Tonight at the Nefesh B’Nefesh Tweetup (#nbntweetup) at the JNF house in Manhattan, I announced the incredible news that we are making aliyah this summer. Here is essentially what I said.
“I, Jamie Geller, my husband and our children will be realizing a lifelong dream of ours, our parents, our grandparents and the Jewish people for the past 2,000 years. We will be making aliyah this summer with Nefesh B’Nefesh on the August 13th 2012 Charter Flight.
[Exhale. Looooong exhale.]
I said it. It feels so good to finally have said it.
Here’s a little back story about how I came to be here and share this news with you, first this evening.
As the theme of the evening is how social media can bridge the gap between US and Israel, I met Laura Ben David, Social Media Coordinator for Nefesh B’Nefesh exactly where you would expect to meet a social media coordinator, on Twitter. As I was reading her profile I saw that in addition to her day job at NBN she was also the author of MOVING UP An Aliyah Journal. Well I just had to get my hands on that book! With our upcoming move I was making it my mission to get my hands on anything and everything that would inspire me and prepare me for this momentous occasion. So Laura and I decided to swap books: she got the cookbooks I got the journal.
Hubby and I proceeded to pour over every word of that book for the next 48 hours. It’s an inspiring, hilarious, emotional journey, and as I am reading about what it takes to make aliyah – how it happens, what it’s really like – I was struck by Laura’s remarkably positive attitude through it all. At the same time, I thought (as a TV producer thinks) this story, this great story of a family upping and moving to Israel, must be made into a movie.
Then I figure, it’s so good, it must have been done already. So with as much intensity as a Google search will allow, I searched and came up with – nothing! I DMed Laura, sure that NBN must have done something like this, and again… nothing.
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I was alternately thinking a movie like this has to happen, maybe it’s not gonna happen, how can I make this happen…Pulling out my hair trying to figure out how/what/when, coming up with a budget, then slashing that budget like a jungle explorer with a machete, thinking some more, improvising… Long story short, 200 phone calls, tweets and emails later, with bursting excitement, I am announcing a partnership between our company – The Kosher Media Network – and Nefesh B’Nefesh.
We will be producing a real time (or as close to real time as possible) aliyah documentary, called Joy of Israel!
Starting this Tuesday, and then almost every Wednesday at 7pm between now and Rosh Hashanah, we will be releasing a clip or episode of our journey, an online aliyah diary.
We will cover everything from our lift on both sides of the pond, our goodbye BBQ, our last 24 hours in America, the airport flight and landing in Israel, the first 48 hours in Israel – everything from the exciting to the mundane to the necessary – registering for school, health insurance, drivers’ license, Ulpan, meeting family, friends, neighbors, shopping at the makolet, first day of school, and our first trip to Yerushalayim.
This will be an honest and vivid portrayal of what it takes to make aliyah, what it feels like to join our brothers and sisters in the Jewish homeland.
I hope that people will see that on so many levels, dreams do come true. The soul cannot be denied its return home. I am overcome with emotion, anticipation, and awe that, G-d willing, we will be in Israel soon.
Much of the production arm of Kosher Media Network will be moved to Israel. In my new kitchen I will continue shooting my regular cooking show, as well as a new show for PBS about Chanukah, set entirely in Israel.
You and I will still share everything as before The website, the books, the cooking shows, the events – everything will continue. I will travel back to see you in person and continue to share new and inspiring recipes, photos and videos on JoyofKosher.com, on Facebook, on Twitter, on YouTube, and on Instagram. Lol, does it really matter where I happen to be located?
Well, yes. It makes a world of difference to me.”
With love
J
Watch my “live” announcement here.
Episode Guide
Premiere Date: Tuesday June 26 7:00pm EST
Premiere Date: Wednesday July 11 7:00pm EST
Premiere Date: Wednesday July 18 7:00pm EST
Premiere Date: Wednesday July 25 7:00pm EST
Premiere Date: Wednesday August 8 7:00pm EST
Premiere Date: Wednesday August 15 7:00pm EST
Premiere Date: Wednesday August 22 7:00pm EST
First 48/Welcome to Israel Episode
Premiere Date: Wednesday September 5 7:00pm EST
The Israel Lift Teaser
Premiere Date:Wednesday September 12 7:00pm EST
Happy New Year from Israel Episode
Premiere Date: Wednesday September 19 7:00pm EST
Image – Me and my production crew.
Hi! WELCOME HOME!! I just saw your response that your moving to RBS. That’s great! Be in touch! What part of RBS? I’m on Timna, not far from Best Market and Holy Bagel!!
They can be confusing. 6 Hours? maybe it was really really really big? Do you know where your kids are going to school?
thanks Malki!!! hechsherim in Israel are so confusing to me — guess I better sort it out quick! We will be neighbors – step mom in law just told me her brisket in Israel took 6 hours??
We live in RBS and love it. meat – depends on what hechsher you are looking for. There is a min”super”market – BEST that sells fresh meat. There is a butcher in BS industrial area and one in the RBS shopping complex.
Good Luck! RBS Alef has many areas, each has its own flavor. Feel free to email me for more information.
the new goal is to use readily available ingredients so people everywhere and anywhere can make the recipes!
you are not!! good to know we are not alone!!! We are going to RBS aleph.
I know Chana!!!! can you believe it!!!!! can’t wait to meet you!
Hi Ita! hope to meet you there!
Mazal tov Jamie! I made aliyah six years ago, met my husband here in Israel (also an oleh from Texas) and we love living here! (in Givat Shmuel – near Bar Ilan University). I love your cookbooks and online blog, but have always had trouble getting some of the ingredients, as many are not widely available in Israel, especially if you live outside an Anglo center. Can you adapt some of your recipes to ingredients commonly found in Israel? Thanks!
jamie– yes we will have to meet at the airport! i just made one of ur challah recipies and it was a real hit out of this world! as for my plans… going to take each day as it comes… with three young boys under the age of 7 it will def be a journey lol….around where in rbs will u be? . it is nice to know that so many other jewish families are making aliya at the same time we r it is good to know we r not alone 🙂
Mazal Tov, Jamie! I have been “Nudging” you for 4 years to make Aliyah. Baruch Hashem it is really happening! Can’t wait to meet you.
Love, Chana Zelasko
Hi Jamie,
Mazel Tov! I am in RBS also. It’s great to live here. Enjoy this special moment in your life. I will be here 8 years on August 11..
Ita
It was great to share it with you and hug you after, how many times did I hug you? like 10? 🙂
AMEN AMEN AMEN!!! Thank you Chanie, that is exactly the idea!
oh Doris thank you for your offer to help and contact number. We will be starting in RBS, am hopeful they will have good meat there 🙂
hi Miri!!!! thanks for the invite – can’t wait to see you!
AMEN Ronnie! thank you so much. We look forward to hosting you in Israel, we know you love to travel!
AMEN AMEN and to you too!!! how amazing — we will be neighbors — please lets try to meet at the airport. What are your plans for when you arrive? wishing you hatzlacha!!
Hi Yael, how wonderful – we hope to have a similar success story! My cousin Benu Chilovitch a”h was very involved there in Ariel, and I remember years ago attending a fundraising event for the then mayor of Ariel.
WOW!!!! how amazing! Let’s please try to meet up at the airport. What do your parents think? what made you do this! It’s such an incredible decision.
It was great to be there in person when you first shared your wonderful news! Mazal Tov and enjoy your new adventure!
Mazal tov Jamie! I can’t wait to follow you on your journey to Israel. I have no doubt that your documentary will inspire many others to take the leap. Best of luck!
hello jamie.will u stay in jerusalem afer u arrive or some where else if u do there is no problem with findig good and fresh meat and not the frozen stuff. with the best hehsher.for help u can call me on my cellph.0526008476 and good luck to u and your family. doris from jerusalem
Hello Jamie Good news and I’m looking forward to see you and your family, that I have not met. First Saturday you are invited to us.
Love Miri
Mazal tov to you and your family. May you know peace, good health and happiness in Israel!
hi so my family and i are making an aliyah as well and wil be on ur flight!! also moving to rbs@!!! looking forward to meeting u !! mazal tov and wish u lots of luck!! ur move should be easy and smooth
Mazal Tov on a great decision. I came in 2003 single to Jerusalem, and I found my husband here, had three girls and just submitted my Phd in Cancer and Developmental Biology. So I guess I can say that life’s been good here in Israel! When you come we’d be happy to host you for an event in the growing community of Ariel http://ohelefraim.wordpress.com/
Klita kalah!
Hi! I am a 21 year old student on the same aliyah flight! I am hoping to volunteer in the IDF 🙂
This response is to Sina Mizrahi thekosherpoon.com – just like all firsts, your comment holds a special place in my heart. you immediately took the time to write and let me know someone was listening. Sending you lots of love and bracha! Jamie
AMEN AMEN AMEN. Sharon you are proof that no matter where you are this WORLDWIDE web (to use such an antiquated) term connects us and our passions. I am honored to be sharing the stage with you.
Chaviva, I didn’t have the courage for so long, for so long I fought it. The goal of the documentary series is to give everyone the strength to consider and ultimately go through with the move. I hope that you will watch and be inspired. To share with you all means so much to me ad that you all are now taking the time to share back is incredible. Thank you!
WOW!!!! will be my first Israel class. Give me a “few” to settle in and then we can talk bli neder. Thank you for your support with the magazine, with everything!
that will be my mission and goal. So that everyone on both sides of the pond can cook quick!
AMEN AMEN AMEN!!!! The brachos are so appreciated, appreciated beyond words. I will need them all!
AMEN and thank you! I can not believe how many of you there are!
I have tears, real tears, no figuratively, literally, Thank you thank you thank you, my eyes are clouding over, I can’t believe this! Please say hi to everyone in the office for me. My brother in law and family live in Chashmonaim – not far from you. Maybe one day we can meet.
michele thank you!!!! I have been so warned to expect the frustrating humorous experiences. I hope to capture them on camera and share them with you all. In the end everyone always says what your children are saying, I hope to say the same. Mazel Tov on your sabra grandson :-)!
savtaesther! Amen and thank you. I expected to be welcomed by my family when I arrived but I could never have imagined this new family waiting for me. I love you all and thank you all already!! can’t wait to be together!
Eli!!! AMEN thank you! and LOL!!!! I can definitely try my best. and yes I am so looking forward to cooking in Israel.
thanks Amy – hugs to you!
To my “lone” Yiddish Mama, I truly can not thank you enough for writing me here. You totally get it. The last few years of my life have been dedicated to explaining to people “yes YOU can, if I can do it YOU can do it.” I didn’t grow up religious, I didn’t grow up kosher an literally I grew up with a silver spoon in my mouth, NEVER lifted a finger forget about cooking. I have become so far away from what I ever thought or dreamed. And I am thankful to Hashem for that fact everyday. The last few years I struggled with this decision. I had so much fear, so much apprehension. I was NEVER going to move to Israel. Never. This was so NOT me. And you know… after alot of struggle I am now so at peace with the decision. I can’t believe you said I am “glowing” I truly am at peace and so happy that it is coming across. I wish you incredible brachos to continue to be a pillar wherever you are (WHERE ARE YOU?!?) and hope that you will join us in Israel. L’Shana Habba B’Yerushalayim. My husband always said/says we should mean that and this year when we said it, we did.
stacee – I am choked up as I write this. I honestly did not know I had so many “followers” in Israel. This date seems to be so meaningful to so many people, it will be special to share the arrival date with you and others. I will try my best to cook and create recipes with ingredients that everyone will have access too and I am thinking I will now try to have both measurements for people – what a challenge I have ahead of me. I feel like just yesterday (literally) I entered the kitchen to cook for the first time, with such fear. I have a little of that same fear now going to a new place, I know it’s still a kitchen but well you know, it’s not the same.
I am just in awe of everyone here writing to me and I am stunned by how many of you are in Israel (my soon to be new home!) We will be in RBS to start. where did you come from?
AMEN an thank you. I wanted to share the story to hopefully encourage, inspire and give strength to others. I look forward to meeting you. Where are you located?
busybubby that’s where I will be! can we please meet! so looking forward to having new friends.
I have chills almost 40 years later we are now going with out family – we will arrive on August 13. I imagine one never forgets that date. We will be traveling with our children (our baby will be about 10 months old). I hope to meet you one day in Israel.
AMEN!!! and I want to extend a Bracha to you: that you will join us all someday soon! Hugs!