Why Making Aliyah is Not Always Easy: A Detailed Look at the Challenges
Making Aliyah—immigrating to Israel under the Law of Return—is an important and often life-changing decision for Jews around the world. While it is a deeply personal and meaningful process, it can also be fraught with challenges. The reality of moving to a new country, adjusting to a different culture, and navigating practical issues like language, employment, and bureaucracy can make the transition difficult for many new immigrants (olim).
Below is an in-depth exploration of why making Aliyah can be a difficult process, and the key challenges olim face as they embark on their journey to becoming part of Israeli society.
1. Bureaucracy and Administrative Hurdles
Complex and Time-Consuming Process
The bureaucratic process of making Aliyah involves numerous steps, each requiring careful attention to detail. New immigrants must:
Obtain Aliyah approval through the Jewish Agency or Nefesh B'Nefesh, which involves submitting proof of Jewish identity (such as a letter from a rabbi, birth certificates, or other documents), along with background checks, visas, and additional paperwork.
Register as Israeli citizens upon arrival. New olim must visit government offices to obtain their Teudat Zehut (Israeli ID card), enroll in health insurance, and apply for benefits such as the Sal Klita (Absorption Basket).
Language Barriers
Even though Israel is home to a large English-speaking population, official government processes are predominantly conducted in Hebrew. Understanding and completing paperwork, scheduling appointments, and communicating with government employees can be challenging for those who do not speak fluent Hebrew.
Miscommunication and misunderstandings due to language barriers often lead to delays, incomplete forms, and missed opportunities for benefits.
Lengthy Waiting Times
Israeli bureaucracy can involve long waits and multiple visits to different government offices, making it difficult for olim to efficiently complete their administrative tasks. This process can be frustrating, especially for immigrants who are used to more streamlined or efficient systems in their home countries.
2. Learning Hebrew: A Major Hurdle
Language as a Gateway to Integration
Fluency in Hebrew is critical for social, professional, and cultural integration in Israel. However, learning Hebrew can be particularly challenging, especially for older olim or those coming from countries where they had no previous exposure to the language.
While English is widely spoken in Israel, especially in major cities like Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, mastering Hebrew is essential for interacting with government services, pursuing higher education, and advancing in many career paths.
The Ulpan Experience
To help new immigrants learn Hebrew, Israel offers Ulpan—an intensive Hebrew language program. While Ulpan can provide a strong foundation, many olim find that they struggle to attain fluency, especially in professional or academic contexts. Additionally, the pace and intensity of the course may not suit everyone’s learning style.
Even after completing Ulpan, many olim report that they are still unable to communicate confidently in everyday situations or understand more complex bureaucratic or legal language.
Long-Term Language Struggles
For many olim, learning Hebrew is a long-term process that takes years. Immigrants who do not achieve proficiency often feel isolated or excluded from many aspects of Israeli society. This language barrier can limit job prospects, hinder social interactions, and create a sense of alienation.
3. Challenges in Finding Employment
Employment Opportunities: Limited by Language and Credentials
Finding a job in Israel can be one of the biggest challenges for olim, particularly those who do not speak fluent Hebrew or whose professional credentials are not easily recognized in Israel.
Language Proficiency: Many jobs, especially in fields like customer service, education, law, and healthcare, require a high level of Hebrew fluency. Without this proficiency, olim are often limited to positions in multinational companies, English-speaking roles, or jobs that do not require direct interaction with the public.
Credential Recognition: Certain professions, such as medicine, law, and engineering, require Israeli certification or licensing. Many olim must undergo a lengthy re-certification process, which may include additional exams, coursework, or training, before they can practice their profession in Israel.
Lower Salaries and High Cost of Living
Even when olim find jobs, they are often faced with lower salaries than those in their home countries, particularly for jobs outside the high-tech sector.
Salaries: Wages in Israel, particularly for professionals such as teachers, social workers, and engineers, tend to be lower than in many Western countries. This can come as a shock to olim who are accustomed to higher income levels, especially when coupled with Israel’s high cost of living.
Cost of Living: Major cities like Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, and Haifa have some of the highest real estate prices in the world, and the cost of everyday expenses (groceries, utilities, transportation) is often higher than olim expect. This combination of lower salaries and high expenses can create significant financial stress.
Networking and Social Capital
In Israel, personal connections and networking (known as "protektzia") play a significant role in finding employment. New immigrants often lack the social networks that long-term residents have, making it harder for them to find job opportunities, receive referrals, or integrate into professional circles.
4. Housing Difficulties
High Real Estate Prices
Housing in Israel, particularly in the larger cities, is expensive. Many olim are surprised by how much they need to spend on rent or home purchases compared to their previous country of residence.
Home Ownership: Buying a home in cities like Tel Aviv or Jerusalem can be prohibitively expensive, with real estate prices often exceeding NIS 30,000 per square meter in prime locations. For new immigrants, purchasing a home may be out of reach for several years, if not longer.
Renting: Renting an apartment in Israel can also be costly, with demand for housing in urban centers far exceeding supply. Additionally, the rental market can be competitive, and olim unfamiliar with local norms may find themselves at a disadvantage when negotiating rental terms.
Limited Availability of Affordable Housing
To address high real estate prices, some olim choose to live in peripheral areas or smaller towns where housing is more affordable. However, these regions may offer fewer job opportunities, less access to public transportation, and smaller immigrant communities, which can slow down the integration process.
5. Family and Social Adjustments
Separation from Family and Friends
For many olim, one of the most difficult aspects of making Aliyah is leaving behind close family members, friends, and the support networks they have built over many years. This separation can lead to:
Homesickness and Isolation: Being far from family can be emotionally challenging, especially during holidays, family milestones, or personal crises. Many olim experience periods of loneliness or homesickness, particularly in the first few years after moving.
Cultural Differences: Even though Israel is home to many Jewish communities, cultural differences between Israeli-born citizens and olim from Western or Eastern countries can create a sense of alienation. Integrating into a new community, making friends, and building new social networks take time.
Educational Adjustments for Children
Families making Aliyah face additional challenges in adjusting their children to the Israeli school system. While Israel offers special programs for olim in schools, there are still many hurdles:
Language Barriers: Hebrew is the language of instruction in most Israeli schools, and children who do not speak the language may struggle academically and socially. While they may receive additional Hebrew lessons, the adjustment period can be difficult, particularly for older children.
Different Educational Approaches: The Israeli school system may differ significantly from the education systems in other countries, with variations in teaching styles, curricula, and discipline. Children may take time to adapt to the Israeli educational culture.
6. Emotional and Psychological Stress
Homesickness and Culture Shock
Making Aliyah can bring about emotional challenges such as homesickness, culture shock, and anxiety over adapting to a new country. Many olim find that while they are excited about the move initially, the reality of adjusting to life in Israel can lead to feelings of regret or frustration.
Adapting to Israeli Society: Israeli society is known for being fast-paced and direct. This can be overwhelming for immigrants coming from more reserved cultures. The intensity of daily life in Israel, combined with the pressure to adapt quickly, can cause stress for many olim.
Mental Health Services
Israel’s national health insurance system covers mental health services, and there are many resources available for olim dealing with the emotional stress of moving. Psychologists and social workers often provide therapy and counseling services, and several organizations cater specifically to the mental health needs of new immigrants.
7. Security Concerns and Military Obligations
Living in a Conflict Zone
Israel’s security situation is an unavoidable reality for new immigrants. Depending on where they choose to live, olim may experience periods of conflict, rocket fire, or security alerts.
Proximity to Conflict Zones: Cities in southern Israel, such as Sderot, Ashkelon, and Be’er Sheva, are more vulnerable to rocket fire from Gaza, while communities in northern Israel may face threats from Hezbollah in Lebanon. For olim not accustomed to living in areas with regular security threats, this can be a major source of anxiety.
Mandatory Military Service
Young olim may be required to serve in the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) if they are under the age of 28 (men) or 24 (women). While some immigrants embrace the opportunity to serve, others may find it difficult to adjust to military life, particularly if they are joining after already starting their careers or completing their education.
8. Financial Struggles Despite Government Support
Sal Klita (Absorption Basket)
The Israeli government provides financial assistance to new olim through the Sal Klita, a grant designed to help with initial living expenses. While this aid is helpful, many olim find that it is insufficient to cover the high cost of living in Israel, particularly in major cities.
Short-Term Nature of Support: The financial support from the Sal Klita is provided for a limited time, usually six to twelve months. After this period, olim are expected to be financially independent, which can be difficult given the high costs of housing, education, and healthcare.
Balancing Idealism with Financial Reality
Many olim are motivated to make Aliyah by a sense of Zionism or religious conviction. However, the financial reality of life in Israel—including lower wages, high living costs, and difficulties finding employment—can sometimes clash with these idealistic motivations, leading to disappointment or frustration.
Conclusion: Overcoming the Challenges of Aliyah
Making Aliyah is a journey that requires resilience, patience, and a realistic understanding of the challenges ahead. While the process of integrating into Israeli society is not always easy, many olim find that the rewards—both personal and communal—make the difficulties worthwhile.
By understanding and preparing for the hurdles of language, employment, housing, and social integration, new immigrants can better navigate their transition to life in Israel. The support systems in place, including Ulpan, government benefits, and mental health services, can provide olim with the tools they need to build a successful and fulfilling life in their new homeland.