Advice on Aliyah

[PurpleChrayn]

DH and I have set the ball rolling with our Aliyah application.

He is from there but left age 16 and is a Baal teshuvah.

We think we would like Haifa but also considering other locations.

For the Israelis on here and folk who know Israel, what sort of places do you think would suit us? I’m 44 with a PhD in literature, working as an English editor. I also speak and translate from Mandarin Chinese. DH is 35 and a clinical trials researcher. Kids are 5 and 2. We’d probably fit best into Daati Leumi circles.

We own our house outright and will sell it in order to buy somewhere.

Any advice welcome!

shabbat shalom

Good luck. Following with interest.

Best of luck with the aliya process, you’ll need lots of patience! Your husband would not need to make aliya as he would be considered a returning citizen (you would need to check his status as he left as a minor),
One important consideration is whether you speak any Ivrit at all. If not, you may be best to consider places where there is an established Anglo community such as Bet Shemesh, Modiin, Raanana or Netanya. I would also advise you to consider renting for a year before you think of buying.
Happy to answer any questions you may have If you would like to message me directly

Good luck with the move. Shame that so many Jews feel it has come to this. Feels a bit like Germany in the 1930s and some Jews knew it was time to leave.

Hey purple- I’d probably be thinking Ra’anana, Modi’in, kiryat hasharon/ir yamim (both are Netanya neighborhoods). There’s lovely Anglo dati leumi communities in all of them with quite a number of English olim. I know people who have moved to kiryat gat recently as well, although the ones I know are on the younger side (e.g have one baby, in their early twenties).

Ramat Bet Shemesh/Bet Shemesh has a large Anglo population, so it’s often recommended as a ‘soft landing’, and there is a range of areas from very chareidi to dati leumi, but if your husband is a toshav chozer, he should have the Ivrit to negotiate the bureaucracy anyway, so you do have more options open to you.

Most of the people I know who have made Aliyah over the years live in Mo’odin & they all seem to know each other judging by mutual friends in FB.

There are lots of agencies who will advise and support you. If you want any pointers, just message me. Am Israel Chai.

I know a lot of people who have made aliyah but more Americans than Brits. Beit Shemesh/RBS is very American and leans more religiously right wing (decide for yourself if that suits you). Lots to Modiin, and some still to Jerusalem if they have the budget. Jerusalem has the best Dati educational options. Raanana still popular but older and more expensive. Some Brits in Netanya as well. Haifa gets fewer anglos, especially dati, but there are some. Americans also like Efrat and the Gush but I don't think I know many Brits there.

This is all really great info. Thank you!

Wow, best of luck with your research and big move!

You might be better posting on a Jewish/religious site like imamother, lots of similar enquiries to this there.

The DL anglo people I know live in Ranaana and Modiin. Also Rechovot and other places.

I am sure a lot depends on your budget as well.

Good luck and best wishes for the move. I have two colleagues returning soon. I am so sorry it has come to this.

Following with interest also

I am Jewish and have posted on this board before under the name CloudyAgain. I can't find those login details anymore so re-regged.

I'd be really interested in hearing how things go and the process @PurpleChrayn

I Don’t have many friends who aren’t toying with the idea now. Your kids op are the perfect age to go.