Translated by Peloni
Part I was the personal story. Join me for Part II: Dorraine, Barry and Dad.
The writer with Doreen Gilbert-Weiss and Dr. Darrell Temkin. Doreen, a veteran immigrant to Israel (18 years), Darrell immigrated in 2025. Photo via author.
Three generations since the establishment of the state, there are those who doubt the eternity of Israel and whether we will even reach the centennial celebrations (in another 22 years, or almost another generation). Allow me to tell about immigration in the current century, not only in order to encourage anyone to return or immigrate to Israel (if only, for these are especially lofty goals), but rather in order to nag those responsible to prepare, because the day will come, and Israel will have to absorb massive unplanned immigration, waves of persecuted Jews from all over the world (LA & NY included). That day is closer than we think, and the State of Israel is neither prepared nor really preparing.
Eighteen years ago there was an economic crisis (mainly involving mortgages) that struck the world. A couple in Los Angeles found itself with apartments whose value was lower than the debt owed to the banks, such that it was preferable to surrender the properties to the banks. They took the father of one of the spouses and left to Jerusalem, where they bought a two-story condo for a million dollars.
Eighteen (Chai) years later, and they still have not learned Hebrew, because in Jerusalem there are many expats from English-speaking countries. There is so much to do, and all in English. They regularly host famous people for a loyal audience of immigrants like themselves. On Friday nights they host Christian groups for a Sabbath meal in a Jewish home in Jerusalem. The rooms on the lower floor they rent out, in a home-like atmosphere. And throughout all the years the wife engaged in matchmaking. Not only do they truly live in paradise, but they also earn future merit through all the matchmaking. They have a son who is a rabbi at Aish HaTorah (opposite the Western Wall), as well as many “ultra-Orthodox” grandchildren. In short, “PARADISE” in Zion Jerusalem.
If you are interested in hearing the story of “Dorraine, Barry and Dad,” eighteen years in Jerusalem, then on Sunday, May 17, 2026, Dorraine will be in Los Angeles for a “Story Hour” event. Or you may call upon them in Jerusalem. You are invited to contact me for details. As stated, I am not trying to persuade anyone to leave everything and move to Israel, but it is good and pleasant to hear from someone who did exactly that and does not regret it for a second. For them this is the best decision they made in their lives.
We all yearn “For Next Year in Built Jerusalem.” We pray toward Jerusalem. We are buried toward Jerusalem. For two millennia we cried and prayed for the moment that we will be able to return to Zion Jerusalem. Why not pack and move, now, today? Impossible, you say, although we wish we could.
Some will say that Dorraine, Barry and Dad are affluent, live a most comfortable life and did not really go through a difficult process of absorption. All this is true. They truly live in paradise on earth, in God’s City on the Hills of Jerusalem. And they are not alone. In Beit Shemesh, in Judea and Samaria and and in many other places throughout the country there are other Americans, Brits, Australians, South Africans and others who immigrated in order to be close to their children or grandchildren. And there are those who immigrated because life is good for them here, among Jews, in the land of the Jews. They do not have to worry about Antisemitism overseas. And whatever happens, they are actually at home.
Dr. Geft and his wife (he is a renowned cardiologist and she was the director of membership of the Simon Wiesenthal Center). Dr. Daryl Temkin, a psychologist, photographer and a Rabbi. Many couples from Beverlywood (an affluent Jewish neighborhood in Los Angeles), and so many more. What characterizes all of them is that immigration was extremely comfortable for them. They had arrived to a country that until two and a half years ago did not recognize any existential threat and was a true world-power — innovation, entrepreneurship, flights abroad, good living, even legendary wealth.
These are all immigrants of a specific type: immigrants-of-convenience. They likely flew business class, have little worries and do not understand hardship. This is not the immigration before and after the formation of the modern State in 1948. Neither is it the immigration of the Russians or Ethiopians. Even Aviva, who returned to Israel after more than half a century in the City of Angels, receives Social Security payments from the United States, and until recently these were quite valuable. [With the value of the dollar in a very steep decline, the money is no longer enough.]
So here are some of the problems with which an average immigrant will need to cope:
* what does one do without Bituach Leumi (Social Security) payments — after all, no rights were accumulated in Israel?
*How does one deal with the required ransom payments in order to qualify for health insurance? Are there any exclusions for pre-existing conditions? What about old aged home or round-the-clock care?
* How does one manage in a new country, in a completely different culture, when there is no support from family and friends and no steady work?
* What do those do who worked their entire life and cannot work in the same profession in Israel (for example doctors or nurses), or who are already close to retirement age, yet find themselves with nothing in a country that is theirs, yet foreign do?
* How does one cope with difficult challenges (such as a missile attack from Iran or an incurable disease) or even with the new environment (loud speaking, honking, lack of courtesy, a very weird definition of “standing in line,” zero patience, …)?
Immigrant absorption is difficult and complicated, and there are good people who care, but Israel is notorious for its formidable bureaucracy.
In order not to sound like ten of the twelve Spies who Moses sent to tour the Land of Milk and Honey, allow me to present an experience of an American who left from the US to Israel in 2019. On May 6th, 2026, on the 7th Anniversary of his Aliya, Martin Sinkoff posted. I do not know him, but a friend in Miami used to work with him. Good news traverse the world like light, bringing good energy to all.
In May of 2019, I made Aliyah to Israel. And since then, for the first time in my life, I understand what it means to be home, to have a home. Not a house, a home. Looking back, I now understand why I was so uncomfortable in in some many of the places in which I had lived. I was not at home and was not home. Here in Israel, I am home and I breathe in a different way. It’s not always easy by any means. “Little” Israel: the government, the bureaucracy, the often-rude manners, the traffic, the noise (honking cars) can be wearing. But ISRAEL, in capital letters, is tonic, soothing, nourishing. Living in land that understands and lives by Jewish time, Sun and Moon, that shuts down mostly on Shabbat, that opens again on Sunday not Monday, that respects the holiday periods. Home! A country where everyone looks after everyone like a large extended family….which we are!
There needs to be a framework that will absorb immigrants and embrace them over time. This is not only an enormous financial expense but also an investment. If this were a family member, would we not do this? I understand that it is difficult to take on another burden on top of everything that already exists (reserve duty, raising children, caring for elderly parents, earning a living, and more and more), and many will not understand why one must deal with immigration when it concerns Israelis who voluntarily left the country and did not “share the burden,” or Jews who were among the greatest critics against us and those boycotting us. Here the government ministries enter the picture, because the very existence of the Jewish state is a promise that every Jew in the world has the right to return to Israel. And that right is interpreted as the duty of the state to care for them — better or worse — now and forever, no matter what.
Is caring for immigrants part of the order of priorities of the State of Israel? Is the state organized and prepared to absorb waves of immigration forced by circumstances, because of profound hatred toward Jews solely because they are Jews? Will I succeed at some point in getting the attention of someone who needs to prepare — and the sooner the better? The answer to all these questions is “no.” Israeli mentality is to deal with issues when they arise, rather than prepare in advance. “Do not worry, everything will be ok, we will manage!”
One take from the Story of the Spies is that Israel is an amazing country, and the right each Jew has to “reclaim the land” promises a home, a shelter, an escape. In life, it is very rare to change without a push, a shove, a catastrophe. Few are able to do so out of convenience. No matter what the reason, each Jewish person is most welcome in the country, even if the Israeli way of expressing this is sometimes at odds with the perception of what and how it should be.
Now more than ever is the time to try. Now is the time for Israel to take action, in leisure, rather than improvise when faced with a forced reality. Wake up Israel and act now, because the long, arduous Winter and the Queen of Antisemitism will be here sooner than we think, and you will be unprepared!
Part 1 can be found HERE
Ari Bussel
May, 2026
Ceasefire of the “The Lion’ Roar” War
Los Angeles, Iyar 5786
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