BootsnAll Travel Community

Hi there,

I'm looking to go to Israel for 6-8 months this upcoming January 2008. I'm really starting to think it's not realistic though.

I want to get a job and an apartment, but I've noticed apartments are actually really expensive there. Maybe I'm not looking in the right places though (I've checked out craigslist, and google'd apartments in Israel which came up with a couple sites).

Also, I noticed that a lot of the jobs I looked up (which weren't many) did want English speakers, but you also needed to be fluent in Hebrew. I can understand Hebrew a bit, but am not fluent enough to hold a conversation. I'd love to take an intensive Ulpan course...but that makes me think it's even more unrealistic to be able to do all that. Also, in order to get a working Visa, the employer must apply for it...that means I'd need to wait until I'm there to get it? I have no idea. I didn't realize it would be this overwhelming...I have come to bootsnall.com for some help (a friend recommended it), and I'm hoping I will find a way to make this happen.

I have also heard about the AACI which is an organization helping those Jews coming from Canada and North America get to Israel by helping provide information on jobs and living situations, as well as offering counseling for dealing with culture shock. Anyone heard of this organization? You must become a member to receive those offers, which is about $50. Before I decided to become a member, I wanted to see if it was a realistic idea.

Thanks so much for your time and whatever help you may be able to offer.

Jess

are you jewish? You can always make alliyah and move to israel...i think they require you to live there at least 6 months, take some courses to learn hebrew and about the country and culture and then you get a passport...depending in your age though you would have to serve in the army (18 months, maybe less for women)

besides that if you are going there are tons of programs where you can go live and learn...

or you could work on a kibutz but that is hard work...its like communal living

@ eppyboy about alliyah

If you can prove you're Jewish it's actually much easier than that. All you have to do is go to an embassy (probably could even call) and tell them you want to move to Israel. They give you some papers, you get on a plane, land in Israel, and within 30 days take those papers to a citizenship office with something to prove that you live there (bill for rent, pay stub) and that's it.

I thought that was a "certificate of jewishness", and I don't understand how you go about that exactly. There's so many organizations that are supposed to help with that stuff.

I guess that would be a good way to go about it, then she wouldn't have to worry about work permits. The problem there is, if she wanted to stay at some point, it would cut into the benefits and language classes at a later date. And since she's staying for 6-8 months, it's not like the 6 month language absorption thing is realistic. And if that option throws you into the army, well there goes the 6-8months of working and coming back. Though I wonder if you can get a deferment if you explain your plans.

Might be an interesting option. Also, it might be easier depending on a town. I read something last week about how all the English are buying the properties in Netanya I think. Lot of Brits and Americas supposed to be there. Though I've never been. But I would guess English is in demand in a place such as that anyway. Wouldn't know about commuting or rent however.
But my guess is each town has it's own demand, some place are more french, some more Russian. I want to learn all 4 languages. That would cut that problem out!

Just an update (may help others):

So I got in touch with the Jewish Agency for Israel ( http://www.jewishagency.org ), and found A LOT of very helpful information. There were guides galore, including guide for the new immigrant. I will be applying to make Aliyah with this agency, and I came to find out I will be qualifying for a lot of benefits. Also, women over the age of 20 going to Israel are EXEMPT from the Army (thank goodness). I will be enrolling in an intensive Ulpan course, which will help me to learn the language in a quicker manner. I'll keep you all updated, and thanks to those who responded. You're knowledge was also helpful. Cheers!

Congrats! I am very happy for you...I'm glad i suggested it...mitzvah of the day!

I guess the chances of anyone checking back now are slim. Did you compare them to Nefesh B'Nefesh? I wonder how different they are. I notice there are benefits that aren't listed on any of their sites too or special benefits for special cases(doctors, or hotel workers in certain towns). And some towns provide additional benefits, like an extra 200 hours of ulpan.
Guess the only way to find out is to take a daytrip to one of those agencies. I don't live near one, and I'm not ready to be on any mailing lists.
Did you go yet? I'm hoping to at least have a holiday trip in the next year. But I know I'll love the place, and I'll be another year older!

Jeff W if you are 26 or under you can do birthright in the winter... you can be 27 when the trip leaves and it is a free 10 day trip...google birthright to israel and the main website will come up...if you are older then I suggest checking out israir (only goes from New York to Tel Aviv, it is a new airline in Israel)also BA, Iberia and some others fly to israel...rent a car (gas is a little pricey) and just drive around...i dont recommend public transportation, only taxis and reputable tourist companies...

I wish I knew about birthright years ago. But that's only 10 days anyway. I say I'd rather see a place first before I move somewhere, but I don't think that would make any difference. That's probably psychological.
I wonder how much the two agencies differ though. I read once that one of them has "part time aliyah" which I guess is just a work permit maybe.