Olah Chadasha Ronnie Elkaim writes her first letter from Israel

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Hi Everyone,

I have now been in Israel for just over 7 days and it has been hectic, but wonderfully so.  I have this minute returned from a party organized by my next-door neighbour (very young by my standards at 62!) and her husband, especially to welcome me and introduce me to some of the other immediate neighbours (about 20 people were present).   She made a whole buffet dinner for everyone to enjoy on her patio and though it is July, the height of summer here,  a breeze from the sea which is about 10 miles away made things more than bearable – though I have to admit it is much, much cooler in the air-conditioned inside of the cottages and buildings here! 

I cannot tell you how impressed I am with everything that has been done by the various organizations both in South Africa and here to make our aliyah as comfortable and as hassle free as possible.  We had a briefing in Johburg a few days before we left.  We were allowed up to 75 kgs of baggage on the plane;  our one way tickets were paid for;  we were met by all sorts of organizations at the airport (including Telfed, the South African Zionist office in Israel, the Jewish Agency etc etc);  There they gave us our “teudot oleh”  (new immigrant cards), a few hundred dollars (in shekels) of pocket money etc and they will be giving us pocket money each month for the first six months, together with all sorts of other benefits such as free medical aid.  It’s almost embarrassing, but |I’ll force myself to accept it!!!   Unbelievable generosity/

From the airport we were transported to Jerusalem and  accommodated and fed royally in a lovely hotel there for 2 days.  The organization and allocation of rooms was a bit of balagan.  Can you believe that without informing us they intended for us to share rooms if we were on our own?   If they had offered a good looking Toy Boy to me I might have been happy about this!  Needless to say I “performed” and was then allocated a room to myself for which  I offered to pay but which they in the end didn’t charge me for.  I crawled into bed at 4.15 in the morning eventually!

The next day we were lectured to by various organisations  who gave us guidance and advice of all kinds, including the health system, the banking system, job situation, housing, etc. etc.  They also had ex South African volunteers from various areas where the newcomers planned to make their respective first addresses, who were there to offer assistance to anyone who would be needing it with regard to day to day living, signing up for various needs, etc. etc.  There was also a ceremony at the Kotel which turned out to be very moving, though I originally thought I would give that one a miss.  I went in the end and was moved to tears by the warm, warm welcome from various dignitaries and organizations – including the Jewish Agency, the Ministry of Immigration, etc. etc.   At the end of the two day briefing everyone was sent by taxi or minibus to where he would be staying initially.  I was transported with my 70 kgs of luggage to my (lovely to be) little cottage where Annette (nee Gaffen), my dear cousin was waiting for me.  Ros and Len had visitors from Australia with whom they were involved so couldn’t  be with me that afternoon.  Nevertheless, they had filled my fridge with all sorts of delicious edibles, in case heaven forbid I would be hungry.  In addition, Ahuzat Poleg management had coupons for my first 6 meals waiting for me in case I wished to eat in the restaurant here.  (So am I in a Jewish country or what???!!!)

As some of you know, Zac my grandson joined the Israeli army just about 3 weeks ago.  They gave him a few days leave from the day I got to Ahuzat Poleg and he came to see me.  However, that in itself is a story.  What happened is more or less this.  It appears that as I was the only immigrant in the group from Zimbabwe  I unwittingly became a “celebrity” affen eltere yorren (hope the non Yiddish speaking people will understand!)  I was interviewed by the media while in Jerusalem and then when I got here to Ahuzat Poleg, I got a phone call from someone in the Jewish Agency who interviewed me again.  I mentioned to them that I had a grandson here who had just three weeks before joined the Israeli army. This impressed them and they took his phone number.  The next thing I got a call from Zac to say that the lady from the media was picking him up from a certain train station to bring him to me (via a trip to elsewhere where he needed to go to collect some of his belongings – which I am now storing for him!!)Anyway, before I knew it, Zac and the young lady were here together with a newspaper photographer (Yediot Achronot) and the next day in the newspaper was a picture of me and Zac with a partly untrue story about both of us!!!!  But it was fun, nevertheless and at last  I had become a celebrity in my 75^th year!!!!!  As a result of the picture in the paper I have had a couple of phone calls from ex Zimbabweans and some Israeli family who contacted me to say “welcome”.

I have to tell you that the management and staff here are very helpful and supportive.  At the moment I have a couple of workmen in the cottage attending to a few small things and they are all very obliging.  I have been running around registering with various offices and shopping for lots of bits and pieces.  A cousin of Avner’s (born and bred in Ndola and living here) Aviva (nee Elkaim) and her husband have been absolutely unbelievable  and have been shlepping me around as I do not yet have the car that  I ordered in May.  It will be with me next week as I had to pay for it before they would register it and then I have to insure it etc etc. (Harold Middeldorf will be the insurer, by the way).  Once I get the car, I shall have to learn to drive here and that to me is rather daunting – but I’ll do it – phew!   I still do not have furniture except for a bed and a lovely table which I  bought.  The chairs I have presently are lent to me by Ros and Aviva, though I did order chairs in May which have not yet been delivered.  (Apparently this is par for the course here and I shall have to learn to be very patient).  I have ordered awnings, blinds and extra air-conditioning which will be done in the next few days.  But one of the priorities with my “advisers” here was a computer and internet on top of the list so I am typing this on my new computer and will be connected to the Internet by tomorrow.  (The delay is because this village has some sort of internet set-up to which I shall be linked).  I do believe I shall have a new e-mail address but I shall also be retaining for the time being at least my existing South African e-mail address.  In the meantime, I am enjoying  computer facilities that are not available in Zim and which I did not even have in South Africa .  My boys will be pleased when they come and visit me here soon.  They used to complain about my obsolete computer facilities in Zim and Johburg!!

There are lots of activities going on here all day and every night, but so far I have not had time to participate except for one lecture (on sleeping problems) which I went to the other night.  The lectures are mostly in Hebrew and my standard of Hebrew appears to be adequate as I understood nearly everything.  What an advantage I have that I have the language.  Even with the language I am needing the assistance of family and friends to get settled and I am privileged to say that I am getting this assistance and support from so many.

Cynthia Mendelsohn lives here at this village and in true Bulawayo style welcomed me soon after my arrival.  Her family is here as they will be consecrating Jessel’s tombstone on Friday.  Of course I shall pay my respects too.

And so this is my news after l week in Israel . I am enjoying being here and I feel very confident that I shall settle down without too much hassle.  I feel freer and more secure than I have felt for some time.   I miss only my very dear friends (including my Rich Nyoni) whom I have left behind in Bulawayo and in Johannesburg .  Their support and friendship to me will never be forgotten.   Of course I shall keep in touch with them by telephone and e-mail and from Israel this will be far easier, (i.e. when I can get through to Zim).  The phone system here is efficient and reasonable as far as charges are concerned.     And, in addition, I shall be going back to South Africa for a visit in a few months and to Zimbabwe when the need arises.

Much love to you all,

Ronnie Elkaim

Editor : Ronnie's story even appeared in the Hebrew daily Yediot Ahronot and can be

seen at this link -

http://zimjewishcommunity.blogspot.com/2008/08/ronnie-elkaim-makes-aliyah-and-supports.html