some other people's pics

On Tuesday morning, July 22, I landed at Ben-Gurion airport and there were about 200 people that came to greet the new olim that made aliyah from North America to Israel.

There were 217 olim on the flight including 50 singles (including 23 people joining the IDF through the Garin Tzabar program) 28 families with 98 children (98 - wow!).

The youngest oleh in the group is 3 months old and the oldest oleh is 88 years old. The flight also included 4 dogs and 1 cat.

A man named Jacob that came to greet the new olim posted pictures that he took
www.jr.co.il/pictures/israel/history/2008/a322.htm

Here are some pics he took. I am in the background of a couple, that's me in the green shirt.




Frances Greenberg, the first to receive her Teudat Oleh. She was the oldest new olah and was a passenger on the famous Exodus, that was denied entry to Israel. She moved to the USA with her husband and now at 88 she says “It’s time to fulfill the dream of my youth.After 60 years, I am finally coming to Israel to stay!”

Frances on the plane shows a photograph of herself and other passengers on the Exodus on their way to Israel. Unlike with the Exodus this time she will make it to stay!


My friend Marna came to meet me and the other olim at the airport. Thanks everyone!

sleep

I am not sure if I even know what sleep is anymore. I flew to NY at midnight Saturday night meaning I arrived in NY at 8:30ish am. Spent the day with Deb and Sebastian in their new home in Port Washington, NY. I was able to sleep a bit on the plane and then took a two hour nap on Sunday. Then Sunday night I went to sleep fairly late and only slept another few hours before heading to the airport once again for my Aliyah flight. woo hoo!!!! Monday I spent the majority of the day in the airport at JFK or actually on the plane. It was pretty cool to be on a whole El Al plane where all the passenger were making Aliyah to Israel! Something very special! because the light was in the middle of the day I wasn't able to sleep, I would close my eyes and try, but nothing.
Now I am so exhausted that it is hard to keep me eyes open. I did fall asleep briefly a couple of times but I am realy trying to stay up as late as I can. It will start to get dark soon, so if I can just hold out till then it will be great! If this doesn't make sense, I blame it on the weather and the lack of sleep.
I'll write more later when I am a little more awake and can even maybe put up some pictures.

watch my Aliyah LIVE online

I recieved the following e-mail for anyone interested...


LIVE ALIYAH WEBCAST!

YOU can watch as your loved ones arrive in Israel and are greeted at an exciting and emotional welcome ceremony marking their Aliyah to Israel!

Live from Israel…Nefesh B'Nefesh introduces its new worldwide arrival ceremony webcast! Simply log on to www.nbn.org.il/2008arrival to watch your family and friends land in Israel as new Olim and witness the festive and exhilarating arrival ceremony where they will celebrate their Aliyah together with hundreds of flag-waving guests and dignitaries!

The flight is scheduled to land at 7:40 am, Israel time, which is 12:40 am, Eastern Standard Time. Tune in then to experience a truly thrilling event. Please keep in mind that in the event of a flight delay, the webcast's broadcast will be delayed, as well.

For all inquiries, please e-mail Abi at Abigail@nbn.org.il.

See you online!

2 Days Left

I can't believe only two days left before Aliyah! That is just crazy. I am going to really miss everyone here but I am very excited to begin my life in Israel. Also I am very excited to be done packing. Packing to move to another country is really just insane; fitting your whole life into 3 suitcases and a carry-on! Good luck to anyone who ever has is doing or will have to do this. I know it is all worth it. I am going home!

Jewish History

I went to visit with my grandmother yesterday to spend some time with her before I leave. Little did I know I would be leaving with some history. My Grandpa Joe z"l passed away about 3 years ago and my grandmother, now 88 is getting ready to move to a retirement community.

She gave me an old throw pillow that is used to love that they got in Thailand ages ago. It is Thai silk and is yellow with brown fishies on it.

She also gave me small hexagons that she crocheted from scraps of yarn. It is a work in progress and she just adds more as she makes them. I am really exited because because I was looking for a pattern for an afghan made out of yarn scraps and this is perfect and I am so excited to incorporate my grandma's pieces into my own afghan.

My grandmother also gave me these amazing old Jewish books. The small brown one was an army issued Bible for Jews that was my grandpa's when he was in the army.

The blue and red is a Rosh Hashanah Machzor that was my grandma's mother's. It was printed in Vilna and all of the commentary and extras are Yiddish.

The Beautiful white one is a Siddur from Budapest and is over 100 years old. It has amazing metal detail on the cover and...

...0n the inside my great grandfather signed it and wrote a note when he gave it to my grandpa in 1981. This siddur is absolutely beautiful and delicate. It is in Hebrew and Hungarian, something that I have never seen before but I will treasure this and the other books my grandma gave me. I hope to even use them on very very special occasions.

Iam so blessed to have all 3 of these books that each have so much history. May the merit of my ancestors help me to be the best that I can be!