Next Year in Jerusalem

The past few weeks have moved us much closer to the big move in more ways than one. We're obviously now just over two months away, but we've also taken care of almost all of the small tasks and documents that needed to be submitted and reviewed before any approval for Aliyah takes place. As Darren mentioned before, we've been given our Aliyah visas and now simply need to wait for our free plane tickets to be issued to us, most likely in the next couple of weeks.

During the busy few weeks, we also participated in the second Garin Tzabar seminar. After the first one concluded on such a high note for us and the other participants of the program, there was a high level of excitement on everyone's part for the second. Suffice it to say, the seminar did not disappoint.

While many of the activities were similar to the ones we took part in during the first weekend, this most recent seminar still proved to be a unique experience.

I touched on it a bit in the previous entry, but watching the group dynamics evolve during the structured conversations and activities is still something that amazes me. While the first time we met each other involved a bit of anxious excitement and the participants may have been shy or hesitant in getting to know each other too intimately, this seminar proved to reveal more about each one of my future roommates. The developing bonds of true friendships between different members of the Garin were clear for anyone to see. With each weekend that passes, the emigration draws nearer and the realization that each of the group's participants will become the family and support system we rely on in a new home grows stronger.

Among the more exciting features of the weekend came when an alumnus of the program Skyped in to speak to us about his experiences and answer the many questions all of us had about Garin Tzabar, life in Israel, and the army service. While I've spoken to many lone soldiers in the past, his words focused on our specific circumstances and were enlightening, to say the least. Sometimes they were a bit refreshing and sometimes they weren't exactly what we wanted to hear, but hearing from someone who has walked the path we're currently finding our way down gave us a vital resource to use during the preparation stage and the beginning of our army services.

After the seminar concluded, we went back to our lives outside of the program, taking care of what we need to take care of and spending precious time with those close to us. Included in that time were the Passover seders, our last here in the States. We spent the first night at some new family friends and I spent the second at my girlfriend's family's home. The seders turned out to be exceptionally special, something fitting for our last major holiday in the U.S.A. The time spent with those we love has become increasingly valuable and their support has been a huge help in this massive decision we've made.

On these nights specifically, “next year in Jerusalem” held more meaning than any in the past. This year, we spent Passover with our friends and family, celebrating the escape from slavery and freedom of the Jewish people. Next year, we spend Passover in Israel, defending that very freedom.