We'll wait until we retire

• Published date: 21 February 2023
• Publication title: Israel National News (Israel)

I do not push Aliyah because of rising anti-Semitism, intermarriage or the high cost of Yeshiva education. I do not talk about the crumbling of America nor the change of the political map. I focus on the positive, always the positive because that is why I made Aliyah back in 1990 and that is what gives one the strength, attitude and relentless dedication to make it work, despite the difficulties and challenges

A common response to why people cannot make Aliyah is something like this; "Shmuel, I just can't do it right now. My wife and I are in our 40's, the kids are set in school, and I just won't flip my whole world upside down to make this move… but here's what I can guarantee; My wife and I will retire in Israel. Don't worry, we're not interested in the whole "Collins Avenue – Miami Beach" scene… that's not us. Jerusalem is a great place to retire so tell the mayor we'll be there in 25 years!" Sounds good, no? The guy is honest and straightforward. He's not making up an excuse… it's real! He loves Israel and is not running away from the issue. In short, it's not "no"… it's "not now".

While I appreciate honesty and direct answers, allow me to now offer mine. Let's keep this scenario going for the 25 years he wants to wait. Our potential retiree is now in his late 60's and he and his wife are ready to retire. The kids are married and, Baruch Hashem, they have the cutest grandkids on the planet. At this stage in their life, when they want to enjoy the grandkids… do you really think they will move 6,000 miles away from them? At this stage in their life, when medical issues are more important than ever… do you really think they will switch their doctors to brand new ones who have no idea who they are? At this stage in their life, when they can spend time with friends and finally relax after all those years of hard work… do you really think they will sell their home, pack their things and move across the world to start all over again in a new country, with a new language? The answer to each of my 3 questions – and another 10 that I can easily ask – is: Absolutely not.

Yes, there are some people who retire and move to Israel but 95% of those people do it because they already have children there. Virtually nobody – and I mean nobody – retires in Israel when their kids and grandkids live in a different country. They come for long vacations, lasting for several months at a time, but "home" is still in America, Canada, South Africa or Australia. The only ones I...