Yishai, and Malkah,

I heard the email you read from Joy on Thursday's show and had to reply.  You've met me and seen me, a person who just 15 yrs. ago was not  given much chance to live let alone make as much as a recovery as you witnessed yourself and have been overjoyed at both discovering INR and Aliyah, through that discovery and further education from both listening to your station and other sources as we have an extremely limited exposure to Judaism locally and while not rich, financially juggling our way through the current economic morass, and as we loved Israel on our whirlwind 'pilot trip', we have no  false dreams or hopes, only realistic thoughts concerning the  opportunities or potential in Israel and can't wait for our long awaited emigration to Israel.

We know things will be different, we know it isn't America, we are in,  ok, I am in my early 50s, my wife, 40 something, and I still have chronic  pain issues and a lifelong fact that my body was permanently damaged  from the explosion I survived, B"H.  Neither of us speak fluent Hebrew, we are both struggling although my wife, a ger, is doing much better at  speaking while I'm probably better at reading. 

As someone who survived a devastating explosion, while not in warfare, I may be able to give some hope to those who  endure the endless 'shock' or what I was told I had, 'trauma' or for  awhile, 'post traumatic stress syndrome' from the rocket fire in the  south or any other part of the land of Israel.  Life isn't easy no  matter where you live it unless you've given up and surrendered to the  system or 'net' at the bottom of whatever nation you reside in.  We  frankly, think we aren't bottom fishers, or for that matter, bottom fish  and are capable of much more, even at this stage of our lives. 

I don't think we'll feel like 'immigrants' as we certainly did not when  we visited and we were very clear that we were visiting with the intent  on making Aliyah and being part of Israel immediately.  I think if  American Jews didn't pollute themselves with television and realized  that although the 'messiah' was just installed as president, that no  miracles happen without Hashem and as an economist, I can honestly say  that Israel has a far brighter outlook economically and jobwise than  America which has a future that is cloudy on an economic basis.  My  family has been in the same business for over 100 years, since the 1800s  and my dad actually wished he had taken my advice (which amazed me to  begin with) and had sold our company 5 years ago as nothing is certain,  no matter where you live.

For Am Yisroel, there is a young nation, striving to find it's footing   or should I say a turnover of leadership to a younger or new generation  of Jews, some who have lived their entire life there, others, from the  batch of emigrants who've made Aliyah like yourself or Tovia or many  other guests I've heard on INR.  America, while a young nation, it is  nearing the end of it's life I'm sad to say and about to undergo a major  change, which would have happened no matter which candidate won the  election.  The solution to debt isn't more debt in most cases,  especially in America's case.  The US has overall been good to the Jews  and the Jews have been good to America, but, IMHO, as in the past, when  the economy goes over a cliff, the powers that be (politicians, etc.)  need to find someone to blame. 

In the past, it's been far too easy for  that victim or scape goat to have been the Jews.  While I pray that  isn't the case in the US, already, you see the rising tide of  anti-semitism.  While it's not as flagrant say as in Europe, I think  it's simmering just below the surface like a smoldering fire just  searching for oxygen.  I pray it doesn't find that oxygen before those  who are fence-sitting on their Aliyah decision as this time might just  be that nudge one should use to begin the process which in most cases  isn't an overnight experience.  Our planning took about 3 years.

I'm happiest we made our final decision before trying times began, the  decision wasn't made because things got bad the move will just take  place during that period.  I also must say that as I watch economies  around the world head south I'm glad my plans have me heading east, to  Israel and only wish my immediate family would do the same.  Change is  no reason not to do the right thing, fear of change is even less of a  reason and while some may not be happy with their situation, as someone  told they'd never use their right arm, right hand, recover much vision  or possibly even walk again, you saw me, I overcame all those  expectations from some of the very best doctors in the US.  I am leaving  a comfortable life with a house that's paid for that I have no idea what  it's worth and starting over, handicapable with a wife and 8 ferrets  coming with me.

B"H

Best Regards, Your Friend,

Reuven Yisroel ben Lev