And I Thought NBN Was Supposed To Make My Life Easier

I was under the impression that Nefesh B'Nefesh was supposed to make the whole aliyah process easier. So far, it has been nothing but headaches.

First comes this whole streamlining the aliyah process. Is it really that hard to to fill out one form and give it to the Jewish Agency and then a different form for NBN? Apparently NBN thinks it is. The thing is, consolidating all the paper work doesn't actually mean less paperwork. On top of that I was one of the lucky people to apply during the transition period. This means I applied to make aliyah through the Jewish Agency (which went very smoothly) and then I was stuck calling NBN 30 000 000 times just to figure out which of their paper work I had to do, which I didn't have to do and what the whole procedure was.

Then they have this new online app. I love online apps- I am a true child of the digital age. The problem is you still have to mail in official passport photos. Ok no big deal, I did it. Then a few days later I receive an email from them they got my application but I have to mail them the original financial affidavit. Why do they not write that on the application? Why did they wait until I went to the post office once to tell me this? Whatever, I emailed them the original form, fine. But it doesn't end here! Today I get an email with another form I have to sign and mail to them! I feel like sending them a bill for $2.06. I mean it isn't the money, but it would have just been so much simpler if I could have mailed all three things together.

Up until now I have jumped through a whole series of hoops have have yet to receive anything in return. I can see them being helpful for the uneducated oleh, but for someone who has put as much time and effort into this whole process as me they have told me nothing i didn't know. I really do appreciate their efforts and will be happy if I have a few less lines to stand in once I get to Israel, I won't complain if they give me money either, but you would think a whole workforce of people who have dedicated their lives to this cause would have perfected their part of the process by now.

I really do love how people want to help new olim, but I honestly believe there is a lot less help for us out there than is advertised. No matter how many services are created the process is still long and hard. Israel is a different planet. They just function on a level slightly removed from reality. I am ok with that. I am ok with working at this whole aliyah thing. I just hate the false hope organizations like NBN give people.

Maybe one day I will start my own organization that offers no help, no assistance and only one piece of advice:
"Aliyah is a challenge. Expect no help, long lines, red tape and obnoxious people. At the end of the day you have only yourself to depend on."

Pessimistic as that may sound it is the truth. Well maybe not the whole truth. I am lucky enough to have family and friends there I can depend on. Not everyone has that though.