Three Weeks In....Love and Hate....
Three weeks in and there are moments of despair and moments of joy.
A moment of joy occurred last Friday when the kids had a Rosh Hashana concert at the school. It is so cool being in a country where the majority celebrate the holidays you do. So much more festive here! Another is watching Sivan make friends. On the other hand, we are also dealing with Sivan struggling with school itself--she feels useless, anxious, and frustrated. The school is LOUD, which is difficult for her.
Matan seems to be doing okay mostly. He made a friend and they've had a couple playdates already. He isn't using any Hebrew yet, but I think he's probably absorbing (or at least everyone says he is). We are using some pokemon episode bribery to get him to learn 40 flashcards.
We are discovering we love fresh baked breads and delicious veggies. I go to the shuk a couple times a week, and love the crazy atmosphere.
Now for the low points...it namely involves my visa situation.
My mother chose not to register me as an Israeli citizen despite the fact that, by law, I am because I was born to an Israeli-born citizen. This hasn't really been a problem, as I've always just gone on tourist visas, and extended it once 17 years ago in Jerusalem. But this time, I am not planning on leaving the country much, and 17 years later, being in a non-touristy town, I'm having a much harder time figuring out what to do. Here a few facts to make things clear:
1. I am an Israeli therefore, I can't get a visa.
2. However, I'm not really an Israeli. I can't get an Israeli passport until I do a mountain of things, which involve sending a very reluctant mother to the embassy.
3. According to the Dept of Interior today, my kids and husband need some "status" here. And I told them, yes, they are my kids and husband. No, they will need to secure their own visas a different way--what is their reason for being here? (uh, to accompany me?)
4. I have sent tons of paperwork to get them A1 visas, but realize I did not bring originals of birth certificates with apostille stamps.
5. My original birth certificate is here but without an apostille stamp.
6. The name on my birth certificate isn't my name now due to marriage, but I don't have a marriage certificate. It is locked in my office.
7. I can get my marriage certificate mailed from Florida to DC to get my parents to apostille the thing and mail it to Israel BUT, Florida is currently in a state of emergency.
8. Normally Weizmann could help Adam and kids get visas, except Adam is dealing with his own bureaucratic issues securing the visiting scientist position. So he can't do it yet.
I spent 3+ hours in the Dept of Interior today getting the details of what I have to do.
Nefesh b'nefesh (the organization that helps you make aliya) has taken pity on me and is going to help me. After I spend the next two months trying to get documentation together....
I have given up on my husband and kids. I will either send them across the border to Jordan in 2 months, or Adam will get the Weizmann Institute to do it, or we'll get the A1s to go through. In the meantime, I need to get their documentation together with apostille stamps.
My grandfather snuck in illegally into Palestine from Iran and got thrown in jail by the British.
I think that was an easier path to citizenship.
My brother asked me tonight, "what do you do with your days?"
Thank heavens I had low expectations for our first month here. Mostly, I try to make sure my kids are okay. I try to do dishes and laundry. I run around getting school supplies, food, scout uniform, etc. And in between I try to figure out how to stay in this country longer so I can actually get real work done. The days are short here, because of the six day week and shorter school days.
I have about 4 hours every day. I do try to swim a couple times a week. But I can't say I'm feeling super accomplished.
I just keep reminding myself that part of my goal of being here is to learn about another country and culture, and to assimilate as quickly as possible. So, watching how Israelis react to the dept of interior is a cultural opportunity!
In truth, I'm truly LIVING Here, not a tourist. This is totally different than even studying abroad. I'm going to parent-teacher night, checking the air in my tires, arranging special education services for my kids to help with Hebrew, signing up for activities. It is truly extremely challenging, but I think rewarding in that I'm learning how to manage and do things.
For those that say you don't need Hebrew to be in Israel. Yes, true. As long as you are a tourist. Or maybe living in an anglo community. For where we are, you can't get by without Hebrew. I mean, the school documents, the parent orientation, etc. There are no translations.
We've started making some friends here, mostly through our kids school. Overall, I'd say our social life is better here for all of us in two weeks than it ever was in Monroe. I guess part of it is that we aren't as overscheduled, and nothing is that far. And we are home when the kids are home from school. But part of it is also that Adam and I feel that Israelis are more extroverted. They are curious, and want to talk and learn about us. And they invite us over. And the kids just play a lot more here. Interestingly, a lot of the friends we made are pretty secular. So they are quite surprised that we do the whole shabbat thing. It's very interesting. We are also doing Tsofim (scouts) but the religious one. One, she gets a more shabbat experience. And two, there are more americans there so Sivan can have a couple friends who she can actually really talk to. They meet twice a week, and it's run by 16-18 year olds. Amazing. Literally, no adults.
Adam and I are pretty certain that life is better in Israel for children. Not necessarily OUR children at the moment, because of this language barrier, but it's just a better place to be a kid. As for being an adult in Israel....the jury is out.
But I think there is really something towards low expectations making you happier. I'm just keeping them low....that's my goal for this month :)
Tomorrow we invited our neighbors for shabbat dinner. I have no idea what I'm making. But pressure is on. He was an Italian chef! Oy!
Adam today let a car in front of him while driving. The man stuck his hand out of the window and waved. They never wave like that here. Israelis drive aggressively. You don't just let cars in. You have to act extremely reluctant. If you have driven in New York city, you know what I'm talking about. Adam explained he was going to start bringing a bit of America (not New York city!) to Rehovot. Globalization.
Our thoughts are with our Florida family who is struggling to get back to normality. A quick recovery we hope!!
A moment of joy occurred last Friday when the kids had a Rosh Hashana concert at the school. It is so cool being in a country where the majority celebrate the holidays you do. So much more festive here! Another is watching Sivan make friends. On the other hand, we are also dealing with Sivan struggling with school itself--she feels useless, anxious, and frustrated. The school is LOUD, which is difficult for her.
Matan seems to be doing okay mostly. He made a friend and they've had a couple playdates already. He isn't using any Hebrew yet, but I think he's probably absorbing (or at least everyone says he is). We are using some pokemon episode bribery to get him to learn 40 flashcards.
We are discovering we love fresh baked breads and delicious veggies. I go to the shuk a couple times a week, and love the crazy atmosphere.
Now for the low points...it namely involves my visa situation.
My mother chose not to register me as an Israeli citizen despite the fact that, by law, I am because I was born to an Israeli-born citizen. This hasn't really been a problem, as I've always just gone on tourist visas, and extended it once 17 years ago in Jerusalem. But this time, I am not planning on leaving the country much, and 17 years later, being in a non-touristy town, I'm having a much harder time figuring out what to do. Here a few facts to make things clear:
1. I am an Israeli therefore, I can't get a visa.
2. However, I'm not really an Israeli. I can't get an Israeli passport until I do a mountain of things, which involve sending a very reluctant mother to the embassy.
3. According to the Dept of Interior today, my kids and husband need some "status" here. And I told them, yes, they are my kids and husband. No, they will need to secure their own visas a different way--what is their reason for being here? (uh, to accompany me?)
4. I have sent tons of paperwork to get them A1 visas, but realize I did not bring originals of birth certificates with apostille stamps.
5. My original birth certificate is here but without an apostille stamp.
6. The name on my birth certificate isn't my name now due to marriage, but I don't have a marriage certificate. It is locked in my office.
7. I can get my marriage certificate mailed from Florida to DC to get my parents to apostille the thing and mail it to Israel BUT, Florida is currently in a state of emergency.
8. Normally Weizmann could help Adam and kids get visas, except Adam is dealing with his own bureaucratic issues securing the visiting scientist position. So he can't do it yet.
I spent 3+ hours in the Dept of Interior today getting the details of what I have to do.
Nefesh b'nefesh (the organization that helps you make aliya) has taken pity on me and is going to help me. After I spend the next two months trying to get documentation together....
I have given up on my husband and kids. I will either send them across the border to Jordan in 2 months, or Adam will get the Weizmann Institute to do it, or we'll get the A1s to go through. In the meantime, I need to get their documentation together with apostille stamps.
My grandfather snuck in illegally into Palestine from Iran and got thrown in jail by the British.
I think that was an easier path to citizenship.
My brother asked me tonight, "what do you do with your days?"
Thank heavens I had low expectations for our first month here. Mostly, I try to make sure my kids are okay. I try to do dishes and laundry. I run around getting school supplies, food, scout uniform, etc. And in between I try to figure out how to stay in this country longer so I can actually get real work done. The days are short here, because of the six day week and shorter school days.
I have about 4 hours every day. I do try to swim a couple times a week. But I can't say I'm feeling super accomplished.
I just keep reminding myself that part of my goal of being here is to learn about another country and culture, and to assimilate as quickly as possible. So, watching how Israelis react to the dept of interior is a cultural opportunity!
In truth, I'm truly LIVING Here, not a tourist. This is totally different than even studying abroad. I'm going to parent-teacher night, checking the air in my tires, arranging special education services for my kids to help with Hebrew, signing up for activities. It is truly extremely challenging, but I think rewarding in that I'm learning how to manage and do things.
For those that say you don't need Hebrew to be in Israel. Yes, true. As long as you are a tourist. Or maybe living in an anglo community. For where we are, you can't get by without Hebrew. I mean, the school documents, the parent orientation, etc. There are no translations.
We've started making some friends here, mostly through our kids school. Overall, I'd say our social life is better here for all of us in two weeks than it ever was in Monroe. I guess part of it is that we aren't as overscheduled, and nothing is that far. And we are home when the kids are home from school. But part of it is also that Adam and I feel that Israelis are more extroverted. They are curious, and want to talk and learn about us. And they invite us over. And the kids just play a lot more here. Interestingly, a lot of the friends we made are pretty secular. So they are quite surprised that we do the whole shabbat thing. It's very interesting. We are also doing Tsofim (scouts) but the religious one. One, she gets a more shabbat experience. And two, there are more americans there so Sivan can have a couple friends who she can actually really talk to. They meet twice a week, and it's run by 16-18 year olds. Amazing. Literally, no adults.
Adam and I are pretty certain that life is better in Israel for children. Not necessarily OUR children at the moment, because of this language barrier, but it's just a better place to be a kid. As for being an adult in Israel....the jury is out.
But I think there is really something towards low expectations making you happier. I'm just keeping them low....that's my goal for this month :)
Tomorrow we invited our neighbors for shabbat dinner. I have no idea what I'm making. But pressure is on. He was an Italian chef! Oy!
Adam today let a car in front of him while driving. The man stuck his hand out of the window and waved. They never wave like that here. Israelis drive aggressively. You don't just let cars in. You have to act extremely reluctant. If you have driven in New York city, you know what I'm talking about. Adam explained he was going to start bringing a bit of America (not New York city!) to Rehovot. Globalization.
Our thoughts are with our Florida family who is struggling to get back to normality. A quick recovery we hope!!
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