TRAVELING AND ARRIVING

 We took 3 planes to get to our final destination, ERETZ YISRAEL.  We flew United from Lincoln to Chicago, Chicago to Newark, and Newark to Tel Aviv. The reception in Israel was heart-warming.  We were met as we unloaded from the plane.  We were helped by members of the ministry of absorption and Nefesh B'Nefesh who guided us through receiving our absorption paperwork, clearing customs, getting our luggage, arranging for transportation to our quarantine apartment in Jerusalem.  They had 50 of us new olim processed and on our way within two hours!  Not only that, but when we left the airport we had health insurance with the kupat cholim we had chosen, 5000 shekels in our pocket to help with expenses while getting settled, and a temporary identification  booklet that will be taken in a week or two and exchanged for our permanent i.d. cards.

Flying during the time of Covid 19 was somewhat surreal.  Charlie and I were about the oldest individuals on the plane.  We wore masks, face shields, and gloves.  We carried disinfectant wipes and hand-sanitizer.  The protocol in Lincoln and the US was well adhered to but the protocol on the plane going to Israel was quite ignored by young men going to study in Charedi yeshivot in Jerusalem.  These young men had no desire to wear a mask, to remain socially distant from one another.  




When we arrived to our apartment in the garden level of Yehoshua's building, we were greeted with flowers, signs of welcome, a newly stocked refrigerator, and a bed ready for us to enjoy.  

We are now going to be in quarantine for two weeks.  We have a two bedroom apartment with a courtyard that our grandkids are using to visit us through the windows.  We unpacked on day 1, used day 2 to catch up on sleep, and now that we're on day 3 we're working on getting food ready for Shabbat.  Having Yehoshua and Nava upstairs, we've been able to have ingredients brought to us and whole meals as well.

Charlie would love not to be in quarantine but it is a small price to pay for the opportunity to fly here when only citizens and new olim are granted entry.



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