Jamie Geller Makes Aliyah - But She's Already Pretty Israeli

Kudos for Jamie Geller and family for their upcoming Aliyah. Watching the video of them packing up her house brought back memories. Moving is hard. Moving across the ocean and sleeping on the floor is really hard. Just imagine how hard it will be for her when she realizes that much of her beloved stuff just won't fit in her new house.

When the lift comes and you house is stuffed to the gills, and they've still got half of your belonging on the truck, that's when you realize that as much as you like your stuff, it's not who you are. (At least that's what I keep telling myself when I think of the two pieces of beautiful furniture I left behind in Oak Park. I don't miss my breakfront. I don't miss my breakfront...)

In her video, she is understandably anxious about the move, her acclimation and the family's new life in the Holy Land. Actually, though, Jamie is more Israeli than she realizes. A recent Forward short piece on her aliyah declares that,

Geller, a television producer, author and cooking celebrity, is producing with the Nefesh B’Nefesh aliyah assistance organization a documentary series following her and her family as they prepare to make aliyah and finally land in Israel...Geller founded the Kosher Media Network, which combines traditional media such as magazines, books and broadcast with digital, online and social media. In the spring of 2011, the network unveiled its Joy of Kosher consumer brand, launching JoyofKosher.com and the Joy of Kosher with Jamie Geller magazine.

Using your aliyah as a marketing tool to build interest in your budding food network? That's a totally Israeli move. Welcome home Jamie! Apparently you belong here more than you realize.