Aliya at 18 and again at 40

[nava998]

Aliya at 18 and again at 40

My first Aliya didn't work out for me too good. 22 years later, I want to return. I was born in Israel but left at age 8. Does anyone know if I am entitled to oleh chadash benefits? I am returning, b'h, with 2 american kids, ages 6&10. thanks

 

[odelial]

It sounds like

you need to determine your current status. You will than be able to know whether you still got rights. I suggest that you make an appointment with a shaliach, and start looking for old passports and documentation Good luck

 

[rksprst]

Oleh Chadash

Personally, I wouldn't make an Aliya because of your kids. Unless they want to - and understand what an Aliya would mean. I moved from Israel to the US when I was 9 and let me tell you I hated my parents for it - left behind all friends and family there (without saying goodbye, I thought I was going on a vacation... they still claim it was originally a vacation). Anyway, I think if you're still an Israeli citizen (I assume you didn't "cancel" your citizenship), you should have the Oleh Chadash status. But talk with the local consulate to make sure. Good Luck!

 

[nava998]

kids

thanks for the suggestion but I would never deceive my kids. They are very excited to move to Israel but like you at age 9, have no clue what to expect. They are aware that they will be leaving their school, friends, home and all that is familiar to them. I spoke today to a schliach at the Aliya Center and my status would be Ktina Chozeret. The biggest surprise I got was becuz I was born in Israel, my kids automatically become Israeli citizens and there is no choice or discussion in this matter. This law is absurd.

 

[rksprst]

Status

Oh wops, I mean to say returning citizen - not "oleh chadash"... which you couldn't be cause you're already a citizen. BTW, this is a good link to find out your status: http://www.moia.gov.il/english/regulations/regulations1.htm That's cool that they're excited to move. I guess if they know they're moving and are excited they'll probably like Israel. Kids adjust pretty well so... Just out of curiousity, as I'm also thinking of aliyah, why did your first aliyah (when you were 18) not go so well?

 

[nava998]

1st aliyah

The merkaz aliya told me that I am considered Ktina Chozeret - not oleh chadash. The first aliya was very difficult for me for many reasons. My parents got divorced when I was 17.5 and my mother moved to Israel. I was at an age where I still needed my mother but with complete independence. I think my Aliya failed becuz the timing was awful. My parents just got divorced, my mom was nervous becuz she I guess she had financial burden (although I was not aware of it at the time). I felt very lonely in Israel. I had no friends and although Israelis are very friendly, there was a major mentality gap. I remember looking at streets signs and missing to see English street signs or simple things like calling the phone company and the conversation would not be in English. I was forced into a situation that took me away from my life of friends and freedom. I was also used to a more pampered life (car, phone, my own room, tv, etc.) and in Israel, my mom couldn't afford it. She got nervous easily and it was a hard time for her. After a while, I decided to come back and live on my own in NY. That was 20 years ago and now I am doing exactly what my mother did. Making an Aliya with 2 young kids. My younger sisters were 5+8 when my mom got divorced and they moved to Israel. It's much easier for kids to get adjusted. In my opinion, teenagers, young adults, and elders have the hardest time adjusting. We moved to Canada when I was 8 and I adjusted beautifully. And at 13, we moved to NY and I adjusted again very smoothly. I guess I didn't adjust to Israel at 18 becuz of the circumstances. What do you think?