Not Kedai for most people--Moving to the secular state of israel (SSOI)

You were told that Israel is full of charity organizations. Here is the new building of one of them: Impressive no? Well, don't be deceived by appearances. This is from a Modern Orthodox organization that perpetually fund raises, which would be fine if they actually gave out some aid. What they do is help you with your resume. I sent to them a family that was living in a storage locker, literally. Not even a $100 loan was offered.  Now you know how they have the money to build fancy offices.  Don't assume that you will be bailed out here either by the government or Orthodox tzedukah groups. Don't assume that you'll land a job either, but that's another subject. 

Beit Shemesh, 6,500 NIS for a 3 bedroom apt. That means 3 small bedrooms and a small all purpose room with enough space for a small dining room table. That's 2,226.94 United States Dollars a month's rent. In my observation, the typical oleh earns around 5,000 NIS a month. I had two different jobs that paid 5,000 a month. That's less than the rent. I know numerous olim who can't even find steady work at that salary.  The data says that the median income in Israel for Hebrew speaking Israelis is  ₪10,000 a month. ( https://wage.is/israel/). "The traditional guideline for rent as a percentage of income is 30% of your gross (pre-tax) monthly income. This is often referred to as the "30% rule" and has been a long-standing standard in personal finance and housing affordability calculations."  So even if you can land a job at the median Israeli income you will be spending 65% of your salary on rent.  In Oak Park, MI you can get a 3 bedroom house for $1,375/...

  The world’s most polite countries 1. Japan 2. Canada 3. United Kingdom 4. China 5. Germany 6. Philippines 7. Sweden 8. Denmark 9. Finland 10. South Africa 11. Australia 11. Switzerland 13. United States 14. India 15. Ireland 16. New Zealand 17. Norway 18. Thailand 18. France 20. Brazil Based on a global survey by Remitly, nearly 5,000 people across 26 countries shared their experiences with politeness, hospitality, and everyday manners around the world.

More than 90% of grain consumption in Israel is from imports, not from locally grown grain.

Sat behind a yeshiva bochur on the bus today. Not such a Harerdi but sort of. He spoke the entire time about violence, how to beat someone up, kick him in the face,etc. Then he talked about car accidents and explosions. Is that just Israel? Are yeshiva boys in London talking this way?

A guy at wedding asked me how long I have been in Israel. 10 years I said. How long for you? 7 years he said with a look of pain on his face. How's it going I said. We have no family here he said. It's tough.  I didn't ask him what wasn't going well. I asked a neutral question and he replied with pain. Keep that in mind. 

So Rabbi Jeremy Wieder of YU is making aliyah. How do I know that? It's because any time a rabbi in the Modern Orthodox world makes aliyah they bring out the brass band to celebrate as if it's the biggest event in his life, as if nothing has mattered until then. Same when Yosef Blau made aliyah. Tell the world, it's so exciting.  What kind of message is that? Have they ever finished Shas, married off a kid, done a chesed, had a spiritual epiphany, wrote a book, engaged in kiruv? None of that matters, only moving to Israel matters. I think they look at it as evidence of tzidkus, because how could anyone not live in Israel, so all the good people come. That's the philosophy. And that philosophy is shallow. A Jew is judged by the mitzvos he does. Where can he do more? Living in Israel isn't even obligatory. There are many mitzvos that are more important. So what we have here is yet another trick of the yetzer hara, a trick to get people away from mitzvos.