How Israelis see the new immigrants

B"H

Olim Chadashim - The meaning of these two Hebrew words is "new immigrants" to Israel. Making Aliyah and getting settled in Israel.

In many different blogs, especially Americans write about their experiences in their new home called Israel. Some take it seriously and others sarcastically or with a certain sense of humour. On a daily basis, I hear different stories from different immigrants about THE ISRAELIS. Obviously many Olim don't identify themselves with THE ISRAELIS. Either they still feel as a stranger in the country or they simply don't want to be like THE ISRAELIS.

THE ISRAELIS are soooo rude, so noisy, so middle - east, the streets are sooo dirty, nothing is organized and at the government offices they just scream at you. And the worst is that there English is too rude or awful or both.

This is just a brief list of what Olim and especially many Americans complain about. Well, the British have the same list and the French surprisingly adjust very fast, as they are also rude. For them it doesn't matter too much anyway. And have you ever seen parking cars in France ? The same chaos as Israel. For the French, Israel is just like home. The only difference is that if an Arab attacks them they can strike back without having the police against them.

Someone new in Israel can complain about whatever he likes but have you thought about what Israelis think about you ? By the way, I am a new immigrant as well. Not too new any more, as I have been here for more than seven years and I can tell about myself that I transformed from a boring German into a rude ISRAELI. I am one of THE ISRAELIS and don't even consider going back to Europe.

Israeli society is divided into endless different groups: Sepharadim, Ashkenazim, black, white, European, Moroccans, Russian, Jewish, non - Jewish, intelligent, no brain at all, religious, non - religious etc. The typical Israeli behaviour is that nothing bothers them. You can tell whatever you want but don't expect anyone to be impressed. Here you mostly start from scratch. You even have to learn again how to speak.

All the different society groups see you as something else. In general, Americans have the reputation of being stupid. Sorry, but this is what most locals think about you. What we see in Israel is an American behaviour like - the whole world belongs to Americans, the JAPS drive us nuts, young spoilt American kids come and deal with drugs, Americans have a hard time learning Hebrew and therefore think that everyone has to speak English, and Americans are too nice and just don't get it that Israelis society works different - . What really goes on our nerves is when Americans always tell us that the States are like this and that and that in the States everything is just better.

Russians have a crime reputation, Europeans are boring and the French.....well, the French have their own lives. They are the only ones who manage any situation. In Ashdod and other places, they opened their own restaurants, shops, etc. Just like in Paris. Israel has not many jobs to offer, so the French found their won way to get along. Americans and Europeans, on the other hand, give up too easily. If it doesn't work I am going back to wherever.

Another thing what Israelis not understand is why Jews make Aliyah at all. Jews from rich Europe and the States. Why are you coming here ? Well, if you are religious no one will ask you this question but if not, you will already hear it already at the airport. Thousands of Israelis just dream about living in Canada, Australia or the States. There, life is so much better. More money, more jobs, less terror, more fun…. How can anyone come here ?

Personally I know many American immigrants in Jerusalem. Some got adjusted and others didn't. The greatest danger is to stick to your own ghetto. Go out and look for Israeli friends or go and join the army, the biggest melting pot. Don't only read JERUSALEM POST but go out and learn about Israeli society by yourself.
As soon as you speak some Hebrew and get to know the locals you might become one of them, one of THE ISRAELIS.