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PROFILE IN ALIYAH

Debby & Glenn Tamir

1. What made you make Aliyah? Please describe the people and experiences which influenced your decision.

One of the promises we made to each other when we married was that we would always consider living in Israel (the other was that we would never live in Florida). We knew how important the land and the People of Israel were in our lives, so in many ways, it was just a matter of finding the right time to make the big decision. Our eldest was graduating from grammar school and it seemed like the right time to make the move.

Our support center in America was filled with positive Israeli influences, not least of which was Debby's father. Dr. Abraham Mizrahi was born in Hebron in the mid-1920's and was raised in Jerusalem. He was an instrumental member of the Palmach and the early Israeli military and political establishment, before traveling to the US and receiving a scholarship from a small Christian college in Manchester, Indiana. Abe decided to study medicine and he graduated from the first class of the Albert Einstein College of Medicine. He met Suzanne Glasser of The Bronx and they married while he was still in med school. Together they created a family that always placed Israel at the center of their Jewish identity. Suzanne has been a leader at Hadassah, the women's Zionist organization, for over forty years and the Mizrahi clan made frequent trips to Israel over the years.

After graduating from Ithaca College, Debby decided to make what would be her first aliyah. She spent five years living on Kibbutz Kfar Ruppin near Beit She'an before returning to live in the U.S.

Glenn's Israel experience was a bit more external. After several years at Camp Ramah in the Berkshires, the Ramah Seminar Summer experience was his first Israel experience. It was significant to connect with cousins and an uncle who lived there and there were many subsequent visits for a variety of reasons. In between high school and college, Glenn spent seven months on Kibbutz Sarid in the Jezreel Valley through an AZYF program which really solidified his love of the land as well as creating some personal Israeli relationships some of which are still active today.

Later, as a musician, Glenn developed some close relationships with some Israelis and he started spending more time there for musically inspired events. It was becoming clear that Israel was where his musical and personal soul would be most satisfied.

2. Please describe your family background, emphasizing your Conservative background. (synagogue, camp Ramah, USY ect).

Debby is the director of aquatics at Camp Ramah in Nyack and has been on staff there for over ten years. Glenn grew up at the Greenburgh Hebrew Center in Dobbs Ferry, NY, and they raised their three children in Mamaroneck, NY where they were active members of the Westchester Jewish Center. Debby and Glenn were also founding members of the Westchester/Fairfield Hebrew Academy in Greenwich, CT which had at its core, very strong Conservative Jewish values and leadership.

3. Please describe how family and friends responded to your decision to make Aliyah.

This is a very interesting discussion. The responses and reactions from our friends and family have been varied to say the least. It seems that those who had a close personal relationship to Israel could more easily understand our reasoning for making aliyah. Those who have developed strong identities as Americans were perplexed as to why we would choose to live in "any" other country. This is understandable. We feel strongly about our "American inspired" values like democracy and religious pluralism.

It can be argued that living in America provided us the most secure environment. Logic was not an important part of our decision. It was that we felt comfortable in Israel as a family: our personal family with our three wonderful children and our Jewish and Israeli family which include friends with whom we have developed strong relationships with both before and since our aliyah. Most of our American friends and family have seen the positive effect living in Israel has had on our family.

4. What was the most difficult obstacle in making Aliyah? What did you leave behind? What do you miss the most?

There are several things that really get on our nerve about living in Israel. Many of them are political and some of the cultural changes were pretty dramatic. The hardest part about moving was leaving family and friends behind. We have addressed this problem a couple of ways. We continue to be active in our American camping experiences with our children attending the Young Judaea camps every Summer with their cousins. Debby and our eldest daughter, Orly, continue to work at Ramah Day camp in Nyack.

Living at Shorashim, a Masorti Yishuv, has helped us to create a healthy and strong home for our family. From the founders to our new neighbors, there is a feeling of community there that is very rare to experience in modern society.

It can be frustrating at times being treated as a second-class Jew in a country where only Orthodox traditions are recognized in public life and practice. There is a lack of educational options to pursue a pluralistic education for our children in the public schools in our area. Being in a Masorti Community like Shorashim provides a strong sense of the validity of our traditions and allows our children to pursue and be proud of their pluralistic values.

There are things that we all miss about our lives in America. Snow, summer-ending vacations at Martha's Vineyard, great Italian restaurants, good friends from Westchester Jewish Center, family, of course. The first couple of weeks were very traumatic and there were times we questioned our decision. Thankfully, these moments and doubts have been replaced by many more positive experiences.

5. What is the most difficult part when trying to integrate into Israeli society?

The bureaucratic situation in Israel has improved over the years but it has been one of the most difficult obstacles for us to overcome. This is felt on many levels and in many aspects of society. One learns not to expect too much from the government and simple things often become complicated issues. Patience is something that comes in quite handy.

The language barrier can be a significant issue for olim. For the adults, it can be very frustrating not understanding many things going on around you. For children, it creates an added burden for learning subjects in another language and in developing personal relationships. Being in the Galil was a bit more challenging than moving to Jerusalem or areas like Ranaana where English is more prevalent. The schools in our area are not as prepared for English-speaking olim. Debby's proficient Hebrew was extremely helpful. So too is living in a community with a significant number of English speaking families.

6. What are your goals and how do you want to fulfill yourself in Israel?

First of all, it seems that just living in Israel is fulfilling. Being in such a beautiful area rich in history and natural elements makes every day a gift — like a blessing to be able to be living here.

Glenn is pursuing his goal of creating an organization to produce and promote the music and arts of the Galilee. WOMINI (World Music and Arts Institute of Northern Israel) is still in the early stages of development. The focus now is to create a unique guest house/spa facility where the music and culture of the Galil can be experienced by visitors both domestic and international. The space will also house the WOMINI Institute as a place for the study and performance of ethnic and world music — especially that of the Middle East.

Debby has been able to continue her path as a healer. She has taken her twenty year experience in massage therapy and Shiatzu and is pursuing a new discipline called Watsu (Shiatzu in the water). There is a strong feeling among Galileans towards the healing arts. Debby is continuing to discover that her gift as healer is valued here by many.

Shorashim's lay-led synagogue also provides an environment where our spiritual selves can also be fulfilled. Debby is very active in the rituals like Torah reading, etc... and there is always a strong sense of Shabbat every Friday evening.

We dream that our children will grow up to become active members of Israeli society. It is very special watching our children contribute their ideas and values to their friends and they are able to pursue their loves and hobbies including horseback riding, mountain biking, dance, music and basketball.

7. What do you recommend to someone who wants to make Aliyah?

First, spend some time in Israel, as much as possible. Come with the family for a vacation or even a summer, or better yet, a year. Also, try to find a community that shares your values so that you are not in it alone. Community is big in Israel, and there are quite a variety to choose from.

8. How is the Masorti movement in Israel different then the Conservative movement in the States?

In Israel, Masorti (Conservative) Judaism is completely associated with Reform Judaism. Israelis don't say "those conservative or Masortim". They will, however, say, "Ha Reformim" when referring to either Masorti or Reform Jews. To nearly all Israelis, Jews are either Orthodox, Reform, or Secular.

The Masorti movement itself is not so different from the Conservative Movement in the Galut. What is different is the way Masorti Judaism is viewed in Israel. It can be frustrating at times being treated as a second-class Jew in a country where there is only Orthodox traditions recognized in public life and practice. Being in a Masorti Community like Shorashim provides a strong sense of the validity of our traditions and this comes from the importance of community in Israel in general.