By Amiram Barkat and Daphna Berman, Haaretz Correspondents: North American immigration to Israel to hit 33-year high in 2007
Talkback
Title:Joe!
Name:Deana
City: JerusalemState:
Joe- how can you ever, ever call Israel "hell"! Are you mad? What criteria are you judging by?

One always has to exchange a certain set of negatives for another when moving to a different country.

We love to complain about Israel but let`s not forget the negatives back in the USA. Back in Chicago I had to bring a knife with me when I went out at night. I was a minority and it was a struggle to observe the sabbath and Jewish holidays.

Here in Israel I struggle to make a living and the culture is still shocking after 10 years. But guess what? They`ll have to drag me out of here kicking and screaming. This is our home. I`d rather live in my home than some fancy hotel.

Never, ever forget how lucky we are to be here.