Interviews with Olim

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

A. I grew up in West Palm Beach, Florida

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

A. I never dated much in America. When I moved here and started dating my girlfriend, I just introduced her to my parents. I never really “came out”.

Q. Were you involved at all in the LGBT community back home? 

A. I was involved. I have always had LGBTQ friends and my sister is a lesbian. I always enjoyed marching in Pride with one group or another.

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

A. I think it is the same as back home. I am still friends with LGBTQ people. I still enjoy going to and marching in Pride. I think I have met more people I identify with since making aliyah because of my involvement with the community.

Q. How long since you made Aliyah? 

A. I made aliyah just over 1.5 years ago in September 2017.

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

A. I moved here with my dog.

Q. Why did you make Aliyah? 

A. Honestly, I was the person who said if Trump got elected I was leaving the country. Then the Electoral College voted him in and I left the country. I am someone who doesn’t say it if I don’t mean it. I happened to luck out that it was the best thing I ever did. 

Q. How is it going so far? 

A. I have never been happier. I have friends that are like family here. I LOVE my job. It was hands down the best thing I ever did for myself.

Q. What do you do in terms of work?

A.  I teach English at Speak-Up English. I taught in the States and am ESOL-certified so this was a great fit for me. I had stopped teaching in the States due to the BS. Here, I am back doing what I love to do!

Q. How is your Ivrit?

A. I tell people I am not fluent, I am flue. I am working on it. It has DEFINITELY improved since I got here, but not quite there yet.

Q. What has been your biggest challenge so far? 

A. I fell back in June last year and I am STILL trying to get the letter requested by Bituach Leumi from my old employer, so they will pay me my 3 months of workers’ comp pay. I have decided I need to involve a lawyer. I feel like if I was a Sabra they would have taken care of this already. I also had an AWFUL HORRIBLE landlord. There was literally a puddle in my bedroom and she didn’t think this was a problem. She took advantage of me and I am a trusting person and didn’t realize. I am in a much nicer place now, so it all worked out in the end.

Q. How do you perceive the Israeli LGBT community? 

A. I know there are events, but I haven’t been able to go to most. I do feel like people are there for you though if you need them. Due to my level of Hebrew I am not in many of the Hebrew groups. I do think there is a nice community, both with LGBTQ and allies welcome.

Q. How is being LGBT in Israel different to back home?

A. I don’t notice much of a difference based on where I am from to where I live now. I always surrounded myself by accepting people and still do.

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

A. I would have gone on Facebook groups and found out more of what to expect. My aliyah was kind of a spur of the moment decision that worked out beautifully for me. I wouldn’t recommend other follow my lead on that!