Follow the Israeli media and every week you will find content on how many Israelis have left the country, the emerging brain drain, and with all the medical professionals leaving the negative impact it will have on the local healthcare scene.
What you don’t hear is that in August alone over 1,100 North Americans made Aliyah, and over 2,200 during the summer. Among those are 183 lone soldiers, doctors and to me the most impressive number- the average age of the olim is only 29. Well over 1,000 physicians have made Aliyah in the last few years. Moral of the story: Don’t always believe what you hear in the press. All of this was facilitated by Nefesh B’Nefesh, in cooperation with Israel’s Ministry of Aliyah and Integration, The Jewish Agency for Israel, Keren Kayemeth LeIsrael, and Jewish National Fund-USA.
Rabbi Yehoshua Fass, Co-Founder and Executive Director of Nefesh B’Nefesh, said, “As we recently celebrated our 100,000th Oleh, it is particularly inspiring to see so many young people choosing to make Israel their home, to build their careers and families here, put down roots and invest their futures in this country. We are honored to continue playing a role in helping strengthen Israel through each one of these Olim.”
This week we continue to read Torah portions that deal with preparing the nation for its entrance into the land of Israel. In Ki Tavo, the beginning of the portion begins with the commandment to bring the first fruits. We learn about the farmer who, months ago seeded a field not knowing what type of harvest there will be. Imagine the farmer who has toiled and toiled and finally sees the reward of the hard work, only instead of enjoying it by eating, he must bring it to Jerusalem and make a declaration thanking the Lord for both the land and all the good that has been received.
As I have quoted many times, Rabbi Berel Wein writes, “Saying thank you is one of the basic courtesies of human interaction. Though elementary and straightforward, it is often forgotten or neglected. In saying thank you, we are acknowledging that we are dependent upon the goodness and consideration of others and that we are not completely in control over events and even of our own decisions in life.”
The financial danger of feeling entitled
Too often we perceive our great achievements as a testament to our greatness and fall prey to “And you may say in your heart, ‘My strength and the might of my hand made this victory’.”
Rabbi Wein continues, “There is no question that the farmer invested a great deal of effort, sweat and toil in bringing his crops to fruition. Because of this effort and the investment on the part of the farmer, there is a temptation that he will view these new fruits as an entitlement. For after all, he was the one who devoted the time and effort necessary to produce them. There is a danger that he will forget that there really are no entitlements in life and that one has to say thank you for everything that is achieved, though ostensibly we have labored to achieve this much desired goal. Rather, it is incumbent upon the farmer to thank his Creator for the land and the natural miracles that occurred daily in the production of food, grain and fruit.”
Entitlements. A few years ago, I wrote about a meeting that I had with newlyweds who lived in the quaint Bet Hakerem neighborhood of Jerusalem. They had a net combined monthly salary of 12,000nis. After asking them some questions it turns out that they are paying 9,000nis in rent. So much for the financial planning rule of 25-30% or income to be spent on dwelling! Obviously, I asked why they were paying so much in rent, and they said that it has 3 bedrooms, and they liked the large space because that was that they were used to when they grew up in the US. I replied, “But it’s just the two of you and you are spending 75% of your salary on rent!” They just looked at me. They said they ‘need’ a car and want to buy an apartment. They have about 65,000nis in total savings, from wedding gift money and some savings they each brought into the marriage. I asked why they need a car, especially because they are literally 25 meters from a light-rail station. After trying to dissuade them from buying even a used car until they save up some more money, they said they were looking for a new Corolla hybrid because they heard good things about it. When I asked as to why on earth they would buy a new car, the reason given was that their parents only drove new cars in the US. I won’t even go into the conversation about buying an apartment, but I am sure you get the drift.
Let’s heed the lesson of the farmer and the new olim. As Chairman of the Jewish Agency for Israel, Major General (res.) Doron Almog, said, “Behind each of the 1,100 new Olim who arrived from North America over the past month is a story of choice. Families, children, young people and professionals who chose to build their lives here and be part of the future of the State of Israel. They arrive with their dreams, their skills and their desire to contribute, strengthening Israeli society and Israel as a whole. Our mission is to be there for them throughout their journey and help them turn their courageous choice into a home – a place where they can integrate, put down roots and build their lives.”
Say thank you when you receive good fortune and realize that there are no entitlements in life.
The information contained in this article reflects the opinion of the author and not necessarily the opinion of Portfolio Resources Group, Inc. or its affiliates.
Aaron Katsman is author of the book Retirement GPS: How to Navigate Your Way to A Secure Financial Future with Global Investing (McGraw-Hill), and is a licensed financial professional both in the United States and Israel, and helps people who open investment accounts in the United States. Securities are offered through Portfolio Resources Group, Inc. (www.prginc.net). Member FINRA, SIPC, MSRB, FSI. For more information, call (02) 624-0995 visit www.aaronkatsman.com or email aaron@lighthousecapital.co.il.