Presence

Speaking of moving to Israel, an inordinately large number of Baltimore families seem to be making aliyah this summer. Off hand I can think of three from our shul, as well as at least two others from the Greenspring area. I heard that the total from Baltimore comes to seventeen families; Nefesh B'Nefesh reportedly has 1500 people on their flights at the end of the summer.

So what's going on? Is it the downturn in the economy? Israel's economy is even more dismal that ours right now, so I don't think that has much to do with it. It's practically impossible to get a job in Israel while living abroad. Anyway, all the people I know moving are either gainfully employed or comfortably retired.

My theory is that it's the real estate market; house prices in Greenspring are at an all-time high. Perhaps the extra cash is enough to convince people the time is right to circle the wagons and head East.

All seriousness aside, a serious contributing factor has to be the abysmal state of kosher food in Baltimore. Do not underestimate the power of the stomach.