For those like my dear Mom who only understood "Chicago, Beer Sheva and Dallas, TX," here are some brief subtitles for you:
-Sitting with us is Eric Samuels, who made aliyah from Chicago and is pursuing his Master's in Beer Sheva. How's your Hebrew?
-Thank G-d. I got my exemption in Hebrew from the university, after trying for two years.
I grew up in Dallas, TX and worked in Chicago for five years. I learned Hebrew from scratch seven years ago when I volunteered here on a program.
-So tell us a bit about the Jewish community in Chicago.
-It's a fun place for a young Jewish adult to live. Any kind of community you're looking for is there--I myself joined a Modern Orthodox synagogue with an amazing Rabbi. The community offers whatever you're looking for--Hillel on college campuses, etc.
-So if it's so great, why did you leave?
-During my year on the volunteer program, I was exposed to Israeli culture, food, music, a different pace and different way of life. I was especially impacted working with older adults in the community, in a moshav and in Jerusalem.
-Already back then you were in Beer Sheva?
-I was in the south for six months, in Ashkelon and Kiryat Gat, so I connected to the region.
-I imagine it's quite different from Chicago.
-Yea, a bit!
-So now you live in Beer Sheva?
-I live in the Gimmel neighborhood, I really like it in Beer Sheva.
-And what are you studying?
-A Master's in Gerontology.
-First of all, tell us about the degree.
-We learn all the aspects of old age and aging, the needs of older adults, how best to serve them.
-And what will you do with the degree?
-I'm actually working as the South Region Coordinator for Project La'ad, a program clarifying the rights of Holocaust survivors.
-That fits great with your studies.
-Absolutely.
-And how does Beer Sheva look from Chicago? Do they see it at all?
-Not really--it looks like a desert. There's not a ton of awareness about Beer Sheva.
-It's hard for me to understand how someone would move from Chicago to the desert.
-My first three years after my aliyah I lived in Jerusalem and went to Hebrew Ulpan there. Jerusalem has an enormous Anglo community. It's different in Beer Sheva, but there are Anglos there too--great people. But if you want a truly Israeli experience, it's the place. I have Israeli roommates; I wanted to integrate, not to live in a bubble.
-Good luck! Thanks for joining us.
The show will also be aired this Friday March 30th at 11:00 Israel time/3 am Central time for anyone up late Thursday night.
With that I'm off to bed. Take care,
אריק/Eric
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