One Year Anniversary

I can’t even believe it.

It has been 1 year since I moved to Israel, that’s 365 days, a total of 8, 760 hours.

What can I really say?

Was it worth it?

Absolutely.

I gained so much.

In the time I’ve been here I’ve managed to make a lot of friends. But not just regular friends, not the kind you just wave to, or acquaint. I’ve made friends with people that enrich my life, that have self respect, that love, and give, and are deep oriented. In fact most of my friends are religious/spiritual people that connect with me on a whole other level. It’s truly a gift.

I’ve also managed to learn Hebrew quite well. Sure, it’s not perfect. I don’t have a natural Israeli accent, and can’t understand the prime minster speak…yet. But for a year I’ve been told it’s incredible and that people that have been here for years can’t speak like me.

Furthermore, I’ve been in yeshiva (a school for spiritual and religious development) for the entire year. This experience alone has evolved my entire being to it’s greatest potential yet. I’ve learned how to pray and when. Essentially I’ve learned how to conduct myself to live a more righteous way of life along with making a relationship with the Creator of the universe. I feel like I’ve acquired some great tools to be a better person, and one day great husband and father. Ultimately I’m happier for coming to yeshiva.

I’ve improved my relationships with my family. I now spend quality time regularly with my brother, my nephew’s, nieces, cousins, uncles, and aunt’s and of course my parents.

If managed to keep in touch with close friends and family over sea’s as well and believe I’ve done a good job.

I also started a happiness group on facebook (feel free to join: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=135773023129480&ref=ts). I made it because I want to change the world and this was a way of doing it fast and immediately. Making people happier, what a joy!

I even met a really nice girl, the future is an open book, and so far the pages are full of bright vibrant colour’s and incredible stories.

The next step for me is drafting in the Israeli army.

I begin October 17^th 2010.

I’m very excited about serving in the Israeli army. I get to give a hand to a country I love and believe in. I get to assist the Jewish people, I get to make more life long friends, advance my Hebrew, and give back to G-d in a new way I’ve never experienced before.

There are many countries around Israel that wish for its destruction, thus Israel need’s an army, and therefore I will join it and protect my prized possession with passion and pride.

That’s my year summed up.

I’ve been working on a documentary of my year and it’s almost done. Stay tuned for it’s release.

Check out my last documentary on my trip to France, Amsterdam, Italy, and Israel from 2008-2009: http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-4686099000414924001#

Have a great day!

Overcoming Challenges

Rachel & I

The British Boys & Toronto Guys at Tel Aviv Beach

My Room Mate- David & I

My first time celebrating my Jewish Birthday. We all ordered steaks at an amazing restaurant at Mamilla, downtown Jerusalem.

It's been quite some time since my last post.

All in good reason.

I went through a pretty hard challenge and didn't want to write about it until I overcame it.

This is the story...

I'll start off with a quote:

“Man cannot discover new oceans unless he has the courage to lose sight of the shore.”

- Andre Gide

Before I made the big move to Israel, I did some extensive research on moving here.

This is what I came up with:

Israel vs. Canada

Reasons to live in Canada:

• The potential to make money is high
• I have an entire life history there
• Im familiar with the culture
• I have a great network
• I have a collection of incredible friends and can grow with them even further
• I have my Rabbi and Jewish community there
• I had a condo there
• There are 4 extremely different seasons there
• I know the language

Disadvantages of living in Canada:

• The weather is quite cold. You have to dress for the weather.
• I might not get rich...
• I have no family at all in Canada. So while every single one of my friends is going to their family's for dinners/events, I'd accompany them as a guest every single time until I get married. Then I'd visit my wife's family and my children get close with their mothers' parents, but not so much with mine.
• Canada is mostly an indoor society. Sure there's skiing, skating, boating, pimpin chalets, and cottages, etc, but you know what im saying. Israel is so outdoors, where Canada is soo the mall, and chilling in homes...
• The older I get and more established I become, the harder it is to pick up and move to Israel in the future.
• Potentially I won't want to move here in 10 years. Maybe my kids will really be happy in their schools, or the wife won't want to leave, or I'll keep postponing it.

Advantages of living in Israel:

• The weather is amazing
• My mom, dad, brother- his wife and 4 children, a few uncles, aunts, and cousins live here.
• I could master another language- Hebrew.
• There are incredible beaches here
• There will be ample opportunity to building new friendships and working on my old ones- for life.
• In a sense, I get to start over. Which is exciting!
• The kind of woman I want: kind, caring, beautiful, intelligent/educated, spiritual/religious, Hebrew/English speaking, funny, loving, etc, are likely found here. (I found a good one!)
• I could still be financially successful here (potentially)- sure the economy isn't like Canada's but success can be achieved anywhere.
• Israel will pay for me to get an entire degree here for free!! Which leaves options wide open.
• I could walk around wearing my kippah with pride, and not be stared at like im an outcast.
• I could be as religious or nonreligious as I want and there will be tons of people in the same boat as me.
• I could eat kosher food without having to look for it
• My ancestors died and fought for this land
• It's a mitzvah to live here
• I could help build the Jewish community here
• My door is open to my friends and loved ones

Disadvantages of living in Israel:

• I'm not by my friend's side- no longer part of their ongoing daily lives-physically, (mentally i am...at least I like to think so!)
• I can't watch them grow up- only through a screen. Which isn't the same.
• Security- getting on a bus isn't quite the same as in Canada.
• The government sometimes makes some inappropriate decisions
• The salaries aren't as high as Canada, I might not get rich...
• People's attitudes can be quite pessimistic, and rude...(don't forget this is the middle east).

Let's not forget one last thing...the army. Israel has 22 arab nations surrounding it that would love to take the place over...that can't happen.

I'd gladly serve.

So before I made the move I went to one of the bases and asked about how much time I would have to serve...I was told 6 months.

In the end I made the move!!

The transition of moving to Israel has been spectacular. I've made more friends than I thought I would in such a short period of time. My Hebrew skills have evolved. My spiritual level has increased, I've made some good money so far, my body is at it's all time greatest shape and health, I've got a tan, my relationships have gotten better with those closest to me, I found myself a wonderful woman, and all that I've dreamed for has come true!

What's the challenge in this rose garden?

Well ofcourse...the army!!

To make a long story short and without giving away confidential information that could be harmful to Israel and or myself in anyway...

I'll put it like this...

The army told me I had to serve 2 years and not 6 months! The reason being is that I was here as a tourist at age 21 for longer than 120 days and the law is I have to serve 2 years.

I was in shock when I found out.

I spent 5 months trying to alter my situation...it wasn't easy because it's a law that I serve.

However after lots of advice, the right people, ton's of prayer, and a lawyer.

Things were altered and I will be serving 6 months on October 17th 2010!!

The lesson of the story is that even when you think there is no way out, if you put your heart and soul into something and you fight with everything you have you will get what you want- there's no other way.

LO

VE

Adam Ezekiel