If we were to play Family Feud and be asked the “Top Responses That I Like Least About Moving” — packing would make it onto that list (probably the number 2 answer only to be outdone by unpacking).

The task of packing up all of your earthly belongings can seem pretty darn overwhelming, and on top of that time consuming, too. But as anyone who has moved several times will tell you, the task of packing gets a little easier each time.

I find that it is helpful to take it just one room at a time, starting with the room that I use the least. A friend of mine once revealed his technique of starting in one corner of the room and making a clean, even sweep across it. This helps him to stay organized and not forget any easy-to-miss spots, such as the drawer of pots that is at the bottom of your oven.

Another tip he shared with me is that, while packing, he frequently lifts the bag or box to make sure that it has not become too heavy to carry. Of course, it is also wise to label all of your boxes with the items they contain and the room where they belong, as well as any reminders such as “this end up” and “fragile.”

Any boxes with toiletries and other items with expiration dates should be labeled with “open first” so that they do not get shoved in a corner of your new home (yea right!)

When you relocate across town or maybe even just down the street, it’s not too hard to just load up the back of a pick-up truck or van. But when packing for a long, overseas move – such as aliyah, it is quite a different story.

Here is the best way to pack up your belongings in order to insure that they will safely make it to your new home in Israel (whether you do it yourself or have the movers pack for you):

China:
Wrap each item individually in unprinted paper. Or you can also purchase dish packs, which are reusable pouches specifically designed to keep glass safe while in transit.

Stemware:
First, wrap a bit of plastic or paper around the stem for extra reinforcement. Then wrap the whole glass. Place each one upside-down in a partitioned box.

Mirrors and framed artwork:
First, use removable masking tape to mark a big “X” in the center of the glass. This helps to make it less susceptible to breakage. Then wrap the whole piece in a generous amount of packing paper. You can stack mirrors and artwork using Styrofoam corner rounds that create space between each item.

Lampshades:
Separate shades from their lamps, handling the shades only by their wire frames. Place the shades in large boxes and nest them together, separating them with sheets of paper.

Clothes:
Clothes can be folded and boxed, or for quicker unpacking you can obtain wardrobe boxes that allow you to leave your clothing on their hangers. To take up less space with clothing, tightly roll items rather than folding them.

As another space saver, you can roll fragile items inside t-shirts and sweatshirts. Just make sure to clearly label which clothing items contain other fragile items so that you don’t forget about these items while you are unpacking.

Glass jars, bottle, figurines, antiques, and collectibles:
Wrap each one individually in bubble wrap. Place these in boxes with packing peanuts or crumpled paper between the pieces for extra padding. Look for biodegradable packing peanuts made of cornstarch.

Enjoy watching this video about the Katz family moving to Israel.

(1) Keep an open mind

Sure, it’s normal to have some specific expectations as you make your move and begin to assimilate. But try not to be too disappointed when not everything goes the way you expect it to.

For example, you may find the directness of Israelis off-putting at first. Don’t be discouraged by this, it is simply a cultural difference. Strike up a conversation, keep an open mind, and you will surely be rewarded with friendship.

Before you move, make a detailed list of all of the reasons that you are making aliyah. Then keep this list in a safe place. This way, when times get tough or you feel discouraged, you can pull out the list and re-focus on all of the reasons that you wanted to move to Israel in the first place.

(2) Make a pilot trip

Plan to take at least one trip to Israel before you move there. This is the best way that you can “feel out” the community where you are going to be living. (Think of this along the same lines as that initial gut feeling you get when you go to a job interview or on the tour of a college. You can usually tell right away if a place feels right.)

If you have children, a big part of your pilot trip should be finding the school(s) that will be the right fit. In general, school life and social life are two major keys to a family’s happiness after making aliyah. Look for clubs, parks, and activities that fit your family’s interests.

(3) Stay in touch with loved ones

It is to be expected that one of the hardest things about moving is feeling distanced from loved ones. Staying in touch with family and friends is critical to the success of your aliyah. Do not alienate yourself.

For immigrants, it is a good idea to get an all-you-can-talk international phone line. You may wish to consider joining an international networking site, such as Facebook. Or, if you like to keep a personal journal, consider writing a blog. This way, your family and friends can read and respond to your thoughts and reflections.

If you prefer good old snail mail, invest in beautiful stationary, nice pens, and a pretty box in which to keep all the letters you receive in return. Making the act of writing special will encourage you to stick with it.

(4) Be prepared for a financial reality check

Many people put off making aliyah because they have set an unobtainable financial goal for themselves, such as “we’ll move when we have saved up x amount of money.” Really, it’s not that likely that you’ll ever reach this magic number. But as long as you plan ahead and are prepared to make some sacrifices at first, you can do it.

For the first seven months, you will receive Sal Klitah, which is a monetary supplement from the Israeli government. After that, learn to “live like an Israeli.” Don’t cling to all of the American products that you are used to. Be prepared to make some sacrifices and some changes.

Consult with financial planners who are dually licensed in both Israel and the U.S. to better advise you on how to invest your money or save for your future.

(5) Don’t turn down help!

The culture in Israel is warm, loving, and inviting. Most Israeli communities are tight-knit, and people have a soft spot for those who sacrificed their “fancy American lives” or “fame and fortune” to move to this humble country and explore their spiritual beginnings.

Be trusting; accept help from others. Oftentimes our instinct is to say, “Oh, that’s okay,” and turn people down when they offer to help us. Learn how to say, “Yes, thanks!” with a big smile on your face, even if it’s just your neighbor’s offer to watch your children while you take a nap.

Take advantage of Gemachs, which is a free loan service where you can find anything from crutches to baby strollers. Utilize free services offered by Nefesh B’Nefesh, the AACI, and others. You are not going through this journey alone.

Enjoy watching this video about the Katz family moving to Israel.

To prepare for aliyah is to prepare for a journey that encompasses so much. Moving to Israel involves a new language, culture, home, and possibly a new business and/or school. It can be overwhelming to know where to start, but this by no means makes the journey impossible!

Many have made aliyah before us, and many will continue to after us. One of the great things is that, through the experiences of many, we can learn about what we can do to make the process of moving as easy and smooth as possible.

As early as a year before our move, we started to brush up on our Hebrew, researching what community we’d would like to live in (keeping in mind that for each of us something else was important – gym, dry cleaners, coffee shop and Bnei Akiva were the most important), researching the job market, and financially planning. Take it a little at a time. Think of this year as a gradual process, not a crash course, to avoid getting overwhelmed.

As we approached our designated departure date (August 2, 2010), the tasks required began to seem numerous. As with any move, not just an international one, there is so much to do!

Here is a checklist of tasks for preparing for your moving day that can perhaps assist anyone contemplating aliyah in the future:

Six Weeks Before Moving:

• Create a “Moving Documents” folder. Remember that this will be the place that you will store all of your important paperwork in regards to moving, such as passports, as well as receipts so that you can track your moving-related expenses.
• Contact your insurance agent to transfer property, fire, auto and medical insurance.
• Ask your primary care physician, eye doctor, and other caregivers for your medical records. Make sure you have records of your vaccinations and prescriptions.
• Start collecting suitable packing materials and boxes.
• Join email and social networking groups that are designed for those who are preparing to make aliyah, or have recently made aliyah (you can actually join these at anytime but if you haven’t by this point, I strongly recommend it). You can find one here: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/nefeshbnefesh/

Five Weeks Before Moving:

• Make a packing plan. Organize your belongings into specific sections, such as “pack,” “give away” and “trash.” Take a good, objective look at all of your belongings to decide what you do and don’t need to bring with you. Figure out whether you are going to move yourself or hire a moving company.
• Complete an official change of address form, which you can do at the USPS website here: https://moversguide.usps.com/icoa/flow.do?_flowExecutionKey=_c73356C3D-995F-21D1-C3EF-47EAC479DE48_kFE21A617-F6DD-A6C2-8BA0-8154911F234D

Four Weeks Before Moving:

• Start researching your new neighborhood. Print out maps and other resources so you can familiarize yourself with your new town.
• Begin to involve your children in the packing process. You can help to make it fun by giving your child an incentive for every item that he or she places in the “Goodwill” box, or by giving out stickers to allow him or her to label the boxes.

Three Weeks Before Moving:

• Since you’ll want to still have your utilities (electric, gas, phone, etc) on your moving day, contact the companies and arrange to have these disconnected the day after you have moved.
• Place “FRAGILE” and “DO NOT SHIP” labels on boxes as needed.

Two Weeks Before Moving Day:

• Safely dispose of any chemical products that you will not be moving, such as gasoline, paint, and batteries, weed killer, and flammable liquids. Go to this website and type in your zip code to find a safe disposal facility near you: http://earth911.com/
• Call your bank and find out how to transfer your bank accounts. If you have a safety deposit box, close it.
• Drain oil and gas from any of your tools and appliances to ensure safe transport.
• Make or obtain a personal money belt or pouch. You will want to carry all irreplaceable items, such as family heirloom jewelry, on your person during your move rather than packing it.
• Consider getting a babysitter for your moving day. If you have young children, they’ll need to stay safe and occupied for the day.

Day Before Moving and Moving Day:

• Defrost and clean out your refrigerator and freezer 24 hours in advance.
• Confirm that utilities are connected at your new residence.
• Do not leave packing for the last day. Finish this a day ahead, as you will need to give the move your full attention.
• Clean the residence you’ll be leaving.
• Confirm the delivery date and time at your new residence in Israel.

Enjoy watching this video about the Katz family moving to Israel.

La Paz is a city of startling beauty. It is located at an elevation of almost 12,000 feet above sea level. That’s almost 2 and ½ miles high! The city itself sits in a sunken valley in the Andes Mountain range, with the startling gray-blue, snow peaked Mt. Illimani towering over the city at an elevation of 21,000 feet.

The majority of the city’s population of 1.5 million live in the valley at the base of the Andes, while the rest live in housing located on a plateau called El Alto. You’ll see the most breathtaking view of the city at night, when thousands of lights dot the valley and crawl up the sides of the mountains.

One of the things that you’re sure to find fascinating about Bolivia is its truly unique culture. The Andean region has been inhabited for somewhere around 20,000 years, and over these many years has been influenced by a wide variety of peoples. Visiting La Paz, you’ll see indigenous Aymara, Inca, Spanish, and other South American influences on religion, music, and clothing. Even the country’s official language is a reflection of its unique heritage. Spanish, Quechua, and Aymara: all three are official languages of Bolivia.

Because of its location, La Paz is a great travel destination for adventure seekers. Those who are truly not faint-at-heart can visit Yungas Road, which in English is known as Death Road, and also affectionately deemed The World’s Most Dangerous Road. If you are an extreme mountain biker, than this is definitely a thrilling test of your expertise. The road earned these nicknames because it has more deaths per mile than any other road in the world.

If the mere mention of a seven-hour bike ride that snakes all the way from the Andes to the Amazon basin gets your pulse racing, then this is the destination for you. There are many different companies that offer biking trips down Death Road. The price of a bike ride is quite reasonable, ranging from $55-$75, depending on the type of bike, helmet, and other equipment that you may decide to rent.

If you’d prefer to not risk life and limb during your trip to La Paz, don’t worry. There are plenty of other things to do and attractions to see. One that you are sure to enjoy is a visit to Lake Titicaca.

This lake is one of the highest freshwater lakes in the world; it sits at an altitude of 12,500 feet. One of the most incredible things about a lake existing at this altitude is how life has so successfully adapted. Wildlife thrives here despite the cold temperatures, high levels of ultraviolet radiation, and thin air (due to low oxygen levels).

Lake Titicaca is also a very popular tourist destination because it was once home to the great Inca empire. Ancient Inca ruins can be seen all over Titicaca, especially on an island called Isla del Sol, which translates to Island of the Sun. According to Inca legend, this island is where the sun god’s children, Manco Capac and Mama Ocllo, emerged from the depths of Lake Titicaca and found the Inca civilization.

When you witness the beautiful green landscape rising from the shimmering waters of Titicaca, it will be easy to understand why the Incas considered this to be such a sacred place.

(I’m writing this post in July 2010, only weeks away from August 2nd, when my family and I are making aliyah from New York to Hashmonaim — located next to Modiin, one of Israel’s fastest growing cities.)

As I prepare to move to Israel, many people have asked me whether I have any concerns about moving. My honest answer? Yes, of course! As with anyone who moves to a foreign country, any foreign country for that matter, my mind is filled with a great sense of excitement but also some concerns and questions, too.

One thing that I did tell myself right away is that no matter what, I would not allow the media’s scare tactics to affect my feelings about moving. If you were to rely on the media alone for a reliable image of the world, well, just about any place would seem like a terrible area in which to live! The media’s catalyst is fear. So I told myself a long time ago that I would not let this penetrate my thoughts and feelings about making aliyah.

For those with small children, it is only natural to be concerned about how your kids will adapt to life in Israel. Of course, you should rest assured that you will be able to provide a wonderful life for them in their new home. They will be living in a country where they are no longer the minority, but where Jews make up 78% of the population. They will be part of a community that is unlike any other place in the world.

But even knowing that this is a place where they will be welcomed and made to feel accepted, of course you can still expect to have some concerns about your children’s adjustment and acclimation to living in a new country.

It is a great idea to get your children involved in a number of organizations where they will have the opportunity to continue pursuing the activities in which they are interested, as well as meet other children their own age. The YMCA in Jerusalem is a great source for many different clubs, activities, and classes, from music lessons to swimming lessons.

For public education, you will have the opportunity to enroll your children in either Jewish religious or secular public schools. Much like in America, public education is free, and all children must receive eleven years of schooling. Education is an extremely important part of Jewish society, and in Israel it plays a major role in the life and culture of the country. So you can rest assured that your children will receive a good education.

For my four children, I know that Israel will provide wonderful educational and career opportunities for them. My older daughter, who is 21, made aliyah two years ago and has been studying biology at Bar Ilan University, the largest university in Israel. My older son, 20, just spent two years studying in Israel at Reishit Jerusalem, and my younger son, 17, just having graduated high school will be spending a post-high school year with us studying at Lev Hatorah. My younger daughter is 13 and will attend Chorev school in Jerusalem, which provides a dual curriculum of Judaic and secular studies.

For my own sake, I find myself wondering how well I will be able to adapt to learning and typing in Hebrew. While there are approximately 33 different languages that are spoken and written within the different communities in Israel, modern Hebrew is the primary language of the country. Arabic and Hebrew are the official languages in Israel, while road signs are often written in English in addition to these two languages.

As with any long journey, there are bound to be some bumps along the way. One that I am anticipating is a bit of bureaucracy, or “red tape,” when it comes to becoming citizens in Israel. Each country has its own laws in regards to legal immigration and citizenship, and Israel is no exception.

For anyone preparing to make aliyah, I would strongly recommend researching and reading up on the requirements for becoming an Israeli citizen. Two terms with which you will want to familiarize yourself are “Teudat Zehut” and “Teudat Oleh.”

Your Teudat Zehut will be your Israeli ID card. It is sort of a cross between a Social Security card and a driver’s license. It contains a number that is unique to your identification along with your date of birth, address, and your photo. This is the card that confirms your Israeli citizenship.

Your Teudat Oleh is your immigrant certificate. It is a small, dark blue booklet that kind of looks like a passport. This booklet is given to each immigrant, or each immigrant family. It is very important to keep this document in a safe place, because it is the most important of all aliyah-related documents.

You can follow these guidelines on the Jewish Agency for Israel website on how to officially become an oleh in Israel: http://www.jewishagency.org/JewishAgency/English/Aliyah/Aliyah+Info/First+Steps+in+Israel/Step+by+Step+48.htm

Enjoy watching this video about the Katz family moving to Israel.

When preparing to make aliyah, it can seem like an overwhelming journey. But you are certainly not alone on your journey to becoming an oleh. There are a number of organizations that exist to help make the transition to life in Israel as seamless and financially unburdensome as possible:

(1) The Jewish Agency

The Jewish Agency for Israel has existed since 1992 with the primary goal of bringing Jews home and building the state of Israel. Their mission is to bring a substantial number of Jews to live in Israel and to help insure their successful integration. You can visit the website here for more information about the agency’s programs: http://www.jewishagency.org/JewishAgency/English/Aliyah

(2) Nefesh B’Nefesh

This organization has existed since 2002, and over the last eight years has helped to bring 25,000 olim to Israel from North America. Over the last two years, the Jewish Agency and Nefesh B’Nefesh have been working together in order to strengthen their resources and to process more olim.

The incentives that this organization offer are many, including a free one-way flight to Israel. To read more about the assistance provided by Nefesh B’Nefesh, you can visit the website at http://www.nbn.org.il/index.php The entire application process can be conveniently completed online.

(3) Israel’s Ministry of Immigrant Absorption

In 2007, the Israeli government reversed a 55-year-old pledge to not support aliyah from the west. Now, through the Ministry of Immigrant Absorption, there are many incentives that are available to olim. Adult immigrants receive a monetary payout from the government of $4,000, and children receive $2,000 each. Part of this is given to you in an initial cash payment, and a second payment is then later made to your Israeli bank account.

Major reductions on property taxes are available as well. All cities and towns in Israel charge a property tax called Arnona. Olim are customarily granted a 70-90% reduction of this tax.

(4) The university/higher education system of Israel

The university system in Israel is very accommodating to olim. The higher education system in Israel is reputable and certainly equivalent to the well-established universities in America. As an olim chadashim (new immigrant), you are entitled to a free higher education provided that you meet certain requirements for age and prior education.

Candidates up to age 23 can receive assistance for a bachelor’s degree, and candidates up to age 30 can receive assistance for a master’s degree. You can click here for more information about universities in Israel: http://www.nbn.org.il/aliyahpedia/education-a-ulpan/higher-education/997-higher-education-in-israel.html

(5) The Ministry of Housing in Israel

The Ministry of Housing offers rental assistance for olim chadashim from the 13th month after making aliyah. The eligibility period lasts for five years after becoming an oleh. For a chart of the amount of financial assistance available depending on your status, please click here: http://www.nbn.org.il/aliyahpedia/aliyah-benefits/government-benefits/941-rental-assistance.html

Low interest rates may also be granted to new immigrants for up to 10 years after becoming an oleh.

(6) Customs

Olim are permitted to bring their own household goods and appliances from any country into Israel. In addition, olim are able to purchase Israeli-made appliances tax free in Israel.

Enjoy watching this video about the Katz family moving to Israel.

(I’m writing this post in July 2010, only weeks away from August 2nd, when my family and I are making aliyah from New York to Hashmonaim — located next to Modiin, one of Israel’s fastest growing cities.)

Some people choose to make aliyah after graduating from high school. Others wish to make the journey before starting a family, or even just before retirement after living a full life in the Unites States. Regardless of age and social status, however, many people are choosing to move to Israel.

So why now? Why is this a good time to make aliyah?

One of the primary reasons that many are moving to Israel is because of the large amount of assistance that is available to Jews moving to Israel. Jewish Agency Chairman Natan Sharansky recently explained that Israel welcomes young Americans and their passion for social activism, and believes that olim have a very valuable contribution to make to Israeli government, politics, and way of life.

Recently Sharansky was present as 233 olim were welcomed to Israel from North America. You can read about the celebratory event here: http://www.jpost.com/JewishWorld/JewishNews/Article.aspx?id=180756

Can you imagine being greeted at the airport by people who are singing, dancing, and cheering? It is not like venturing to a foreign land; it is like being welcomed home and into your mother’s arms.

Sure, there are some challenges and fears for most olim. I mean, who wouldn’t have some concerns and reservations about acclimating in a new country?

However, statistics show that, ultimately, olim experience not just challenges but also resounding victories. The overwhelming majority of people who immigrate from North America to Israel do stay there. Nefesh B’Nefesh reports that 98% of immigrants who have come to Israel as part of their programs in the last eight years have remained there.

In 2009 a total of 3,800 Jewish olim came to Israel from the United States and Canada. The total number for 2010 is expected to be even higher. Analysts predict a higher number this year because, while the economic downturn here in America continues, Israel’s economy is rather sound.

Israel’s economy has not suffered nearly as much as the rest of the Western world in recent years. Opportunities in Israel’s high-technology, financial, and real estate industries are plentiful.

Every oleh has certainly been exposed to at least a few fearful and skeptical comments in regards to his/her choice to immigrate to Israel. Americans are exposed to news of the Intifada, along with images in the media of unrest in the Middle East, including the continuing captivity of Gilad Shalit by Hamas.

But the truth is that for Jews there is not really any such thing as a “bad” time to make aliyah. Israel lives inside of all of us — regardless of where we live throughout the world. Our souls and hearts live in Israel and basically just patiently wait for the rest of our bodies to come catch up.

The notion of aliyah transcends the ideas of social and political tumult. Furthermore, for those of us who have always known that Israel is our home, we are not frightened away by the images of Intifada. Instead, we wish to be a part of Israel because we see that our brothers and sisters are living in troubled times. We wish to be a part of Israel and to help her grow and prosper.

Each soul adds a little more but together communally we can achieve more than as an individual.

Enjoy watching this video about the Katz family moving to Israel.

Our Deluxe Kosher Tours trip to the Baltics — Latvia and Lithuania — is less than a month away, and I want to share the exciting itinerary with you:

Sunday, August 1 In Transit
Depart from the US to Vilna, Lithuania

Monday, August 2 Vilna
Your carefully selected DELUXE KOSHER TOURS escort will welcome you at the airport, and escort you to the deluxe Radisson SAS Astoria Hotel in Vilnius (Vilna). Spend the remainder of the day exploring the vibrant and exciting city.

Vilna is studded with architectural gems, and exotic side streets are a joy to explore. In the evening, rejoin the group for a welcome dinner.

Tuesday, August 3 Vilna
After breakfast, visit the Vilna Yiddish Institute at its location on the Old Campus of Vilnius University. Learn about Lithuanian Jewish history and culture through an encounter with Sarunas Liekis and Dovid Katz. Take in Eastern European Jewish art by one of the local leading artists.

After a delicious kosher lunch, you will embark on a walk through the Jewish Quarter of Vilna, guided by Ms. Roza Bieliauskiene, the former collection curator of the Vilna Gaon Jewish State Museum.

Spend your evening visiting the beautiful Choral Synagogue of Vilna, and come face to face with history in a moving visit with Vilna’s local Jewish community. Dinner will follow.

Wednesday, August 4 Vilna-Yoneshik-Zhager-Riga
After breakfast, depart for Latvia. On the way, DELUXE KOSHER TOURS will offer you a rare opportunity to experience authentic shtetl life by visiting the shtetls of Zhager and Yoneshik.

Upon arrival in Riga, you will have the opportunity to savor local color and cuisine at one of Riga’s charming kosher restaurants.

Thursday, August 5 Riga
Visit with Riga’s Jewish community for a chance to share and learn about the Jewish experience in Latvia. Afterward, learn more at the Jewish Museum and Documentation Center, tracing the history and contributions of Latvia’s Jews to the present day.

After lunch, you will take an excursion outside the city limits to the Jewish cemetery there, followed by a pilgrimage to the Holocaust Memorial. Here, Nazis along with their Latvian henchmen executed thousands of innocent Jews, whose identities are shrouded in mystery to this day. The impressive monument to their memory was only erected in 2001.

We will return to the city and the former Jewish ghetto, which retains traces of its pre-war existence. Along the way we will invoke the lives of many great (and near great) who made Riga a vibrant center of Jewish Life and culture, including the remains of the Chorale Synagogue —a monument to the power of Jewish faith.

Later in the afternoon, spend time in the elegant and beautiful “Art Nouveau” district, once home to many of Latvia’s most famous artists, writers, and scholars.

Riga’s collection of buildings in this nineteenth-century style are among the finest and best-preserved in the world. One of these was the world-famous Jewish philosopher, and Zionist leader, Sir Isaiah Berlin. We will hear about how his family fortune led to an unlikely encounter between three of the greatest rabbinic minds of the day.

At the end of the day, we will dine with members of Latvia’s Jewish community.

Friday, August 6 Riga-Daugavpils (Dvinsk)-Vilna
After breakfast, DELUXE KOSHER TOURS will take you on a new adventure as you head to Daugavpils — the immortal city of Dvinsk, famous for its tradition of Litvak and Chabad cooperation, and for the residence of the giants of pre-war Europe: R. Joseph Rosen (Rogachover) and R. Meir Simcha Ha-Kohen (the Or Sameach). You will meet local Jews and learn the power and tragedy of their experiences under German and Soviet oppression.

After a local lunch in Daugapils, you will return to Vilna, checking in once more at the Radisson SAS Astorija in Vilna. After services, we will be treated to a Shabbat dinner at the Lubavitch Center.

Saturday, August 7 Vilna
Spend Shabbat with members of the Vilna Jewish community. Tefillot and meals will be enjoyed with the community. An enriching Shabbat program (including a walking tour) is planned for the day.

Sunday, August 8 Vilna
After breakfast, DELUXE KOSHER Tours offers you the chance to take a tour through the Holocaust Museum (also known as the Green House) guided by the Deputy Director of the Vilna Gaon Jewish State Museum himself. Afterward, you will be treated to a walking tour of the winding streets of Vilna’s wartime ghetto.

After lunch you will be given the opportunity to go to the Vilnius Yiddish Institute to participate in a discussion about various topics in twentieth-century Jewish history. You will speak not only with prominent Lithuanian and Jewish intellectuals, but also with government officials, all of whom will be open to questions.

Learn more, too, about the friendship and cooperation between both groups, and spend part of the evening in the Jewish Museum’s Tolerance Center — once a Jewish theater — to listen to Vilna Ghetto songs performed by Dr. Maria Krupoves-Berg before a delicious dinner.

Monday, August 9 Vilna-Kaunas-Vilna
Leave Vilna in the morning to visit Kaunas — the legendary Jewish community of Kovno — after whose immortal rabbi the R. Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary was named. Kovno was Lithuania’s provisional inter-war capitol and is its second-largest city.

You will spend the morning visiting notable sites of Jewish interest, including the site of the immortal Mussar Yeshiva, Slobodka. After a post-lunch visit to the Kaunas Synagogue, you will be given the chance to spend time with members of its Jewish community. We will then pay our respects to the infamous Ninth Fort, where so many lost their lives. In the evening, return to Vilna.

Tuesday, August 10 In Transit
Say goodbye to your fellow travelers and companions in this moving experience as you return to the airport for your flight home, enriched by all you have discovered.

Reserve a place now on this extraordinary trip.

(I’m writing this post in July 2010, only weeks away from August 2nd, when my family and I are making aliyah from New York to Hashmonaim — located next to Modiin, one of Israel’s fastest growing cities.)

The concept of aliyah is one that is most cherished within Jewish tradition and culture, and it is a basic tenet of Zionist ideology. Literally, the term means “going up” or “ascent.”

For Jews who live within Israel, this is practiced by ascending the hill on which the city of Jerusalem is located, or by traveling to the city from the lowlands of Egypt. For those of us who live overseas, the premise of aliyah means that we must complete this journey to Israel from abroad.

It is not a journey for financial gain, as many moves are. It is a move that is spiritually and personally enhancing and fulfilling.

For many, this concept of aliyah is one that seems to be a far-fetched hope or a dream-like ambition. But for all Jews, it is one that can be a reality. There are a number of organizations that exist to ease the transition of being an American citizen to a citizen of Israel, hence honoring the important tenet of aliyah.

The first organization that I would recommend looking into is called Nefesh B’Nefesh. This group was founded in 2002, and currently works in cooperation with the Jewish Agency for Israel. The group’s purpose is to ease the immigration process and to encourage immigration by Jewish people from North America and the United Kingdom to Israel.

Through Nefesh B’Nefesh, you can find aliyah programs that are particularly suited to families, retirees, students, singles, and teens.

Nefesh B’Nefesh provides a number of valuable resources for those who are preparing for aliyah, as well as those who have just immigrated, called olim (plural) or an oleh (singular), including financial assistance and employment resources.

One of the greatest things about this organization is that it recognizes that each person’s aliyah is an unique and personal experience, and the organization aims to help each person accomplish a seamless, comfortable, professional and social integration within Israel. For more information about Nefesh B’Nefesh, please visit the website at http://www.nbn.org.il/index.php

A second organization that can aid you in your personal journey is the AACI, or the Association for Americans and Canadians in Israel. The AACI is a terrific resource for information in regards to how you may move your possessions to Israel in accordance with customs guidelines, how to apply for mortgage loans, how to enroll in school, and much more. Click here for the helpful post aliyah checklist: http://www.aaci.org.il/articlenav.php?id=40

While you are preparing to make aliyah, I would suggest reading blogs, books, and articles by others who have recently become olim. While preparing for such a long journey, of course it is normal to experience some feelings of nervousness and uncertainty. But reading about the experiences of others can help answer many of the questions you undoubtedly have.

Check out some of these resources to read others’ first-hand experiences:

1- http://welcomingolim.blogspot.com/

2- http://www.nbn.org.il/about/special-programs/gonorth-program/post-cards-from-the-north.html

3- http://www.blogcatalog.com/blog/the-moving-to-israel-blog/9b2dd3d6457aa1a37cf292a9dffa79a3

4- http://www.jr.co.il/aliyah/why15.txt

Remember that there are many organizations and individuals who are eager to assist you with your aliyah. When you are ready to complete your own trek, take advantage of these resources. Aliyah will always be a cherished tradition, and there will always be members of the Jewish community present to guide you along your personal journey.

Enjoy watching this video about the Katz family moving to Israel.

When you think of visiting South Africa, what do you want to see most? The golden sands beaches, the bustling towns of Cape Town and Johannesburg, or the diverse plant and animal life of the Lowveld?

If you’re like me, you love big city hustle and bustle. But when you think of South Africa, you cannot resist the opportunity to get a glimpse of the wildlife, and the idea of embarking on an African safari is one that is exciting and downright exotic.

If you feel the same way I do, you simply must visit the incredible Kruger National Park in South Africa. I can guarantee that it is here that you will find the exciting wildlife experience that, until now, you have only imagined.

The Kruger National Park of South Africa is known the world over for its diverse wildlife and archaeological sites. It was first established in 1898 to protect the wildlife of the South African Lowveld, and today is spread out over nearly 5 million acres. Yes, that is 5 million acres!

This huge expanse of space is home to a very impressive number of inhabitants. Within the park you will find 336 kinds of trees, 49 fish, 34 amphibians, 114 reptiles, 507 birds and 147 mammals. All in all, that makes 1,187 different species of flora and fauna that call the park home.

Five of the largest animals you may see are the buffalo, elephant, leopard, lion, and rhino, while five of the smallest creatures you may see are the buffalo weaver, elephant shrew, leopard tortoise, ant lion, and rhino beetle.

Within the park there are a great number of activities to please anyone from the person who wants to hang out for just one afternoon, to the adventurous visitor who wishes to spend five days exploring and sightseeing. Professional (armed) guides will accompany you whether you would prefer to walk, drive, bike, or hike.

The trails vary from relaxed, well-marked paths to areas that are entirely unmarked and unspoiled and traversed only on foot. If you are interested in seeing some of the area’s more secretive creatures, you can even take a nighttime drive through the park to seek out nocturnal animals.

Because of the park’s expansive size, you’ll find a great number of camps that are excellent places to stay. The Crocodile Bridge Rest Camp, for example, is a small and cozy camp situated in the south-eastern corner of the Kruger National Park on the northern bank of the Crocodile River. It includes a game-viewing area that is known as the Southern Circle, which is renowned for its concentration of different prides of lion, each with its own behavior, habits, and hunting techniques.

The Southern Circle is also home to a large percentage of the Kruger National Park’s total rhino population, and you may also spot spotted hyena, giraffe, kudu, and cheetah.

Along with Crocodile Bridge, you’ll find 12 other main rest camps within the park, each with its own distinct characteristics, attractions, and personality. Or if you would prefer something more luxurious, you can check out Kruger National Park’s eight luxury lodges. The luxury lodges include accommodations with Jacuzzis, king-size beds, soft linen sheets, and spas. At the same time, the lodges have been designed to have a minimally invasive impact on their natural environment and surroundings.

For more information about Kruger National Park, you can visit the website at http://www.sanparks.org/parks/kruger/default.php

I have no doubt that you’ll be impressed, and I can guarantee that your visit there will be unlike anything else you have ever experienced.