Tuesday, October 20, 2009

"There is a place for you here." *

Yom revi'i, 3 Cheshvan 5770.



We talk a lot about the need to re-invent yourself, in order for aliyah to be successful.

Certainly, there are people with great jobs in the States, to which they commute a few times a month.  That is one way to support one's life and family here in Israel.  And there are other people who land great jobs in their fields prior to making aliyah or once they get here.

But the vast majority of olim must "think outside the box."  For example, we have a friend named Ronda Israel who was a yeshiva administrator for six years.  When she made aliyah, she had to come up with another way to make a living.  The "Chocolate Dreams Company" was born.  (I have tasted this gourmet chocolate, and heartily recommend it!)  Ronda's attitude about making it in Israel inspired our thinking about financial survival after aliyah.

The Dearly Beloved has done many things in his life.  He worked in an auto manufacturing plant; he drove all over the East Coast making brochure deliveries.  He played college football and soccer, and even a little rugby.  He played guitar with several different kinds of bands over many years, sometimes for money, mostly for fun.  He spent 20 years in the US Army, leading men and dealing with "special" weapons.  (Don't you just love euphemism?  Like "friendly fire," special weapons are just as deadly as if we called them nuclear -- and just as nerve-rattling to be responsible for.)

And then he made aliyah.


We have a military pension, thank G-d and Avi's 20 years of service.  We are willing to live simply.  We satisfy ourselves with inexpensive entertainments.  We don't own a home or a car.  And none of the kids is planning on Columbia U or Harvard.  So we don't have to fly to America a few times a month, or spend hours and hours commuting to the city and working at a desk, to sustain our life here.  But we do need a bit of "odd-jobbing" to make ends more or less meet.

We found out rather accidentally that the Dearly Beloved is a remarkable guitar teacher.  Someone heard him playing at a kumsitz, and asked if he could teach guitar to her son.  He decided to give it a try.  And what has unfolded over the last several months has been a joy for me to watch.





My husband doesn't "do Hebrew."  He is not going to sit through hours of ulpan.  And yet, in order to teach some of his young students whose first language is not English, he has begun to teach himself some musical terms in Hebrew.


And because he is a gifted enough teacher to teach the student, rather than the curriculum, he has stretched beyond country and rock to teach himself various types of Jewish music, and even reggae and jazz!  Each of his students has a totally different and tailor-made instructor.  And he and they are having fun.


Let me share a secret with young marrieds everywhere:  one of the sweetest stages of marriage is yet to come.  Watching your spouse re-invent himself when the world expects him to go quietly into that good grandfather night is very cool.  It is eye-opening to see that your life's partner still has lots of life and learning in him.

And the wisdom to know when to rest.


  The Dearly Beloved pretends to take the news seriously.
* In 1991, we visited Rav Noah Weinberg, zt"l, and asked him for guidance about making a living in Israel.  This (the title of this post) is what he said to my husband; and now we know what he meant.  Everyone has to make his own place -- but it is here.

13 comments:

sparrow said...

This is a fantastic post Ruti. I am so encouraged by what you point out, that God is never finished with us, even when the world says we are past our sell by date. There is always something new around the corner with the Maker of the Universe. I wish I could have guitar lessons from your Dearly Beloved. I never persevered with classical guitar and now I regret it. My DB arrives in Tel Aviv in a few hours. I am relieved that the long journey will be over for him soon.

rutimizrachi said...

Sparrow: I know he's in good hands -- but let us know if we can help. And don't forget to hear your own message. You can still pick up that guitar. There may well be amazing instructors in NZ! (I love the "past our sell by date" line. Wish I'd thought of it.)

The Sussmans b'Aretz said...

Thank you for sharing these lovely words. A beautiful lesson for people who are considering aliyah. We feel blessed to have Yehuda taking lessons with "Mr. Eastman" and hope to watch as he continues learning and growing from such a great teacher.

Hillel Levin said...

Sis,
Thanks for sharing. Don't ever let it be said that an Old Dog can't teach himself new tricks.
Much Love to my Bro-In-Law.
Hillel

Miriam said...

Ruti, you hit the nail on the head. All anyone needs is the desire to succeed. Israel is home regardless of what you did in the old country. We too live very simple. We rent an apartment in the Negev [which is just beautiful with beautiful people], don't own a car or home, get around by bus or foot power and I do a little English teaching to help the month. My husband was 'forced' into an early retirement because of health issues. We are happier today than we have ever been. Our only regret about making Aliyah is that we didn't come sooner. So if you are still in the old country.....COME HOME!

Miriam
http://miriamswords.blogspot.com

Baila said...

Chaval that we don't live in your neighborhood. My daughter decided she must learn to play guitar, went out and bought herself one and is paying for most of her lessons.

And it is true what you say about "re-inventing" yourself here in Israel. One of these days, with G-d's guidance, I'll figure that out over here.

Pesky Settler said...

Is that a strumstick in the first photo of the guitar playing? I've been wanting one ever since I heard some music by Bob McNally and fell in love with it.

Joy Snow said...

The added plus is; the more he learns the younger his mind gets. What a wonderful blessing that he is able to put aside his fears and jump into something new. A great example to us all!
Joy

baruchbruce said...

Just one word: Sweet

P.S. Nice pics

Reanaclaire said...

hello..greetings from www.reanaclaire.com

great to come by to visit your blog for the first time... i love playing the guitar... esp at times when i feel lonely and sad..

Unknown said...

A beautiful post and very encouraging to those of us who need encouragement.

Lady-Light said...

I should visit your blog more often (instead of just poking you on facebook!)
Very moving post. Don't know if we can reinvent ourselves, though; it takes a special personality...

Karen said...

More than anything, it warms my heart to see how much in love you two are after all these years. We happen to already have a great guitar teacher, but I would love to find a way for my kids to spend time with Avi - they could use a good male role model AND a good dose of Zionism. I so want to believe that I did the right thing bringing them here but it remains to be seen,