Essentials

Top 6 Bargains in Israel (and the runner-ups)

After being in Israel for over 3 years, I think I have established the top 6 bargains in Israel. But please, if I forgot any, leave a comment and tell me all about it.

Tablecloths for 18 shekels
I found pretty Shabbat tablecloths that just about everyone seems to have for 18 shek. This deal [...]


Where the @#$*& is my bus? Using the online Egged bus schedule

If you want to find me in Jerusalem, I’m probably the tall girl running, arms flailing, out of breath, trying to catch the number 18 bus. Either that, or I’m drooling at the bus stop in what seems like eternity waiting for the bus to come.
Luckily, my friend showed me how to navigate the tricky [...]


Sushi take-over of Jerusalem

Just a few weeks ago, it was very difficult to come across sushi in Jerusalem, especially kosher sushi. Apparently, not anymore. It’s as if someone heard me wanting sushi and I got my wish - but did they take it too far? These sushi restaurants are starting to pop up in every Jerusalem neighborhood, including [...]


Spontaneous adventure: Israel’s last-minute travel sites

Whenever I see a Hebrew newspaper, I pretend to read the headlines and then head straight for the last few pages to get a glimpse of all the travel deals to Amsterdam, Barcelona, Budapest, etc. for crazy prices like $200 for 4 days and nights in Istanbul. I know that these last-minute trips are [...]


The 35 shekel haircut

You may not be able to remember the name of the salon (was it shuki zuki? shuki zukri?), and you might not want a student cutting your hair, but at the end of the day, the satisfaction of having a cheap, 35 shekel haircut is what will make you smile.
Shuki Zikri is a haircutting school [...]


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 [...]


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. [...]


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 [...]


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. [...]


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 [...]