Zev’s ties to Ashkelon go way back. Zev, a graduate of Yeshiva University and a student of Rabbi S. Riskin, never lived in Ashkelon. Zev lived in Baltimore Maryland, but his parents lived here for 20 years and he used to visit them often. So, after he retired and decided to make Aliyah, Ashkelon was a natural choice as a place to live. He did not need any convincing that Ashkelon offered a lot for retired people.

Soon after making Aliyah, Zev met Esther in Jerusalem and they married six months later in Ashkelon.

Zev and Esther take advantage of what Ashkelon has to offer. Zev describes leisure in Ashkelon: “Spending time at the sea, movie houses, malls, work out parks and the amazing Ashkelon National Park.  I ride my bicycle. I learn Torah. I give a Tanach class once a week and I photograph nature and I write books.”  Esther adds, “The ocean, beach, quiet spaces, not crowded, no major traffic tie ups, friendly atmosphere and the million-dollar sunsets make Ashkelon a special place for me.”

Although he did not know anybody socially before moving, Zev had no problem getting to know other Anglos. He commented: “I joined ESOA just before coming. I found an Anglo shul a few weeks after I moved here. I have many good friends now.”

While Tel Aviv proper and Ashkelon are physically almost the same size, Tel Aviv has over three times the population. Ashkelon has wide-open spaces, wide roads and excellent public transportation. Getting around Ashkelon is quite easy, and Zev and Esther feel that they do not need a car. Zev said: “I walk to every place I need. If necessary, I take a bus or a taxi. I find that compared to the costs of repairs, fuel, and taxes on a car, it’s less expensive – unless you commute to work each day. “

The community of Anglos in Ashkelon is made up of young couples, middle-aged working families and many retired people. For retired couples, fluency in Hebrew is not as essential as for young people in the work force. Zev describes his level of Hebrew as “conversational”, but that has not been a deterrent to living in Ashkelon. He adds: “If you are retired, you can get by without knowing Hebrew.”

Ashkelon, like most Israeli cities, has grown in size and Zev and Esther have no problem buying the things that they need. Esther adds: “Food shopping these days in Israel, even Ashkelon, is wonderful. Lots of selection. Clothing stores have good items.”

Zev’s perspective on living close to Gaza is straightforward. Having visited Ashkelon over many years, while his parents lived here, he commented: “My parents lived here throughout the 1980s, 1990s and early 2000s. I feel life is safer now than then, and they did fine. No place in Israel is completely safe. I am committed to showing my support of Israel. “