Conference taveng::bagels

     
    >1) If one is to be admitted to the country under the Law of Return
    >and have their papers marked Jewish, what proof is required? Where
    >does one obtain this proof?
    
    You only have to be concerned about this if you are applying for
    citizenship.  Usually the Ministry of the Interior will give it to
    you without any hassle.  Of course if you get some smart-ass Pakid
    (clerk) like I did in Afula, then you have to obtain a Mismach 
    (document) from the local Vaad Harabonim that states you are Jewish
    and the previous generations of your family have been.
 	    
    >2) What proof of is required that one's marriage is according to
    >halacha? Where does one obtain this proof? 
    
    You shouldn't have to be concerned about this, but then you might
    have a different viewpoint on this, and I didn't arrive in Israel
    married either.

    >3) How long can one stay in Israel before the question of
    >citizenship arises ( assuming one is too old for the Israeli
    >army)? Does Israel recognize dual citizenship?

    You can remain as a tourist for an extended period of time.  If you
    wish to you can apply to be what's called a Temporary Resident.
    The period of temporary residency is three years, and you are entitled
    to the benefits of a new immigrant(tax breaks, customs discounts, etc.).
    I hate to tell you this Fred, but "too old for the army" means 55
    or above.  Everybody has to do some service, but don't worry you'll 
    get thrown into an "old farts" unit for training, and then you'll 
    be in the reserves.
 
    Israel doesn't have any problems with dual citizenship whatsoever.			 
    
    >4) What are the countless other legal problems that may arise? 
    
    Not that many if you remain a tourist or temporary resident (and I
    heartily recommend you do this!).

    One last bit of advice, and I know Mike will enjoy this (:-), learn
    Hebrew, as much as you can possibly do.  You'll find that life will 
    go a bit smoother in Israel for you if you do.

    David    

    A really good source for the information that you want is the Israel
    Aliyah desk.  There is usually one located in every city and each
    has a Shaliach (an Israeli who stays in the States for a period
    of a year or so to help people who are considering going to Israel.
    They also lecture and teach.).  The Aliyah desk will also help you
    find a job, give you information on Kibbutz Aliyah and a whole lot
    of other programs that are available.  
    
    Good Luck,
    
    LS

>>>    A really good source for the information that you want is the Israel
>>>    Aliyah desk.  There is usually one located in every city and each
>>>    has a Shaliach (an Israeli who stays in the States for a period
>>>    of a year or so to help people who are considering going to Israel.
>>>    They also lecture and teach.).  The Aliyah desk will also help you
>>>    find a job, give you information on Kibbutz Aliyah and a whole lot
>>>    of other programs that are available.  
    
	There is an Aliyah office in Boston.  It is physically located
	inside the Israeli consulate downtown, and shares their telephone.
	
	The shaliach (just arrived) is Tzvi Yadin.

/dlf

    I heard a rumor that the number of shlichim for North America was
    being drastically reduced or eliminated altogher.  This would be
    due to financial constraints and/or the apparent lack of potential
    olim (which has been apparent ever since 1948).
    
    Personally I think that reality might be catching up with the
    authorities, and it is long overdue.  If there is organizing to
    be done for aliyah, then it should be handled by North Americans
    who have been through the process.  This idea isn't original, in
    fact a former shaliach here in Boston proposed it.
    
    The responsibilities could be spread out to major Jewish organizations
    who could handle various aspects concerning aliyah.  In fact if
    the community was to become involved in this then the potential
    for aliyah failures (of which I have to count myself one) could be 
    drastically reduced.  The people giving advice wouldn't be so concerned
    in just sending numbers, but rather people.
    
    If there is anybody out there who would be interested in helping
    to develop this idea with me please let me know.  
    
    My G-d Fred, I think you've made me a reborn activist.  Seriously,
    for the purposes of learning Hebrew I would try Hebrew College,
    they have very good part-time Ulpans going on there all the time.
    
    David

    A three month tourist visa is granted at Ben-Gurion airport.
    It can be extended once or twice to "normal tourists".  If
    you want to work you must bring a letter from your employer
    stating that you are essential etc... but that you intend to 
    leave after a year or so at most.  In this case you can remain
    a tourist for about two years.
    
    There are a number of temporary type resident visas.  The two most 
    common are a student visa and another for plain old working folk.
    The latter is the type granted to most immigrants.  It is valid
    for one year and may be renewed for a total of three years, no 
    questions asked.  A fourth, and sometimes a fifth year, can be 
    arranged by a special request.  When your time's up you either
    become an illegal (don't try and leave the country!), a citizen,
    or a permanent resident.  The only difference between the latter
    two is that as a citizen you may vote in national elections.  You
    are eligible for army service either way (lucky you!).
                                                           

Re .0 (some more):
    
>   2) What proof of is required that one's marriage is according to
>   halacha? Where does one obtain this proof? 

Just the opposite. People from here have sometimes to go get married in another
country in order to get the easy formal papers here after that (e.g., "Cohen"
male and divorced female or other problematic-defined cases).
    
>   4) What are the countless other legal problems that may arise? 

Most of the problems will not be "legal", but "practical". I suspect the worse
is to learn how to manage with Israeli bureaucracy.

Nitsan.