Master of my fate!

There is no doubt in my mind that we all have the power to make things happen in our lives. Yes, circumstances knock us around and our emotional state can weaken our resolve, but our lives are filled with possibility and it’s all about finding that proverbial needle in the haystack with courage and determination.

Starting over… again!

About six weeks before making Aliyah, I attended an Aliyah Expo in Johannesburg. It was the end of May 2009 and I had been for my interview with Ofer Dahan, the then director of the Israel Center, only a few weeks before. I knew the next Aliyah flight was coming up on July 4 and many people were trying to convince me to be on it, but I was still not sure about making the move so soon. Everything was moving way too fast.

Things I’ve learned since making Aliyah

I have been in Israel for one year and I’ve discovered many things about myself and about the country, the people and life here. To put it in a nutshell, this country is as easy or hard as you make it. And yes, I can hear many olim (immigrants) saying: “Bullshit, this country is difficult no matter what you do or how hard you try.” And perhaps they’re right, in many ways. The language, the culture, finding work, getting to know the way things are done… it is difficult.

My Aliyah journey in a nutshell!

How do you sum up a year of change, adventure, excitement, happiness, sadness, loneliness, frustration, nostalgia, work experiences and more in a short exchange of words? This is my attempt, but more detailed versions can be found on my personal blog.

A big Aliyaheroes hello!

Welcome to the new aliyaheroes blog! The aim of this blog is to connect olim chadashim (new immigrants) in Israel. Although there may be many similar blogs and websites in cyberspace, each one has its own unique flavour, and this one will be no different (in its uniqueness, of course).

I made Aliyah from South Africa in July 2009, so starting this blog in my anniversary month seemed rather appropriate. I had planned to keep friends and family updated on my progress on a regular basis from the time I arrived, but life happened and I didn't quite get things off the ground.