By Daniel Goldschmidt. It hardly seems possible that a year has gone since last September 14th when I arrived as a new immigrant from the Midwestern United States. So much has happened this first year it seems as if I arrived only yesterday.
I arrived in Israel full of expectations and hope for building a new life and as in every experience my hopes have been fulfilled in many ways but this is not withstanding an awareness of the problems that this wonderful nation confronts.
I have discovered Israel to be in thought and action a very young country with a real zest for living. Chronologically of course, Israeli statehood was only declared sixty three years ago but the mood and spirit of the people regardless of age is very refreshing. To understand the Israeli zest for life all one needs to do is visit most any area in Tel Aviv, where I live. Late into the evening one will discover people of all ages dining out or enjoying the varied and plentiful entertainment available. Entire families enjoy an evening out together. The love for children is very evident. Often you can witness children playing freely out in public and yet for the most part seem to be very well behaved.
When attending musical entertainment programs it is not surprising to see mothers and fathers dancing with their small children. The people also have a profound religious and ethical approach to life here. Even though much of Israeli society considers themselves secular it has been my observation that they all observe Shabbat, Jewish and National holidays. But more importantly they practice and believe in Jewish ethics. On Shabbat and holidays most shops are closed, everything becomes very quiet but at sunset prior and following the holiday everybody is out enjoying themselves.
Economically Israel is one of the strongest countries despite the world’s current economic woes. Israel has an unemployment rate presently of only 5.5% which has been helped by the government supporting sunrise industries and having an astute economic policy.
Hospitality is an important Jewish ethic and as a result I have many friends here and I am involved in many organizations. The synagogue I belong too is unique in that the entire service is set to music and even some dance. We hold our summer services on the beach at an entertainment area on the new Tel Aviv
Port. It can attract up to 1500 people on a Erev Shabbat. It represents one of the many alternatives to Orthodoxy that is slowly taking root here.
Politically I have found the average citizen to be very conscious of both the domestic as well as international problems. Over sixty percent of Israelis exercise their right to vote and there seems to be as many different opinions on a subject as there are voters. I recently attended a large rally in connection with domestic reform next to the tent city in downtown Tel Aviv. I was quite impressed with not only the political awareness but the decorum of approximately 160,000 people.
As a new immigrant to Israel I have a real desire to learn Hebrew. I am sure that one could get along without doing so, because most Israelis at least in metropolitan communities do speak and understand some English. But, to fit into the society and to participate fully in the life here knowledge of Hebrew is very important. Modern Hebrew is based on one of the most ancient languages, but Modern Hebrew was only introduced in the early 1900’s. I am continuing to struggle to express myself but I am fascinated with the language. I am starting to be able to write, read, and speak enough Hebrew to at least take care of my rudimentary needs and converse on a social level.
The food in Israel is part of the excitement of living here. First of all, diet is definitely Mediterranean, which means healthy with lots of fresh fruit and vegetables. Fruit and vegetables have a real superior taste since they are allowed to ripen before harvesting. Going to the market is a real experience since you never know what will be in season next, and there are many new varieties to explore.
I am sure that this country has more restaurants per capita than any other western nation. There are as many different kinds of ethnic foods represented in Israel. More than anyplace else I have ever been to including New York and most of them are very excellent. Jews seem to like good food and the influence is very evident here. That includes the wonderful bakeries, butcher shops, fish peddlers, delicatessens small juice bars, and ethnic Israeli food. There are three mainstays of traditional Israeli cuisine. One is falafel which is ground deep fried chick peas made into balls, hummus made from mashed chick peas, and schwarma sliced from lamb or turkey all being served with potatoes, salad, and condiments in pita bread.
Shopping in Israel can be a real experience particularly if you do not have a rudimentary command of the Hebrew language. Israelis love to shop and many types of shopping experiences are available. The most modern of shopping malls, filled with the latest products and fashions represented by world renowned stores, as well as numerous small specialty shops. Israelis seem to be fascinated with everything American and believe it or not Mc Donald’s is very popular. Israel appears to
have taken over first place in women’s fashions as compared to New York or Paris. Israeli women know how to be alluring and have an excellent fashion sense.
Unfortunately that is more than can be said for their male counterparts. I have never worn a suit or sport coat since I have been here. Even though Israel has an astonishing business built around weddings, the grooms attire is most usually a fancy shirt. A couple of tricks that I have learned in needing to shop when one doesn’t know the language is to research the translation dictionary and write your request down, and if you have a sample or package to take it with you.
Since arriving in Israel many incidents have happened that makes one very aware of how precarious is the international political situation. We have had several large fires started by terrorists, a knifing of an entire family including an infant, a recent attack on a bus in Sinai killing seven, and hundreds of missiles, and mortars fired into southern Israel. You become particularly aware of the issues when you are given your own personal gas mask. Recently in Tel Aviv we had a stabbing attack at a teen age nightclub that left one person fatality wounded.
I truly believe that Israel, militarily is one of the strongest in the world and that our military is very capable of responding well to any major problem. I had the opportunity last year to spend three weeks with the Israel Defense Force (IDF) and have visited with many Israel soldiers since I arrived. I am so impressed with the pride and dedication that military personnel feel. Israel’s defense forces are also one of the most sophisticated modern equipped forces in the world. This includes the iron dome which has already shown it’s merit in destroying missiles being fired into southern Israel from Gaza. Every man in Israel is required to spend three years serving the military and women serve two-years. This gives Israel not only a large effective standing army but an enormous well trained reserve. Security and intelligence is maintained at a very high level. Whenever you enter any large public space there are security guards present.
I arrived in Israel at age 76 very late to make such a lifetime change but despite Israel’s international and domestic problems I have felt much younger here and my experiences every day are more profound. I have found a wonderful home in my adopted country where there is so much excitement, and joy of living. Most important of all I feel as a Jew at home when everyone wishes you a shabbat shalom, and the major holidays celebrated are of my religion. I find myself to be very fulfilled and satisfied and plan to spend the remainder of my life here. It remains the only place in the world that Jews can outwardly show that they are truly proud of being Jewish.
