Making Aliyah is not an easy thing to do under any circumstances; but, lately, the onset of the COVID-19 crisis has added additional complexities to what was already a challenging process. Should diaspora Jews even consider making Aliyah right now? Let’s discuss some of the pros and cons, and then let’s take a look at a range of considerations to take into account if you do decide that Aliyah would be the right move under the circumstances.

Is It Even Possible to Make Aliyah Considering the Coronavirus Crisis?

Evidently, as of the time of this writing, Israel is still actively encouraging diaspora Jews to immigrate and supporting those who decide to do so, despite the COVID-19 outbreak. The Jewish Agency has been working to process Aliyah applications and in some cases even to find workarounds for the restrictions resulting from COVID-19.

In the United States, record numbers of people are completing aliyah applications. In the UK, immigration requests have been less brisk. However, the Jewish Agency is still conducting interviews with aspiring olim (immigrants). They were previously required to be in-person interviews, and now the olim are not required to come to the office for their interviews. Many of Nefesh b’ Nefesh’s events have also moved online, whereas they used to be in-person events in the past.

Do be aware that, if your aliyah application is successful, you will be required to fulfill a two-week quarantine once you arrive in Israel. This is an Israeli government mandate, and it is compulsory.

Why Make Aliyah Right Now? Aliyah Now, vs Waiting

Many Jewish people already have a solid understanding of why Aliyah could be beneficial (but if you don’t, see here for a more in-depth explanation).

So for those who are already convinced that aliyah is the right move, the real question becomes whether it would be better to do it now, or to wait for a more advantageous time.

This really comes down to being a personal decision. People can make good arguments either way.

The truth is, there may never be an ideal time. Now, in the midst of a health crisis, making such a move is certainly not easy or ideal. Despite that, if you really want to make aliyah, you need to consider the possibility that this crisis may get worse. If that’s the case, there may not ever come a more ideal time. This may be it.

You cannot take it for granted that aliyah will always be an easy and readily available option. Hopefully it will be. But the future is completely uncertain.

Right now, air travel is still possible from countries that have not closed their borders. Flights to Israel are still available, although the availability of flights is not as plentiful as it was previously; many flights have been suspended.

 Air travel is likely to get more expensive and more challenging in the future. Some airlines are now in the process of culling their fleets of planes and reducing the numbers of flights they offer. Their continued solvency is not guaranteed. 

Keep in mind that air travel is not a strict requirement for making Aliyah to Israel. A tiny minority of olim arrive in the country by boat. However, since this is not the usual means of arrival for new olim, it can make for additional challenges.

One immigrant couple from the United States arrived in Ashkelon, which is a port of entry, by boat. Unbeknown to them, virtually no immigrants typically arrive in Ashkelon that way – which meant that the port officials there didn’t know how to process them. So they mistakenly processed this olim couple as returning citizens, despite the fact that it was their first time to ever come to the country. That mistake created challenges for the couple later when they tried to apply for their identity cards and register for insurance. These minor challenges were eventually resolved.

The main takeaway: If you live in a country where air travel is difficult or unavailable, don’t let that stop you from immigrating to Israel; boat travel could be a viable alternative. However, be aware that this method of arrival is not the norm.

Also be aware that it is possible to live aboard a boat in Israel. So, if you bring your own boat, it gives you an additional assurance that you will have a place to live when you arrive. Then you can seek other accommodations at your convenience if you prefer to do so.

Life in Israel: What Is It Like?

What can you expect if you move to Israel? Let’s discuss some of the main aspects of what life in Israel might be like if you were to actually make the move.

Languages in Israel

If you don’t already know Hebrew, learning the language will become a top priority for you as a new immigrant to Israel. You can get by speaking English, because many Israelis do speak at least a little English. However, it isn’t ideal to be deficient in Hebrew, because you’ll miss out on important conversations, you’ll have a hard time with reading critical documents and you won’t be readily employable until you get fluent.

Ulpan classes are one of the many benefits granted to new olim in Israel. However, the state-sponsored ulpan classes are not the most efficient way to learn Hebrew. Those classes are taught to students of varying nationalities and backgrounds using the immersion method; the teachers present the course material entirely in Hebrew. If you’re lucky, you might get a teacher who will translate some of the words and concepts into English for you as the class progresses; but you can’t count on that. Overall, the classes are a bit like a giant game of charades.

If you can afford to do so, you’d be better off paying for Hebrew classes that are taught in your native language. Then if you choose to attend a state-sponsored ulpan, it will be a great way to review, practice and make new friends. For many olim, ulpan classes become a source of lifelong friendships and a chance to meet people from all over the globe.

Israel is as much of a “melting pot” as the United States is. Any languages you’ve studied will be useful to you as you interact with the people you meet in Israel. You will probably have a chance to use them all. Russian, Arabic, Yiddish, and French are all particularly useful.

Healthcare in Israel

Israel has managed the COVID-19 crisis exceptionally well. In fact, Jpost reports that this is one of the many reasons that there has been a huge spike in immigration to the country, with many of the immigrants arriving from the United States.

Overall, the healthcare system in Israel is excellent. According to Nefesh B’ Nefesh, Israel is a frequent destination for medical tourism, which is one more bit of evidence that the care available within the country is quite good.

Israel has a nationalized healthcare system. It is governed by the National Health Law, which specifies the range of medical services that the Israeli government makes available to all citizens. The Israeli health funds (kupat cholim) administer these services and also charge fees for offering supplemental health coverage (shaban). Participation in one of these health funds is compulsory for all citizens, including new olim.

There are some procedures and medications that are not typically covered under the nationalized healthcare system. For that reason, you might be better off seeking certain procedures in your home country before you make Aliyah.

For example, if you need an organ transplant, you’re unlikely to have a successful procedure in Israel due primarily to a lack of donors.

You might also have trouble being able to get coverage for some types of reconstructive plastic surgery, even if there’s a medically valid reason for it (see this page for one heartbreaking example). However, in that case, lack of availability isn’t usually an issue. Beauty treatments, plastic surgeries and cosmetic procedures are widely available in Israel for those who are interested and willing to pay for them. 

So, to give a couple of popular examples, if you’ve already started with coolsculpting or dermal fillers, and you want to continue your treatments, you’ll be able to easily do so once you arrive in Israel. You’ll have access to a variety of top-notch doctors and facilities; and the follow-up care for such procedures in Israel is typically comparable to the after-care you’d receive in Sydney, New York City, Los Angeles or any major first-world city. Israel’s plastic surgeons are generally first rate, and continuity of care in Israel is excellent overall.

Finding a Job in Israel

Your earning potential in Israel might not be as good as it is in your home country – and your taxes may well be higher. However, there are many excellent income-earning opportunities available in Israel. You’ll need to learn Hebrew fluently to access most of them. Israemploy.net and Jobs-Israel.com can be helpful resources for job seekers in Israel.

Shopping in Israel

Clothing and household goods tend to cost more in Israel than they do in the United States; and, if you’re an immigrant from the USA, you won’t have the same number of choices you’re accustomed to. You will, however, enjoy some refreshingly different choices than what you’re used to – especially when it comes to groceries.

As a new immigrant to Israel, you will be allowed to import many — or perhaps all, depending what you own — of your possessions into the country on a tax-free basis. 

In general, you’ll definitely want to take advantage of the opportunity to bring in as much furniture, clothing and other goods as you think you will need in the immediate future. 

There are some exceptions. Despite the sizable costs to do so, you might wish to purchase your electronics in Israel. This is because you might find it inconvenient to have to use an adapter to make your electronics from your home country work. 

Once your tax-free olim benefits have been exhausted, you’ll find that things you ship to Israel will be heavily taxed.

Computers and Office Supplies in Israel

A computer in Israel will most likely cost you more than what you’re used to paying in your home country. However, a computer is one thing that is well worth purchasing in Israel – because you will no doubt find it convenient to have a keyboard that has Hebrew characters in their proper places, with the option to switch to the Latin alphabet also easily at hand.

If you use notebooks for religious studies, school work, expense tracking or other sorts of notes, consider bringing a sizable supply of notebook paper with you. Also bring a hole punch with you. This is because Israeli notebooks typically only have 2 rings instead of the 3 that’s commonplace in the USA, which means that you can’t just buy paper in Israel and easily add it to your old notebooks. If you want to add additional pages to the notebooks you’re using, you’ll have to figure out a solution; the easiest way is to bring along some paper with 3 holes and continue using that rather than trying to transition. When you do eventually have to transition, the hole punch will come in handy.

Where to Get Help If You Want to Make Aliyah

From virtually any country or location, you can contact the Jewish Agency for Israel. 

In North America, Nefesh b’ Nefesh is an organization that provides Aliyah assistance.

In Australia or the former Soviet Union, Ebenezer Operation Exodus provides Aliyah assistance in the form of actual physical help with transport; financial grants; and encouragement.