Aliya to Israel
Webquest adapted by Miri Rubin
Authored by Rabbi Shalom Berger, Ed.D.
Bar Ilan University
Introduction
Task Process Resources
Conclusion
You and your family are considering making Aliyah, moving to Eretz Yisrael. You are in a great dilemma: There are so many beautiful and exciting places to live in Israel, where should you go? You and your family are meeting at the dinner table to discuss and decide on a course of action. Each member has a different view of the perfect place to live.
Working in groups of 4, divide up the task of investigating the different aspects of making Aliya. Below, there are links to connect to sites that will be helpful to you. You will given a list of questions, which will guide you through the task. Please take careful notes on any useful information or on any data that will help you answer your questions. Also, keep a list of sites in which you found information that was helpful to you.
In one hour, each member of the team will be asked to present their point
of view to the other members.
Choose one of the communities listed below (there are many other
places to that you might live in Israel. You can choose a community that is not
on this list, as well) as the place that you might be interested in living.
Say a few words about how that particular community answers the
concerns about where you want to live.
Are your thoughts about choosing where to live the same when thinking
about what community is best for you in the country that you live in now? Why or
why not?
Write a one page essay convincing your family members of your choice of location.
Process:
Each team member will take on a role
(Grandpa) Joe: The Historian: Grandpa is most interested in moving to Israel because of his feelings of deep connection of the Jewish people and the Torah to the land of Israel.
(Daddy) Richard: The Realist: Dad is concerned with the cost of living in Israel. He wants make sure that he can support his family on his salary as a computer programmer. He wants to make sure in a community where he can participate in Torah lectures and shiurim and partake in community life.
(Mom) Tamar: The Family Man : Mom wants to make sure that her family is going to live near good schools, recreation areas and community services.
(Daughter) Shira: The Dreamer: Shira loves everything about this beautiful country. She is interested in living near a place where she can spend her time on nature hikes or visiting historical sites.
Try dividing up the key questions above among the team members according to the role they play.
Keep these key questions in mind:
Why did Jews who had already established themselves in Babylon choose
to return to Israel?
Did all of them come (see Ezra
8:15, and Maimonides Mishneh Torah, Ma’aser
1:4-5)? Why do you think that was true?
Why do you think that Jews continued their attempts to return to
Israel, even when there was no Jewish government there?
2. Why do you think that Aliya from the United States (and other Western countries) is so much smaller than Aliya from Eastern European, African and Arab countries?
· If you would like to see what some of them say, see Why Aliya?
What kind of questions would you ask before deciding to move halfway
across the world?
Who would you turn to for advice on these questions?
The climate?
The history of the place?
Large city vs. smaller community?
The kind of community that you will find there?
What kind of jobs are available?
Sports and recreation?
Safety and security?
Other issues?
Where would you want to live in Israel?
What kind of climate do you like? - hills and mountains or plains, shores or inland, desert or forest?
What kind of industry are you interested in?
What kind of community are you looking for?
What level of kibbutz galuyot are you interested in? mixed? all religious?
Israel has practically everything.
Resources:
Since Israel became a nation, the Jewish people have returned to the land of their forefathers - they have come on Aliya - time and again. Just 70 years after the destruction of the first Temple, the Jews returned from exile to rebuild the Land, and they continued to return even after the destruction of the second Temple.
Even before the birth of the modern State of Israel in 1948, there were Aliyot of Jews who tried to move to their historic homeland and establish residence there.
Since the creation of the State, waves of Olim have continued to come to Israel. Over the past decade, close to one million people have made Aliya.
Based on official Israeli government statistics, the overwhelming majority of the Olim of the past decade come from the former Soviet Union and from Ethiopia. There has been a consistent Aliya from the United States, as well.
There are many resources for people who choose to make Aliya. The World Zionist Organization (WZO) tries to encourage Aliya and give guidance to people who are considering a move to Israel.
There are groups that specifically try and help offer information to potential Olim from English speaking countries. Tehilla offers information on communities, careers and life for Olim to Israel.
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Choosing a place to live is always difficult. Although Israel is a very small country (it is about the size of the state of New Jersey) in many ways it is one of the most diverse countries in the world.
Physically, Israel has the lowest spot in the world, as well as mountain ranges. It includes the largest natural crater in the world.
Spiritually, Israel is home to three major world religions.
Economically, Israel is at the forefront of the technology boom.
In many ways, Israel is at the center of the world. Invariably, your daily newspaper will have a story about the goings-on in Israel on its front page.
Here is a range of locations where Israelis – and, of course, Olim live. Take a few minutes to find them on the map, read about them, and think about what appeals to you.
Large Cities:
Other places to live in Israel:
(These are areas captured by Israel in the Six Day War in 1967.
Included are communities in:
Gush Etzion, just south of Jerusalem,
Binyamin, just north of Jerusalem,
Shomron just west of Tel Aviv
Jordan Valley, north of the Dead Sea,
Gaza Coast, on the southern coast of the Mediterranean)
Conclusion
Some sum-up questions:
Why have Jews tried to come and live in Israel over and over again since they were exiled thousands of years ago?
What opportunities have come up over the past century?
What Jewish communities have taken advantage of the opportunity to move to Israel?
Why have those communities moved in greater numbers than other communities of Jews?
What connection do you feel to the Israel today?
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About how big is the State of Israel?
What is the largest natural crater in the world? Where in Israel is it located?
What is the lowest point in the world? Where is it located in Israel?
Where can someone go skiing in Israel?
Name one city in Israel that is in:
The South
The North
The Center
The Mediterranean coast
Near the Kinneret
Which communities in Israel today could you feel comfortable living in?