Saturday, January 19, 2013

Some Thoughts On Food....Part 1

Middle Eastern food is good.  It's a Mediterranean diet for the most part.  More emphasis on fresh fruits and vegetables which are in ample supply.  But there are spices used that aren't common in the American culture. The one I do not care for at all, is Za'atar. It was in so many dishes. Perhaps in moderation it would be tolerable, but it always seemed to overpower whatever food it was used in. Or, maybe I just don't like it! 

Shwarma.  When it's good, it's very good.  When it's bad, it's horrid.  The best I have had so far was in a little cafe in Acco.  I would definitely go back to that establishment for more if I was in the area.  My worst experience was near Tel Aviv, where the shwarma tasted sweet instead of savory.  Almost as if there were a little cinnamon and sugar in the spice mixture. What were they thinking?

Falafel is yummy too.  Ratzon makes a great one.

Coffee?  Everywhere you go there are coffee houses.  Espresso, Americano, Mocha, Latte, Cappuchino, etc.  I laughed when I heard that Starbucks came to Israel and didn't make it.  I guess the Israelis are smarter than your average bear, Boo-boo!  Never could I understand how burned yuck at the bottom of a pot that tasted 3 days old and smoke infused could ever become an American staple.   Aroma is the name of a popular chain of coffee houses in Israel.  Tasty food and good coffee.  There's also Cup O' Joe, and Cafe Cafe, among others.  If you drink it black like me, don't be surprised by the odd looks.  Most Israelis drink their milk with a splash of coffee.  :)

Pita in the US cannot be compared to what you will enjoy in Israel.  Here, it's dry and thin and flavorless.  Over there it is moist and chewy, often being bagged up while it is still warm from the oven.  I would take a pack home, cut them in half, and then put them in the freezer.  A half an Israeli pita is quite filling.  My favorite breakfast was a pita with "yellow" cheese (that is actually white---never did understand why they call it yellow!) and green olives and red bell peppers.  Yes, BREAKFAST.  Eggs are used more at dinner time, for some reason. And they do taste somewhat different than the eggs I am used to.  Still can't determine what it is exactly....but there is a difference. 

Meat.  I am used to walking into the supermarket and deciding what meat I want by looking over the various packages of pre-portioned selections.  Beef Roast, Chicken, Ground Beef, etc.  In Israel, there was a meat counter in the market.  Although, there were no pre-portioned FRESH meat selections...but you could find them frozen. I found out later that all one has to do is ask the butcher for what you want, and they will cut it or grind it for you right there.  Since I didn't speak the language even somewhat fluently, that would've been a hilarious scene. So I stuck to buying frozen.  My frozen package of ground beef for a pot of chili I was making was around 1/2 pound.  Cost?  About $7.00.  I also recall frozen salmon (not sure if it was wild or farm raised) and it was the equivalent of $26-28!  Ouch!

Did I tell you about the yogurt?  The ice cream?  The cottage cheese and sour cream?  It's incredible!  All of the dairy products are out of this world.  I can't think of the name of my favorite yogurt---Mueller's?  Not sure.  It had a layer of pureed fruit on top.  (Or you could buy it pre-mixed).  Lemon, Strawberry Banana, Orange and so on. If you don't like yogurt, I dare you to try it!  It tastes nothing like the yogurt you don't like!

I eat ice cream about 3 times a year.  Well, that was before visiting Israel.  My first experience with ice cream over there was in Tiberias in 2007.  I needed a chocolate fix, and it was a warm day.  So...I see this little ice cream stand.  I peered into the freezer and see the darkest chocolate ever.  I have to have it!  8 shekels later (about $2) I was falling in love with the smoothest, densest ice cream I had ever tasted.  And in a waffle cone to boot!  I was hooked. It became a treat often, especially in the summer months.

I thought of a few more interesting items, so I will continue this topic in my next post.

Aliana







Thursday, January 10, 2013

The Odd Phone Call

I got a phone call the other night from a friend in Illinois. He tends to see the glass flat out EMPTY, if you know what I mean. He was born in the USA, but his parents moved to Israel when he was a small boy.  As a young adult, he moved back to Illinois.  He travels to Israel a few times a year to visit friends and family.

So my phone rings, and for two and a half hours, he went on and on about why I am making the biggest mistake of my life. The mistake, in his eyes, is becoming a citizen of Israel.

"Why can't you just go and visit?  Why do you have to move there? You are going to regret it.  You know how difficult life can be in Israel, why in the world would you go put yourself in the middle of it?"

I have spent the last 3 and a half years of my life thinking about making Aliyah.  It has not been a rash decision. It's not something that I take lightly.  I realize the ramifications of the move.  You leave family behind that you won't get to physically see as often. You go to live in a Land where everything is different.  Even when "things" are the same, they are still different than what you are used to.  More about that in a future post.

It's no use trying to convince someone of the convictions that live in your heart. No one else lives YOUR life. Maybe living in Israel is not a good choice for him. I accept that. But why send negative energy my way because HE wouldn't make the same decision?

I was a little down after the phone call.  The mood lasted for a couple of days.  Why had it knocked the wind out of my sails?  I DO know what I am getting into!  I DO know that I will cry at some point, as I always do when I miss my family.  I DO know that I will have struggles learning the language and dealing with the bureaucracy.  I DO know that I need thicker skin.  ALL OF THIS I KNOW.  Even so, my heart and soul still long to be there, regardless.

So what did I learn from this phone call experience?

I learned that I would rather have a friend who feels there is nothing that they could not say to me.  There is comfort in the fact that in our individuality, we often won't see things eye to eye on any number of things.  And that's OK!  But it's a two way street.  The key is listening and respecting each other's thoughts and opinions and still being friends, despite our differences.

Good Lesson.



.







Sunday, January 6, 2013

Documents Needed For Aliyah--Part 2

Alrighty then!  This part covers the forms from the NBN website that you will be downloading, filling out, scanning and emailing or snail mailing back to them.  Please always remember and never forget:  If you mail anything to NBN (other than the photos), YOU keep the original, and THEY get the copy!

Here's the list I have:

Financial Affidavit--a summary of your net worth.

Grant Contract (If you are awarded financial assistance to make Aliyah).

Waiver of Confidentiality--to allow sharing of info between NBN and the Jewish Agency and/or other Israeli government entities.

Entry/ Exit Form--a form to document all of your entries and exits to/from Israel for the past 7 years prior to your anticipated Aliyah date. The amount of time you have cumulatively spent in Israel affects your benefits as a new immigrant.  There are 3 different categories, if I recall correctly.

Proof of Living Outside of Israel---Support for the Entry/Exit form--because I had many visits over a short period of time, I have been asked to send copies of my US Tax Returns as proof of residence outside of Israel to support the dates on my form.  If you previously lived in Israel under any number of circumstances, there are specific things you need to submit.  Please see the NBN website for more detailed information.

Health Declaration form--simple health questionnaire.

Declaration of Family Obligation--This is a document that must be filled out if you are divorced, separated, or are going thru a divorce and you have children born during the marriage.  My children are all grown and married, and my former spouse has been re-married for almost 20 years, and I still have to fill one out!  It also must be notarized.  If there are minor children making Aliyah, it must also be certified with the Apostille. There are a couple of other forms that have to do with children whose biological mother/father is not making Aliyah.  It would be best to go to the NBN site and read the requirements, as each scenario is somewhat different.

Adoption Papers---need to be submitted with an Apostille.

Sole Custody Papers--(Court Order) you need to submit the most recent order outlining the terms of the custody arrangement, and including any agreements regarding the children obtaining Israeli citizenship.  An apostille must be attached to the signed document if minor children are making aliyah.

Legal Name Change--(Other than by marriage)  If you have legally changed your name, you must submit a copy of the legal paperwork.  If it was issued after September 1, 1988, you MUST have an apostille on it.

Letter of Recommendation--written by a non-relative, attesting to your reasons for making Aliyah, your character, contribution to the community, etc.  It should be written by a community leader if possible.

References--needed from 2 non-relatives who have known you for more than 2 years.  They can be in the USA, U.K. or in Israel.  Please give NBN their contact information.

Supporting Statement--some refer to this as "The Essay".  It's just your own personal story about your desire to make Aliyah.  Tell of your reasons for wanting to live in Israel and how it all came about.  Also be sure to list your post Aliyah plans...where will you live?  What kind of work will you look for?  What is your education level?  What can you personally bring to Eretz Yisrael to make it better?  Or will living there make YOU better?  :)  Be truthful (of course!) but sell yourself.  My supporting statement went almost the whole character limit of 4,000 and was peppered with humor. Since I LIKE pepper, I'm hoping it wasn't overkill.  It remains to be seen.

Photos of Family Members Making Aliyah--this can be a group shot of the whole family in one picture.  If you are single, just submit a picture with only you in the photograph.  (Seems logical, eh?)  Digital photos are accepted.  Must be in color, recent, and of good quality.

Official Passport Photos--Go get 6 identical OFFICIAL passport photos taken of each family member making Aliyah. The first 3 (of each person) are going to be mailed to the NBN address on their website.  The other 2 or 3 will be given to your Shaliach at the Jewish Agency.  I am almost positive that this happens at the time of the face to face interview, but I will double check and update as necessary.  Depending on how you make Aliyah (charter flight, arrange your own flight, from within Israel, Lone Soldier program, etc.) determines how many photos the Jewish Agency will request.  Better to have one extra than to be one short! 

Taking Your Pets To Israel---Yes, this can be done.  I am doing it also.  It's a much more detailed and complicated process than when you just bring your pet on board a flight for a visit.  Time is of the essence, so go to the NBN website and read all about it!! 

Your cat/dog must have a rabies titer test, and that can take awhile to get the result.  Also, they must have a chip implanted that can be read on the frequency that Israel uses.  And THEN, right before you are ready to leave, (within 7 days or so of your flight) (like you're not already stressed to the limit!) they must be seen by a USDA approved Vet who will fill out all the appropriate paperwork stating that they are healthy and able to travel.  (This location for me is an 8 hour drive each way from where my flight originates!  AGH!!)  You will then fax most of this paperwork to Israel 48 hours before your expected arrival.  ***I was incorrect!!  All I am required to do is take my Vet's Certificate of International Travel (after the pets are examined) to the USDA office to have it certified...I do not have to take the animals with me to the appointment!  YAY!!  But that whole scenario is under a time constraint--it must be initiated and completed within 10 days of travel to Israel..... THEN fax that paperwork to Israel 48 hours prior to your arrival.  The fax number along with instructions are on the NBN Website.  I will update the cost involved for the USDA certification when I go through the process myself.

Oh.  And our pets don't get a free flight.  They are paying passengers.  I always brought my animals on board as my carry on---fitting perfectly under the seat in front of me.  But if you are on a charter flight, I can only imagine how many other travelers will be wanting to do the same.  On regular flights, I was told that only 4 pet carry-ons are allowed in the main cabin at a time.  I don't know if El Al makes exceptions on a charter flight, I can only hope.  My furry friends have never flown in the cargo hold.  :(  There's a first time for everything, I guess!

Yes, it's a rather stressful set of regulations to bring our animals along, but us pet lovers gotta do what we gotta do.   








What Is An Apostille?

Good Question!  I had never heard of one before I started this process.  Let's start with the word itself.  It is the French word for certification.  It's the international equivalent to a notarized document.

Look at it this way:  Most reading this blog live in the USA.  We have 50 states, but each state has its own certification of authenticity to certify documents.  Oregon's stamp does not look like Florida's stamp. (I've often wondered the same about Driver's licenses.  If you live in New York, and someone whips out their Colorado Driver's license, how are YOU to know it isn't a forgery?  You are used to dealing with your own state's official documents, not your neighbor's!) 

Now multiply THAT (x50 just for the USA) and how would Israel know what is real and what is counterfeit?  How would I know what is official in the Czech Republic?  Or Norway?  Or Israel, for that matter?

Under the Hague Convention of 1961, unified parameters were set up to alleviate this international dilemma.  Although each state in the USA would still have its own individual stamp, a document going to a country who has signed this Treaty would have the apostille attached in a prescribed manner and would include specific information to be filled out by each country or state. 

In my example, the State of California is verifying that my document was filed in a certain county, and that the stamp on my document is official.  My apostille is numbered as well.  Then the Apostille certificate was attached to the signature page of my certified copy, and a special stamp is placed on it to stamp both my document and the apostille certification at the same time--overlapping both pieces of paper.   The two halves of a whole. (I tried uploading some pics to show you, but the site isn't cooperating.  Will try again later!)

Each person who needs to have their documents verified as legitimate, must contact their Secretary of State where the papers were originally filed. I already had my original certified copy, and just mailed it in with a self addressed stamped envelope. (With the included processing fee, of course!) They attached the apostille to verify that it is an official document of the state, and returned it about 10 days later.


As of December 2012, California charges $20 to do it by mail, or $6 to do it in person.  Check your State's website for the current fee and mailing address.

I scanned the apostille, and submitted it to NBN.  I will be taking ALL of my documents to the face to face interview with the Jewish Agency for them to look over in person.  That interview doesn't happen until all of my paperwork is submitted.  I only have a few more items to check off of my list.  Yay!

I'm getting there!  Slowly but surely, I am making progress. 

Saturday, January 5, 2013

Documents Needed For Aliyah-Part 1

So, have you gone to www.nbn.org.il yet?  :)

Here is a quick list of documents that you will need to submit.  The easiest way to accomplish this is to scan and email your documents.  Or you can send COPIES only (never the originals) to the mailing address of NBN on their website.  When you have your face to face interview with the Shaliach from the Jewish Agency, you will then produce all of your original documents to him/her during this meeting.

Marital Status Certificate--be it a civil marriage license or a divorce decree. If your spouse has died, you need to submit their death certificate. You might have to get an apostille attached to your paperwork. (I will review this process in my next post).  They will let you know if your document needs one.  I have heard that Israel has asked some people for a "certificate of singleness".  I have never heard of such a document in the United States. I'll cross that bridge if and when I get there. 

Copy of Passport--Photo page with signature.  Also include any extra notations on pages, e.g. name change or replacement passport.  I believe these are always found on the last page of your American passport.  Also, it must be valid for 6 months or more from your anticipated Aliyah date.

Birth Certificate--Depending on when you were born, you may have to get an apostille for this document too.  They will let you know after receiving the copy.  I believe the rule is if it is before 1988 (?) you do NOT need an apostille on anything.  If I am wrong about the year, please correct me.  Or maybe 1988 only pertains to birth certificates and not other documents.  I will try and find out for sure.

Proof of Judaism--Your Rabbi must write a letter on official Synagogue letterhead stating that you are Jewish and born to a Jewish mother.  If you are Jewish through father/grandfather, then the Rabbi must be able to confirm your heritage.  If you converted to Judaism, please see next entry.  All letters from the Rabbi must be in English or Hebrew.  The letterhead must state the name, location and telephone number of the congregation, and include your full legal name (as it is on your passport) and parents'/grandparents' names if Jewish from birth. The letter must also be signed by the Rabbi.

Proof of Judaism thru Conversion--NBN will need a copy of your official Conversion Certificate.  It will have the 3 witness signatures from the Beit Din on it.  In addition, you will need to submit 2 letters along with it:  One from your sponsoring Rabbi with whom you studied, on official Synagogue letterhead, stating  your conversion process, dates of study, and involvement in the community before and after conversion, and signed by the Rabbi. 

The second letter will be about your decision to convert to Judaism and your involvement in the Jewish community since your conversion.  NOTE:  If you have converted to Judaism, you must remain in your Jewish community for one year before you can make Aliyah. You can apply during your waiting period, however, the final approval cannot be granted before that one year time period post conversion has passed.

There is a $50 application fee for singles ($100 for a couple or a family).  I actually submitted a few documents even before I paid the fee.  There is also a $50  per person flight processing fee.  This fee is paid in order to have your Aliyah flight ticket issued.  I have not paid this fee yet, because I have not had my interview with the Jewish Agency.  I guess there is a possibility that they might not think I have what it takes to be successful in Israel for reasons of age, health, employment, etc.  I'm guessing here, I do not yet know the questions I will be asked.  But they are the final "stamp of approval" in the Aliyah process.  So I would imagine that a few are not approved for one reason or another.

Doesn't mean that you cannot make Aliyah if you get a "no" decision.  It just means you have to do the whole process on your own.  Which would be hard and overwhelming, but still worth the end result.