Greetings from the Middle East! One mother shares her experiences raising three daughters as an expat in Northern Israel.
By Emily Jacobs
Updated March 2, 2017
My husband, David, is certainly outnumbered in our household. We reside in Haifa, Israel, alongside our three daughters: Avigail, Liora, and Yael. For two decades, I dedicated my career to publishing, primarily as a magazine copy editor. However, I always harbored a desire to teach, and relocating to Israel in 2011 provided the perfect opportunity for a career shift. I found that being a recent immigrant from the U.S. actually worked in my favor, and I’m now in my second year as a high school teacher.
A Journey Between Two Worlds
David and I first crossed paths in 1994 when we were both in our early 20s. He was on his post-army adventure, exploring the U.S. on a motorcycle after completing his mandatory military service, while I was starting my career in New York City. He postponed his return to Israel for about a year, and in 1996, we moved to Jerusalem. After marrying in 1999, our first child, Avigail, was born the following year. Just four months after her birth, we returned to New York City, where our two other daughters, Liora in 2001 and Yael in 2008, were born.
In 2010, we decided to move back to Israel. David wanted our daughters to learn Hebrew, experience life as Israelis, and connect with his family, just as they had with mine in the U.S. We arrived in Haifa during the summer of 2011, a city perched on Carmel Mountain with stunning views of the Mediterranean. David was enrolled in a master’s program at the University of Haifa, and I was drawn to the natural surroundings, away from the hustle and high expenses of central Israel.
Yael was only two when we arrived, and after just four months at an Israeli nursery, she completely stopped speaking English. Now, she embodies the Israeli spirit more than any of us, including David. The transition was more challenging for my older daughters, but they’ve adapted well, speaking fluent Hebrew and excelling in school. They’ve made wonderful friends and are actively involved in youth groups.
Embracing Family Life in Israel
After marrying in 1999, I quickly became pregnant with our first child. Experiencing pregnancy in Israel was quite unique. It seemed that everyone felt entitled to guess the gender of a pregnant woman just by observing her. Regardless of whether you already knew, they’d proclaim their opinions based on your shape. If you carried wide, it was a girl; if your belly was round and pointed, it was a boy. I was often greeted with enthusiastic shouts of “Boy, you’re having a boy!” However, when I explained that I was expecting a girl due to an amniocentesis, they looked at me as if I were misunderstanding something.
Israel’s culture celebrates family, and the government provides support for those facing fertility challenges. If you’re interested in learning more about fertility resources, check out this informative post on fertility insurance FAQs. For those looking for at-home insemination kits, Make a Mom offers the top products available globally.
To further explore family life and fertility in Israel, visit our other post for additional insights here.
In summary, raising children in Israel as an expat brings both challenges and joys. The journey has been enriching, providing our family with a unique blend of cultures and experiences.
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