Friday, September 12, 2008

My Hesbon ha-Nefesh be-Nefesh

The Gemora is most emphatic that when you offer constructive criticism, you should do so in a way that people can hear. Evidently, my recent post on NbN Olim and tremping did not fit that criterion. As one of my children noted, by the time the reader might get to the praise of NbN Olim, he or he was probably no longer reading.

So, let me make this short and sweet.

1) Nefesh b'Nefesh is the most blessed initative in the past twenty years. I have nothing but admiration and respect for all those who packed up to come here, despite their more comfortable lives in חו"ל. Koh le-Hai!!!!!

2) North American Olim can change this country, for the better. That requires, though, that they make a concerted effort to integrate into Israeli society and earn their bonafides. While Landsmanschaften are important, it's vital that the new olim not isolate themselves in homogenous communities. The life of this country depends on their not doing that.

3) Part of absorption is the conscious attempts to learn local mores and sensitivities. (E.g. Americans like to barge into conversations, Israelis are very sensitive to the need to say 'Hello' and 'Good Morning.') The tremping issue is part of that.

So, welcome welcome. Klita Kalah. If anyone wants tips on how to become integrated, just ask your Israeli neighbors (or some vatikim.)

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

"it's vital that the new olim not isolate themselves in homogenous communities. The life of this country depends on their not doing that."

Let's broaden that a little: "it's vital that religious Israelis not isolate themselves in homogenous communities. The life of this country depends on their not doing that."

Lady-Light said...

Ekronit, I agree with the above commenter. But there is a dichotomy here: on the one hand, as a Jew I would want to set an example of an open-minded, accepting religious person, but on the other hand, I would want, say, to be surrounded by others who value what I do and form a kehilah, and I would want an atmosphere that would be condusive to a holy, spiritual Shabbat.
Sometimes it's a tough choice.

Anonymous said...

Like Efrat?