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 »
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.
Ulpan…c’mon everybody’s doing it.
Ulpan in Israel is all the rage when you first move here. ‘Which ulpan are you at?’ is one of the first questions we ask each other so we know we’re not alone in our craving to master the Hebrew language.
My ulpan of choice was Ulpan Milah, since I moved to Israel before making Aliyah. I did Milah from Level Bet all the way through Vav, which took me less than two years, with breaks to America during the summers. The hours were really flexible, the price fair, the teachers excellent, and the 2 shekel coffee machine unbeatable.
They are located in downtown Jerusalem, and you can find more about Ulpan Milah by calling them: 02- 623-3164 or visiting their website.
When you finish the ulpan circuit, you feel more or less prepared to explore the language. It is then that you truly enter the unpredictable world of Hebrew words such as pateti for pathetic, or autenti for authentic, or siluetta for silhouette. And then you wonder, why did I need Ulpan in the first place?
Fantasti.
Shimon the Mover
They say that moving is the second or third most stressful thing in our lives. Lately, I’ve heard some pretty horrible stories about people getting taken advantage of, having their wallet stolen, etc, I’m starting to see where these statistics come from.
Whenever I come across someone who is honest, nice, and serious about what they do, I want to make sure they get all the business they deserve. Shimon the Mover is that guy. I might not know his last name, but he’s moved me into 2 different apartments, moved all my friends, and always with a smile and a great price. He is bilingual, too, which really helps. He is hardworking and really friendly. The more people you have to help him, the better deal you’ll get. Make sure to book him in advance.
Shimon’s number: 057- 733-7440
In case he’s not available or you have other needs, here is a fabulous list of movers put together by Jangloers
Misrad HaPnim – Interior Ministry Hours
If you are fortunate enough to be able to go to the Misrad Hapnim in Jerusalem, sometimes referred to as the Misrad HaPanim, ‘the face office’ to get your passport renewed or other fun activities, here’s a timetable of when they’re open:
- Sunday to Thursday: 8-12:3o*
- Monday and Wednesday: 2:30-5:30* – Recommended as the workers are less cranky.
Feel free to express your frustrations or any new changes to the schedule. Located on Shlomzion Hamalka in Jerusalem off of Yaffo St. As far as a phone number goes, don’t bother. I asked them once, and they laughed at me.
See comments below for info on the less crowded Gilo Branch. Thanks, Yael.
*These times are subject to change for the following reasons, so good luck.
- cigarette breaks
- early lunch breaks
- because they feel like it
- phone calls to friends or family
- sodoku
Upside-down coffees, cafes, and discounts
It still feels funny to order an upside-down coffee (cafe hafuch) when you want a capuccino, but I do it anyway because it’s usually the cheapest and yummiest choice on the menu. The funniest thing about coffee shops is people always go there to relax and chill. Meanwhile, I have half a cup of coffee and I’m wired, running around the shop with my arms flailing, and can’t sleep the whole night. Putting my low tolerance for coffee aside, I can spot a cute coffee shop when I see one. Please leave a comment adding any additional coffee shops in the Jerusalem area. See the discount section to save a few shek. Here are my favorites:
1. Cafe Kalo
Location: Baka, near 33 Derech Beit Lechem
Description: very low key and off the beaten path. Funky furniture too.
Random: I met the artist that created their menu while I was in Sinai.
2. Tmol Shilshom
Location: Nahalat Shiva, City Center, in an alleyway off of Yoel Salomon St.
T:02- 623-2758
Description: This not-so-hidden-anymore coffee shop is so quaint and cute with books all around. It has become increasingly popular with everyone telling their friends about their ‘secret’ coffee shop. If you go at peak times, you may wan to make a reservation. They also have delicious food, my favorite being the pumpkin ravioli.
Random: The artist that created the menu for Cafe Kalo also did the menu for Tmol Shilshom
3. 1868 – Cafe
Location: Baka, at the beginning of Derech Beit Lehem, across from the gas station.
T: 02-622-2312
Descriptoin: Maybe this is supposed to be a restaurant, but I like going there as a coffee shop. I ordered the 2 croissant deal with fresh fruit and cream with a white hot chocolate. I was in heaven. My stomach is grumbling thinking about it. For a fancy place, it really wasn’t so expensive.
Random: My friend’s friend works there and we didn’t realize till we arrived and he spoiled us with wine and other drinks.
4. Cafe B’gina
Location: Baka, 74 Beit Lechem
T: 02-672-0825
Description: It is beautiful in the summer, eating outside, surrounded by flowers.
5. Simone
Location: 49 Derech Hebron
T: 02-672-9950
Description: Cute, small French cafe. Derech Hevron – not so cute, but the cafe is worth exploring and the people that run the place are very friendly.
6. Faza (sad update: Faza is out of business)
Location: Corner of Palmach Street and Mivtza Kadesh Street.
T: 02-561-7191
Description: Internet Cafe with 2 computers and wireless. Good music – they played a Tracy Chaplain cd when I was there. Random: I saw a promotional video being made there so I wonder if I’m in the background of some video somewhere.
Discounts:
- Eluna: New updates all the time with new restaurants and new coupons. The coupons are for 10% off, and includes almost all the kosher restaurants in Jerusalem. Worth 2 seconds to print up before heading out.
- Rest.co.il (Hebrew): Use the search feature on the right sidebar to narrow down your search. Random coupons like free glass of wine or dessert or 10% off.
English book stores and sales in Jerusalem – used and new books
Here is a list of bookstores that have a selection of new or used english books. Please leave me a comment with any more details about these bookstores.
*Updated thanks to responses from the Yahoo group IsraelBooks, and commentators.
*I put stars next to my favorites
1. Sefer VeSefel*
Location: City Center | On Yavetz St. which goes from Yaffo to the stairs on Ben Hillel St.In an alley off of Jaffa St. near the Bat Ayin clothing store.
Tel: 02-6248237
Description: Mostly used books, but a few new,especially brand new bestsellers. They will buy your books, I got 15 shekels credit from The Jew in the Lotus. Also, they do up to 65% buyback for books you buy from them.
2. (Don’t know the name but its an antique / rare books place) – City Center. Between Gazith shoes and Big Apple Pizza.
3. Stein Books
Location: City Center | Address: King George across from the new Avi Chai building and the Mirage danceclub.
4. Moffit (?)
Location: Nachlaot | On the side of Binyan Clal off of Jaffa St. across from the Shuk. They possibly have another branch in the lower level of Binyan Clal right at the southern entrance on Rechov Yaffo.
Description: Almost entirely used books.
5. Siman Kriah (also known as BookMark)
Location: Bak’a | 1 Esther Hamalka St., corner 33 Bethlehem Rd; between Derech Hevron and Derekh Bet Lehem;
Tel: 02-673-1934
Description: Specializes in Children’s books and books for youth in English and in Hebrew.
6. Stein Books (same name, I know)
Location: City Center | King George across from the Sheraton Hotel
7. World of Magazines
Location: Talpiot | Achim Yisrael Mall, HaTnufa St. (3rd floor)
Tel: 02-502-3661
8. The Book Gallery
Location: City Center | 6 Schatz street, now a pedestrian-only street
Tel: 02-623-1087
9. Gur Aryeh
Location: Nahalat Shiva, City Center | middle of Yoel Salomon St.
10. Dani Books*
Location: City Center | 54 Yafo St. corner of Yafo and Even Yisrael
Tel: 02-6248293
11. Olam Qatan
Location: German Colony | 52 Emek Refaim
Tel: 02-563-7507
Description: holistic, mystical, religious, scientific, english, used and new
12. Intellect Books
Location: City Center | Rehov Yaffo, past Selina icecream shop and Shanty clothing store if youre going toward the old city.
Description: used books. hebrew, english, german, russian, just about any language and topic. you can also sell your books.
Book Sales, Book websites
- New Yahoo group: IsraelBooks
- AngloBooks – website to trade English books with others in Israel
- Books 4 Now– used books in Israel. Order 4 books, get free delivery
- Janglo – usually lists the latest book sales. Over the past year I’ve gone to book sales at AACI, Amit, Merkaz Hamagshimim, closing book stores, and people’s moving sales.
How to find an apartment in Jerusalem and the rest of Israel
A list of the apartment websites that have been helpful to me and hopefully will continue to be helpful to others. If you have updates about these sites or new sites, leave me a comment.
1. Magar Meida (English and Hebrew): Daily email with latest listings. Costs roughly 250 shekels for 2 months. You can freeze the membership after you find an apartment. The fee is well worth it.
2. Flathunting (English)
3. Janglo – Real Estate section (English)
4. Yad2 (Hebrew)
5. Homeless (Hebrew)
6. Sheal (Hebrew)
7. Hebrew U. (Hebrew)
8. Sublet.com (English)
9. Baboo.co.il (Hebrew)
10. Craiglist (English) Beware of West Africa Apartment scams
11. Madas (Hebrew)
12. WinWin (Hebrew)
13. BipBop (Hebrew)
14. Homely (Hebrew)
The Big Felafel 