South Floridians are still moving to Israel The Jewish Star Times BY Hindi Diamond Published Wednesday, May 23, 2001 http://www.miami.com/c/jewish/local/digdocs/099579.htm ``People sometimes look at us here in Israel as if we were crazy,'' says Miriam Shear. She, her husband Rob and their two young children pulled up stakes, closed their comfortable home in Boca Raton, sold their car and made aliyah on the eve of the new year. Why did they give up all the comforts of South Florida to struggle in Israel under unknown, unfamiliar conditions? ``Well, one condition of our going forth with our marriage eight years ago was that we would eventually go to Israel to live,'' Miriam Shear said. ``We always felt very strongly that Israel needs more Jews now, so we consciously made that effort. In Boca, I had a large, beautiful home with all the modern conveniences. I lived in luxury, with a full-time housekeeper and came and went as I pleased. Six months later, I am living a drastically different life -- but I love it.'' NUMBERS STEADY The Shears are among about 50 people in Florida who will be processed in the next few months, said Ran Sagee, director of the Israel Aliyah Center, which serves the Southeastern United States from its office in the Greater Miami Jewish Federation building. ``Our figures for olim [new settlers] is even a little better than the last two years. We registered 76 in 1999, and 74 last year. But this year, if everyone that is already approved will move, we will have close to 70 by the end of August, so I guess it will be a better year than the last two. The best year we had was in 1995 with 158 people choosing to make aliyah. ``Usually, June, July and August are the best months for relocating families,'' he added. Thousands of miles from the newly settled Shears in Israel, Rabbi Mark Cohn and his wife Shira, who live in North Miami Beach, are seated in the Aliyah office, completing some forms. They plan to move to Israel with their seven children July 1. Why go now? ``Because we can,'' Rabbi Cohn answers. He is executive director of the Southern Region of the Orthodox Union of National Conferences of Synagogue Youth here. ``It took us 25 years to decide, but were finally doing it. If one takes his Judaism seriously, no matter which branch they belong to, it must be difficult to know that Israel exists and you are not there. Thats where the main show is, in Israel,'' he said. ``In the history of the Jewish world, everything else is a footnote. Israel and the Torah, those are the two constants in Jewish history.'' ALWAYS KNEW Married 20 years, the couple met in New York City and say that they knew in their hearts that one day they would go to Israel to live. They never even completed furnishing their house here because they always intended to leave for Israel. The Cohns praised the help they have been getting and credit Sagee for paving the way for them to make the momentous transition for their family much easier. ``The only thing were bringing with us is a washing machine. Well you know, with seven kids, this is a necessity,'' Rabbi Cohn said. ``But the days of living in the desert and waiting for people to come from America bringing bottles of ketchup, those days are gone. Theres literally almost nothing you cant get there. ``This is the biggest thing we have ever done. Its a little scary at first, but what Sagee has done for us, covers everything. He has answered all of our questions, and even some we didnt ask. ``First, of course, he helps with the process of becoming an Israeli. Any Jew around the world is entitled to become an Israeli citizen. The government of Israel extends a welcome hand in helping us with a mortgage, arranging for our daughter, Devorah, to enter the premier teachers college in Jerusalem, sending us to Ulpan for an intensive Hebrew course, and they even pay a stipend for each child each month for each of the new settlers children.'' LOTS OF SUITCASES The Cohns said that El Al has also been extremely cooperative, adding that each person may take three suitcases ``which helps us a great deal.'' ``I know we may have some hardships to face, but I think if you go into it with the right attitude, thats what counts,'' he said. ``The first time we went to visit Israel, six years ago,'' he said, ``we were greeted at the airport with a big sign that said: `Welcome to Israel. Well, my son Yisroel thought it was a special welcome just for him. We felt like the entire country was waiting for us.'' Sagee said, ``I better handle the Cohns with care. This couple and their children constitute 1/10th of my quota.'' Sagee examined the recent statistics he has received from Israel. A study by the Jewish Agency showed that ``recent immigrants from North America have found they are overwhelmingly satisfied with their absorption, and would recommend aliyah to their family and friends.'' Couples like the Shears, who have chosen to locate in the old city of Jerusalem, bear out these sentiments. They say they consider themselves to be very lucky and happy with their decision to move to Israel. Rob Shear said, ``Every Sabbath, we go sit up on our rooftop, which overlooks the Temple Mount, and we can even see a part of the Kotel, the Western Wall, and it gives us so much pleasure. I feel this was a good time to come here. ``In the old city of Jerusalem there are many English-speaking people. In fact, the majority are North Americans. And weve been able to make many friends here. Theres also a Yeshiva Aish HaTorah here, where I go to spend many hours studying and learning. I have been able to reach a nice balance between my spiritual life and my business life.'' Shear still runs an insurance business for seniors which he operates part-time out of Boca Raton, but hopes soon not to have to do so much traveling back and forth. One caution he gives to newcomers is that anyone making aliyah have some way of making a living or have a profession to pursue in Israel. ``The joke around here is, How do you become a millionaire in Israel? You go there with two million,'' he said. But he adds quickly, ``No, thats not true; its only a joke.''