From Nation's Capital to Nation's Capital: The Azza Street Spy

Latest Batch of Olim
Last week I did what I hate to do: I woke up really early. A buddy was making aliyah that morning and I wanted to greet her as she got off the plane. This was the first of seven Nefesh B'Nefesh chartered flights (http://nbn.org.il/) bringing the summer season of olim. It was great to see my friend, great to be at the welcome ceremony, and great to share the enthusiasm of all of the early risers who were present. Definitely worth it :)

As a disclaimer, I had mixed feelings about cheering a bunch of civilized Americans for choosing to make aliyah. Of course I love Israel, but I was feeling pretty hostile those last two weeks. The love letters from the Ministries of Health and Education were wearing me out. I wanted to scream to the new olim as they were getting off the plane, "Any PhD psychologists among you? Go back! Go back! No need to take this abuse!!" But, the crowd was too large, the live music was too loud, and there was no chance that I would be heard.

So, instead I had fun. I think I enjoyed this welcome ceremony more than my own 10 months prior. I was tired this time too, but not jetlagged.

President Katsav, among others spoke. One speaker (I think an NBN co-founder) said that aliyah is the oxygen of Israel. Of course he's right. Not only is it the oxygen that sustains Israel, it is the substance that continually transforms Israel. Instead of sending the PhD psychologists back, more of them might make the ministries wake up and realize that their policies are untenable. I would love for there to be more Jews and Americans in Israel, for personal and collective reasons. Personally, it gives me more people to befriend, and collectively, I believe that Americans arriving in hordes can improve Israeli society. Just like immigration blocs push society and force them to adapt to the new population, like the Russian aliyah, maybe 3,000 NA olim every year will help make Israel a friendlier and more service-oriented place. I would love to be part of a large population bloc group that positively influences the Israeli landscape.

While listening to the inspiring speeches I thought, "Who cares about that Killer of Zionist Dreams? She's just one more annoying clerk who keeps harassing me. One day she'll believe me that I'm a psychologist and an Israeli citizen. I'll still be here and she'll still be a nobody."

I don't believe that Americans, or any ethnic group, are inherently superior. However, I would love for an infusion of Americans to get these socialist clerks out of the 50's. So, friends. Come join!! Join in the action! There is a country waiting for you!

Check this link for pictures of the aliyah arrival. I'm not in any of them myself, although my brother-in-law's family is. http://www.jr.co.il/pictures/israel/history/usa-aliyah.htm

Here is another link, an aliyah newsletter of sorts. http://kummunique.blogspot.com/ In the Pinchas and Balak editions are stories and audio from the aliyah flight.

Just remember, when you're ready to come, we're ready to welcome you!

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