Moving to Israel is a personal decision I made at age 13, having just learned about the courageous fight for the reestablishment of the land of Israel. It was a battle fought in desperation by a nation that had longed for its homeland for almost 2,000 years. That many of these fighters had only recently survived Hitler's Final Solution made their battle and their victory even more special.


Today, moving to Israel, or Aliyah, is so much easier than ever before. Once, centuries ago, the roads to our land were dangerous. Now, we fly here on the wings of eagles and

Israel works hard to ensure a successful Aliyah.

the grace of El Al. Now, we don't debate how to achieve statehood, how to build our land, but rather the fine points of the laws and rights of each new citizen. Each oleh, depending on the country from which he originates, receives a package of benefits to help him acclimate. It is one way that Israel works hard to ensure a successful Aliyah.


There are thousands, even tens of thousands of Jews from North America and around the world who are contemplating and dreaming of coming to Israel. Once, it was as a place of refuge. Today, many come because they recognize the chance for a better life, measured not against materialistic goals, but in favor of community, simplicity, education and more.


For those potential olim, successful Aliyah begins in the months before you come. Your attitude, what you expect, what you think is "coming to you" has a lot to do with how successful you will be.


The one bad thing - and I stress this, the one bad thing - about some organizations dedicated to helping Jews make Aliyah is that they give a false impression, out of the best of intentions and love in their hearts. They make you think there will be thousands waiting at the airport to celebrate your arrival.


Today, that is the reality. The Prime Minister, Knesset members, army representatives, thousands of other recent immigrants, friends and family may fill the tarmac and cheer as you come off the plane. It wasn't always like that and the crowds aren't what you think.


You imagine that these thousands will continue to help you, but the reality is that in many ways, you are moving across the world to a "strange" country - and you have to adapt. The country will not adapt to you. The crowds will go home. Yes, you'll be invited to meals and people will help translate and do what they can, but there comes a moment when you stand there with your papers in your hand in the bank or some government office and there's no one but you and Israel. And, in that moment, you fly or sink.


If you rant and rave about how things are done in America (in English, of course), you sink. If you sit and explain in your broken Hebrew how you think you brought the right papers, but you aren't sure and you need help with the forms, sometimes, when there are almost tears in your eyes out of frustration, you fly. Because Israel comes to help you -

The country will not adapt to you.

the real Israel, not the one that met you at the airport.


When I came, I pushed my way, with two small boys in tow, through the lines. Someone from AACI greeted me (thank you, whoever you are) and walked me upstairs. My husband was somewhere outside, but I had to take the next few steps alone. I did it - with my broken Hebrew and my exhausted little boys, my nine suitcases, the baby carriage and all those carry-ons.


And I walked out to my husband - who met me with flowers - and the guy at the airport explained to the taxi driver where to take us. We got to the rented house and the driver dumped our bags in front of the door and left. I walked inside, sat down and thought: That's it. I'm here (and where did I pack the sheets?).


After all is said and done, coming home is between you and the land, not you and the Jewish Agency or any organization. The day after you land, or the day after that, or maybe a month later, it will be just you and the Israelis. Accept them (us) or you won't survive here. Accept all of the quirks. You can complain, but that only damages you, because Israel isn't going to change.


Here's a flash: you are coming to live in Israel and, as much as we very much want you to come, we'll survive without you. Does that sound harsh? Let me explain. Israelis are very determined to build and protect this land. They (we) have been doing it for 60 years and, with God's help... and mine... and yours, we will continue doing it for the next 600 and beyond.


Despite the laws that say you get this benefit or that, nothing is owed to you. If someone trying to help you doesn't act "professionally" enough for you, well, that's not really a fair way to look at it. They are trying to help you; that's more than they have to do. If they succeed - great. If they don't - okay, well, at least they tried. Now figure out how to go about getting done what needs to be done.


Amazingly enough, the danger of these organizations is that in helping olim get here, they may be giving the false impression that this country can't function without you, that our sole purpose for living is to ease your Aliyah. Don't get me wrong and don't be

If you look at each day in Israel as a gift, as I do, then you'll do fine here.

insulted, please. The point is that you are coming to an amazing country. The benefits you will receive (and I do not mean monetary) far outweigh the inconveniences, the hardships, the bureaucracy, the pushy Israeli, the overcrowded Interior Ministry, the triple-stamp-so-they-can-throw-one-copy-out-at-the-bank routine, and so much more.


If you look at each day in Israel as a gift, as I do, then you'll do fine here. If you look at your Aliyah against a checklist of things you think you have coming to you, then you may not do as well. All this talk about what these organizations do or don’t do ignores the most basic of principles: they are trying to help you fulfill your dream. But, at the end of the day, it is your dream.


Come to Israel or don't come (my advice is to come), Israel will still be the most amazing country in the world. If you look at these organizations as an added benefit and not that it is their job to get you here, then maybe your Aliyah will go more smoothly. Maybe you will be sitting here almost 15 years later with a son in the army, a thriving business, a member of a warm and welcoming community, with friends you hold dear and family close by. You'll rise each morning knowing you have the greatest of all privileges, something Jews only dreamed of doing for 2,000 years - you can breathe the air of our land, walk the streets and fields of our country, and know as you lay your head down to sleep at night that there is no place on Earth you'd rather be.