So I'll cut to the chase here and I'm speaking to Torah observant people from Anglo countries. Aliyah is not for everybody. And by that I don't mean that it's not ideal for everybody or not wonderful for everybody but that it's a mistake for many people and they should not do it.
Generally, people with kids over the age of 5 should not make aliyah. There are mitigating factors such as one parent being Israeli.
Generally, charedim should not make aliyah, particularly if they have kids over 5. The charedi schools offer minimal language instruction if at all. While there are many Modern Orthodox communities, there are few charedi Anglo ones and many of those ones are far from jobs. So unless you are coming with enough cash to buy an apartment and to take a junk job nearby, forget it.
Generally, people who don't have family here should not make aliyah. All the promises of warm and helpful communities are a fantasy at best. People help family. They don't help neighbors. And Nefesh b'Nefesh is useless once you get here. The best they'll do is organize a tiyul or two. I hate to say it but it seems to me that the main purpose of NBN is parnassah for the people at NBN.
And what if all of the above apply to you? Lord have mercy. And what if you value derech eretz and order like any good Anglo. That will make it all much worse on you. And what if you are logical and avoid magical thinking and fanaticism? Welcome to olim Disneyland.
So if you are MO, and if you have family here, and if you have money, and if you aren't a stickler about child safety (did I mention that one), and if you don't mind argumentative, pushy people, and if you live for Zionistic ideals, then maybe you can consider coming to Israel.
Generally, people with kids over the age of 5 should not make aliyah. There are mitigating factors such as one parent being Israeli.
Generally, charedim should not make aliyah, particularly if they have kids over 5. The charedi schools offer minimal language instruction if at all. While there are many Modern Orthodox communities, there are few charedi Anglo ones and many of those ones are far from jobs. So unless you are coming with enough cash to buy an apartment and to take a junk job nearby, forget it.
Generally, people who don't have family here should not make aliyah. All the promises of warm and helpful communities are a fantasy at best. People help family. They don't help neighbors. And Nefesh b'Nefesh is useless once you get here. The best they'll do is organize a tiyul or two. I hate to say it but it seems to me that the main purpose of NBN is parnassah for the people at NBN.
And what if all of the above apply to you? Lord have mercy. And what if you value derech eretz and order like any good Anglo. That will make it all much worse on you. And what if you are logical and avoid magical thinking and fanaticism? Welcome to olim Disneyland.
So if you are MO, and if you have family here, and if you have money, and if you aren't a stickler about child safety (did I mention that one), and if you don't mind argumentative, pushy people, and if you live for Zionistic ideals, then maybe you can consider coming to Israel.
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