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.
lots of love to you Levana! I have yet to meet my Israeli kitchen – Hubby sent some picture of the apartment he rented (without me!!!) hope to shoot a video in it soon after I arrive and share it with the world.
AMEN and may all of your dreams come true as well. Thank you so much for agreeing to be part of our journey.
wow, Amen thank you so very much I am so touched an so grateful you took a moment to write me something so beautiful.
Amen thank you! Shalom to you too.
Ramat Beit Shemesh!!! I would love to visit tzfat and have a tour
AHHHHH!!!!! Mazel Tov! How amazing! you must come and introduce yourself, I’ll be the one with the camera documenting EVERYTHING :-)!
Thank you. I so wish we could live in Jerusalem. we will be starting in RBS.
see Tali!!! told you I would be coming over for lunch soon 🙂
wishing you lots of luck and hope to be able to welcome you home!
I know. Will be using lots of fresh non prepared processed stuff. what’s with the meat? I know I have to learn the number system, but what about the quality? where did you move to?
Tamar,
there are quite a lot of oriental markets in Jerusalem that sell large cans of water chestnuts but the cans have no Hashgacha on them and most of the stuff in these stores unfortunately are imported and not Kosher. I have visitors bring me cans when they visit but now with luggage restrictions it will be more difficult.
What an amazing, inspirational and motivated person you are!! Wow! kol hakavod! And, the decision to share your Aliyah experience with us – brilliant!! You’re right, what’s location? I’m in South Africa, you’ll be in Israel, Tamar in New York and we’ll still been able to share our passion for cooking on the web! It’s all about communicating and nobody does it better than you.
I wish you all the luck in the “world”. No matter where you are you will create and make an impact !
You can’t get water chestnuts in Israel?
Jamie,
Wow…this is amazing news. You are so sweet to include us on this move. It will be a treat to watch and maybe a guide for any of us who would love to do this but just don’t yet have the courage to do so.
Thank you
Welcome to the Holyland we’ve been waiting for you!!! I am a big fan,I get your magazine each month here in Israel. Please do a cooking class at my home in Ra’anana b’simcha Kol Hakavod
Mazal Tov and good luck, as a follower of the site who lives in Israel. I can’t wait to see cooking tips with products that can be found here in Israel!!
Mazal Tov! Bruchim Habaim.I am sure u and your family will be very very happy here in Israel. I wish u all good luck, Parnsa tova, Nachat and may u continue to bring us new flavors now from Israel.
Mazal tov and good luck. We your israeli followers are very excited. welcome home
I’ve substituted raw Jerusalem artichokes for water-chestnuts in salads, and it’s not too bad. You at least still get the “crunch”.
Mazel Tov! My family made Aliya 4 years ago to Modiin, and we are very happy we came. I love your Shabbat menu’s and have shared your site with everyone in the office. When I just read that you were making Aliya, there was a big “whoot” on your behalf! Keep a sense of humor during the process, and it will all be ok! 🙂
First off Mazel and Welcome home. I can’t wait to see some more receipes geared toward the Israeli crowd. I made Aliyah w/NBN just last year (2011) and Im loving every second. One thing I miss a lot is good meat, but Im learning to work with what I can get.
Mazal tov. If you want some first hand aliyah experiences you might try contacting my son and daughter-in-law. They made aliyah July 11, 2011
with NBN. 6 weeks later my daughter in law gave birth to their first son. There were many firsts for them last summer. They presently live in Tel-Aviv and are all smiles. We will be visiting them this summer. Some of their experiences were frustrating and even humourous. Ultimately they feel that they are where they belong. They have indeed come home. Lots of luck. Keep sending new and tasty reciepes.
Bsha’a tova u’mutslachat.
All the best on your upcoming aliyah.
Wonderful to have you here in the Holyland.
Just keep everything in perspective. It will take time to adjust but if you are determined to succeed, you will.
Assuming you will be living in an Anglo-type neighborhood, your new neighbors will be there to help in many ways. After all we really are one big family.
So again, good luck and welcome home!
After looking at some of the other posts, I really feel old. We have been here for over 30 years. My goodness how time flies when you are having fun!
Welcome to the World Center of Kosher cooking. Hope you will show these Israeli chefs a thing or two about healthy and scrumptious kosher cooking.
You’ll love the challenge of incorporating wonderful Israeli ingredients and endless ethnic cuisines into your kitchen.
May you and your family have a easy Aliya. NBN is definitely a great place to start.
From Jerusalem
Eli
MAZAL TOV! HAZLACHA!
WOW! I was surprised, but sooo happy for you guys!
May G-d bless you all with so much Yiddishe nachas and the best of life!
I have been your “fan” for a while…YOU have helped me out so many a time with yom tov and Shabbos dinners.. I live totally isolated from anything Jewish..including Kosher food stores…so needless to say many of your lovely yummy “quic” recipes have become “not so quick” for me, but still fantastic..because you gave me the desire and will to “JUST DO IT”! Thank you Jamielah.. AND now with this new chapter of your life..Alliyah..Well it’s gotten me to thinking.. who knows?? If “our” Jamie can leave her world where it was already easier to be Jewish compared to where we live..well…B”H there’s a Yiddish light at the end of tunnel for us too! You seem so happy with your decision..that you GLOW!!! We send you all HUGS and again MAZAL TOV TOV TOV!!! The “lone” Yiddish Mama 😉
Mazal Tov on your upcoming Aliyah!!! We celebrate 10 years on the day your family arrives. We moved with 6 sons from Los Angeles. It will be so good to have you help us Anglos navigate the food aisles with substitutions for ingredients we cannot get here ie:water chestnuts and so much more but over the last 10 years it has gotten so much better but still a long way to go.I think i can speak for your followers living in Israel that we welcome you and your talents to Israel and look forward to many more quick and kosher recipes with in season fruits and veggies from Israel.
Kol Hakavod, Jamie! It is where you belong. Where will you be living? I live in Jerusalem since 1981.
Kol Hakavod! A brave, thrilling move in any situation, but w/documentary cameras in tow (in real time!) even more so. Looking forward to watching our journey and meeting you here in Israel. Have a wonderful experience and savor every moment (both good *and* less so)
Wow ! I’ve been here for 16 years and am so happy we made aliya! I’d be happy to answer any questions you may have. We’re currently in RBS, but are investigating other communities, so we’re kind of up to date regarding different places around the country. Kol Hakavod to you guys!!
That’s so wonderful!! I’m sure that you and your family will be happy here. Takes me back 30 years when we arrived on August 15 with our young family including a 4 month old. Now we are grandparents. Guaranteed, you will never have a boring day, and each day you will marvel at the modern day miracles that constantly surround us.
Amen! Mazel Tov! How wonderful! Wish I could join you! Maybe someday. May you be blessed with a smooth transition and tons of joy to see you past the bumps! I look forward to having recipes from the Land!!
OMG what news! I wish you lots of luck, and success, and fulfillment, and fun, and delicious times! Rock that Israeli Kitchen! Where are you settling? Hey maybe we’ll shoot a nice show together! Lots of love Jamie, to you and all yours! xoxoxo
Mazel tov to all of you. May all of your dreams come true. Am looking forward to following yoour adventure.
Mazel Tov to you and your loved ones! What a brave journey for your family. I am a Food Journalist and have been a faithful follower of your recipes for some time. Hopefully your journal will continue to inspire many American and Israeli cooks. Israel is indeed lucky to have someone so creative and dedicated to Jewish food in their country. L’Chayim on this blessed turning point in your life!
Mazel tov to you and your family. Wishing you the best. L’shalom.
wow! my son made aliyah and is living in tzfat as a tour guide w/ his israeli wife and 3 kids. her family is from mitzpe netofa (a beautiful dati community in the north) which i highly recommend. where will you be living?
Jamie: This is wonderful news. My husband and I are making aliyah on the same flight. I hope to meet you then. Mazel tov on your big move This is great!!
Jamie–where will you be living?would be happy to answer any questions—i live in jerusalem.been here since 1991
Jamie, that is such wonderful news! A huge kol hakavod to your whole family. Looking forward to greeting you here at home!
Mazel Tov!!!!!!! I plan to follow your journey, and maybe, next year…….
Our G-d works in mystery….
Mazel tov!
Congratuations on your upcoming aliyah. Hope to see more food and recipes geared to Israeli ingredients. It can be a challenge.
Where are you located?
AMEN!!! thank you so much
We certainly hope to. The next issue we are planning is Rosh Hashanah. Stay tuned for details.
Mazel Tov! Is th magazine going to continue?
Mazel tov to you and your family!!! I’m sure G-d will send you all the brachot for your new life in our Land
Mazal Tov. Best of luck. I’ve been here since 84 which makes me an olah chadasha meshumasha(used new immigrant) If I can help in any way please shoot me an email. I’ve been through the ropes and the ringer here. Know a lot about schools, social services, food etc.
Good for you. If you need any help, shoot me an email. I’ve been living here since 1984. Nothing like it. Best
jamie, wow this is so wonderful and inspiring! I wish you and your family much hatzlacha and bracha from this new chapter in your life. May it be a smooth and easy transition.