Siberian Lawyer Heeds Natal Chart, Moves to Israel at 51
The Siberian woman drastically changed her life after 50, following the stars« advice.
Sometimes life resembles not a precise legal code, but a book novel where chance plays the main role. Oksana Pivovarova, head of the legal department in Novosibirsk, burned out at work for three years in a row until friends saw in her an «angry and tense» shadow of herself. The ticket to a new reality was not a vacation, but an astrologer«s words: »Your natal chart is screaming about a move.« The unexpected esoteric advice literally turned Oksana»s life upside down. She told her story specifically for NGS.
In 2022, the Siberian woman ventured to move to another country.
Starting Point
In the sunny country, Oksana blossomed.
Oksana Pivovarova lived in Novosibirsk and worked as the head of the legal department. She worked hard, didn«t take vacations, and burned out severely, turning into a walking bundle of nerves. A visit from friends from Irkutsk became a mirror for her, in which she saw an unflattering truth.
Sometimes the woman misses home and thinks about returning.
«They noticed how angry and tense I had become and advised me to go on vacation to their friend in Israel,» recalls Oksana.
Three years without a vacation, one friend«s advice, and a new life by the sea.
During their first, still remote acquaintance, it turned out that the Israeli friend was an astrologer. She laid out Oksana«s natal chart (astrological birth chart), and it clearly indicated a move abroad.
«She motivated me so much with words that my natal chart is screaming about a move, about migration, that I should live in another country. I laughed and yet started preparing,» the woman admitted.
It was early 2022, the coronavirus pandemic complicated the process of obtaining the necessary documents, but Oksana still got a visa to Israel for three months — on February 17 she was already in the country. She calls her entry a miracle, if not fate.
«I passed the interview in five minutes. Later I found out that, apparently, Israel has a rather strict selection process, some are interviewed for three hours, or not let in at all,» the woman said.
Oksana flew to Herzliya — a seaside resort town in Israel where that very astrologer lived, who so deftly prescribed a new path for the Siberian woman. Oksana finally rested: basked in the sun, walked along the coast, enjoyed the beauty of nature, marveled at the calmness of the people, and gradually fell in love with the mysterious country.
A Turn of Fate
Then fate unfolded in the best traditions of a television series. Oksana planned to rest for three months and return to Siberia, but she met a man and fell in love. The romance spun quickly, within two months the woman moved in with him in Tel Aviv and at the age of 51 received a marriage proposal.
«We submitted documents for a civil union (known in Israel as »stoop«) — that»s a civil marriage in Israel. Since I«m not Jewish, we were not allowed to register officially,» Oksana clarified and added that the civil union status allowed her to stay in Israel even with a tourist visa.
Realizing that without language knowledge she would have a hard time, Oksana began studying Hebrew and enrolled in the Wingate Institute (The Wingate Institute for Physical Education and Sport), where she learned to do sports, therapeutic, and relaxation massages.
«Why massage? Because without knowing the language, it»s very difficult to establish oneself here. And in this field, you can work with minimal knowledge, and not for pennies,« she specified.
Oksana was eager to start working as soon as possible; being a workaholic by nature, she couldn«t sit still, but her man stated that Oksana would not go to work. The Siberian woman wondered: had she made the right choice?
«We dated for a year, but eventually broke up. The relationship ended as quickly as it began. We are just too different people, it happens,» commented Oksana.
The woman went on to build her own life and rented an apartment with a sea view. Her former lover initially helped her with housing payments and supported her, but over time the communication faded. Oksana got a job at a spa salon and became passionate about her new profession.
«For me this is… I never even imagined such a thing. You see: head of the legal department — and suddenly a masseuse. A completely different sphere, different activity, but I sincerely fell in love with this work,» she admitted.
Oksana describes the new step in her life as a reset: she felt many times more confident and stronger, and began living a life full of adventures.
«I»ve traveled almost all over Israel. Leaving the country is closed for me due to the tourist visa, which I renew every three to four months, so I travel within the country. I feel very close to the local mentality: in Israel live open, sociable, and kind people, and they are also very united,« Oksana said.
Rhythm and Pain
Today Oksana«s life pulsates to the rhythm of Tel Aviv, which she compares to the capital of Russia.
«Despite the fact that the capital is Jerusalem, all the action is in Tel Aviv. Restaurants, bars, night discos — people even at night meet, walk, do sports,» the woman explained.
The Siberian woman noted that life in Israel is expensive: one person in Tel Aviv needs 8.5 to 11 thousand shekels per month for a comfortable life (200,000–260,000 rubles, approximately $2,200–$2,900 at current rates). For families, depending on lifestyle and location, 18 to 25 thousand shekels may be required.
«Service sometimes leaves much to be desired. Medicine here is at a lower level than in Russia — ours is the best, no matter what anyone says, Oksana is sure. — Everything related to beauty service — manicure, pedicure, haircut and so on — only Russian-speaking masters can provide a decent service.»
Between Two Homes
Oksana sincerely fell in love with the energy and openness of Israel, and speaks with delight about things familiar to locals. In particular, there is only one day off in the week: on Saturday, the Sabbath (Shabbat, the Jewish day of rest). On this day, the Siberian woman said, they organize dances on the beach. She was also impressed by the sporting zeal of Israelis: even at five in the morning along the sea you can see runners.
«Everyone runs, yes — it»s such a charge for the whole day. You know, if you had been to Israel at least once, you would surely love it as much as I do,« assures the Siberian woman.
But, despite all the love for a foreign land, Oksana is sometimes overwhelmed by a heart-wrenching longing for home, for her daughter: the girl is 20, she has long been independent, lives in Moscow. She tried to fly to visit her mother, but was not given a visa.
«From time to time I get such depression — I unbearably want to go home,» admitted Oksana.
She feels the nuances of the country and sometimes notices a dual attitude toward Russian-speaking repatriates, although their contribution to the country is undeniable. The reason, she believes, is often in the difficulties of integration.
«Without knowing the language, where will you go to work? Some remain at some factories, don»t advance, don«t confirm their diplomas. To achieve something here, you need to be purposeful. Although such a principle works in any country and any city,» Oksana believes.
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