More Thoughts on Aliyah

When I first began considering making aliyah I was single and had very different concerns than I do now. They were still important, but they really only concerned me.

• Army (IDF)
  
• Family
  
• Employment
  

You might think that my concern about enlisting was a safety issue. There certainly were some fears about that, but they were secondary to worries about my dysfunctional digestive system which sometimes requires fast access to a restroom.

In short I was more concerned about the possibility of being placed in a very embarrassing situation more than I was worried about being seriously wounded or killed.

Family concerns were probably pretty standard. The usual issues with missing family events was there, but more pressing were my concerns about my grandparents. I am close with them and I was worried that they might die while I was gone.

Employment concerns were prevalent too. Would I be able to find a job and make a real living or would it be a short experience abroad.

Now my concerns are similar but different. Primary among them is the impact of making aliyah on my children. In particular my concern lies in their health and well-being vis-a-vis time in the IDF. It is one thing to put my ass on the line and another to ask my children to do it.

I cannot say that this is a complete deal breaker for me, but it is a serious concern. On the other hand, my son is 4 and my daughter is not quite six months-old so there is quite a bit of time before I would have to worry about things.

Life is much more complicated than it used to be.