MAX WEINGAST on WHY I’m MOVING TO ISRAEL!
On March 10th, my Masa program ended. It was the most incredible 5 months of my life. I met so many amazing people, broke into my dream field and found my angle, lived in and got to know one of the best cities in the world, learned a ton about myself, changed more than I ever thought I would, learned a new language, went to Europe (first time in that continent), gave a ted talk, and did so much more. Been to new cities and finally got to go to a long awaited nature party for Purim in Tiberias. After a lot of thinking, some before the program and during, I have decided to make Aliyah. I will be coming home for a little while then going back out permanently and will become a citizen of Israel.
I am making Aliyah to learn the language of my ancestors and to communicate with the coolest people in the world. I am making Aliyah because my family died in a world where being Jewish wasn't allowed and they dreamt of a country where you could freely express your beliefs without worry. I am making Aliyah because this small country has everything the USA has geographically, forests, desert, beaches, and everything in between. Can't forget the dead sea (lowest point on earth and floating for days)! I am making Aliyah because I feel the vibe here is warmer than in my home country and in most other places in the world. I am making Aliyah because it says FU to the terrorists who want to turn free societies into 3rd world countries where every punishment is with force, women are treated as slaves, and where there will never be technological innovations. I am making Aliyah because I can create a business here and be surrounded by other young ambitious professionals who will stop at nothing until they are among the moon and stars. I am making Aliyah because I want to be the first generation of my family to set up roots here and so that when my young cousins and future family does birthright, they have someone to visit and can learn directly what living here is really like. I am making Aliyah in hopes that my Jewish and non Jewish friends are inspired to learn that the media's portrayal of Israel is far from accurate and that maybe one day they will come see it for themselves. I am making Aliyah because the army here is not one that the country wants but knows it needs in order to ensure the survival of its people instead of just bombing civilizations and taking the resources. I am making Aliyah because this country works around Jewish holidays instead of making holidays work around it. Where stores stop selling bread on Pesach, where highways are clear on Yom Kippur, and Purim parties harder than Halloween. Where this country has incredible medical and technological innovations. Where everything and everyone is hot. And last but definitely not least, endless amounts of HUMMUS.
Kudos for reading this entire status, you're awesome.
עם ישראל חי!