Conference taveng::bagels

24.0. "American Yordim" by FSLENG::CHERSON () Thu Oct 10 1985 17:37

I would like to know how many people out there in the company are in the 
situation I am in.  
I consider myself a "Yored Amerikai".  I lived in Israel for six years, member
of a kibbutz, been in Zahal, etc.  Due to circumstances which I can't explain
here I returned in 1979.

I have been terribly conflicted ever since, guilt feelings aplenty.  During
this period I got married and now have a child.  My wife hasn't been to
Israel since 1965, she wouldn't actually object to trying out living in eretz
for a while, but she much closer to her family than I am, and I don't have to
explain what distances do to people.

The thing is that I wasn't one of those Americans who were revolted by Israeli
society, matter of fact, I acclimated well to it.  So in a way I inadvertantly
extracted myself from Israel when I actually shouldn't have.

If there are others in my situation or similar I'd like to hear from them.
There are mechanisms in place for Yordim in general, but the Sochnut(Jewish
Agency) can't possibly understand the problems of "American Yordim".  I 
approached a shaliach about forming a group, but if it wasn't for the specific
purposes of Aliyah, then he didn't want to hear about it.

By the way, Israel is making a big move in the near future to try to get back
it's lost high-tech professionals and also attract prospective olim who work
in this industry.  Representatives from many companies will be at the New York
Hilton on Sat., 11/9 (that's Sat. evening), and all during the next day, Sunday
the 10th.  I don't know if DEC-Herziliya will be there, I know that they are
always on the lookout for good people.

L'hitraoat,

David