Posted September 17 2008
An Olah Without A Parachute: My Aliyah Adventure vii
“Welcome to Israel.”
No, I’m not being redundant. This is what I hear every day, many times a day. The thing is, people aren’t saying it in a friendly, warm way, but rather in a sarcastic, cynical way. For example, if your apartment has bugs in it –”Welcome to Israel.” If workers do a shoddy job for you but say it’s the best — “Welcome to Israel.” If you stand in line for hours — “Welcome to Israel.”
This phrase has started to frustrate me. Israel does not have a monopoly on bugs, shoddy workmanship, or long lines. Ever been to a government office in the US? Ever had work done to an apartment in Washington Heights? Ever lived in an apartment in Washington Heights???
I will say, though, that there is a difference of accountability. Instead of following up with supervisors, the people I’ve so far encountered just shake their head and say, “Israel.” Perhaps we perpetuate this stasis with all our head-nodding and resignation?
I’m not claiming that there aren’t other significant differences, but perhaps they are not as major as we make them out to be. One should not expect the worst of the people here. There are kind and considerate people in Israel. When in a bit of a fix (my movers left me on the side of the road with my boxes), I called a few friends and people I had just met and immediately received offers of assistance. The feeling of community is profoundly strong, and I know that if I get in a bind there will be people to help. People will drop whatever they are doing, whether at work or somewhere else, to come help.
So — yes, welcome to Israel!
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3 Comments currently posted. 
Ginny says:
Cassie says:
Way to look on the bright side. Good luck.
David H. says:
It seems that some things in Israel don’t change — for the better and for the worse. I remember I was taking a bus in the North, this was years and years ago, The bus broke down and we had to wait for a replacement.
I asked the driver a question, (In English. My Hebrew was about zero at that point.) I have no memory of what my question was, but I’ll never forget the answer. He stood by the bus, looking down the road, and said, “This isn’t America, sir.”
Are you implying that the heights is something less then a new Eden?