The Dream of America - The Dream of Israel

In another 5 days I will be celebrating a successful first 6 months of immigration to Israel. My initial inability to explain in grand terms the reasons for my drastic life change has subsided and I now feel obliged to attempt a little grandness. I've put a lot of thought and time into this particular posting so I hope you'll indulge my rambling dialogue.

For the past few weeks I've been toying with thoughts of the "American Dream" and what that really means. Is Zionism the "Israeli Dream?" To what degree are the aspirations of Americans (or those of previous generations) similar to those of contemporary Israelis? Zionists? Jews?

Put simply, most Americans would describe the American Dream as the belief that, with enough hard work and perseverance, any American can succeed, can go from "rags to riches," can go from the bottom of the social caste to its highest peaks. But what is "success?" More often than not, especially these days, the American Dream refers to the belief that with enough hard work anyone can become rich. Indeed, the streets of America are paved in gold - for those who are determined enough. But this wasn't always the case.

"Let us therefore continue our triumphal march to the realization of the American dream... For all of us today, the battle is in our hands... The road ahead is not altogether a smooth one. There are no broad highways that lead us easily and inevitably to quick solutions... We are still in for the season of suffering... How long? Not long. Because no lie can live forever... Our God is marching on."
Martin Luther King, Jr. (1929-68), speech on the steps of the State Capitol Building, Montgomery, Alabama, March 25, 1965.

In addition to that quote I have recently been inspired greatly by a sermon Martin Luther King, Jr. delivered at Ebenezer Baptist Church, Atlanta, Georgia, on July 4, 1965. On that day, America's Independence Day, his sermon was titled "The American Dream." I highly encourage you to read the entire sermon - you will not regret your use of those 20 minutes. Please, trust me.

Martin Luther King, Jr.'s American Dream, and those of African Americans in the country's history, was not about riches, fame and glory. Their American Dream was about freedom. Their American Dream was the yearning for a more-perfect realization of the country's Declaration of Independence: "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by God, Creator, with certain inalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness."

That is easier said than done and although great strides have been made, there is still much to go.

I now apply the same sentiment to Zionism. An article on the World Zionist Organization's website, titled "Cultural Diversity and The American Dream," puts this thought into perspective: "Moses Hess and Theodor Herzl did the same for them [Jews] as Jefferson and Adams did for the founding American Puritans and Quakers."

Zionism, as expressed by Herzl and others, is the yearning to re-establish an independent, sovereign, democratic Jewish state on the historic homeland of the Jewish people. Some would draw a big check-mark, say "job done" and classify this period as Post-Zionism. Others believe we still have a long way to go - not as far as conquering land (this entry is not about politics or agendas) but insofar as making sure the Zionist dream is realized to the fullest - just as how the American Dream of middle-class whites didn't quite mesh with Martin Luther King, Jr.'s American Dream.

Combining the above ideas in an attempt to make a point, I can finally understand and come to terms with a major aspect of my immigration to Israel.

A major hurdle in deciding to move to Israel for me, and anyone else not coming for reasons of anti-Semitism, persecution or poverty, is elimination of the desire to be wealthy. I didn't realize this consciously 6 months ago but before moving I had to make peace with the fact that in Israel I will never earn as much money as I did OR COULD HAVE in America. Of course there are rich people here and perhaps I will earn a lot of money some day but, nevertheless, the American Dream of becoming rich does not apply in Israel.

This is what most young Zionists who are prime candidates for moving to Israel stumble over - they want the money that can only be earned in America. Those who say "I'll work for a few years, save up money and then move" usually never make it here. And don't even get me started on those who delude themselves into believing "I can serve Israel better from where I am."

Don't misunderstand me. I love America. I am a big patriot. I have nothing against working hard, earning money and making a good life for yourself. I love America's capitalism and I am still a capitalist myself. You won't find me picking fruits on a kibbutz, that's for sure! The American Dream is amazing, alluring and sucks you in - and its very hard to come to terms with my abandonment of it.

Ah-ha! Now we get to the point of my entry (thanks for making it this far into my rambling)! Perhaps I've let go of the American Dream of riches. But the older, more pure, idealistic and profound interpretations of the American Dream apply in Israel perhaps more so than in contemporary America!

Maybe I was embarrassed to reveal my intentions 6 months ago. Maybe I felt silly admitting my reasons 6 months ago. Maybe I didn't even realize it myself - hence the lack of grandness during the run-up to emigration and the first 6 months of immigration.

Giving up on the "guaranteed riches" of the American Dream doesn't seem too bad any more.

The point is that now I no longer give people glib, clever, curt, cute, silly, rude answers to "so why'd you move here?" and "so why'd you move there?" Now I stand proud, look my inquisitors in the eyes and proclaim my intentions...

To help build Israel.

To help insure Israel's survival.

To help continue Israel's evolution as a free, democratic and Jewish state.

To help spotlight Israel as the shining example of how a people, a culture, a religion can overcome marginalization, persecution and near-extinction to achieve wonders.

To help realize the Israeli Dream.