|
|
|
|
Basic Information for Olim
(New Immigrants to Israel) |
 |
|
“For I know the thoughts that I think toward
you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of
evil, to give you a future and a hope.”
Jeremiah 29:11
NKJV |
|
|
|
|
Be prepared to encounter emotional/physical
challenges. |
|
|
|
|
Emotional |
|
|
 |
Sadness: in
saying goodbye when you leave your
native country |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Joy:
upon arrival in Israel, your Biblical
homeland |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fear:
regarding your future in your new Land |
|
|
|
|
Physical |
|
|
|
Moving:
Initially, you may move several
times, which is strenuous. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Weather:
The climate in the Middle East
is different from what you |
| |
|
were accustomed to in your
previous country. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Food:
You will lack certain foods, but
there are many new, interesting |
| |
|
ones to try! |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Society/politics:
This Land is a mixture of
ethnicities, cultures, religious
|
| |
|
observances, and political
ideologies—a great Jewish
ingathering. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Work:
You will need to adjust to a new
set of norms and practices. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
War:
The security situation deeply
impacts yet unites many
Israelis. |
|
|
|
|
|
Solutions |
|
|
|
Trust
in the LORD God of Israel. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Be
positive, committed, and flexible. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Develop
a supportive social network. |
|
|
|
|
Be ready to face financial and other
lifestyle changes. |
|
|
|
Banking:
Choose a bank branch near your home. Do try to
conduct your business with an English-speaking
clerk, and request English translations of
anything you sign. (If you are not from an
English-speaking country, try to find a clerk
who can assist you in your native language.)
Also, bear in mind that Israeli banks charge
various fees, which are automatically deducted
from your account, so watch your balance (see
Budget section). |
|
|
|
Budget:
Be sure to create a budget and to stick to it. |
|
|
|
Credit Cards:
You can obtain a credit card from your bank.
When making purchases, request tashlum ehad
(תשלום אחד) or
one payment, instead of tashlumim (תשלומים)
or multiple payments, and remember to watch your
bank balance, since payments are automatically
deducted from your account (see Budget
section). If you choose a local credit card, it
will have 8 digits; an international credit card
will have 16 digits. |
|
|
|
Currency:
Learn to think in shekels, not in your previous
currency. |
|
|
|
Employment:
When you begin working, make sure that your employer
provides you with a Tofes (תופס)
or Form 101 to complete. Know your available
deductions or credit points (see Taxes
section). |
|
|
|
Health:
You will need to register with one of the Kupat
Holim (קופת חולים)
or Sick Fund services for medical coverage. |
|
|
|
Housing:
Think smaller; room sizes here generally will
not be able to accommodate furniture you shipped
from abroad; you may need to scale down. Also,
if you live in an apartment building, you often
need to pay a fee for general upkeep of the
building, which is called vaad bayit (ועד
בית) or house committee. If you will be
able to purchase a home, you will need to obtain
a mashkanta (משכנתא)
or mortgage; try to process your mortgage
without the requirement of guarantors. |
|
|
|
Insurance:
You will need to register with the National
Insurance Institute (comparable to United States
Social Security). |
|
|
|
Post office:
It is advisable to rent a post-office box,
especially since you may initially move several
times during your first years in Israel. |
|
|
|
Taxes:
As an oleh/olah (new immigrant),
you will be entitled to significant tax
reductions during your first 5 years and no
taxes on overseas income during your first 10
years (obtain counsel, especially regarding
trusts). In Israel, you will need to pay
arnona (ארנונה)
or municipal property tax, although sometimes
this fee will be included in your rental price
when you rent an apartment. |
|
|
|
Utilities:
Pay on time your utility bills (e.g.,
electricity, gas, telephone, water) plus
arnona (see Taxes section)! Be
careful to look for the payment date or
taarikh letashlumתעריך
לתשלום) ) on your bills. Such bills are
generally paid at the post office. You can
sometimes also arrange to pay via horaat keva
(הוראת קבע) or
automatic payment from your bank account.
Regarding the latter, remember to watch your
balance (see Budget section). |
