What does this me to me as a Jewish American?

Question

I was going through the Israel section in Travel when I came upon the phrase "As most American olim are both religious and Zionistic". What is an American olim? Why do you consider them to be religious? Why do you consider them to be Zionistic. What is the true significance of these three words? The way it sounds to this old American Jew is you only want us in Israel is for our money and not for acceptance. I am being very serious when I ask this question. I really what to know the truth.

WittyWeasel™
Thank you for very well explained answer to my mistaken idea of what was being said about Americans. I was wrong in my interpetation of the facts. I find here on Y/A there are a lot of bashers. They bash without regard for race, creed, religion or color. I committed the horrible sin of assuming. I shall flog myself as soon as I can buy a new flogger.

Answer 1

With 30+ years experience in Israel and the Middle East, the best I can do for you is this:

Israelis have a love-hate, extremely schizophrenic relationship with American immigrants (olim).

On the one hand they really do admire Americans who immigrate because they realize that those who do immigrate are leaving a far better lifestyle, standard of living and freedom from tension and danger to throw in their lot with the people of Israel. For that they're given credit and lauded.

Paradoxically, it's for exactly those same reasons that Israelis resent American immigrants. Most Israelis, whether Jews, Christians or Mohammedans, look to America as the "new" Promised Land and have based their vision of America on the movies, T.V. shows, and other media sources that show America as a golden land of opportunity that they long for themselves, to be able to live without the constant turmoil and tension of the Middle East, to be able to make a living wage and enjoy the fruits of their labors in comfort and peace.

For an American to leave this illusory paradise and move to Israel is akin to a slap in the face . . . and this they resent.

Most Americans who move to Israel do so because they "want" to, not because they "have" to . . . to escape oppression and persecution in a homeland that, given different circumstances, they would stay in.

As a convert to Judaism, I've had more than my share of pats on the back and slaps in the face. The fact that I actually "chose" to become Jewish and leave my friends, family and country of birth to be a part of the unfolding miracle that is Israel, settle here and raise my family is, for some Israelis, literally incomprehensible . . . but that's neither here nor there. That was my choice thirty years ago and I've never regretted a instant of the time I've spent here.

Whether you're religious or not is immaterial. The simple fact that the Jewish people, after a forced exile of 2000 ( yep, Sparky, that's right . . . TWO THOUSAND ) years have been able to return with the direct descendents of the original exiles, following the same religion and embracing the same soil is a miracle by *anyone's* standards.

There's literally NO precedent in human history for such an epic rebirth as that of Israel.

And, personally, I'm proud to be able to have been blessed to share in and experience that miracle in my lifetime.

I don't know if you'll understand any of this, but that's all I can give you in response to your question.

*NOTE* William B . . . Don't spend your money on a new flogger . . . plant a tree here instead ! :-)

Ya' gotta keep a smile on your faith!

Answer 2

Olim (oleh in the singular) are Jewish immigrants to Israel.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oleh

The statistic is that most American Jews that immigrate to Israel (American olim) define themselves as Orthodox in religious adherence. hence they would be religious.

Any Jew that would voluntarily move from America to Israel I think would be considered a Zionist. After all I do not think they immigrated due to the fantastic living standard.

Answer 3

Olim? I've never heard the word. I have no idea what it means.

Zionist . . . Hmm. I've always wondered. What the heck is so bad about that hill that it is somehow used in a tone which is less than complimentary.
There is so much I don't know.
Sigh.

Answer 4

NEVER HEARD OF 'OLIM'................OR AN AMERICAN ONE