We made it

Shalom!
August 5, 2004

We made it! Here's what's been going on so far.

We suprised the kids with a stretch limo for our ride to JFK Tuesday morning. One last American splurge. We got to the airport quite early and were among the first to check in. Eventually some of our friends and family began rolling in to see us off. There were a few short speeches at the terminal before boarding. Among the speakers were Raanan Gissin and the founders of Nefesh B'Nefesh.

After some very tearful goodbyes we headed through security and to our "nesher", a Boeing 777. The flight went smoothly. There were a couple of good kids movies, so Meira was happy. A woman from the misrad hapinim (interior ministry) came by midway through the flight to have sign some papers so we could be "processed".

The plane landed on time. Though I've seen pictures of this before, the sight, upon embarking, of hundreds of Chayalim (soldiers) standing there waving flags and hundreds more spectators in the background cheering and waving signs was overwhelming. We passed through an aisle the chayalim created for us. They were all very taken with Meira and many tried to give here the flags they were holding.

When got closer to the hanger where the reception was being held we started seeing some familiar faces. Raanan's friend Tzvi Eleff was standing right up front with his brother Eli. Then we saw the Elterman's, Sammy Zimmerman, Sharon, and Chevi Loewenstern, all friends from Highland Park. We got the second string politicians; Ehud Olmert & Colet Avital. An army band and choir sand and played. Though we were exhausted, it was an amazing experience.

At baggage claim the concept of "first in last out" certainly applied. While we were waiting for our bags, Randi went to the absorption office to pick up our teudah oleh-certificate of aliyah.

My brother Jonathan was waiting for us near the taxi area. It was great to see him. We were loading our stuff onto a taxi van within about 15 minutes. When I say "onto" I mean it. The driver strapped most of our huge duffles and suitcases to the top of the van. Needless to say we were more than a little nervous. Jon took the older kids in his car and Randi, Meira, and I went in the taxi.

Then came our first Israel "exprience". After driving on the highway for a little while the driver pointed to sign for Modiin and asked if that's where he should go. I told him to keep going, that we're going to Beit Shemesh. After a few minutes I realized that we were not on the highway that I thought we were, the one (route 1) that almost anyone would take from the airport to Beit Shemesh. The taxi driver started asking people. First another driver at a traffic light. Then he pulled into a taxi stand and asked a waiting fare. Finally another taxi pulled in our driver was told to turn around. He went almost all the way back to the airport to get back to route 1. Even then he started exiting for Be'er Sheva! Beit Shemesh has to be one of the more common desitinations from the airport, especially for olim.

We're up 4 flights of stairs. Luckily, some nice neighbors helped us schlep our 12 large and heavy bags and boxes up to the apartment. Our apartment we beautifully decorated with chains and signs by our close friends the Weisblatts and Loewensterns. We have already been welcomed warmly by our neighbors, many bringing over meals, cake, etc. In shul this morning they sang "shavu vanim" to welcome us new olim.

Every once in a while I pause from the hectic routine of setting up shop to reflect and realize that I'm actually living here. This is not a teenage group tour, a few months in yeshiva, or a family vacation. This is it. With relative ease we have fulfilled one of the greatest dreams and obligations of Jews throughout the ages.