Shalom you all!
Hope you are all fairing well in America. Weather here is great. A couple things. First if you know anyone that will want to be added to this list, please forward them my address or their address to me. Second of all, you can reply to me either here or at my yahoo account which has the same surname. Hotmail is easier for large lists. These emails will not necessarily be in order.

And so........... My experience as an oleh or new immigrant in Israel has so far been quite pleasant. As much as the bureaucracy has been criticized, things have gone pretty well. I am living in a housing center call THE CANADA HOUSE which is located in East Talpiyot in Southeast Jerusalem. My roommate Alberto is a nice 38 yr old from Brazil and due to the fact that he speaks no English, Hebrew is fast growing on me. One of the other new immigrants on my flight, Ammnon, is also living here, and we have decided to get each others backs, since I do not have Ben or Eli or any of my other friends here. Add to the fact that he speaks excellent Hebrew, he has also become an excellent asset, when going to all the different ministry buildings. Today, Monday we got up early to get our te'udah zehut which is my ID card. Thinking that it would take all day to get, I brought some Marley and a book to read. Within one hour we were out of there, cheering with joy, and co other Americans in it. It is from 8:30 to 1 pm every day. I hope to pick up the language quickly.
I am taking the buses on a daily basis, and every time a security guard gets on the bus to look for bombs I thank him/her.

Alright I am going to send this out and wish you all a Happy and Healthy New Year. Aunt Deb, wish I could be with the "family" for the holidays! Take care you all and I reckon I will write another email sooner than later.

Strength & Blessing

Yaakov S. Y. Cohen