The Aliyah Process

Wow, is this process complicated!

We started planning and applying for aliyah in January. We gathered all our documents and uploaded them to nefesh b'nefesh.  Of course, it took until about April to get our first interview with the Jewish Agency. After that initial interview, we needed to have an in person interview with our local shaliach.  She was amazing, but we didn't get that interview until May.

We took our pilot trip from June 4 to June 14.  It was great and exhausting. I'll write about that trip in another post.  The shaliach in LA submitted our paperwork to the JA in Israel on June 4.  We didn't hear anything for about 2 weeks, I started to get nervous and happily, Nefesh b'Nefesh stepped in and got our file prioritized. They needed a few things:
    1. Proof of Daniel living outside Israel from 1997 to 2007.  Although we already provided this several times, we provided it again.
    2.  They wanted the first page of my birth certificate.  I was not named until after I left the hospital, so my birth certificate originally just said baby girl...Happily, my mom had a copy of the original birth certificate, so I was able to provide that.

A couple days later, they asked for a letter from Yeshivat Shaarei Mevaseret Tzion (my husband's yeshiva) to verify the dates he studied there, from 1992 - 1994.  Luckily, they are still in existence and they got me that letter quickly.

Finally, we got approval on July 2!  Yay.  However, the JA is still researching whether Daniel can receive the flight benefit for new olim. Since he lived there for 4 years as a child on an A-1 visa, then spent 2 years in yeshiva, they are unsure of what he qualifies for.  But for sure the rest of us qualify. Nefesh b'Nefesh has been great.  They reserved us seats on the LAX flight on August 1, despite the uncertainty about Daniel.

Once we got approval, then we could work on everything else.  But of course, now we are in a rush!  I had the lift companies provide quotes months ago, but now we need to get the lift scheduled ASAP.  We only have 3 weeks until we move.  We decided to go with Kef. Adam has been great and I am hoping they can get us scheduled before July 23!

We started packing.  On a designated flight, each family member is entitled to three checked bags of 50lbs each, as well as a carry on and a personal item.  So for us, that is 21 (!) checked bags.  Of course, no one has 21 suitcases, so we have been busy buying duffel bags, and taking people's old luggage (thanks, Shifra). m We have 6 bags packed so far.  Some clothes, some dishes, sheets, towels, toiletries, and school supplies.  The lift will not arrive until AT LEAST a month after we arrive, so we will certainly need cooking supplies and lots of other stuff upon arrival.

Now is certainly the stress time. We are planning to have a giant garage sale next Friday and Sunday.  I am hopeful we'll be able to off-load some of our possessions.