Moving back home, to Jerusalem
The beach in Vancouver at sunset
Nine weeks ago I moved back to Jerusalem after spending over three years in Vancouver. I cannot remember any decision being as agonizing as that to move back home. Considering the fact that it was such a big decision to leave Israel to begin with, it’s interesting that the decision to move back was even harder.
But it makes sense, I suppose. I arrived in Vancouver in the beginning of September 2006. I had never been there and I knew no one. Fast forward three years: I have met hundreds of people from the Jewish community. I’ve had so many interesting and exciting experiences. I’ve built myself a community and have survived both wonderful and very difficult times. I did it! I succeeded in building a very nice life for myself in a city where I knew no one. And now what? I’ll just leave it all behind?
Although I supposedly had so much going for me in Vancouver, it seemed it was time for me to move on. There were certain things I just couldn’t accomplish there and I wanted to be back near my family.
And here I am, in Jerusalem.
The Old City of Jerusalem
To think that three months ago I was agonizing over what is now, so naturally, my life. To think I was considering staying in Vancouver just a bit longer because the extent of this life change was paralyzing me. To think that I chose, instead, after much distraught discussion, days immobilized from fear and many, many tears, to arrive back in Israel on the eve of Rosh HaShana so that I could have a clean, exciting, new start in Israel on the Jewish new year…
People say that if you feel certain about your decision, you know you’re making the right choice. I say, know your personality. I never feel certain about a decision because I see decisions as complex things. But certain concrete factors helped push me and I chose to make the leap. I’m not quite certain I’ve landed yet but if I have, I’m definitely standing on two feet.
Vancouver served me well. I’d never lived in such a place. Being surrounded by breath-taking views – the mountains, the ocean, the huge trees… Call me crazy but I even love the rain. And even so, it’s wonderful to be home.
