Galya Nisenbaum's interview about her aliya - Israeli 23-TV

[smartwarlord]

I'm a Los Angeles area Jew also! I don't know when I'll make aliyah though!

[aklionsky]

Galya, I love you!

[pesachBtov]

Interviewer 1: Hello, Galya Nisenbaum.

Galya: Hello …

Interviewer 1: You’ve come straight to us from the airport

Galya: Yes.

Interviewer 1: So explain to us why.

Galya: Err.. ok. My name is Galya, and I’m from Los Angeles and I come from a huge Jewish community, a community that is very supportive, a community that is very Zionistic, and I attended Jewish summer camps and I went to a Jewish school.

[pesachBtov]

Interviewer 2: You grew up in a Zionist atmosphere?

Galya: Yes.

Interviewer 2: To parents who live there?

Galya: Yes.

Interviewer 2: And you are also an only daughter?

Galya: Yes.

Interviewer 1: And you are making aliyah on your own?

Galya: I did it already. I arrived here today, and it’s actually a hard story. I was in a pre-army preparatory program last year –

[pesachBtov]

Interviewer 2: How old are you?

Galya: I’m 18.

Interviewer 2: You made aliyah with another 85 new immigrants.

Galya: (Nods) Yes.

Interviewer 2: We can see Shimon Peres kissing other immigrants … But you will be joining the IDF soon.

Galya: Yes.

Interviewer 2: And when did you tell your parents that you are immigrating?

[pesachBtov]

Galya: A few months ago. I involved them in the entire process, because it was very important for me that they understood it. I knew that the more that I involved them, the easier it would be for them to accept it. Of course, it’s a difficult thing, but they anyway expected it because it was very much my desire and they know that it is a part of me and that I really couldn’t wait for it.

Interviewer 1: They gave you their blessing or did they try to persuade you to stay?

[pesachBtov]

Galya: It went very smoothly. It was very clear, as it were, that it was hard for them. It’s hard for them that I’m far away, not because I’m here. They know that this is the right place for me, and that I’m doing the right thing for myself.

Interviewer 1:. We have a question, we are not leaving you just yet – what are you going to do in the army?

[pesachBtov]

Galya: In the meantime, I’m most interested in becoming a casualty officer.

Interviewer 1: I read this in the summary, and it sounds very interesting, but we will talk about soon. We first of all need to part from Channel One. We will continue on Channel 23 here with Galya …

[pesachBtov]

COMMERCIAL BREAK

Interviewer 1: Before the break, I asked you what you wanted to do in the army, and you said that you wanted to be a casualty officer. First of all, how do you know about this non-specific rank?

[pesachBtov]

Galya: The truth is that I met an officer last year at a particular seminar, which is another story, and I asked him if there was any kind of rank that deals with trauma and soldiers that are in such a difficult situation, and he explained to me about a casualty officer, and it really inspired me.

[pesachBtov]

And it seems to me that it is a very important role. They don’t really talk too much in the army about terror attacks and those who have fallen, and in my opinion it is extremely important. I very much want to do this.

[pesachBtov]

Interviewer 2: My question still is, ‘why’? I imagine that the American economy, your education is there, your parents are there - your warm, loving, pampering home, financial profit – all of these things can guarantee you a future that is very comfortable in the United States.

[pesachBtov]

Galya: It’s not a matter of finances at all. It’s a matter of what’s important to me in life, what I can contribute and what other people can give to me, and to me the Jewish community here is the most important thing in the world. And it’s a matter of if not now, then when? And I couldn’t wait with this, and it’s very important. It’s nothing to do with money, or what work is easier to do there.

[pesachBtov]

Interviewer: What do you want to do when you ???

Galya: I’ve no idea!

Interviewer: But in Israel!

Galya: Yes.

Interviewer: It’s great to hear that.

Interviewer: Galya, thank you. Good luck. An easy and pleasant draft!