Unless you are retired, studying, going into the army or independently wealthy, finding a job is your first priority when moving to Israel.
Some people who move to Israel are able to live off a mix of government stipends and personal savings during their first few months in Israel. Many choose to attend a government-approved ulpan and learn Hebrew. New olim are eligible for 500 hours of free ulpan. Since full-time ulpan study is generally 25 hours per week, this translates into five months.
For those who are not able to take off five months or are not able to work half-days, work is the way to go. Some people may be able to secure a job offer before their move, usually doing an interview during the pilot trip. Some employers may even be willing to extend an offer without an in-person interview, however this is rare.
A number of Israeli websites, such as Israemploy, offer daily English-language job listings and a database that’s searchable by location, specialty, industry and other categories. Non-profit organizations like Nefesh b’Nefesh, which provide financial and logistical support for people moving to Israel, also offer employment services. In addtion, there are several LinkedIn and Facebook groups that provide job leads and networking opportunities.
Some people are fortunate enough to bring their jobs from their home countries with them. Many people moving to Israel from the US, UK, Canada and other English-speaking countries continue to work for their old employers, either via telecommuting or traveling back and forth. The latter option may be grueling for the commuter and the commuter’s family, but it’s an option that many find viable for them. In professions like medicine, where salaries in Israel are significantly lower than in North America and the UK, some sort of telecommuting or commuting arrangement may be the only way to even approach the pre-aliyah income level.
Bet Shemesh is a popular destination for English speakers moving to Israel. About 20% of the city residents speak English as their mother tongue, but the percentage is much higher in certain neighborhoods.
The city of about 80,000 residents is located in a hilly area 20 miles (30 km) west of Jerusalem. Due to its elevation of 718 feet (219 meters) – much lower than Jerusalem — the summers tend to be hotter and the winters milder than in the capital.
Housing is more affordable than in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv, but prices are rising rapidly, especially in areas favored by English-speaking olim. The city is growing, adding new housing and new neighborhoods, such as Ramat Bet Shemesh Gimel.
Some of the most popular areas for English-speaking olim are the “Sheinfeld” community in the Givat Sharet area, Nofei Aviv, Givat Savion, Migdal Hamayim, and Nofei HaShemesh.
Ramat Bet Shemesh is a suburb of Bet Shemesh popular with haredi olim. Most English speakers live in RBS Aleph. The neighborhood has about 40 percent native English speakers. The RBS areas with the most English speakers are Habesor, Luz, Maor, Refaim, and Shimshon.
Bet Shemesh has a stop on the Jerusalem-Tel Aviv railway line, offering convenient access to both cities. The time by train to Tel Aviv is about 46 minutes. A trip to Jerusalem is about 43 minutes. The train ride from Bet Shemesh to Jerusalem is scenic, with views of a rushing stream, trees, cliffs, and wildlife. Jerusalem’s Biblical Zoo is a popular destination for Bet Shemesh families and has its own train station. Buses and private shuttle services are also available. Most residents own cars.
Several high tech and other businesses are based in Bet Shemesh or in the nearby Har Tuv industrial park, but most residents commute to the Tel Aviv or Jerusalem areas.
The English speaking community of Bet Shemesh has many opportunities for religious learning, sports and recreation. The hills and valleys are ideal for hiking and biking. Community centers offer Hebrew ulpan classes for both adults and children, cultural programs, youth groups, English libraries, and a swimming pool.
The North of Israel offers olim the rolling green hills of the Galilee, stunning views from the Golan Heights, and the fertile fields of the Jezreel and Jordan Valleys – as well as the cosmopolitan attractions of Haifa. The area abounds with national parks and reserves, hiking and biking trails, rivers for fishing and kayaking, archeological sites, orchards, and wineries.
Nefesh b’Nefesh’s new “Go North” program makes the region even more attractive for English speakers moving to Israel, with a special grant of up to $25,000 plus a vehicle subsidy of $16,000.
The Go North program has two tracks: the “Garin” (seed group) track to selected communities and the direct integration track for other communities.
Services for the Garin track include on-site support from NBN staff members, Hebrew language support in the schools, a local “buddy” family, employment assistance, and social programs.
The direct integration track includes:
Kfar Tavor
Acre
Moshav Hazorim
Hatzor Haglilit
Nahariya
NBN assistance for this track includes regional workshops on Aliyah issues, employment assistance, help with government bureaucracy, and social programs
The North of Israel includes several communities with large numbers of English speakers. These include:
Shorashin, a Yishuv Kehilati (cooperative community) of 85 families, in the hills 10 minutes from the city of Carmiel
Kibbutz Kfar Hanassi, on a rise above the Jordan River, just north of the Sea of Galilee (Kinneret)
Kibbbutz Hanaton, near Tzippori and Nazereth
Housing in the North tends to be much more affordable and spacious than in more central areas of Israel. A single-family home with a yard can be purchased for less than the cost of a small, run-down apartment in one of the major cities.
Top 10 most important things you should know when making Aliyah.
If you want good advise on making Aliyah, then go to the experts – real Olim.
We asked Olim from all over what they thought were the most important things to know when making Aliyah and put it together in this post. We hope you find the next 10 pieces of advise as helpful as the Olim that provided them thought they were, and, of course, if you need any shipping info for your lift, feel free to be in touch.
Image Credit: Adam Pearlman
Don’t take yourself too seriously
When you move to Israel, you’re signing yourself up for a constant family get together. From a mother being told how to care for her baby on the train to a salesman telling you you’re overweight, Israeli’s are very comfortable getting comfortable. The one-big-family mentality that middle easterners are renowned for may shock westerners, but it is (usually) coming from a good place. “I scratch your back, you scratch mine”. So when you’re making Aliyah, make sure you develop the necessary space within your ego and mindset to not take yourself, or anyone, too seriously.
Bring an extra dose of patience and tolerance
When you make Aliyah, know that nothing comes easily. Finances, the health system, schooling and everyday occurrences usually happen with a story. Olim suggest a very wise piece of advice, “Bring an extra dose of patience and tolerance” to help you survive the bureaucracy, transportation, phone companies, and much more.
Come with a sense of humor and an open mind
So much of life in Israel can be frustrating for the westerner that is used to a “smooth” life and friendly customer service, but Olim reiterate over and again that the only way to survive the, sometimes overwhelming, change is to come to Israel with a sense of humor and an open mind. Having a good attitude and a ready smile can help any newcomer get through the strangest scenarios.
Don’t think of “there” as “back home”
It can be hard not to miss certain aspects of your origin city once you move, but most people making Aliyah have a specific reason – Israel is home. Home to the Jewish people for thousands of years, their Promised Land, the golden stone and dusty roads have a supernaturally special place in many Jewish hearts. While the changing leaves, holiday tunes, summer resorts, and much more may be nostalgic for so many, keeping the focus on the idealistic reasons one has made Aliyah is important for a successful move. Family may even be “back home”, so making sure to create “family” in Israel is essential to staying positive, feeling supported, and not becoming lonely. With the right support system, a positive attitude and reminders of why you live in Israel, “there” will remain “there” and “home” will be “here”.
Go on tiyulim!
Tiyulim, or trips, are an important part of the Israeli culture. During vacations, on long weekends, and any other free time, Israelis enjoy going on hikes, finding a new area to explore and appreciating the beautiful nature that surrounds them. From top to bottom, the country hosts several different climates. Up north, it is mountainous, rainy, green, full of trees and even snowy in the winter. Down south, there is a large desert with beautiful sandy dunes, volcanic craters and more. The hiking trails and parks are packed on holidays, so head out early to avoid the traffic and make sure to integrate this essential part of Israeli culture into your new life.
Think in shekel right away, not in your former currency
It might be hard to spend hundreds when it comes to shopping for a simple sweater, a few food items or a lamp (!), but thinking in shekel is very important. Whatever it may be, whether cheaper or more expensive, you don’t want to start comparing prices to where you came from. Cost of living in Israel is different than where you lived originally, so price comparing for specific items is not necessarily helpful, sometimes concerning, and more than anything makes you into a foreigner.
Celebrate the little moments along the way
It is important to recognize and truly celebrate the little moments along the way. Making the move to Israel can be demanding, but when you set time aside to reflect and appreciate the little things, everyday can become a short story of heroism, love or adventure.
Enjoy! Great things happen here ALL the time!
Losing your wallet might be a balagan, but in Israel it could be more than just a happy ending. The Jewish People are always putting up lost and found signs to help out an unknown friend, creating amazing stories and great experiences. Not only with lost objects, but friendly help from someone riding the bus with you, or a gesture of kindness from a random person waiting in line at the same bureaucratic office, surprising, heartwarming and amazing things happen in Israel ALL the time!
Life is more fulfilling here on a whole other level.
Words can hardly do this point justice. Most people find that there is a feeling of satisfaction and fulfillment that comes with living, struggling, surviving and enjoying life in Israel. Leaving your homeland, family, friends and your familiar surroundings cannot be easy, but many Olim find that living in Israel is a very special gift and changes life for the better.
Living in Israel is better than anything you can imagine.
Words from real people. Can’t argue with the many that find this point true. It might come with challenges and some people succumb to the pressures, but many people that have moved to Israel think it is better than they, or you, could have ever imagined.
