FYI - Some Things To Think About Before You Make Aliyah!
Everything you need to know about aliyah and didn ’t know you should ask!!!
By Ronda Israel
- When packing your suitcases for your aliyah make sure you take
all your essential clothing, medicines, personal toiletries, games,
books, toys and linens to get you thru at least a week or two in
case your lift is delayed or stuck in a port strike.
- Put all your
important documents, copies of papers and valuables in your carry-on
and make sure it stays with you throughout the trip. Put a copy
of all the documents you are carrying in each person’s suitcase
in case a suitcase gets lost or left behind.
- Ask your car insurance
company for a letter that states you, and each person who will
drive in Israel right away, have not been in any accidents for
3 years (if this is true) Your Israeli car insurance agent can
get you a lower rate if you have this letter.
- Bring USA postage
stamps to put on letters that you give people in Israel to mail
for you in the states when they go back.
- Don’t waste space on
your lift with white tuna, peanut butter and ketchup and toilet
paper. It’s all here and more … except the white tuna, but get
over it!! There’s more to life than white tuna!
- When packing
for aliyah, de-clutter your life. Remember there is less space
in homes/apts, not much storage and no closets. BUT take those
things that are meaningful and special reminders of your life.
For you and your children. An extra box of 2 nd grade pictures,
shabbat drawings or hand made haggadahs will be special when
you open it. That special Bubby gift or “tsochka” from your sister
may make you feel better, take it.
- Don’t discard your small
electrical appliances, like stick blender, food processor, mixer
or blender. They can be used with a transformer and if they blow
up here you can buy a new one.
- Israel has some very different
model of stoves, refrigerators and other appliances. Before you
buy these major appliances in the states, think about buying
them in Israel .
- Don’t ignore your
health!!! Before making aliyah have a dental check up for everyone
and get any dental records you might need. Have check ups with
other doctors especially your ob/gyn check up, mammograms,
update of prescriptions, update all children’s shots and take at
least a couple months supply of your current Rx to last until you
find a doctor in Israel. Some Rx are not available in Israel .
Your new doctor will find an alternate prescription.
- When planning your budget for Israeli living initially figure that your grocery bill will be equivalent to what you paid in the states, there won’t be yeshiva tuitions, unless your young children are going to private schools, there will be almost no fundraiser dinners to attend, car insurance will be expensive, even more than in New Jersey, and gasoline is about 5 shekels per liter which equates to about $4.50 per gallon. Do the math!