Interviews with Olim

Q. Where were you born and where did you grow up?

A. I was born in Chicago, Illinois, USA, and grew up in the surrounding area.

Q. At what age did you come out? And how did it go?

A. I first realized I was bisexual when I was about 14, but didn’t feel comfortable being open about it until about a decade later.

Q. Were you involved at all in the LGBT community in your previous country?

A. Not really, no. I had queer friends, but I wasn’t really involved myself.

Q. What is your involvement (if any) in the LGBT community in Israel?

A. Most of my friends now are queer, many of whom I met through LGBT Olim events. I also go to a lot of events at the Beit Hakehilot here in Haifa, and I even occasionally perform in drag (follow me on Instagram @shirleytemble).

Q. How long since you made Aliyah?

A. Just over twelve years now.

Q. Did you move here on your own or with family/friends/significant other?

A. I moved here with my parents and brother.

Q. Why did you make Aliyah?

A. I was 18 and didn’t really know just yet how to manage my life on my own, so I came with the rest of my family to ease my launch into adulthood.

Q. How is it going so far?

A. There have been ups, there have been downs, it’s a life. I imagine though that it has been easier than if I were to remain in America.

Q. What do you do in terms of work?

A. I make most of my money from teaching music; I also occasionally perform or work sound/lights for friends’ shows.

Q. How is your Ivrit?

A. Quite good actually, I have one circle of friends where Hebrew is the primary language, and studying at university in Hebrew definitely helped with my fluency. I still feel like I’m funnier and more myself in English, though.

Q. What has been your biggest challenge so far?

A. Getting the courage to ask for help when I needed it. In America, there is a religion of self-reliance and disdain for community support that does not exist here; nevertheless, old habits die hard.

Q. How do you perceive the Israeli LGBT community?

A. Quite open, loving and accepting. Some people will be bold and straight up as “what kind of LGBTQ are you”, but it comes from a place of curiosity, not judgement.

Q. How is being LGBT in Israel different to your where you lived previously?

A. I wasn’t out and comfortable with myself until I was already here, so I can’t really say.

Q. If you were making aliyah now, would you do anything differently?

A. It’s a hard question to answer, as I couldn’t imagine how my life would have gone had I remained in the States, but I would definitely immerse myself in the community sooner; I am infinitely grateful for the friends I have here and wouldn’t survive without them.