"You're American. Oh so you're here with Birthright."

I have been a bit busy lately and have neglected my blog but I'm back... 

As time goes by I keep hearing stories about girls who made Aliyah for their Israeli boyfriends, including my neighbor on my Aliyah flight. The guys happen to be their soldiers on Taglit. It all of a sudden hit me: Taglit, and all of the organizations {Masa, Career Israel, study abroad programs} are Israeli recruitments in disguise. Rumor has it that the program chooses handsome/attractive soldiers on purpose, making it appealing for the American girls. For the soldiers that get chosen to guard a Birthright trip, they feel as though they have won the lottery! It’s like an American/Israeli dating service, and once they have you, you’re hooked. You Skype for a few months while your both home and then you make Aliyah for him a few months later because you think he’s the one and you want to build your life in Israel. It’s all a dream… until you get there and you have to deal with the beauracracy – but that’s a whole different story. Although I'm one of few exceptions, I feel proud to have moved to a place for my love of the country, not for a person. 

Although I have mostly spoken negatively about Israel (because it's things that would not happen in America) Israel/is also has many great qualities. Israelis are very warm people and truly want to get to know you, even if you'll never see them again. They appreciate family. Most Israeli families have close-knit relationships with one other. One of the main reasons I think this is so is because of Shabbat. If the family is busy all week, there is one day in the week where they can all get together and catch up. When I speak to an Israeli, I feel like I have known them my whole life. I can't explain why, I just feel like I have known them for years. Israeli's are the only people that will host you for Shabbat dinner or invite you over to break the fast, even if you just met that night. This is unheard of in America. The American parent would question it saying "You don't know who they are. It can put you in danger." That's the things about Israel, everyone is family. There is such a sense of community here that I have never felt in any other place. Israel is also, ironically, the safest place I have ever lived. They check every person that enters a mall, synogogue,  government building, clubs, etc. Yes, they are pushy and loud people, but every people have faults. I think the good definitely override the bad.