With the Nefesh B’Nefesh organization receiving an influx of aliyah applications from Diaspora Jews, it is fair to say that these Jews are seeing the writing on the wall – that the future of the Jewish people lies in Israel.

Whether influenced by the economic uncertainties brought about by the Corona pandemic, along with the harsh reality that the gate to Israel is currently shut to non- citizens, or whether it is due to the upsurge in Jew-hatred especially in the U.S. and Canada, many Jews are becoming “woke” – but in a good way. They are realizing that Israel is their one true home.

Grassroots’ efforts in Israel to help Diaspora Jewry with the aliyah process are growing. Social media is bursting with new groups to provide encouragement and practical tips.

There are many who will say, however, that making aliyah comes with many challenges, and therefore, people should only come live in Israel if they truly desire a life in Israel; Diaspora Jews should not make aliyah out of fear.

I agree with the first stance – aliyah is challenging. Aliyah is hard for a variety of reasons. Like all countries, we grapple with issues, be they housing, cost of living, employment, etc., and to deal with it with a limited knowledge of Hebrew, while certainly doable, is no piece of cake. Transporting yourself across the world to an unfamiliar country is difficult…in the beginning, although, eventually one adjusts and acclimates to the new life.

However, especially at this stage of the game, I do not believe in telling Jews that they should not make aliyah out of fear. On the contrary. With the current unstable and unsavory climate in the U.S., you should be afraid. Very afraid.

It is now acceptable to be anti-Jew, anti-Zionist, or anti-Israel. Yes, they are all the same. Jew-hati ng crimes have escalated, and the situation on college campusesthroughout the country is impossible for Jewish students who do not tow the leftist, pro-Palestinian line. There are Democratic politicians who are blatantly anti-Jew and no longer bother to camouflauge their Jew-hating statements and actions. Such sentiments have become mainstream. The cancel culture is very real, and the insurrection of the BLM movement along with Antifa is no insignificant matter. I shudder to think how the current anti-Jew atmosphere will further spiral to a dangerous level if the Democrats win the next presidential election. As for Jews in Europe, it goes without saying that there is no future for the Jewish people on that continent. It needs no explanation. If you think it does, you may as well stop reading this missive.
I therefore contend that while making aliyah “for all the right reasons” is admirable, making the decision to move to Israel in order to save you from a very precarious situation is nothing less than wise.

It means you are no longer in denial. It means that you understand that terrible things can happen to the Jewish people in the one country that was once considered a safe haven. It means you understand that the U.S. is no longer that safe haven.

So, I am not going to tell you about all the wonderful things about living in Israel. I am not going to tell you about the meaningfulness of day to day life here. I will not expound upon the glory of living in Israel, or what it feels like to fulfill our destiny in our God-given land. I can’t force you to feel something in your heart if it is simply not there for you.

I will tell you, however, to wise up. Open your eyes to what is happening all around you in the U.S. It will not blow over. It will get worse. What is happening now in the U.S. is a natural continuation of the fate of Jews in the Diaspora that has followed a steady course for nearly 2000 years. You are now seeing that the “goldeneh medinah” is not immune to it.

In time, once you are in Israel, you will hopefully come to appreciate its splendor.

Alternatively, you can shake your head over this article, call me an alarmist, stay where you are, and take your chances.