Aliyah To The Land of Israel At 89

Less than a week ago, my father and I boarded an El Al plane to Israel.  It was 39 years, one month and ten days (on the goyish calendar) after my husband and I boarded the Greek Lines ship which took us to Israel.

With the help of Nefesh B'Nefesh, JAFI (the Jewish Agency,) Israeli Consulate officials and lots of Siyate D'Shmaya, help from the Almighty, the clerical process took no more time than it had taken me and my husband to cross the oceans from New York to Haifa Port, Israel. Especially when you consider that it was the Succot Holiday, when only a minimal staff was working, this was a record-breaking effort.

My mother still hasn't been able to join us, but G-d willing she will.

The flight was great, and the special service was special, just the way it should be.  It's never too late to make aliyah, but it still is easier when you're young.  But at this stage in life for my parents, having so many of their grandchildren and all their great-grandchildren here is unbeatable.