Happy Landings
By Paula Levin
Subheader July 21st 2008 was an historic moment for South Africa’s Jewish community as we bade ‘lehitraot’ to some 100 new olim bound for the Promised Land en-masse, on what has become known as the flight.
Design notes
J, I will send some pics and captions shortly, and some will come from the Israel centre. This is for a DPS, 36 and 37
The flight was unique, in every sense. Only a Jewish mother would pack a Tupperware of nine boiled eggs to schlep on the plane, in case her family got hungry! No one seemed to stay seated for very long either, as 22 year old Joshua ‘Judo’ Weinstein, sitting next to me remarked, “Just watch, they will walk all the way to Israel,” and so they did. But who could blame them? 30% of the new olim were young families with two to four children, attempting to placate claustrophobic toddlers, one of whom had lost her dummy before boarding and no spares had been packed - and babies as young as seven months old, in the case of little Gavriel Baker, who apparently slept like an angel, as long as he was rocked and shushed for all eight hours! Then there was the heightened emotion of having packed up the remains of their South African lives in around 180kg’s, angst which of course had to be walked and talked off as several families had said goodbye to parents and loved ones not knowing when they might be reunited. There was also the lady who spent most of the flight petting her ailing Persian cat with a heart condition, a la James Bond, and crying for his twin who had been forced to travel in a cage in the hold.
And then there was a “pre-landing ruach session” of song, led by Omer, of the Israel Centre, also not exactly standard flight procedure. Wainstein, who does not speak Hebrew and never went to a Jewish School joined in with “Dreidel, dreidel, dreidel, I made it on my own,” the only Jewish song he knows, and one he learned watching South Park! His Jewish identity was firmly marked with a tattoo on his inner bicep - his name in Hebrew lettering - “Yehoshua”, spelt with one vav. This young man was going on aliya, solo, with a passion to serve in the IDF and be a part of the Jewish State, having lived in Argentina (“I’m going to miss those entrecote steaks!”), Brazil, Amsterdam and many other places since matriculating. In fact 50% of the flight was made up of young singles under the age of 26 going on aliya.
What was really unique about this flight was not so much that so many South African Jews were going on aliya. After all, we are known as ‘the world’s most Zionist Jewish community’, in the words of Jewish Agency Chairman of the Executive, Zeev Bielski and as any security official manning the El Al check-in queues can tell you, they are seeing at least two new olim every week. What was unique is that it was done ‘beyachad’- together - in what was billed as the easiest, quickest aliya ever. That includes modern mass aliya’s from other countries, France included, which sometimes involve plane loads of up to 500 new olim at once. Israel Centre Director Ofer Dahan and his behind-the-scenes team managed to pull off some amazing feats giving these new olim the tangible sense that they are indeed valuable newcomers to the State, precious Jewish neshamas whose presence in the land adds infinite value. From an address by the Minister of Absorption at a special Kotel ceremony, to a letter of welcome from the Prime Minister, the aliya was filled with grand gestures and attention to detail that served as a giant “bruchim habaim welcome mat”, revealing the true hospitality of our patriarch Avraham Avinu.
What a far cry this must be compared with emigration to the Diaspora, where inevitably some begging, pleading and groveling to respective governments goes on and you arrive with the sense that these countries are doing you a huge favour by allowing you to grace them with your presence.
It was also the little things like the fresh cappuccinos, Prigat juices, sarmies and rugelach awaiting these weary travelers at the absorption centre based at Ben Gurion, as they received their “oleh chadash” cards - a prerequisite for entry - that made for a softer landing. Wainstein was however a little put-out that his name had been misspelled – and did not match his bicep – despite having spelled it clearly over the phone from South Africa. But nothing that a little paperwork, or surgery cant sort out. Friendly civil servants, processing one hundred new immigrants, many with sick or over-tired children with speed and courtesy, (I am an eye witness) certainly did their bit to mitigate what was fast becoming a bureaucratic nightmare for families whose only thoughts, at well after midnight, were of bed. The facts that the flight had been delayed, the need to follow absorption procedure and the time it took to claim baggage and peklach meant that the group only arrived at the Shalom Hotel after three in the morning. As we exited customs wearily waving our flags, we were greeted by a large contingent of ex-South Africans energetically singing the verse “veshavu banim ligvulam” (the children will return to their borders), G-d’s ancient consolation to Rachel who cried at the dispersion of her sons. You could literally see the spirits soar.
The days that followed more than made up for that first harrowing night, as the Olim enjoyed lavish hotel breakfasts, lunches and dinners and swam in the Olympic size hotel pool in between information sessions. “This is like being on holiday,” said mother of three Tracy Roome, and she was not referring to the 34 degree weather and Tel Aviv humidity which we had arrived to at 10 30pm – (the Roomes are from Durban and were on their way to Modi’in, so the weather didn’t faze them one bit). Roome had left a few loose ends untied in South Africa, like a business and a house, but hoped to tie these up shortly on a return visit. Her daughter Hannah had celebrated her Bat Mitzvah just the week before, followed by a farewell (so two sets of presents!) and as the only ‘tween’ in the group, was already feeling the loss of her friends and social life. 76 year old Ceramic artist and jewelry designer Chana Jacobson will also be back to tie up loose ends, but was effectively starting life anew after 50 years in South Africa. Judy Gluck, famous as Chabad’s librarian for the last decade or so, had plans to open Ra’anana’s first English Torah Library. The two made up part of the 20% of the flight who had chosen to retire in Israel.
The Gordon family from Jo’burg, Andrea, Evan and three kids were in fact on a holiday of sorts, postponing their new lives in Ra’anana with a two week break at the beach in Hertzliya, joined by their parents who will be coming on aliya shortly. Andrea had been concerned about her kids finding the right school in Ra’anana but had been promised by none other than Ra’anana’s former Mayor Zeev Bielski, now with the Jewish Agency, that he would personally accompany them on their first day of school to ensure a smooth beginning. Having been at a press conference where he happily poured tea and coffee for the journalists present, I can believe him. “I served 80 000 people as Mayor, why shouldn’t I serve you all tea?”
At the hotel Dahan had again pulled some mysterious strings which meant that the new olim were guided through the complications of opening bank accounts, had job interviews lined up and property consultants on hand to discuss long term investments. There was also a session with a social worker which allowed the new olim to confront the duality of their experience, loss combined with great joy, closing one chapter and beginning another. Most astonishing – Home Affairs came to the hotel, to issue the olim with ID’s, saving them the hassle of queuing at the local Misrad Hapnim and working through the forms in Hebrew. Language will obviously start off as a barrier but with Ulpan, and an extra 200 hours of Hebrew for all school children (600 hours for those going to Modi’in), this would hopefully be temporary.
“What’s really amazing is that they keep asking us to call them when we need help,” said Sarah and Gabi Shane from Cape Town. “This isn’t just a once-off thing, they really want to make things easier for us.” Something sure to be of comfort to the Shane’s with three little girls, 5 ½, 3 ½ and 1 ½ to integrate into a new life. They are starting off living with Sarah’s mother in Ramat Bet Shemesh but hope to live in Jerusalem. As Ofer said, “Nobody came on this flight without an address to go to.” Some families were moving in with relatives, some were starting off in absorption centres like Beit Canada, some in fully furnished rented flats, some in fully paid-for apartments – all with their first cash installment, courtesy of the Israeli Government.
As Bielski proclaimed addressing the olim at the Kotel in a sweltering but moving ceremony, highlighted by abundant ice-cold bottled water and fresh summer fruit; “Ze hayom asa Hashem, nagilla venismecha bach” – this is the day that G-d has made, let us rejoice and be happy in it. We rejoice in Israel’s gain, even as we feel the loss to our community. May all of Israel be reunited with the coming of Mashiach, speedily in our days.
J, pls make this next bit totally separate from my story. Its for the half page, on page 34. its not an advertorial though. Its just free editorial. Let dave know if it must be cut.
Half page
The Disappearing Tax Break
As this year’s crop of Anglo-Saxon immigrants arrives in Israel - 2000 are expected to immigrate this summer through Nefesh B’Nefesh alone - Philip Braude reports on what has happened to the Israeli government plan to exempt their overseas income from taxation.
For the past few years, I have been actively dealing with structuring the financial affairs of prospective olim, and have considered that the current Israeli tax legislation accords near tax haven status to new immigrants (olim chadashim), as it accords them various tax exemptions, such as a 5 year exemption on investment income, a 10-year exemption on capital gains from overseas assets, a 4-year exemption on income from their overseas business which was owned for 5 years before assuming residence and a 20-year exemption on foreign currency deposits held in an Israeli bank.
In a recent press-release co-signed by the Israeli Finance Minister and Immigration Minister, a series of tax breaks designed to encourage immigration to Israel was announced. These proposals were meant to be enacted into law by Yom Ha’atzmaut but unfortunately, they are still winding its way through the Knesset, and are still not law.
Under the old law, to obtain either the 5-year investment income tax exemption, or the 10-year capital gains tax exemption, the specific assets needed to be held outside of Israel by the new Israeli resident before his arrival in Israel. The intention of the proposed amendment is for the exemption to apply to all the new resident’s overseas affairs for the extended 10 year period, without the limitation of the exemption only applying to pre-owned assets. Unfortunately the proposals seem to contain many gaps, as it appears that overseas pensions and retirement plans, overseas trusts and national insurance issues have not been addressed in the proposed new law. In addition, the situation where a new immigrant earns income from overseas, but performs the services in Israel, will not benefit from these new proposals. I fear that this might encourage many breadwinners to leave their families behind in Israel, while they continue their old jobs and business’s in their home country, and could cause social problems with the families left behind.
The proposals are certainly good news for prospective olim, but until the law is passed and there is certainty in the matter, caution is advised when planning one’s financial affairs before making aliya.
Philip Braude is an accountant, personal financial planner and licensed investment marketer. He is CEO of Anglo Capital Limited. He can be contacted on pbraude@anglocapital.com
By Paula Levin
Subheader July 21st 2008 was an historic moment for South Africa’s Jewish community as we bade ‘lehitraot’ to some 100 new olim bound for the Promised Land en-masse, on what has become known as the flight.
Design notes
J, I will send some pics and captions shortly, and some will come from the Israel centre. This is for a DPS, 36 and 37
The flight was unique, in every sense. Only a Jewish mother would pack a Tupperware of nine boiled eggs to schlep on the plane, in case her family got hungry! No one seemed to stay seated for very long either, as 22 year old Joshua ‘Judo’ Weinstein, sitting next to me remarked, “Just watch, they will walk all the way to Israel,” and so they did. But who could blame them? 30% of the new olim were young families with two to four children, attempting to placate claustrophobic toddlers, one of whom had lost her dummy before boarding and no spares had been packed - and babies as young as seven months old, in the case of little Gavriel Baker, who apparently slept like an angel, as long as he was rocked and shushed for all eight hours! Then there was the heightened emotion of having packed up the remains of their South African lives in around 180kg’s, angst which of course had to be walked and talked off as several families had said goodbye to parents and loved ones not knowing when they might be reunited. There was also the lady who spent most of the flight petting her ailing Persian cat with a heart condition, a la James Bond, and crying for his twin who had been forced to travel in a cage in the hold.
And then there was a “pre-landing ruach session” of song, led by Omer, of the Israel Centre, also not exactly standard flight procedure. Wainstein, who does not speak Hebrew and never went to a Jewish School joined in with “Dreidel, dreidel, dreidel, I made it on my own,” the only Jewish song he knows, and one he learned watching South Park! His Jewish identity was firmly marked with a tattoo on his inner bicep - his name in Hebrew lettering - “Yehoshua”, spelt with one vav. This young man was going on aliya, solo, with a passion to serve in the IDF and be a part of the Jewish State, having lived in Argentina (“I’m going to miss those entrecote steaks!”), Brazil, Amsterdam and many other places since matriculating. In fact 50% of the flight was made up of young singles under the age of 26 going on aliya.
What was really unique about this flight was not so much that so many South African Jews were going on aliya. After all, we are known as ‘the world’s most Zionist Jewish community’, in the words of Jewish Agency Chairman of the Executive, Zeev Bielski and as any security official manning the El Al check-in queues can tell you, they are seeing at least two new olim every week. What was unique is that it was done ‘beyachad’- together - in what was billed as the easiest, quickest aliya ever. That includes modern mass aliya’s from other countries, France included, which sometimes involve plane loads of up to 500 new olim at once. Israel Centre Director Ofer Dahan and his behind-the-scenes team managed to pull off some amazing feats giving these new olim the tangible sense that they are indeed valuable newcomers to the State, precious Jewish neshamas whose presence in the land adds infinite value. From an address by the Minister of Absorption at a special Kotel ceremony, to a letter of welcome from the Prime Minister, the aliya was filled with grand gestures and attention to detail that served as a giant “bruchim habaim welcome mat”, revealing the true hospitality of our patriarch Avraham Avinu.
What a far cry this must be compared with emigration to the Diaspora, where inevitably some begging, pleading and groveling to respective governments goes on and you arrive with the sense that these countries are doing you a huge favour by allowing you to grace them with your presence.
It was also the little things like the fresh cappuccinos, Prigat juices, sarmies and rugelach awaiting these weary travelers at the absorption centre based at Ben Gurion, as they received their “oleh chadash” cards - a prerequisite for entry - that made for a softer landing. Wainstein was however a little put-out that his name had been misspelled – and did not match his bicep – despite having spelled it clearly over the phone from South Africa. But nothing that a little paperwork, or surgery cant sort out. Friendly civil servants, processing one hundred new immigrants, many with sick or over-tired children with speed and courtesy, (I am an eye witness) certainly did their bit to mitigate what was fast becoming a bureaucratic nightmare for families whose only thoughts, at well after midnight, were of bed. The facts that the flight had been delayed, the need to follow absorption procedure and the time it took to claim baggage and peklach meant that the group only arrived at the Shalom Hotel after three in the morning. As we exited customs wearily waving our flags, we were greeted by a large contingent of ex-South Africans energetically singing the verse “veshavu banim ligvulam” (the children will return to their borders), G-d’s ancient consolation to Rachel who cried at the dispersion of her sons. You could literally see the spirits soar.
The days that followed more than made up for that first harrowing night, as the Olim enjoyed lavish hotel breakfasts, lunches and dinners and swam in the Olympic size hotel pool in between information sessions. “This is like being on holiday,” said mother of three Tracy Roome, and she was not referring to the 34 degree weather and Tel Aviv humidity which we had arrived to at 10 30pm – (the Roomes are from Durban and were on their way to Modi’in, so the weather didn’t faze them one bit). Roome had left a few loose ends untied in South Africa, like a business and a house, but hoped to tie these up shortly on a return visit. Her daughter Hannah had celebrated her Bat Mitzvah just the week before, followed by a farewell (so two sets of presents!) and as the only ‘tween’ in the group, was already feeling the loss of her friends and social life. 76 year old Ceramic artist and jewelry designer Chana Jacobson will also be back to tie up loose ends, but was effectively starting life anew after 50 years in South Africa. Judy Gluck, famous as Chabad’s librarian for the last decade or so, had plans to open Ra’anana’s first English Torah Library. The two made up part of the 20% of the flight who had chosen to retire in Israel.
The Gordon family from Jo’burg, Andrea, Evan and three kids were in fact on a holiday of sorts, postponing their new lives in Ra’anana with a two week break at the beach in Hertzliya, joined by their parents who will be coming on aliya shortly. Andrea had been concerned about her kids finding the right school in Ra’anana but had been promised by none other than Ra’anana’s former Mayor Zeev Bielski, now with the Jewish Agency, that he would personally accompany them on their first day of school to ensure a smooth beginning. Having been at a press conference where he happily poured tea and coffee for the journalists present, I can believe him. “I served 80 000 people as Mayor, why shouldn’t I serve you all tea?”
At the hotel Dahan had again pulled some mysterious strings which meant that the new olim were guided through the complications of opening bank accounts, had job interviews lined up and property consultants on hand to discuss long term investments. There was also a session with a social worker which allowed the new olim to confront the duality of their experience, loss combined with great joy, closing one chapter and beginning another. Most astonishing – Home Affairs came to the hotel, to issue the olim with ID’s, saving them the hassle of queuing at the local Misrad Hapnim and working through the forms in Hebrew. Language will obviously start off as a barrier but with Ulpan, and an extra 200 hours of Hebrew for all school children (600 hours for those going to Modi’in), this would hopefully be temporary.
“What’s really amazing is that they keep asking us to call them when we need help,” said Sarah and Gabi Shane from Cape Town. “This isn’t just a once-off thing, they really want to make things easier for us.” Something sure to be of comfort to the Shane’s with three little girls, 5 ½, 3 ½ and 1 ½ to integrate into a new life. They are starting off living with Sarah’s mother in Ramat Bet Shemesh but hope to live in Jerusalem. As Ofer said, “Nobody came on this flight without an address to go to.” Some families were moving in with relatives, some were starting off in absorption centres like Beit Canada, some in fully furnished rented flats, some in fully paid-for apartments – all with their first cash installment, courtesy of the Israeli Government.
As Bielski proclaimed addressing the olim at the Kotel in a sweltering but moving ceremony, highlighted by abundant ice-cold bottled water and fresh summer fruit; “Ze hayom asa Hashem, nagilla venismecha bach” – this is the day that G-d has made, let us rejoice and be happy in it. We rejoice in Israel’s gain, even as we feel the loss to our community. May all of Israel be reunited with the coming of Mashiach, speedily in our days.
J, pls make this next bit totally separate from my story. Its for the half page, on page 34. its not an advertorial though. Its just free editorial. Let dave know if it must be cut.
Half page
The Disappearing Tax Break
As this year’s crop of Anglo-Saxon immigrants arrives in Israel - 2000 are expected to immigrate this summer through Nefesh B’Nefesh alone - Philip Braude reports on what has happened to the Israeli government plan to exempt their overseas income from taxation.
For the past few years, I have been actively dealing with structuring the financial affairs of prospective olim, and have considered that the current Israeli tax legislation accords near tax haven status to new immigrants (olim chadashim), as it accords them various tax exemptions, such as a 5 year exemption on investment income, a 10-year exemption on capital gains from overseas assets, a 4-year exemption on income from their overseas business which was owned for 5 years before assuming residence and a 20-year exemption on foreign currency deposits held in an Israeli bank.
In a recent press-release co-signed by the Israeli Finance Minister and Immigration Minister, a series of tax breaks designed to encourage immigration to Israel was announced. These proposals were meant to be enacted into law by Yom Ha’atzmaut but unfortunately, they are still winding its way through the Knesset, and are still not law.
Under the old law, to obtain either the 5-year investment income tax exemption, or the 10-year capital gains tax exemption, the specific assets needed to be held outside of Israel by the new Israeli resident before his arrival in Israel. The intention of the proposed amendment is for the exemption to apply to all the new resident’s overseas affairs for the extended 10 year period, without the limitation of the exemption only applying to pre-owned assets. Unfortunately the proposals seem to contain many gaps, as it appears that overseas pensions and retirement plans, overseas trusts and national insurance issues have not been addressed in the proposed new law. In addition, the situation where a new immigrant earns income from overseas, but performs the services in Israel, will not benefit from these new proposals. I fear that this might encourage many breadwinners to leave their families behind in Israel, while they continue their old jobs and business’s in their home country, and could cause social problems with the families left behind.
The proposals are certainly good news for prospective olim, but until the law is passed and there is certainty in the matter, caution is advised when planning one’s financial affairs before making aliya.
Philip Braude is an accountant, personal financial planner and licensed investment marketer. He is CEO of Anglo Capital Limited. He can be contacted on pbraude@anglocapital.com
Ofer Dahan
World Zionist Organization
Jewish Agency for Israel
Director of Israel Centre
E mail: ofer@beyachad.co.za offerd@jafi.org
Personals:
http://picasaweb.google.com/oferdahan
http://oferdahan.spaces.live.com/
World Zionist Organization
Jewish Agency for Israel
Director of Israel Centre
E mail: ofer@beyachad.co.za offerd@jafi.org
Personals:
http://picasaweb.google.com/oferdahan
http://oferdahan.spaces.live.com/
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