between. In any case, whatever you choose, or chooses you, you can always change course later on.
This is a list of relevant municipal contact persons with contact details for new olim in various locations throughout Israel.
Deletehttps://www.nbn.org.il/community-guide/municipal-klita-coordinators/
I would recommend making aliya to Efrat in Gush Etzion.
It's a well organised urban yishuv. Everything is set up there in English. It will make it so much easier for you.
Speak to the municipal coordinator. Choose an area in the vicinity of an English speaking community, like Tiferet Avot.
Given your circumstances, I think that it would give you a soft landing.
Spare a thought for those Jews in Galut who do know about Moshiach and Geulah to some degree or at least have seen the negative trajectory of events over the past few decades preceding Oct 7, yet are lumbered with (in some cases dependent on) very headstrong loved ones who are either paralyzed by fear (echoing that part in Yalkut Shimoni "To where shall we come and go?") and persist in having misplaced faith in failing Galut institutions protecting them (despite the open hints of indifference up to hostility towards Jews by governments) or are in a state of what can only be described as solipsistic denialism with reactive instead of pre-emptive and proactive decision-making.
ReplyDeleteThe latter based entirely on how events affect them personally via negative motivators (like health consequences to smoking, overeating or other bad habits) as opposed to other people.
Regarding obstacles, however hard they are or seem, Hashem can turn them around, including opening the hearts of uncooperative loved ones.
DeleteRav Brody says, 'sometimes there is nothing I can do, there is nothing Hashem can't do'.
If I were you I would come up with an aliya plan for all involved, to make it feel more concrete for them.
Ahem...jesterhead my obstacles should only be as difficult as yours, believe me. Furthermore, I know of people who have divorced for the very reason you mentioned, with each now living in the country of his/her choice.
DeleteWish I could answer some of your questions, but I live in America. Maybe someone else who lives in Eretz Yisroel will help with your questions. Wishing you Hatzlacha!
ReplyDeleteI would say that it's enough. Smallish apt outside of Jerusalem. Don't forget there is socialized medicine in Israel so for a small monthly payment everything (doctors, medication) is covered.
ReplyDeleteHi Mike @9:04pm. I don't live in Israel, but some of my family does. All I know is that cost of living is high. You may want to research which areas of the country have lower rent. Also, you might want to contact Nefesh B'Nefesh for all your Aliyah questions. They can give you more specifics about housing, jobs, and benefits offered to new Olim. If you're making Aliyah, then there are certain entitlements that Israel grants you to make your life easier. Best of luck.
ReplyDeleteYou might find this page helpful
ReplyDeletehttps://www.gov.il/en/pages/absorption_basket
Updated at the start of 2025.
Best to get confirmation from an official source of what is applicable to your case.
To the commenter who asked not to be published......I don't have Mike's email address, unless he sends it to me here and gives permission for it to be given to you..... that's up to Mike.
ReplyDeleteMike someone wants to get in touch with you via email, if you are willing then send me your email address and I will not publish it, but i will forward it to the Israeli man who wants to assist you.
Thank you everyone for your help and advice. This is Mike again.
ReplyDeleteI am so greatful to you all for this. To give some background I am a single man now chidlren have grown up not interested in moving to Israel but I feel the pull to go. My income is based on rationing the small amount i Have avalable. I cannot work due to illness which is complicated too explain here. I thank you all again for making me feel wellcome and in fact I am over welmed from your kindness.
I think the key is have a reasonable rent, and if possible a nice landlord. I asked my landlord for a bed and a fridge. He also threw in some chairs, a sofa, and a closet. But you can ask for anything. Most of my other furniture came from people who had things to give away. Most rentals come with airconditioning.
DeleteThere's a site https://www.zap.co.il/ where you can see price comparisons, and order goods.
Do you know any Hebrew?
Mike, I'm the American that Devorah referenced. I made Aliya in 1995 and I believe that I can give you very concrete boots on the ground advice but we'll need to talk over the phone. I'd be willing to call you so please give me your email address or phone number in however way you feel most comfortable then we can talk about a number of things about living here and not just about finances. Look forward to discussing with you. Rfael Yaakov
ReplyDelete
ReplyDeleteAmerican dollar is way higher than the Australian dollar, which has sunk to new depths thanks to our dreadful government. It is therefore harder for an Aussie to make Aliyah if they don't have enough money to survive on, and even more so if they cannot work due to age or disabilities. Aged pensioners can still receive their Australian pension if they live overseas but that would be impossible to live on once you convert it to shekels.
People think that all Jews have money..... not true at all.... and these days people can't even afford to feed their families never mind pay triple the amount for kosher meat. Every day the prices go up. Rents are insane, a cup of coffee will cost you about $5 in a coffee shop, sometimes $6.50. I'm not kidding.
As someone who spent time in Israel, I believe that the key to Aliyah is one thing.
ReplyDeleteBeing able to make a living in Israel.
Everything else can be dealt with in time.
You will learn conversational Hebrew in Ulpan and pick it up as you go along.
Cultural differences exist, but you cannot do much about the differences so you will adapt.
There are a lot of people from English speaking countries there with whom you will perhaps have a bit more in common and be able to socialise with a bit easier, but even with native born Israelis you will be surprised how you can make friends.
So you have to have some savings to get you through a year - an initial month of settling in, then full time Ulpan (language school) which is five months full, and then six months to find work.
Honestly you probably need to have enough to get you through a year, about US30 - $35,000 if you live frugally.
If you can spend six months of that in a government absorption centre or a kibbutz Ulpan scheme or a Yeshiva Ulpan scheme, do it! It will save a lot of money.
Start straight away by seeing who will hire you in Israel, and be prepared to learn a new profession or trade in your country so that you are ready to start in Israel.
Israel's economy values hard skills.
I agree that the financiancial aspect is probably key for most people. More important than learning Hebrew. Lots of people live quite happily in Israel with little or no Hebrew. Not just English speakers, French, Russian, Arabs.... As privileged native English speakers, there is always someone who'll be able to help you.
DeleteRegarding how much money you need for your first year, obviously it depends, I would add two other aspects:
First, English speakers especially, have a global job market available to them. The best is to try and set something up before making aliya. For example, a medical professional, can go into medical writing, or teaching English for medical staff. Or just something random.
Second, whilst looking for a long term position, it's worth working temporarily in a supermarket, makolet, or as an assistant to an elderly person, etc. It will do wonders for your Hebrew. People are always looking for help with the elderly, even if they have a foreign worker, they're on holiday, or they need someone for their days or hours off.