Making Aliyah | igoogledisrael.com

Making Aliyah: my first Yom HaZikaron and Yom Ha’atzmaut, Part II

There is a period of time where you feel the atmosphere changing in Israel. It’s not a moment like flipping a switch quickly, but more like a light on a dimmer switch: It starts out dark and gradually lightens until it’s fully on and bright.
That’s Yom Hazikaron-into-Yom Ha’atzmaut. The country is somber and [...]

May 17, 2010 | Lauren | Comments 0

Making Aliyah: my first Yom HaZikaron and Yom Ha’atzmaut, Part I

Memorial Day and Independence Day. These two days are intricately connected in Israeli society; here, we really wouldn’t have our independence and be the country we are today and be able to celebrate Independence Day if not for those who we remember on Memorial Day. And it’s so fresh and close to everyone, [...]

May 01, 2010 | Lauren | Comments 1

Making Aliyah: My first Passover in Israel

Hello readers! This week I’m going to take a diversion from the regular informational columns about things to know as an oleh and I’m going to talk about one of the unique parts of Israel in a personal way—the holidays.
This was my first Passover (Pesach) in Israel, and my first Pesach as an Israeli. One [...]

April 18, 2010 | Lauren | Comments 0

Making Aliyah: getting to grips with Israeli banks

The bank system in Israel is very different than the system in the United States in general. The first thing is that banks charge you for EVERYTHING. And they charge more for going to a teller vs. doing things at an ATM. And ATMs are different also—they’re not all-in-one. Accounts usually do not earn [...]

March 21, 2010 | Lauren | Comments 3

The high street battle for your fashion budget: Castro vs H&M

Many Israelis have always told me that they believe Israel is the 51st state (or is it 52nd after Puerto Rico?!). I heard this story through a friend the other day and now I must relay it to you because it is the perfect example of the “commercialization” and “Americanization” of Israel.
The friend, [...]

March 08, 2010 | Simona | Comments 7

Making Aliyah: Paying for stuff (Hora’at Keva and Tashlumim)!

Hora’at keva is the term used for payments that are deducted straight from your bank account automatically.
For example, your health insurance/kupat cholim. Your phone bill. Your internet payment. Your electric bill. Your water bill. I think you get the idea. Pretty much the way things work here is that you need a credit card [...]

March 06, 2010 | Lauren | Comments 2

Making Aliyah: First steps upon arrival in Israel

When you arrive as an oleh, the first government office you meet with is Misrad Haklita. They have an office in the airport, and when you arrive you go to them. They give you your teudat oleh (the booklet that you use when you use your zechuyot (rights) for things like lifts, a car, [...]

February 20, 2010 | Ashley | Comments 0

Israeli Fashion: Castro reveals 2010 Spring/Summer Collection

While we wait with eagerness for H&M to get to Israel in March, much loved Israeli brand Castro has revealed its new Spring/Summer 2010 collection complete with its annual Fashion Show which took place early in the morning at Hangar 11 in the Tel Aviv harbor.
Castro, as you may know, is arguably the most popular [...]

February 18, 2010 | Simona | Comments 4

Making Aliyah: The Flight (part II)

This is a bit more personal than the other entries as of yet. The actual making aliyah—the flight, the ceremony, the welcome…it’s something you can’t really depersonalize.
We were told to get on the flight. So we did—there was no boarding according to groups, seats, rows—none of that. It was “Board when you get there.” [...]

February 09, 2010 | Lauren | Comments 2

Gap comes to Tel Aviv!

We’re all waiting with bated breath for H&M to open its doors in Tel Aviv’s Azrieli Mall, Jerusalem’s Malcha Mall and Haifa’s Grand Canyon in March, but did you know another big retail chain from America is also making a spot for itself in Tel Aviv?
A huge billboard prominently displayed on Ibn Gvirol (central street [...]

February 06, 2010 | Simona | Comments 0

Making Aliyah: The Flight (part I)

Now the exciting part: The actual making aliyah…
I actually wasn’t quite sure when I became Israeli—when I got on the plane? When I landed? When I got my teudat oleh? It was confusing for a while, because I had my flight date and details, but I hadn’t actually made aliyah so was I an olah? [...]

February 02, 2010 | Lauren | Comments 0

Beginning the Aliyah Process

So continuing on with the aliyah process…
There is a lot that has to be done before you actually MAKE aliyah. There are applications to fill out, forms to give in, pictures to take, letters and proofs of…things (birth, residency, marriage/divorce if applicable, Jewishness). As you know, I went through an amazing organization called Nefesh [...]

January 25, 2010 | Lauren | Comments 2

All Entries in the "Making Aliyah" Category