I want to return to Russia in a couple of years: the story of a Crimean woman who ended up in the Israeli army

Photo: Provided to Lenta.ru by the heroine of the material

ForumDaily continues to tell the stories of Russian-speaking emigrants from different countries. Next up is the story of hairdresser Alina from Yevpatoria about how she decided to move to the city of Haifa and became a military personnel in her new position, prepared by the publication "Lenta.ru". More stories of our immigrants read. here.

Sudden solution

I was born in Evpatoria. She graduated in Simferopol as a hairdresser, while working as a photographer in nightclubs. She moved spontaneously: my Jewish friend suggested we go there together. At first I took it as a joke, and then I thought about it and remembered that I had relatives there. I went to the consulate, where I was told about programs for young people, allowing me to fly there.

For a start, it was necessary to pass a lot of tests at the consulate: for knowledge of English, Hebrew, psychological, for logic, IQ test. The most difficult is Hebrew. I was shocked, he looked like Chinese, and even read in the opposite direction. But in the end I got a good score.

The program I took was for young people from 16 to 21. Paid flight, accommodation, meals. You can go as a tourist and come back, and you can get a permanent residence. This program is valid worldwide. Thus replenish the population of Israel and the number of the army. I ended up staying for good.

Army Dentist

Then every second goes to the army, calling for 17 years. I went to serve in 21 on my own. It was possible for a year, but I decided to act like all the girls, and went for two years. Men serve three years.

The army has different divisions: combat, semi-combat and civilian. I’m a civilian, which means I go to work every day and then return home. Three months - a course for a young fighter, after which I was assigned to the position of a dental assistant. I even cried because I wanted to work as a photographer or with computer graphics. It seems that there are no such positions in the army, but this is not so. There are thousands of professions here - even one where you need to walk along the runway and chase away birds.

Thorny spiritual path

I take courses - I am preparing for giyur (acceptance of Judaism). Even the name itself has come up with a new one. In the classroom we study the holy book Torah, memorize prayers. Prayers must be pronounced throughout the day, almost before every action. I can not imagine how I will do it!

The introductory course lasts a month, then seminars, where we delve into religion in detail. The teachers give some time for reflection before such an important decision, they look at how much a person is ready. And set the date giyur. The last point of conversion to Judaism is ablution: a person goes naked in a mikvah to be cleansed of everything that happened before. Men are also circumcised.

We were immediately warned that we must follow the rules of appearance: appropriately dressed (no torn jeans, knees are always covered), a ban on tattoos. If anything, even before burial in the Jewish cemetery, the late tattoo will be removed. I have a lot of tattoos, it's easier to cremate me.

Pork and education

Here, separate food. Morning and evening - milk, at lunch - meat. Eating differently is non-kosher. Pork - this is the most non-kosher, that only can be. It is sold only in Russian stores and is very cheap. Pigs can not be bred in the holy Israeli land, so they build sheds on beams for them so that they do not walk on the ground.

The educational system is very different. At school, the program is a few years behind the Russian. When families come, children do not know what to do at school - they have already passed it in Russia. By the way, everything is allowed for the children, completely different methods of education. To hit a child is a criminal offense.

Higher education is very hard to get. Of the people who came with us to 140, only seven people entered universities. The rest went to the army, someone returned to their homeland, some were married. If you are married, you have no right to serve.

But if you still do and study well, then this is encouraged, the scholarship is about 12 000 shekels. Visitors pay three years of study, and the last course will have to learn at their own expense.

Very few people do it right away. After school, everyone goes to the army and only after two or four years of service they try to enroll in studies, therefore the average age of students is 24-25. Consequently, and start a family much later, years in 30.

Rash Jews

There is a stereotype that Jews are greedy. In fact, the Israelis are very friendly, sympathetic and generous people. When you buy something in the store, you can make a discount or put more than necessary. In restaurants, the portions are huge. By the way, I was surprised that there is no cafe in Israel - everything is called a restaurant, even if it is some kind of small coffee house.

They eat a lot, and Russians are mainly involved in sports here. Most local girls are full and do not hesitate to put on short tops. And this is considered the norm!

Material question

Salaries in the army are less than civilians. This does not apply to combat units, but they have a day off once a month, and that if they are lucky. But in the army, having passed the immigration program, you can live another year without paying taxes. They are, by the way, very high. Another plus - the army gives a certain amount to the apartment. And you choose the place of residence yourself. From utility payments noteworthy water, very expensive.

The minimum wage in Israel is 1000 dollars. Such a salary may be a cleaner. But here the days of the week you work in play a huge role. For example, weekends are paid higher, because the Sabbath is considered a holiday for everyone. No one wants to work on the Sabbath. Religious Jews go to the synagogue, pray all day and do nothing more. And they do not take anything in hand, they can not even close the door.

The cost of housing varies greatly by city. In Tel Aviv, renting a one-room apartment costs three thousand shekels a month ($ 830), and in Haifa for the money I can rent a three-room apartment in a good area. In Haifa, there are cheap areas where Russians and Ethiopians live. But it's scary, I heard shots in the next street, I constantly called the police.

Tel Aviv. Photo: Depositphotos

Diverse Israelis

In Israel, a bunch of nationalities. There are a lot of Ethiopians with green tattoos on their faces. There are villages where they live apart, and when they come to the city, they are absolutely surprised at everything — the impression that they are from the nineteenth century.

In Israel at every turn - the Russians. They treat us normally, they can even say a few words in our language. But in Jerusalem, everything is different. Familiar guys went there, and threw stones at them. Even on the tour we were accompanied with weapons.

Jews always scream. They can discuss their personal problems on the whole street and gesticulate heavily. If you want to “enjoy” it with might and main, then you have a direct route to the market. There you will experience this spirit in full.

Road traffic in Israel is one of the safest in the world. A car is a very expensive pleasure. The cheapest insurance costs 1500-2000 shekels ($390-517). Although a car is much more profitable to maintain than a motorcycle. Scooter insurance is five times more expensive. But the motorcyclists here are wild, they don’t follow the rules at all. I think it was logical to make such expensive insurance.

Home free

When I arrive home, it seems that I am abroad. I lost the habit already. But sometimes I feel a strong nostalgia at home. Once a year, the army gives me leave, and I fly home. Once for the entire service, the army pays the soldier a flight to his homeland. This year I will take advantage of this privilege.

I don’t have a desire to stay in the army - I only have a couple of months left until the end of the service. After the army I will work by profession and in a couple of years I will return to Russia.

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