The Day I Became Israeli – Yaron Butterfield’s blog

The day I became Israeli – Part 1

I had intended to stay for the 3 month Livnot U’Lehibanot program in Tsfat, Israel and then head home to finish my degree.  However, when it was over, I suddenly realized I couldn’t leave.  I had a rather large family whom I had yet to spend much time with including my grandmother, Hanna, who was not doing well.  I really  wanted to talk to her in Hebrew as she couldn’t communicate well in English (and I didn’t know Kurdish unfortunately!).  I found a kibbutz close to where she lived,  Ma’ale Hahamisha – “The Ascent of the Five”.   There, I would spend 5 months in the kibbutz ulpan where I’d be working one day in the fields, and learning Hebrew the next.  It made sense to visit before committing and so I took the bus up the hill to the kibbutz.  I was taken by all the beauty around me.  I was especially excited since when I told my parents, my father told me he had been at the same kibbutz!  The bus drove away and I suddenly realized I had left my wallet with all my money and cards in the bus!

I managed to get to a phone and called my uncle to pick me up.  It was frustrating but thankfully  I still had my passport.   I had already made arrangements  for a week trip to Turkey where I would meet my friends from Livnot, Jen and Max (who eventually got married and made aliyah last year).  My family gave me some cash spending money.  All I had to do now was to go to the passport office and extend my stay as I was initially allotted 3 months with my Canadian passport.  No problem, I thought as I sat in the passport office with so many people around from what seemed like so many different backgrounds.  And here I thought Vancouver was so multi-cultural!  Finally, it was my turn.  The officer looked at my Canadian passport.  Then he asked what my mom’s name was.  Then, based on her name, he asked if she was Israeli.  I said yes but she lives in Canada.  I also told him I was born in Canada.  He left for a while leaving me to ponder what was taking him so long to came back.  He stated that he couldn’t extend my stay as a Canadian.  When I asked why, he said because I was Israeli.  My mom was…and therefore so was I.

I stormed out in frustration and anger.  I called the Canadian Embassy and they told me that there was nothing they could do.  I got my photos taken with a big grin and went back to the Israeli Embassy and gave them the photos.  I told them that I only had a few days before going to Turkey and was assured that I would receive the passport in time before I go.  I’ll never forget the moment I opened the package that arrived at my aunt’s and pulled out my Israeli passport.   I felt so happy and proud and I couldn’t stop looking at it! I was Israeli.
Passport photo

yb

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