(Courtesy of Olim Paveway) Adjusting to Israeli living is different for everyone. But some steps are universal. Follow them to help make your Israel journey much smoother … and enjoyable.
- First Things First, Get a Sherpa.
As we said last week, make sure you have a sherpa or ‘rebbe’ to help you find and set up a home base which is so essential in your klitah process. Enlist help from seasoned olim with a positive attitude who’ve been through the process and can guide you through the maze of logistics. They can help you prioritize and keep your spirits up. You can arrange for a really good sherpa through our Paveway site (www.olimpaveway.com). They’ll help you do all the heavy lifting during your aliyah/klitah ascent.
- Embrace the Israeli Week
The Israeli week begins on Sunday, with Shabbat offering a precious time to recharge. Additionally, Friday can be a time not only to cook and clean and prepare but also to go out and do something fun. Maybe even volunteer work. Adjust your mindset to this rhythm. Plan your week to include a balance of work, errands and rest. Believe me, you’ve earned it.
- Learn the Culture And Mindset
Don’t be surprised if, after you finally learned how to say boker tov (good morning) to your Israeli neighbor, they answer boker metzuyan (excellent morning). This is not Israeli one-upmanship. It’s just good old Israeli word play. Likewise, first and last name conventions are often tossed out the window, so that Israeli employees will call their boss by their first name but friends are addressed by their family names. (It took me a while not to get insulted when my Israeli friends kept calling me “Slivko” instead of “Sidney.”)
Understand these differences and you’ll avoid awkward misunderstandings.
- Stay Flexible and Persistent
Navigating the aliyah/klitah path requires adapting to new norms. Be persistent, but also flexible—the ability to pivot when things don’t go as planned is vital. But occasionally you have to also draw some lines. Determine when the price of giving someone the benefit of the doubt is too costly. If you’re unsure, ask your sherpa. You don’t want to be taken advantage of no matter which country you live in.
- Find Humor in the Chaos
Laughter lightens the load, and Israelis are not afraid to laugh—even at themselves. From language faux pas to bureaucracy misadventures, sharing these funny moments will help you bond with the Israelis around you. Living in Israel has more than its quota of absurdities. If you point it out, they’ll know you get what it’s like to live there.
- Maintain Connections
Stay in touch with friends and family from home, but also cultivate connections here. It’s easier now than ever! Get to know the people in your neighborhood by name. Join olim WhatsApp groups, participate in activities in your local community center (matnas). There are so many Facebook groups offering a wide range of support services for olim, so you should have no problem moving forward and still stay grounded.
- Be Patient
Aliyah and klitah are a process. Celebrate small victories, whether it’s a successful conversation in Hebrew or mastering the bus system. Patience is key, with yourself and with others. Don’t worry, We all get there in the end.
B’Hatzlachah!
Olim Paveway’s Olim Toolbox is a regular series offering timely tips for anyone moving to Israel. Join our live Zoom chats, Sundays at 2 p.m., at https://tinyurl.com/2xkewrd4 and join our Olim Toolbox WhatsApp at https://chat.whatsapp.com/Ic8dNfdNlspGAPtmcCKtbf for more tips.
If you have a question or suggestion for a topic, please write to [email protected].
