Category Archive
The following is a list of all entries from the Wisdom Gained category.
Manicures and Pedicures in Jerusalem, secrets revealed
Don’t be upset, boys. I know this blog can get a little girly at times due to the fact that we are, in fact, girls. But I’ll tell you this, mention the juicy details in this post to a lady friend, and you will be guaranteed a 10.5 second hug, perhaps even a high five. So, it’s up to you to continue reading.
I decided it was time to grow up and stop taking out boredom or nervousness on my poor fingers. So, I set out on treating myself to a manicure and did what any good Jerusalem Anglo would do, check Janglo before venturing out of my home. I called a few places but found the prices to be at least 60 shekels. Alas, I found an ad posted from Ester, who would come to my house and give me a manicure for 50 shekels. I thought this service was reserved for the wealthy with butlers, a summer home in the Hamptons, and a 3 car garage.
So, in this strange land of Israel, you can enjoy in-home manicures or a stick of deodorant for roughly the same price. So make your choice wisely. You could be stinky or have some nice lookin’ nails. I went for the nails. Ester’s number is 0544 99 5067.
In other extremity news, my graphic design teacher showed us how to shorten toes in Photoshop but he kept referring to them as fingers. Not the Hebrew word for fingers, the English word itself. Should I have said something? Probably. Did I? No. This way, every time I mess up in Hebrew, I can think back to all the Israelis I’ve met who think they jump in puddles, ride their bike, and step in dog poop with their “fingers” and have a good giggle.
Tel Aviv and the Party Factor
It’s true that Tel Aviv is only a 45 minute bus ride away, but lets face it I never go there. But that doesn’t mean I won’t go to Tel Aviv it just means I need a good reason. And the Free Birthright Alumni party was all the incentive this girl needed to get out of Jerusalem for a Saturday night.Yes indeed, Tel Aviv is party central and not just compared to Jerusalem, but a friend recently told me that Tel Aviv has more bars per area then any other city in the world. And while I didn’t check out every bar or club in Tel Aviv I still managed to find where the party was at! Continue reading this entry »
Sheruts are definitely the way to go, running 24 hours
I went to Tel Aviv the other night for the first time in a very very very long time. Despite the fact that Tel Aviv is technically pretty close, all that traveling on busses is enough to keep me away. I believe the last time was for WordCamp and iDrink. This time it was for a birthright israel party. An open bar birthright party, I might add. But Rebecca, you didn’t go on birthright, did you? No, I couldn’t since I had already been to Israel on organized tours. But luckily, Molly did, and she was able to get me in somehow. Here’s the crazy part.. Ivri Lider was invited to light the chanukah candles which was pretty surreal. The truth is, it could’ve been any Israeli- looking guy and I would’ve believed it was him (a little tip for the next celebrity planned at these events). And then he just stuck around like he wanted to be there. It felt good to feel young, get a little tipsy, and dance until 2am.
But I digress. I wanted to mention some tips I learned from my travels to that far off land of TA (Have it stand for what you will). Continue reading this entry »
12 hours straight of tv and movies
It’s not often your eyes get the chance to glaze over as you watch 12 hours straight of tv and movies. But now, Contintental has a new on-demand movie system to satisfy your tv cravings guilt-free with shows like Sex and the City, Scrubs, Friends, and The Office, not to mention the 150+ movies at your disposal.
However, I find that the greater entertainment selection there is, the ruder the flight attendants are. As one of the flight attendant’s passed my seat, I sweetly and innocently asked if they had any more of those great noshy chips they handed out earlier. Here’s the response I got: “I don’t know. this is a really packed flight, and I have no way of knowing. If I check for you, then I have to get for everyone else. Oh, I see the bathroom opening up. If I don’t go now, I’ll never get in. ” I have a feeling they’d rather see the latest Weeds episode than be handing out kosher meals.
Phone numbers and links for internet providers in Israel
It’s happened plenty of times by now. Feelings of helplessness and frustration start to take over as I realize the Internet stopped working and am all too aware of how dependent I am on it. Especially since I mostly work from home. But, no matter how much I disconnect the wires, reconnect, restart, repair, dance around doing the please-please-I’m-begging-you-to-work dance, there comes a point when the Internet refuses to cooperate and goes on strike to show solidarity with the teachers.
I know that as soon as I pick up the phone to call Netvision, the internet will start working, because that’s what happened before. As soon as my router/modem/wireless (who can remember the difference) hears Mr. Tech Support at Netvision, it shapes up and suddenly works. But I decided to pay extra attention this time so I could imitate the tech support’s soothing voice and avoid calling back ever again. And I noticed tapping on the keyboard. And tech support man confirmed my suspicions by saying he reconnected my internet. So apparently its not just the voice. As soon as I call, they identify my phone number and press the little button that says “Resume Rebecca’s internet, practical joke over for today” Is this normal? Are people calling all the time for this ‘reboot’?
Here’s some helpful info about internet providers in Israel (so I can keep it handy too). I have the Hot/Netvision setup with no dialler. I went through Netvision who organized the setup process with Hot. I did some research before selecting an internet provider, but they all ended up being roughly the same price. I’ve heard the good, bad, and ugly about each provider. So, if you’re just starting out and looking to pick an internet provider, the most effective method is to close your eyes, spin your finger around the screen and see which provider it lands on.
Netvision: *3031 or 1800-300-301
Barak: *013 or 1800.013.013
Actcom: 1800-300-123
Bezeq: 1800-014-014
Internet Gold(Smile): *2330 or 072-200-3600
Golden Lines: 1801-012-012
Hot: *6900
How I know I live in a Second world country
Have you gone shopping in Israel. I’m not talking about being a tourist and buying a pair of Tevas to help Israel’s economy- but you still bargain because you know you can. I am talking about going to the supermarket with your grocery list half in Hebrew and half in English, comparing prices that are not even labeled correctly and standing in a line that never moves.
Essential Israel websites for postal needs, directions, movies, bus routes, and more
I know it might seem like a strange combination, but this is a collection of tremendously helpful Israel websites that I always come back to and wanted to share.
Post Office: Displays all the post office locations in Jerusalem and their crazy hours because who can remember when they take their 4 hour lunch breaks. For other cities in Israel, you can click on the top link on the right sidebar to change the city. The “english” section doesn’t have much more that fluffy filler text, so pretty much Hebrew only.
Directions and Maps: The closest thing to mapquest, emap.co.il (Internet Explorer only) is an amazing resource for finding how to get around in Jerusalem and the rest of Israel. Available in Hebrew and English.
Movies: Seret.co.il lets you search by movie title, theater, or genre. When you select a theater, for example, the Globus theater in the Malha mall or Rav Chen in Talpiot, it brings up the phone number, address, and a current listing of all the movie showtimes. In Hebrew only.
Concerts, Theater: Hadran lets you buy tickets for the hottest performances happening all over Israel. I’ve never used it, but it looks reliable and professional. Available in Hebrew and English.
Israel Railways Train Schedule: Though the price of tickets is hard to find, the site is good for looking up the train times. The last time I took the train I believe it was 17.10 shekels for students – one way. Much quieter, hassle-free, and more leg room than the Egged busses. Only drawback is it takes a little longer to get where you’re going and I think the direct train from Jlem to TA is not running anymore? In English and Hebrew.
Bus Routes: Although the Egged site might be good to look at for travel info to the Dead Sea, Tel Aviv, or Haifa, it doesn’t have a very user-friendly or up-to-date map of which bus to take within Jerusalem and other cities. So, use Egged in English or Hebrew for travel between cities and Wikipedia in English for a look at which bus to take within Jerusalem.
Let’s liven things up around here:
Shmita Unplugged- laws, loopholes, and support groups
As Jerry Seinfeld might put it, what’s the deal with shmita? This is my first time in Israel for a Shmita year and I’ve tried to understand all the laws and practices about 15 times and I still have a blank look on my face. Luckily, I found a handy dandy Shmita FAQ by Rabbi Weiss in Ranaana, a Yahoo support group, and a website for all my Shmita cuirosities. Here’s a shocking bit about shmita in Israel, the supermarkets don’t feel any differnet – no signs, no labels, no special shmita rabbi, just the same old same old. And one more comment before the real deal about shmita, whats with the spelling – I’ve seen the following versions: shmita, shmitta, shmittah, shemittah, shmmmmmmitah. It’s out of control.
Here’s a simplified slice from Rabbi Weiss’ Q&A. Continue reading this entry »
Misrad HaKlita and Misrad HaStudentim duke it out
VS.
Think the logos and websites are confusing? Just wait till you start talking to the offices.
Someone requested that I cover this topic so here’s all I know on the subject of Misrad HaKlita(absorption) vs. Misrad HaStudentim (student authority) . Please verify the information with the right office, as the info changes all the time (naturally).
Misrad HaKlita – course route
You need to be:
- under 30
- made aliyah less than 3 years ago
- they’ll give you up to 10,000 shekels of the cost of your course. (I’m currently taking a graphic design course at John Bryce, and this is how much they gave me)
Phone: The main number is 02-621-4555. More specifically, I spoke to Ina, who was nice and patient: 02-624-9398.
Address: 15 Hillel St, Downtown Jerusalem. You should call the main line to make an appointment.
Website
Misrad HaStudentim – University route
I am not as familiar with their terms, but it is also under 30 to start. I think it’s mostly for Hebrew programs, but you’d have to check.
Phone: 02-621-4538 or 02-621-4543
Address: 15 Hillel St, Downtown Jerusalem.
Website
Good luck with your studies.
The Big Felafel 
Comments (1)
Janglo goes comments, where’s the heads up?
As we know, Janglo, the can’t-function-without-it Jerusalem Anglo community website has undergone many changes – starting out as a Yahoo group and transitioning to a more user-friendly site at janglo.net with RSS feeds, an event calendar, and now the most revolutionary feature- comments. Previously, when someone would post something common, like today’s FREESWAP: ROOSTER, people would respond only to that person who posted and no one else could benefit from the responses.
But today, everything changed in Janglo-land. For better or for worse. Continue reading this entry »