Israeli Couple Abroad Finds New Perspective on Life and Home

Noga and Raanan, an Israeli couple who relocated to Eugene, Oregon, in September 2024, are currently visiting their childhood home in Hod Hasharon. This marks their first trip back to Israel since moving abroad. Raanan explained that while they missed friends and family, the timing of their visit was influenced by the upcoming elections and a feeling that Israel had lost its way.

"Israel has always been a difficult place, the heat, the crowding, the nerves, but in recent years it has also lost its sanity," Raanan stated. He described feeling increasingly disconnected from events in Israel even before the war, prompting a desire to understand life outside of the country's context. As someone with anxiety, Raanan recounted that shortly after October 7, they initially fled to a remote village in Greece, but feeling adrift, they embarked on a six-month car camping trip across Australia, New Zealand, and the United States.

They eventually settled in Oregon, where Noga, who studied education, found a suitable anthroposophical school for their child, Yona. Noga expressed uncertainty about returning to Israel if the government doesn't change, while Raanan noted their European passports and artist visas provide flexibility. He also shared that living abroad has led them to explore their Jewish identity more freely, with him becoming a musical director at a synagogue.

During their time abroad, Noga found that checking Israeli news at night disrupted her sleep, leading them to keep phones out of the bedroom. Raanan also tries to limit news consumption to midday to allow time for recovery before sleep. Back in Israel, Noga admits to sleeping very little, attributing it to jet lag, Yona's nighttime feedings, and a preoccupation with clothing combinations.

Raanan, who has a history of sleep disturbances during stressful periods, now finds his sleep more stable, crediting his relationship and Yona for bringing order to his life. He utilizes yoga, meditation apps, and melatonin. Reflecting on their car camping experiences, Raanan, who disliked sleeping away from home as a child, surprisingly slept well, attributing it to Noga's presence, physical exhaustion from daily hikes, and a healthy routine. They slept in a camper van in Australia and New Zealand and in a Tesla during their US trip, utilizing its camping mode and front trunk for storage.