Uncle Ariel Wants YOU!

“We need you, and we need many more like you,” Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon told the 330 North American immigrants that arrived in Ben-Gurion Airport on July 9, 2003.

These immigrants to Israel (olim) are unique in that they are being sponsored by Nefesh B’Nefesh. Nefesh B'Nefesh, a Florida-based group, is offering one-time grants of $5,000 to $25,000 to North Americans who will immigrate to Israel this summer. The organization is also assisting the immigrants with job placement.

My initial gut feeling is jealousy. "Hey, I'm an American immigrant to Israel (15 years ago). Where is my grant? Where is my assistance? N-O-F-A-I-R!"

My more noble feeling is cheer. "Wouldn't having more Americans - with their Zionistic spirit, pluralism, volunteerism, good manners, strong work ethic, and integrity - be great for Israel. A calming influence on the roads, a reminder not to push in lines or throw cigarette ends into the street, and friendly "how-do-you-do" smiles even for strangers."

My more cynical feeling is doubt. "Right. Those same Israeli officials cheering them when they get off the plane today, will be passing bills to tax and tax and tax their meager earnings in Israel and savings in America tomorrow. Those same Israeli citizens welcoming them into Israel today, will be overcharging them for rent and underpaying them for their work later. And (according to statistics) 50% of those same American immigrants being given a hero's welcome and even money in Israel today, will be moving back to America sometime in the future."

Thankfully, my most dominant feeling is hope. "No matter how difficult the aliyah experience will be for these immigrants that arrived today, the children (of those immigrants that stay) will be Israeli through-and-through. They will serve in the army, contribute to their communities, be productive workers, and have their own future Israeli children."

Overall, Nefesh B'Nefesh gets a thumbs up from me as it most likely will produce invaluable long-term gains for our one and only Jewish State. My recommendation is for the producers to create Nefesh B'Nefesh II. Nefesh B'Nefesh II would be about giving grants to past American immigrants, and to all Israeli citizens as long as they are at it, who are working awfully hard to survive in Israel today. ;-) "Uncle Ariel, don't you need us too?"

~ Lisa Katz

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