CPCL #14 • Korach - M’vorchim Tammuz, contact: aloh-naaleh@aaci.org.il • This “from time to time” feature is geared towards encouraging Aliya AND encouraging veteran & new Olim to become more involved in encouraging and easing the Aliya of others. Numbers Then, Numbers Now Israel's population is estimated at 6.7 million - over eight times what it was in 1948. The Jewish population numbers 5.4 million and constitutes 81% of the total population - the same (percentage) as in 1948. Since the establishment of the state, three million olim have arrived in Israel, more than one million of them since 1990. Some two-thirds of Jerusalem's residents are sabras, (native Israelis), compared to only one-third when the state was established. Israeli Jews currently constitute 38% of the world's total Jewish population, estimated at 13.3 million. In 1948, Israeli Jews were only 6% of the world's Jewish population. Speaking a few months ago at the 3rd Herzliya Conference on the Balance of Israel's National Strength, Jewish Agency Chairman Sallai Meridor related to the demographic evidence pointing to a marked decline in the worldwide Jewish population during the last decade, due to low birth rates, assimilation and intermarriage. "The Jewish people is evaporating. Every day we lose 150 Jews. This demographic decline of the Jewish people constitutes a threat to Israel's national strength", he warned. "This decline is prevalent throughout the entire Jewish world, except in Israel. The destinies of the Jewish people in Israel and the Diaspora are interrelated." Meridor noted that anti-Semitism is a major threat to the Jewish people today. The new anti-Semitism is more insidious - no longer against Jews as individuals but against the Jewish people. He believes that it is in our power to arrest or at least slow down this erosion. One strategy to combat this decline is to increase Jewish education in the Diaspora, where over 50% of Jewish children today do not receive any form of Jewish education. Another solution is Jewish solidarity, said Meridor. Israel and Diaspora Jewry are inextricably bound together and must fight the dangers together. Solidarity is shown by massive demonstrations on Israel's behalf in the Diaspora, solidarity missions and visits. For ensuring the future of the entire
Jewish people, the most important element is Aliya. "For every 1,000 Jews in
the Diaspora there will be 750 Jews in 2050," Meridor said, "while for every
1,000 Jews in Israel there will 1,650 Jews in 2050." - The above is based on
the Global Jewish Agenda of the Jewish Agency. We have found that many communities want to hear from olim, as to how current events impact the daily lives of recent immigrants. They want to hear about making a living in Israel, educational institutions and a myriad of other issues. If you think that people in your former
communities or wherever you travel would be interested in hearing your Aliya
story, then please contact us at: Tel: 02-566-1181 ext. 320 • fax:
02-566-1186 •
aloh-naaleh@aaci.org.il In Israel for nearly three years, Yehudit Yosef of Givat Ze'ev writes about the adjustment of American olim to Israeli lifestyle. We arrived from Chicago in July 2000, seven weeks before the current war. I remember writing a long letter to my mom about the wonderful aspects of life here and how it was unnecessary to worry. Weeks later, speaking to my family, I remember my sister com- menting that the chance of being in a car accident was more likely than a terror attack and since no tanks were involved, it wasn't really a war - yet. Oh, how things change. One thing remains clear. Our place is here. We feel very blessed to be in Eretz Yisrael at this important time in history. It is center stage. It is a land of constant miracles. From accounts of thwarted bombings to the almost exponential construction occurring, in the middle of an economic struggle harsher than in 1967. It is a big adjustment to become accustomed to a different culture. There are different systems to learn to deal with, like the health system. There are different mentalities to adjust to. Finding a good matching school for our daughters was a process. Many places are not service oriented yet. In many cases, the American olim get to a point of learning to accept certain behaviors and cultural differences, or they may even adopt these behaviors themselves - assimilating themselves into the general society (becoming like the Israelis). I believe that we have adjusted. There will always be things that are missed. In the end, there is acceptance with a certain amount of frustration. Many life changes seem insurmountable, unattainable. Aliya is no differ- ent. It needs to be approached with preparation and planning. It is important to get as much information as possible. One does not move here for financial comfort. The standards of living are different. But the following cannot be bought: Generally, there is no need to worry about the kashrut, but rather maybe the hekhsher of a restaurant. Children can walk to friends, the synagogue and school by themselves. Grocery stores have preparations for the chagim. Before Pessach most regular grocery stores convert to chametz-free. For Tu B'shvat the appropriate fruits are displayed. Before Chanuka, sufganiot are given away at gas stations. My children go on field trips to places they learn about at the Shabbat table. On Memorial Day there is a two-minute siren when most cars stop and many get out to stand. Israeli flags are handed out at stoplights prior to Independence Day. The calendar is spoken of in terms of Hebrew months and dates. Recently, my daughters and I went to see the production of "Esther" in Gush Eztion. The finale is a song about how the Jews will return to the land. We were all invited to join in singing: "We'll come down from the mountains, Today, Giv’at Ze’ev, a short drive from Ramot, Jerusalem, has a population of approximately 11,000, and continues to grow despite the security situation. The town prides itself on its feeling of community, which is manifest in the residents' involvement in local issues and their readiness to volunteer. Giv’at Ze’ev is especially proud of its investment in its schools and claims to have unique educational programs, such as an arts and science pre-school. Giv’at Ze’ev occupies a strategically important location, lying astride the Bet Horon road. Historically, this was the main road connecting Jerusalem with the "Shefela" (lowlands) and the Mediterranean coast. The Bet Horon road runs just north of Giv’at Ze’ev. Opposite the town to the east is the village of el Jib, identified as the site of the biblical Giv’on. These places bring to mind the tenth chapter of the book of Yehoshua, where we read how Yehoshua marched his men from his encampment at Gilgal, (near Jericho) to surprise the Canaanite army at Giv’on. After Yehoshua's initial success at Giv’on, he chased the surviving Canaanite soldiers down the Bet Horon road and across the Ayalon Valley. We can imagine the likelihood that the battle took place, in part, in what is today Giv’at Ze’ev, envisioning Yehoshua and his men pursuing the Canaanite soldiers across the hills on which Giv’at Ze’ev now stands. According to Tehilla statistics, about ten percent of the population is English-speaking, and the majority of Giv’at Ze’ev residents are employed in Jerusalem. [The Parshat
Balak Homepage]
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