1. Me.
Instead of getting a job, I was satisfied to write, thus the work place, the major measure of integration into a society was missing.
2. My shyness
I prefer to spend time alone, something that does not improve one's chances for social integration.
3. My age
I made aliya at 51. Aliya should be made in one's 30's or earlier. Or after retirement.
4. My religious beliefs.
I stopped believing in Torah a while back and all of my friends in Jerusalem and Israel and most of my relevant relatives believe in Torah. Thus the group that promised the easiest social integration was the group that I resisted for they threatened my belief system. Visits to religious friends and relatives required time spent alone to readjust to my own beliefs rather than to visiting beliefs.
5. My political beliefs.
The majority of the people I came in touch with were much more Zionistic than me.
6. I miss New York.
I miss the city, the libraries, the streets and the subways.
7. I miss my friends.
8. I miss the open American road.
9. My second Arabic teacher- was a real shvontz and he did not increase my love for this place.
10. My first visit to America ended with a desire to stay in New York. I felt as if I was being forced by externals rather than by internals to return to Israel.
11. I don't enjoy the constant political thinking, the war situation, the feeling of taking somebody else's land and being in a state of war with them.
