Those of you who have been following this blog for a while are aware that my daughter, Exhibit One, along with her brother, my son Exhibit Two, first went to Israel last May on a Taglit-Birthright Israel trip.
(My daughter on a camel during her Birthright trip)
A few months later, Exhibit One returned to Israel for the month of August on an Aish HaTorah ‘Jerusalem Fellowships‘ program.
(Exhibit One, top centre with sunglasses on her head)
On Sunday, February 5, 2012, my 22-year-old daughter flew to Israel once again, only this time it was not for a visit. It was not to take part in a learning program. It was not for a vacation.
My daughter is making aliyah. She is emigrating to Israel. By Monday, she will have her Israeli citizenship card and her Israeli passport. As soon as possible, she will be enrolling in an Ulpan. Her hope is to be a kindergarten teacher.
(Exhibit One blending in with her surroundings)
She will be living in Ashdod, a seaside city just south of Tel Aviv. It is within rocket range of Gaza.
I am happy for her. I am so proud of her. Of course, I worry about her.
And most of all, I will miss her. Even with emails and SKYPE and all the other modern miracles of communication and transportation… I will miss her. I’ll miss her smiles and the way she rolls her eyes. I’ll miss her flashes of frustration and her ‘come on, hurry up!’ manner. I’ll miss her laughter and her quirky take on life. And I’ll miss her hugs.
May HaShem continue to bless you, my beloved daughter, now and throughout your new life in the land of our forefathers!
In May of this year, my son, Exhibit Two, will go on his Jerusalem Fellowship program. He plans on staying in Israel two months before returning to Canada to finish his final year of university.
(My son praying at the Kotel [Western Wall] in Jerusalem)
If things go according to plan, Exhibit Two will also be emigrating to Israel before long. He plans on making aliyah in two years, when he is 22-years-old.
Thank you, G-d, for two such wonderful kids and for giving me the years to see them into adulthood.
Watch over my children. Protect them. Spread over them and all Israel the shelter of your peace.
