Aliyah file and Lone Soldier benefits

This afternoon I got a phone call from Garin Tzabar, telling me I had passed the interview. I am now officially a member of Garin Tzabar.

As I mentioned in the previous post, I had my first meeting with the Jewish Agency to sort out my Aliyah file. Seeing as this blog's primary intention is to be as informative as possible, here is how the system works.

1. Give the Jewish Agency a call
2. Register online (lots of fun forms)
3. Meeting no. 1 to open the file
4. Your file is then sent to the Israeli Ministry of Absorption to be approved
5. Once approved, your passport is then sent to be stamped with an Aliyah visa
6. Meeting no. 2 to book your free flight

I would recommend beginning the process as early as possible (something I didn't do). 

I compiled a list of all the benefits and rights that a Lone Soldier, who makes Aliyah, receives. It can be a bit confusing if you're researching, so I've done my best to make sense of it.

Sal Klita (Absorption Basket)

August –                  1250 (at airport)

                                 1381 (after bank account is opened)  

September –            2573

October –                2573

November –            2573                  352          (extra after Yom Giyus)

December-                                        352

January –                                          352

February –                                        352

March –                                             352

April –                                               352

May –                                                352

June –                                                352

July –                                                 352

August –                                             352

September –                                       352

October –                                           352

November –                                       352

Total:                      18,069 (the rest being given after the army)                                               

                                                           4224       = 22,293 NIS

Army

1400 NIS/month

Nefesh B’Nefesh

5,500 NIS (On Yom Giyus, drafting day)

Rent

Misrad HaBinui v’HaShikun – after one year, 402NIS/month

745 rent + 305 bills = 1050 NIS/month (no local tax during service and 4 months after)

Supersal (a supermarket chain)

120 NIS/month (on Choger)

RIGHTS

• ·         30-day leave per year and can travel abroad during regular leave
• ·         1 free flight (after training)
• ·         Yom siddurim – 1day/month (during training) 1day/2 months (after training)
• ·         Early leave on Fridays with free weekend, to be home by 12pm
• ·         Parent visit – 8 days/year

     I hope that makes things marginally clearer for anyone looking into these things.

The Interview, the Kibbutz and Historical Circularity

I've just come back from the fourth and final Garin seminar, and there's lots to update the blog with. I have had my interview with the Committee and have found out where my new home will be...Kibbutz Lavi! Kibbutz Lavi is in the north of the country, 10 minutes away from Tiberias, by the Kinneret. It looks like an amazing kibbutz, in an incredible location. Lavi was the one I wanted, and I feel privileged to have been given, as I see it, this honor. The reason I wanted Lavi was because of my family connection to the place. Part of my family were instrumental in its establishment, and my Booba (grandma) fundraised for the kibbutz during the Second World War. There is even a plaque in honour of a family member outside the Kibbutz synagogue. I'm not usually one to ascribe to theories of fate, but emotion does swell when I think of the historical circularity. Out of all the kibbutzim in the country, I have been given Lavi, one that my family helped establish. I will be living in the place that they set up. I hope I do their memory proud and play my small part in adding to their Zionist legacy.

It's not a very clear picture, but this plaque on Kibbutz Lavi says "Synagogue, in the name of Rachel Sklan" (family member)

Being the fourth and final seminar, I had my interview with the Committee. I thought it went well, I managed to make them laugh a couple of times, and I managed to get across what I wanted to. There were no surprising questions really: they asked me things like when did I decide to do this, and where would I like to serve. They also asked me more personal questions about my family, and asked me about my health etc. All in all I quite enjoyed it, and we will hear whether or not we are formally accepted to Garin Tzabar by Wednesday. At the end of the seminar, there was a parents' meeting, at which parents of the Garin came to ask questions and hear more about the kibbutz and army service. Tomorrow I have a meeting with the Jewish Agency concerning my Aliyah File (to make Aliyah you need an Aliyah visa stamped in your passport), so will update the blog after Wednesday.

Being the last seminar, we reflected on this whole preparation period that has now come to a close. For me, this all started in December, and I sat there this weekend, thinking about how the first part of my Aliyah process is coming to a close, and the next part is just about to begin. I am about to start my new life as an Israeli, and the thought of this both scares and excites me greatly. It suddenly hit me how much I am leaving behind. When you deal with all the small preparatory details, you don't have so much time for reality to really register. It all seems like a blur. However, it really hit me this weekend. It is not going to be easy I know, but I am truly proud of myself. I am about to become an Israeli.