 |
Orit is a writer and painter who immigrated to Israel from Los Angeles in 1999.
|
|
|
|
By Orit
October 9, 2006
I hate the holidays. I really do. I know you're supposed to be happy on Sukkot, it's the "time of our rejoicing," but I'm not. I usually get depressed in Israel during the damn seasons -- Sukkot, Pesach, whatever -- all of those long holidays when you're supposed to feast with friends and family or take time off to go on outings or trips. While most of Israel is together with family or friends -- eating, traveling, hiking, or what not -- I'm alone with myself and my computer.
Yes, holidays in Israel suck for singles, or at least for me. Holidays remind me how alone I am here -- no family, no major cadres of good friends, and of course, no boyfriend. I hate feeling like a want a boyfriend -- I like to feel self-sufficient and happy from within, but, invariably, these are times when I want to be in a relationship. These are times when I want someone to call up and say, "Hey, let's go to up north or Turkey or Greece." For singles, the Jewish liturgy should describe Jewish holidays are "remembrances that thou art alone."
When I open the paper, I see there is so much to do in this country. What a wonderful time to explore the beauty Israel has to offer. In every city or town there seems to be some concert, some festival, some olive or grape harvesting or something like that. And whom do I have to go with? No one. Maybe that's my fault, I don't know. Maybe I don't "put myself out there" like I should.
But I know that being single at 29 is not easy, especially during the festive seasons. Most of my single friends are equally depressed so we make bad company for each other. Most of my hitched friends are busy with their significant others. A lot of my sabra friends are hanging out with their folks and/or siblings traveling with them for the holidays. And the rest of my friends are the fair-weathered type.
On holidays we are supposed to rejoice in Israel. But I know I'd be rejoicing much more if I were in the States with my parents and sisters under the sukkah. These are times when I wish Israel didn't have so many long national holidays. At least in the States, there is non-Jewish bustle which doesn't make me feel so alone. I don't know, maybe I should spend my next few days in Ramallah or something.
So, for now I'll try my best to make it through. Next year in Jerusalem (hopefully with a boyfriend).
Views expressed by the author do not
necessarily reflect those of israelinsider.
 
|
|
|
|
Click on the blue headline to read a Talkback comment and respond to it. Click on the  icon to send a private email to the talkback writer. The icon appears only if the writer has decided to be contacted. If no popup window appears, please make sure your popup blocker allows israelinsider.com.
|
|
| |
|
|
