Random Information --
from the current Year In Israel students!

1. GET: your passport, including the visa entry slip you got on arrival; one passport picture; 135 NIS; a visa form (get one from Rose or Helen in the office); a letter from the Jerusalem campus saying you are enrolled as a student (from Rose or Helen). This pays for an A-2 Multiple Entrance Student Visa. You can come and go as you please -- and it's not that expensive, unless you remember that in the States it was free, if you could get it there!
2. Fill out the visa form in English and Hebrew and staple your picture to the top.
3. Get up VERY EARLY IN THE MORNING! (5:30 or so...) and go get a security number at the Ministry of the Interior office at 1 Shlomtzion Hamalka, downtown.
4. Go get coffee down the street, or stand for a while in the interior "courtyard" of the ministry building because the doors don't open until 8 a.m.
5. Come back (if you leave) by 7:45 a.m. and listen hard for your number -- they call them in Hebrew in groups of 10.
6. RUN, do not walk, up the stairs to the second floor, where you will get your second number from the information desk. Go to the room on the right and watch the big screen for your number to pop up. This takes a really really long time. Much longer than you want to wait there. Bring a book -- preferably a really long one, or one you would like to read three times.
7. When your number comes up on the big screen, go to the little room (204) on the right side of the room. Wait in line and yell at people who try to get in front of you. Give them your stuff, tell them you want a student visa, and get your THIRD NUMBER. Go wait for another two to three hours (we told you to bring a book!)
8. Watch the smaller number screen for your new number and the tiny screen for the clerk you should go to (1-5). Go. Sit and just answer their questions. For the record, Melissa was asked for her parents' exact birthdates and her mother's father's name -- but Stephanie was asked what she was studying. They will ask you for 135 shekels. If they say they don't have change for you, argue until you get your change.
9. Take your passport with your new visa. Leave the building. Breathe.
10. IMPORTANT!!!!!: If the following applies to you or a significant other who will be accompanying you to Israel: Converted to Judaism, Have a Jewish father but not a Jewish mother, Are an Israeli citizen or have a parent who is an Israeli citizen, Are unsure of your status (adoption, etc.) Contact Rose Ginosar as soon as possible once accepted to the program.

Ins and Outs of Health Insurance in Israel

• For most people, health insurance is easy. You get the free insurance that comes with being a student, and if you get sick, you go to the doctors at Kiryat Wolfson (9 Diskin, in Rehavia -- they all speak English and the care is very good).
• If you have a pre-existing condition that might require emergency treatment, or are prone to injury.... read on:
  • BUY THE PRESTIGE COVERAGE. It's 75 cents a day that you are in Israel.
  • Prestige covers emergency treatment for a pre-existing condition (like an asthma attack). It is also your foot in the door -- if a doctor says they wont treat you because they THINK it's a pre-existing condition, and you simply have pneumonia, it gets you to see a doctor. Once they notice that it's NOT an inflammation of said pre-existing condition, it's covered anyway
  • 10 visits of Physiotherapy come with Prestige. If you injure yourself in Israel you can actually get it taken care of here. The current recommended therapists are private, in Talpiot. And if you have to see someone else, and you have Prestige, they will compensate you as much as they can.
  • Questions? Want to talk to someone who has now been through the mill? Email Melissa, who not only has a pre-existing condition but also broke a finger on day four in Israel (advice: don't trip over cement blocks) and is now familiar with physiotherapy, specialists, hospitals, emergency rooms, etc. in Jerusalem!

What not to worry about bringing...

1. Sunscreen, shampoo, conditioner, soap, gel, mousse, lotion, deodorant
2. Feminine hygiene products -- almost everything is here, and the cost of shipping them outweighs the cost of buying them here. If you are particular about brands, Always, Playtex, and Tampax are readily available here, and the natural food stores carry other brands. If you find a great sale, or are prefer a different brand, and have room in your bag, bring them.
3. Battery charger -- the American kind don't really charge properly on a converter, and they're relatively cheap here.
4. Printer -- you can get an Israeli ink-jet printer for approximately $40 brand new, and it works just fine on an American laptop
5. Blank CD-ROMS and CD-RWs -- they are the same price at Office Depot in Israel

1. TRAPPER KEEPER FOLDERS -- the sturdy, cardboard, laminated kind do not exist in Israel
2. Digital Camera -- but you can develop your film onto CD in Israel too.
3. Some say "Q-Tips" brand Q-tips. If you aren't picky, there are Israeli brands
4. Bath and Body Works stuff
5. Stuff in a size a little bigger than we needed when we left the States -- or a little smaller -- because clothing shopping in Israel is a pain! And it's expensive.
6. More pictures from home
7. Very warm clothing -- it really doesn't warm up once it gets cold!
8. Chanukah, Rosh Hashanah, and Pesach cards to send home to the states for the holidays. Birthday cards to use throughout the year.
9. BOARD GAMES -- they were heavy, but we're glad some people have returned from breaks with Cranium
10. US measurement measuring cups and spoons for baking/cooking and a great cookbook
11. Farenheit oven thermometer and, if you eat meat, a farenheit meat thermometer (if you are from the States), same thing in Celsius if from anywhere else!
12. Angel Hair pasta
13. twist ties for plastic storage bags.
14. BOOKS:
    • Entering Jewish Prayer, Reuven Hammer
    • JPS Tanakh for home use; Koren Hebrew only for class (buy the Koren HERE)
    • Oxford Hebrew-English Dictionary
    • The Art of Torah/Haftarah Cantillation -- if taking Cantillation classes
    • A Guide to Jewish Religious Practice, Isaac Klein
    • Daily Prayerbook, Birnbaum
15. BUT..... these are easier to find and cheaper in Israel than at home:
    • Jastrow's Dictionary of the Talmud
    • Koren Publishers Tanach (Hebrew only)
    • Siddur Rinat Yisrael
    • Siddur Avodah Shebalev (Israeli Reform siddur)

• Cookie Sheets -- the home store in the Malka Mall, or the Shuk
• All natural peanut butter: The Co-Op (it's the container with the green lid)
• Bread flour: Super-Sol Stybel #2
• Powerbars and Met-RX bars and powders: Health Food store, lower level of Malka Mall
• Tofutti brand non-dairy sour cream: Health Food store, lower level of Malka Mall; the Co-op in Kiryat Wolfson (sometimes)
• Nature Valley granola bars: Co-Op
• Heinz Ketchup: Co-Op
• Candied ginger: Shuk
• All the Harry Potter books in English: the library
• All the Harry Potter books in Hebrew: Stein books, on King George downtown
• Really good bagels: Coffee Time, on Yaffa Street near Shlomzion Hamalka
• Really good coffee in Jerusalem: The Coffee Mill on Emek Refaim
• Ranch salad dressing: the Co-Op

• I am using a card from my parents that they’re not using anymore that’s in my name. Yes, I have to pay the bill, but this allowed for a higher credit rating, and better overseas support. As opposed to $3-$5 a transaction, they charge 1% for atm withdrawals and have really good conversion rates (It’s an MBNA platinum mastercard)
• Don’t bring too many things and you won’t have a problem
• Just don’t stress and things will be fine and you’ll have a great year!
• Our best advice is to bring lots of things that feel like home - pictures, frames, trinkets, calendars, etc ... it's worth the space in your luggage, a year is a long time and you'll be much more comfortable here.
• As for recommending things to do to really enjoy oneself, get a good pair of walking shoes and get out there every shabbat and just walk. We have come across some amazing neighborhoods and people just because we were there. Also, it rains a lot here and it gets cold.

CLASSIFIEDS

• From Joel Simon:
  --Graetz microwave (bought new this year) $70
  --Lexmark inkjet printer (usb cable included) $30
  --JVC cd/cassette/radio $35
  
• From Lynn Flanzbaum:
  --Lexmark Z25 color inkjet printer with Israeli plug, USB cable, software, and all packaging. New 9/2002 $43. Asking $20.
  --Surge protector/power strip. Accepts 3 Israeli electric plugs and 1 RJ-11 (US) phone cord. New 8/2002 $53. Asking $25.
  --Motorola Timeport cell phone. "Orange" service provider. Silver in color, includes charger and all literature and packaging. Has minutes remaining. New 8/2002 $129. Asking $60.
  --Graetz stereo clock radio. Israeli plug w/battery backup. New 9/2002 $30. Asking $15.
  --Morphy Richards (Hamilton Beach in the US) 10-cup automatic drip coffeemaker. Permanent filter, includes all literature and packaging. New 9/2002 $25. Asking $12.
  --Yellow/floral sheet set. Size Israeli twin. Includes 1 pillowcase, 1 fitted sheet, 1 top sheet/duvet cover in original packaging. Barely used since it fits my guest bed and not my bed. New 9/2002 $29. Asking $14.
  
• From: Stephanie Marshall:
  --Cannon color printer- new this year, works great $25
  --Floor fan, brand new, brightly colored, 3 speeds $25
  --desk chair, bought used $15
  --night stand, one drawer with shelf, light wood, bought new $15
  --full set of dishes, silverware- bought this year $50
  --pots, pans, cookie sheet- all bought this year, good quality $25
  --full set of serving dishes, casserole dishes- matches dishes $15
  --cooking utensils, sharp knives- bought new this year $15
  --4 pot coffee maker, with gold mesh filter, dark green, new this year $20
  --large shuk cart- great for shopping, laundry, pot lucks at friends- $10
  --orange brand cell phone- with 2 covers- new this year, comes with charger, info- $50
  --cd/tape player/stereo- Hamilton brand, new this year- works great $50
  --large green and blue rug, small blue rug- new this year $30
  
• From: Deb Goldstein:
  --compact CD/cassette/radio player. Perfect size and good sound/reception. $50.
• From: Jon Jaffe:
  --Trek mountain bike - $200 (with lock and helmet!)
  --Printer - $50
  --Pair of 18lb weights - $20
  --Super good power converter for computers and stuff - $30
  --Cellphone - needs small repair - $50 (repair will cost about $10 more)
  
• From: Justus Baird: Please let me know by MAY 15 if you are interested in any of these items (I leave Israel May 21): --Aiwa Stereo CD/Tape (recordable)/Radio/Alarm/Aux-input w/removable speakers and remote, (model LCX-337) used less than 6 months: $35 (a steal! great for party music or practicing nusach)
  --Hamilton Beach Blender w/glass pitcher, ice crush strength, great for smoothies and/or mixed drinks, bought new and used only a few times (220V for Israel): $30
  --Lightweight and strong 3-shelf bookcase/shelving unit, grey ABS plastic, sits on floor: $10 (easily carried to your apartment, as it disassembles conveniently)
  --Desk Lamp, attractive blue and grey, CFL energy-efficient bulb: $8
  
• From: Mark and Rachel Ann Miller:
  --New desktop 17" computer monitor - $150
  --New HP Color/BW printer - $50
  --Powerful juicer - $50
  --Iron - $25
  --Blender - $20
  --Cordless phone - $25
  --Electric hair clippers - $20
  
• From: Melissa Bernstein:
  --Soft guitar case (acoustic), padded with backpack-style straps. I brought mine in a hard case and it survived the plane, but it's too heavy to lug around in it. $30.
• From: Stacey Nolish:
  -- bike (bought new) - with the helmet and chain/lock. $50.
• From: Dan Sikowitz: --Lexmark z25 printer - $25
  --Drip Coffee Maker - $25
  --Heavy Duty Rechargeable Lantern - $15
  
• From Greg Litcofsky: --2 Orange cell phones -- 500 Shekels for both (about $110-115)

FINALLY..... Have a question about something specific?

Just want to chat with a student who is in Israel now?

The following people have volunteered to be contacts -- just send them an email!

• Lynn Flanzbaum; mature/older students
• Sabrina Sjolseth
• Stephanie Marshall

• Ross Wolman

• Jon Jaffe
• Mark Miller
• Stacey Nolish

• Melissa Bernstein; shift from different field of study
• Joel Simon; entering straight from college
• Karen Thomashow

• Ben Schudson
• Deb Goldstein; "second-career" students.
• Dan Sikowitz; bringing your family
• Greg Litcofsky
• Larry Sernovitz

• Ruth Stewart; Spouse with two school-aged children, Gabe (11) and Sarah (6), in Tali Bayit V'Gan. Children can be contacted.
• Rachel Ann Miller; Spouse
• Rachel Litcofsky; Spouse