>> ... Next Generation ...

,e Wandering Jew

Should I stay or should I go now?

id I make the right decision? This is the
inevitable question every new "oleh" will ask
after emigrating to Israel. It's the one thing
we all have in common, regardless of our
respective reasons for making the move — be it religion,
love or an addiction to chickpeas.
I've been living in the Hummusland for almost three
years, which is a feat for someone with such
nomadic tendencies. The last time I stayed
anywhere this long was in college, and that
was because academic policy dictated that I
be physically present for most of my classes.
Perhaps my current situation reflects a sign of
maturity — I'm settling down, planting roots.
My husband and I both have stable jobs, free
health care and access to all the homemade
pita we could ever ask for.
Then there are the drawbacks: Since
it's such a tiny country, The opportunity to
progress — both career-wise and financially
— is limited.
We live in a nice area, but our rented one-bedroom
apartment is not exactly the ideal place to raise a family.
Speaking of family, the majority of mine (and part of his)
all live in Michigan, so that's a factor. Also, there's that
pesky constant threat of chemical/nuclear/regular old-
fashioned warfare.
Hence we find ourselves pondering: Should we stay
here or try our luck back in the states? It's a headache-
inducing game we play on a weekly basis. We frequently
have this discussion on the way to my in-laws for
Shabbat dinner. That sentence alone is enough to make
me want to stay forever: My husband's family is nothing
short of amazing, and my mother-in-law is a spectacular
cook. They would love it if we just moved in with them,
an offer we've seriously considered given the cost of
living here.

Despite Israel's fundamentally strong economy,
there is a huge discrepancy between standard
of living and average income, such as a lack of
affordable housing. Here's some perspective: In order
to buy a three-room, brand new apartment in Israel,
an average-income person ($30,000/year) needs to
save up to 187 monthly paychecks. In the U.S., the
same person would need to save up
to 56 paychecks. Prices of apartments
have risen 40 percent in the past three
years alone.
This eventually led to the much-
publicized protests in Tel Aviv and the
surrounding suburbs, where people set
up tents and camped out on the streets
for weeks. And this isn't even the
whole (falafel) enchilada. Housing is merely
a symbol of other grievances the middle
class is carrying, as well as disproportionate
income tax, the rising costs of goods and
growing inequality gaps.
I would love to be able to complain about this fluently
in Hebrew, but despite attending Ulpan (intensive
Hebrew school) my Hebrew hasn't improved much.
Conversely, my English has gotten much worse. I find
myself increasingly unable to communicate in any
language, save for expressive hand gestures.
So where does this leave me? Wistfully browsing real
estate and interior design websites, arms waving madly
as I ask aloud, "Is it a mistake to live here?"
I want a house with a yard, replete with a tire swing
for my non-existent bilingual children who won't be
required to serve in the army.
Then again, the prospect of relocating to the USA is
daunting. There are so many uncertainties — namely,
finding jobs and where to live. Which comes first, and
where do we start? The economic situation in the land

Let's Play!

The latest scoop from ComePlay Detroit ...

his month at
ComePlayDetroit,
we have more
championships, the
start to some new leagues and
open registration for
summer leagues.
Last week was the
Championship Week
for our Co-ed Bowling
League at Hartfield
Lanes in Berkley,
where we have 25
teams and more than
100 young adults
participating, making
us the largest league
in Oakland County!
In a heated battle,
last year's back-to-
back champions were
defeated by Yelena Pliskina, Mark
Benyaminov, Mina Stanton and

Heather Fowlie. Congratulations!
On Sunday, April 8, we kicked
off our fifth season of the
ComePlayDetroit Draft Basketball
League. With 10 captains and 60
individual registrants,
we held a four-hour
training camp (pickup
games) for the captains
to scout the players.
We then headed out to
our Draft Room (corner
area at Library Pub) to
hold our LIVE draft.
The 10 captains took
turns, fantasy football
style, drafting their
teams of seven players
each. The teams will
now play nine games
each over the next 10
weeks, and then the league will
culminate with the Championships

A tent city in Tel Aviv last summer housed those

protesting Israel's soaring rent and cost of living.

of the free hasn't improved that much since I left. And
there's also this feeling I have that no country will love
me unconditionally the way Israel does.
Like my mother-in-law, who puts out slippers for us
every time we come over, I've yet to experience such a
warm welcome anywhere else. It's enough to make me
forfeit my restless wandering for good and maybe start a
falafel co-op.
Torn between this close-knit, courageous little nation
and the security of the great United States, what's a dual
citizen to do? How do I pick between the land of milk
and honey and the land of comfort and money? They
are both home to me, and wherever I end up I'm afraid
I'll still be tormented by my decision. Will I make the
right choice? I know I'm lucky to have the option, but
sometimes it's just easier not to have to choose.

Lauren Meir is a writer and native Metro Detroiter who

moved to Israel three years ago.

Roommates Wanted

Did You Know?

Metro Detroit has

the most registered

bowlers in the

United States.

on July 16 at the West Bloomfield
JCC from 7-9 p.m.
Our Co-ed Volleyball Playoffs
begin next week at the Oak Park
JCC. Come watch on Monday, May
7, as the two best teams battle
for the final championship of the
volleyball season.
Check out all the new leagues
starting this summer at www.
comeplaydetroit.com including
tennis, softball, kickball, flag
football and more. I

Motor City Moishe House
accepting applications.

he Motor
City Moishe
House
is now
accepting registrations
for two new
roommates. One
opening becomes
available May 1, and
the second opening
Moishe House
becomes available
July 15.
The Motor City Moishe House in Midtown Detroit is
a home for everything from barbeques, to basketball
in the backyard, to Shabbat dinners and, most
importantly, community support and engagement.
Moishe House residents are leading the effort to
repopulate and re-Jew-venate the D!
If you're interested in an application, email
apply4moishehousedetroit©gmail.com . 1_

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