Author:  Laura Ben-David

ISBN 965-7344-14-X

Young American families with children will usually find a great affordable home near family, in a peaceful neighborhood with a good climate, and settle down to grow into maturity.  So why does the Ben-David family choose to move from that wonderful home in Florida to Israel? 

Laura Ben-David, the author, is the wife and mother who kept a journal of the trip and their new life, thus allowing us to see the myriad events that teach us the real meaning of making Aliyah.

We’ve all moved to another neighborhood, state or even a new country.  But, to move to a country known for its perilous heritage and challenged future, clear around the globe, on another continent, away from all friends and family, not to mention it being one of the tiniest and still most hotly fought over countries of the world?  Must one be crazy or in love?  Perhaps destined?  Definitely!

Since the beginnings of recorded history, the section of the Middle East now known as Israel has been a home for the ancient Hebrews now known as Jews. It began as a land promised to them by Hashem, the G-d Jehovah of all Christians and Jews, and became a land Jews have died for through all the ages and from which they were ultimately to be enslaved in the farthest corners of Europe, Africa and Asia.  Even trapped in wastelands and foreign cities, after centuries of familial roots and successes built despite intense tyranny and betrayal, they clung tenaciously to the hope that one day, they or their children would someday return to Israel, the land of their G-D.

During the early and mid 1900’s European Jews died by the millions dreaming of their homeland, but mere thousands actually lived to see it.  From those who strove to keep the dream alive, and whom made it possible for Jews after them to finally go home in relative peace, came the children, such as the Ben-Davids, of those who had chosen America as a refuge.

While America proved a welcome safe haven for some of the persecuted Jews, to some it was still not the home of their heart, and today many of them are returning to help rebuild the nation, language and country that was foretold to be theirs, Israel, a never-forgotten sacred destination for the Jews of all times.

Thus began the leave taking of America and the home going to Israel of the Ben-David family.  It is also our chance to follow them through the process by way of Laura’s frequent journal entries.  We can feel their emotions and frustrations, all experienced with a remarkable grace, by children and adults alike.

Orthodox Jews from New York via Florida, Laura Ben-David and her husband Lawrence, take their three children and their worldly belongings, and they head for Israel, or to make it more symbolic, they make Aliyah!

The Ben-Davids having visited there previously, had an idea of what to expect, but actually getting them and their household possessions there turned out to be one difficult struggle and surprise after another.  To top it off, dealing with their own fellow Jews was one of the hardest hurdles to be conquered.

Once they arrived, it was to the realization that they had more to discover than they had ever imagined.  From learning an entirely new language and alphabet, to simply trying to do the laundry, to dealing with the intricacies of buying a vehicle, they learned some of the most frustrating facts about Israel. 

To balance the experience, they also discovered why G-d wants His people in their own land.  They were finally and completely "Home"!

The above review was contributed by: Cheryl Shenkle: Aspiring Writer & Author: Book Lover