Thank you for making the last two months of my life a living hell.
Thank you for not granting me the freedom that many Israeli girls achieve (with government approval) by deceit.
Thank you for forcibly closing doors that would otherwise have been left open.
Thank you for ensuring that I won't be beside my grandfather when he finally, inevitably, leaves this world forever.
Thank you.
Posted by Valentine014 (Member # 5981) on :
Oh no, Raia. What's going on? Why can't you be with your grandfather?
Posted by whiskysunrise (Member # 6819) on :
Sorry, Raia. Posted by Raia (Member # 4700) on :
I'm going back to the US next year. No extra year in Israel for Raia.
Oh, and incidentally... EuropeCon -- I'm sorry, Jatraqueros, but I can't make it. The flight from the US is far more expensive than from Israel.
Posted by Valentine014 (Member # 5981) on :
I tried to email you but it came back.
Posted by Desdemona (Member # 7100) on :
Oh, Shani, Shani, Shani.
*hugs tightly and doesn't let go*
I'm so sorry.
Posted by Derrell (Member # 6062) on :
(((Raia))) I'm sorry they didn't see things your way.
Posted by Kama (Member # 3022) on :
ouch.
Posted by Morbo (Member # 5309) on :
I'm very sorry Shani. Posted by Little_Doctor (Member # 6635) on :
Thats terrible. I'm sorry. Posted by breyerchic04 (Member # 6423) on :
Raia, I'm sorry you don't get to spend your extra year in Israel, but we will love to have you back here. (we meaning all of my personalities and I of course)
Posted by rivka (Member # 4859) on :
I'm sorry, sweetie.
Posted by J T Stryker (Member # 6300) on :
*hugs*
Posted by Ryuko (Member # 5125) on :
Posted by ReikoDemosthenes (Member # 6218) on :
*hugs tightly* I'm so, so sorry...
Posted by Dragon (Member # 3670) on :
((((((Shani))))))
I'm sorry.
Posted by Raia (Member # 4700) on :
Val, really? I wonder why... I know my e-mail's working... *hugs* Thanks anyway, though, for trying.
And (((((everyone else))))) Thanks. I appreciate it. I mean, eventually I'll start feeling happy, I'm going to a good school, I'll be near my friends, but for the time being, I'm kind of upset.
Posted by mimsies (Member # 7418) on :
((((Raia))))
Posted by Valentine014 (Member # 5981) on :
Email me and we'll go from there.
Posted by Raia (Member # 4700) on :
Alright. Done.
Posted by Telperion the Silver (Member # 6074) on :
(((Raia)))
Posted by Valentine014 (Member # 5981) on :
nope, nothing. are you using the one in my profile?
Posted by Anna (Member # 2582) on :
Oh Shani, I'm so sorry. (((Shani)))
Posted by Beanny (Member # 7109) on :
((((Shani))))
I'm sorry... I've written you an Email.
I guess that soon there'll be only two Israelis in the forum...
Will you ever be able to come back to visit?
Posted by Kama (Member # 3022) on :
so, why is this happening, Raia?
Posted by Anna (Member # 2582) on :
If I understood her LJ correctly, the military wants her to do her national service (two years !) and since she doesn't want to lie to avoid that, the only other way is to come back to the USA, because if she stays she will be forced to enter the army.
Posted by Beanny (Member # 7109) on :
There's another thing I forgot to say, both in my post here and in the Email I've sent you:
I respect you very much for not choosing the easy way out. As tempting as it was, and despite the consequences, you didn't deceit the government. I'm sure others are proud of you too.
*salutes* *hugs*
Posted by Kama (Member # 3022) on :
ouch. that sucks. Posted by Shepherd (Member # 7380) on :
*Hugs for Raia* what school are you going to end up in instead?
Posted by Minerva (Member # 2991) on :
I know nothing of your situation, so I am not judging.
But why do you not want to serve? It is an incredible experience, and you would form friendships that last a lifetime (maybe even the stereotypical husband in basic training <g>).
Posted by Boris (Member # 6935) on :
Aww, man. That sucks, Raia...
((((Raia)))) I'm so sorry.
Posted by Kama (Member # 3022) on :
quote:But why do you not want to serve? It is an incredible experience,
I'm not sure how dangerous service in Israeli military is, but it's definitely not as safe as not serving.
As for myself, if service was obligatory for women in Poland I'd marry the first hatracker who'd accept me. For real. I think forced military service (for two years!) is stupid. I like to be alive, and I like to be able to do what I want to , and I'm terrible at all physical exercises they'd make me do.
Posted by BannaOj (Member # 3206) on :
So Raia, once you leave, will you ever be able to go back to Israel again?
AJ
Posted by Primal Curve (Member # 3587) on :
Hey, Krav Maga has its uses. Especially when creepy boys follow you around and ask you for kisses n' junk.
Posted by Beanny (Member # 7109) on :
quote: I'm not sure how dangerous service in Israeli military is, but it's definitely not as safe as not serving.
Women are not obligated to combat service. As a matter of fact, they must undergo special selection phases if they want to become real warriors. There are many other things to do in the army: adjutancy, military intelligence, and various technological and academic positions.
quote: I think forced military service (for two years!) is stupid.
Forced military service in Poland might be stupid. But in Israel, which is under constant existential danger from the day it was founded, cannot afford to give up on the obligatory service system, nor the recruitment of reserve forces in special cases.
quote: I like to be alive, and I like to be able to do what I want to , and I'm terrible at all physical exercises they'd make me do.
Like any normal human being. But I think that if you were brought up in a state like Israel, you would have seen this service as part of the normal course of your life.
Posted by Kama (Member # 3022) on :
I think not. Posted by Beanny (Member # 7109) on :
Well, you never know, Kama... Posted by Kama (Member # 3022) on :
I know.
Posted by Beanny (Member # 7109) on :
Fine. *pouts in the air of stubborness*
Posted by Kama (Member # 3022) on :
Posted by Bella Bee (Member # 7027) on :
*Wanders into thread. Sees Kama and Beanny sitting in opposite corners with their noses in the air. Giggles. Wanders back out of thread...*
Posted by Minerva (Member # 2991) on :
I didn't want to start anything. I just regard my service (as a programmer) as a truly special time where I met some of my best friends. So I'm curious about Raia's reason.
Posted by Rakeesh (Member # 2001) on :
I am sorry this ultimatum exists for you, Raia, and about your grandfather, as well. I can say, though, that he is fortunate to have a granddaughter of conscience.
Posted by Kama (Member # 3022) on :
it's okay, Minerva Posted by J T Stryker (Member # 6300) on :
quote: So Raia, once you leave, will you ever be able to go back to Israel again?
She will only be allowed in the country for four months out of the year until she is beyond the age of service (25 I think), if she stays for a day more than 4 months in a year though, she can be drafted.
quote: But why do you not want to serve? It is an incredible experience, and you would form friendships that last a lifetime (maybe even the stereotypical husband in basic training <g>).
You see, Raia has spent most of her life living elsewhere, and until about a year ago, didn't even consider living in Israel for any amount of time. So unlike other Israeli born children, she hasn't grown up/been raised with the mindset that she'll have to serve. She also doesn't want (last i checked) to stay in Israel for the sake of being in Israel, she wants to stay with her grandfather, who is dieing. If she stayed and opted to do the military service like the law requires of her, then she'd only get to see him while she was on leave.
Now keep in mind, I'm not Raia, but to the best of my knowledge (which may or may not be as good as i think it is) these are her stances on those things, and I for one stand behind her.
Posted by Megan (Member # 5290) on :
(((Raia)))
I'm so sorry for you. Posted by BannaOj (Member # 3206) on :
Ok, I was just wondering if it was a case where if she ever flew back to Israel they'd have a military escort waiting for her to take her the nearest boot camp or not.
AJ
Posted by J T Stryker (Member # 6300) on :
nope... not quite that big of a deal...
Posted by Minerva (Member # 2991) on :
Makes perfect sense. I knew there had to be more to the story.
Posted by Raia (Member # 4700) on :
Thanks, Stryker, you pretty much nailed it. There's only one thing you said that I disagree with:
quote: She also doesn't want (last i checked) to stay in Israel for the sake of being in Israel, she wants to stay with her grandfather, who is dieing.
It's true that I want to be with my grandfather, but he wasn't the only reason I wanted to stay another year. Being in Israel for the sake of being in Israel is rewarding in and of itself, but my grandfather was a definite reason to make it this year as opposed to several years from now, when the draft issue is no longer a problem. I think the age after which they no longer need me is 22, or 23. After that, as far as they're concerned, I can come live here. Up until then, only four months, like you said.
Posted by Bean Counter (Member # 6001) on :
Ah, I was confused I thought you were going to serve. It is up to you of course, women in the military is a thorny issue. I hope you do not find yourself regreting what you decide. Isreal is in a tenious situation right now and can use all the help it can muster for certain.
BC
Posted by Raia (Member # 4700) on :
Honestly, even if I did serve combat, which I wouldn't, I don't think I'd be of much use. Many girls get out of it easily for that reason, which is just an added thing that makes me angry.
Posted by BannaOj (Member # 3206) on :
See from everything I've read. As a woman, if I was going to choose to serve in any military in the world, the Israeli Army is the one I'd pick.
And you are wrong Raia it takes 3-5 people in the army behind the scenes in non combat positionsfor every single actual combat position. The number may be slightly lower for the Israeli army but it is pretty uniform the world over, because supply lines are supply lines and beuracracy is beuracracy.
AJ
Posted by Phanto (Member # 5897) on :
And inefficeny is inefficency. So you're going to be in your home in the US? If so, then we have to talk! I might be passing by that area, and would really, really appreciate a place to board for a week or so.
...and...about your situation...
I'm sorry.
Posted by Shepherd (Member # 7380) on :
So what school are you going to end up at now Raia?
Posted by Raia (Member # 4700) on :
Shepherd: I'm going to DePauw University, in IN. And Phanto, we'll talk one-on-one and figure things out!
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