100 Tips for Succesful Aliyah & Klita

(The following list is compiled by Ronda Israel, who made aliyah many years ago and helps other follow in her footsteps. She coordinates the group pilot trip for AACI)

100 Tips for Successful Aliyah & Klita

Everything you need to know about aliyah and didn’t know you should ask!!!

By Ronda Israel

Modi’in, Israel

Everyone who has made aliyah will be glad to give you aliyah advice. And as we all know everyone’s experiences are different. I have compiled a revised “100 Tips” for you to read BEFORE you pack your suitcases and seal your lift. I hope that there will be many tips you can use that suit your family. Good luck with your aliyah plans, start decluttering your life and come home soon‼!

1. When packing your suitcases for your aliyah make sure you take essential clothing, medicines, personal toiletries, games, books, toys and linens to get you thru at least a week or two in case your lift is delayed or stuck in a port strike.

2. Put all your important documents, copies of important papers, valuables and copies of prescriptions in your carry-on and make sure it stays with you throughout the trip. Put a copy of all these documents you are carrying in each person’s suitcase in case a suitcase gets lost or left behind.

3. Before you leave the USA, ask your current USA car insurance company for a letter that states you, and each person who are current drivers, have not been in any accidents for 3 years (if this is true). Your Israeli car insurance agent can get you a lower insurance rate if you have this letter. When you go for car insurance remind the agent of this.


4. Bring USA postage stamps to put on letters that you give people in Israel to mail for you in the states when they go back. You can now buy US postage stamps that will always be good on a letter no matter what the rate change.

5. Don’t waste space on your lift with white tuna, peanut butter, ketchup and toilet paper. It’s all here and more … except the white tuna, but get over it!! There’s more to life than white tuna!

6. When packing for aliyah, de-clutter your life. Remember there is less space in Israeli homes/apts, not much storage and no closets. However, take those things that are meaningful and special reminders of your life for you and your children. An extra box of 2nd grade pictures, shabbat drawings or hand made haggadahs will be special when you open it. If that special Bubby gift or “tsochka” from your sister will make you feel better, take it. But keep the box of mementos small, you’ll be making new ones here.

7. Don’t discard your small electrical appliances, like stick blender, food processor, mixer or blender. They can be used with a transformer and if they blow up here you can buy a new one.

8. Israel has some very different models of stoves, refrigerators and other appliances. Before you buy these major appliances in the states, think about buying them in Israel. (www.Dailysale.co.il, www.zap.co.il ) and how much shipping of them you will save.

9. Don’t ignore your health!!! Before making aliyah have a dental check up for everyone and get copies of dental records for everyone in the family. Have check ups with other doctors especially your ob/gyn check up, mammograms, update of prescriptions, update all children’s shots (bring all records of shots for everyone) and take at least a couple months supply of your current Rx to last until you find a doctor in Israel. Some Rx are not available in Israel. Your new doctor will find an alternative prescription. If you are really concerned about a particular medication’s availability in Israel you can have someone in Israel check with the kupat cholim sal bruit(health organization”s medical basket) to see if that medication or its equivalent is available here.

10. When planning your budget for Israeli living initially figure that your grocery bill will be equivalent to what you paid in the states because your buying style doesn’t change right away, there won’t be yeshiva tuitions, unless your young children are going to private schools, there will be almost no fundraiser dinners to attend, car insurance will be expensive and gas is outrageous, even more than in New Jersey. Money can be changed without charge at post offices in Israel. You can also pay fees and bills at the post office.

11. Ask your bank for your banking statement in English. Some offer that as a free service. That’s about all that’s free! Make sure when opening a bank account that you will receive a credit card with that account even if you don’t have a job yet in Israel. Having credit available is important.

12. The sooner you can “mentally” change from spending dollars to shekels and not always converting what you spent into dollars the easier life will be. Occasional financial minus in the bank is no embarrassment. It means you have become Israeli! Banks have now put caps on how far in minus you can be based on your salary/income.

13. Learn about Tashlumim - interest free payments on credit cards that are a wonderful thing when you have a very large bill for appliances, furniture, dental work, etc. But be careful not to pay your grocery bills each week in payments. You will be paying in December for the food you ate in October.

14. Learn about Hora’at Kevah. That is where you give the bank the authority, by written consent, to pay for your monthly regular bills such as, gas, electric, tuition, mortgage, insurance and the like. You will receive a statement from the service provider that says DO NOT PAY, indicating the bank has already paid it out of your bank account. Keep a careful eye out for overpayments, missed payments or inaccurate payments. Don’t assume everything is perfect 100% of the time, but boy is this a time-saver!

15. Learn that credit cards in Israel are often debit cards and the money you charge today is money taken out of your account today. Make sure you understand what kind of “credit“ card you have so you won’t have to run to the bank to put cash in for overdraft you can’t cover. Also ask if the credit card is for ‘in Israel use only’ or is it an international credit card.

16. Be honest in all your business dealings with the government and businesses you interact with. While you hear of people trying for any angle they can, make sure you help keep our country a light unto the nations!

17. Don’t complain about everything in Israel and how things are not like they were “back home.” This is your home now and your negative feelings will translate negatively to your children and your entire perspective on everything else here. It’s just another way of doing things that you can get used to. SMILE‼!

18. Be the first to invite guests for Shabbat or tea if people in your neighborhood are not extending themselves to you. Israelis are usually NOT the first to reach out but when they see how nice you are they will be great neighbors and friends.

19. Always smile and say hello to people on the street, in stores, on the way to shul etc. Wish them a good day or a Shabbat shalom. Turn frowns into smiles and see how cheerful and helpful Israelis really are.

20. Be positive, be positive, be positive and remember why you decided to make aliyah! (why did you decide to make aliyah????)

21. When frustrated with the “system” don’t remind the Israeli secretary or clerk that in America you can get it done faster, better or more efficiently. They may tell you to go back there or perhaps tell you to go somewhere even hotter than Israel.

22. Keep it simple. Life is hectic and making things simple can alleviate some of the stress. If you accomplish one thing on your “To Do” list each day be happy.

23. Savlanut, Savlanut, Savlanut!!! Patience, Patience, Patience! Remember your life thus far wasn’t made in a day, month or year and neither will your new life. Everything takes time and you will fare much better if you laugh, love and enjoy each crazy and meaningful experience that adds to your adjusting to life in Israel. Remember Rome wasn’t built in a day and neither is you new life.

24. One of the true pleasures in Israel is hearing people say “Shabbat Shalom” or “Chag sameach”. Point out the roadside billboards to your family wishing you a Happy New Year for Rosh Hashanah, a Chag Sameach for Chanukah and Chag Kasher V’Sameach for Pesach and start making your Purim costumes early, the kids wear them all week to school. These are the true pleasures of a Jewish country.

25. Don’t save your errands for Friday afternoon or erev chaggim because everything closes early … remember, this is a Jewish country.

26. Grocery shop early in the morning earlier in the week to avoid horrendous pre-shabbat rush. Don’t grocery shop Thursday night or Friday morning except for Challah or last minute produce to avoid standing in line for hours.

27. Explore the country. It is one big fabulous place filled with our history in the Torah and every opportunity to see something new is one more day to appreciate your new home and your religion.

28. Know that walls in your home do NOT have to be white. Yes, there is colored paint in Israel. There is also carpet and wood parquet floors. But who wants to vacuum when a good “sponja” will do the trick! Be creative.

29. Always have a water bottle for every member of your family when you leave home and drink often. You don’t realize how much you can get dehydrated in the Middle East. You should wear sunglasses and a hat also. The sun is pretty rough on the eyes and head … especially if you are bald!!!

30. Learn as much as you can about the metric system. Everything is sold in liters, grams and kilos instead of quarts, ounces and pounds. Distances are measured in kilometers not miles, and inches and feet are replaced by centimeters and meters. You’ll feel taller in centimeters and weigh less in kilograms!

31. Let family members deal with your decision to make aliyah their way. You’ve made your decision now they have to digest it. For parents and grandparents it is hard. That is usually the main reason people postpone aliyah - leaving family - don’t allow the guilt trips to change your mind, it all works out well in the end and everyone kisses before you board the plane!

32. At your Kupat Cholim, if you are more comfortable speaking to a doctor, nurse, medical person in English ask for an English speaker or someone to help translate. You have the right to know what is medically taking place in a language you understand fully.

33. Insist on the cab driver putting the meter on. Tell him/her “al ha monai”, on the meter. If they insist it is cheaper off the meter say that’s ok you prefer to be fair for him and fair for you. You do not have to tip a driver unless they have done something unbelievably nice, like buy you an ice pop when you have a headache in the back seat or stay with you in the emergency room. Yup, it happens!

34. Drive defensively as if you were in an army tank. You have never experienced driving on roads like in Israel … even the NJ Turnpike is no match for the antics and scary driving here. Always watch your front and back!!! Make sure you have the phone numbers or memberships of Israeli equivalent of AAA (Memsi) or Shagrir Roadside services. Also, your car insurances helps pay for roadside situations and BUCKLE UP For Safety‼!

35. Although there are thousands of restaurants in Israel, DO NOT assume they are all KOSHER. Always ask to see their teudat Kashrutand make sure it is current. Some people will tell you everything is kosher but they are opened on Shabbat. Make your own decisions but be informed. FYI, White steak (Basar Lavan) is pork!

36. Don’t act foolishly. While real men may not ask for directions on the road, it is better to swallow your pride, ask for directions before entering that Arab village not on your map, where the fires you smell are tires burning, they are not having a bar-b-que!

37. It is a good idea before heading out on a tiyul by foot or by car to go over your directions. There are so many road changes and path changes that you should go on the computer and look up the most current directions. There are many map sites that will plot your course for you on the computer. BUY Updated Maps and use them!

38. Israelis love to correct your Hebrew, whenever and wherever. Let them and tell them thank you in Hebrew.

39. Create a portable medicine cabinet for your home by purchasing an over the door hanging shoe holder for each bathroom in your new home. Use each compartment to hold your essential over the counter medications and toiletries, such as ibuprofen, Imodium, band aids, Benadryl, Neosporin, zinc oxide, chewable children’s Tylenol, nail polish remover, gauze pads, medical tape, q-tips, static guard, Desenex, deodorant, Tums, dental floss, mouthwash, talcum powder with corn starch, contact lens solution, etc. Most homes do not have in the wall, mirrored medicine cabinets.

40. Making Aliyah successfully is like a good marriage. It requires continued dedication, energy, hard work, patience, a sense of humor, communication, growth and an eye to the future … and a little chocolate never hurts!

41. Don’t be afraid to volunteer your skills and your time to your community to make it a better place. Don’t be embarrassed by your Hebrew, this will only make it better and you a better person!

42. Drink often and make sure you give your children and babies lots of water. Even if a baby is nursing you must give him/her water also. If your baby becomes fussy and feverish for no apparent reason, it may be dehydration. Check with your local doctor.

43. While crosswalks are for pedestrian crossings and cars are SUPPOSED to stop for pedestrians please, please, please be careful that when you walk across the street, ALL the cars in all directions have stopped. When you are the driver and have stopped, be vigilant that other cars see that you have stopped for pedestrians and that they do the same. It is extremely dangerous for you to stop to allow children to cross and other cars zoom by while a child is in mid-crossing. Sometimes it is better NOT to stop if the traffic is too fast or too heavy.

44. Remember that davening on shabbat and chaggim usually start earlier than in the states and are usually shorter also. You can be eating cholent at 10 am. Sometimes you might like to rethink your menus for shabbat or chaggim and make lighter meals, more salads, soups (especially cold soups) and fish.

45. People come to the parks with their families on shabbat and chaggim when it starts getting cooler at the end of the day. That is always a great time to meet people. Get out there and have fun ‘cause you are the new kid on the block!

46. Most shuls/minyans do not have kiddushes after davening or sermons by the Rabbi and everyone is home earlier, so keep that in mind when setting the timer on your plata.

47. If you are making aliyah with older children (16,17,18) you may not want to include them in your aliyah-klita. You may want them to make their own aliyah and receive their own sal klita and not have to go into the army right away. Check with the Misrad HaKlita about this, the advantages or disadvantages. You can also ask any questions about aliyah to the Global Aliyah Center gci-en@jafi.org.il, www.jewishagency.org, or toll free number from USA is 1-866-835-0430 Canada is 1-866-421-8912 or Britain is 0-800-404-8984.

48. Conserve Water. Instead of running the water when you do dishes or brush your teeth, soap up the dishes and rinse them all together to conserve water. That extra water in the kumkum (hot pot) after shabbat or in a netilat yadayim cup can be thrown onto the nearest plant(s) - not down the drain. Water your plants at night and not during the heat of the day. We live in the dessert and if our prayers for rain are not answered we will all have to conserve water. Pray hard!!!

49. Having a simcha and want to share the wealth of left over food? Have the caterer wrap it up and take it to the nearest army base or Machsom (checkpoint) and share it with the soldiers. You know an army travels on its stomach so make our boys and girls feel good and think of them at Purim, Pesach, Chanukah, Rosh Hashanah and throughout the year. Or just bake a cake and take it to the soldiers‼ It is truly a wonderful mitzvah and so much appreciated.

50. Get an English speaking lawyer for apt/house rental contracts as well as the purchase of a home. It is well worth it and saves you from many a headache after you sign an all Hebrew contract that you would not otherwise have understood. Don’t be afraid to add in a rental contract that the owner(Ba’al Habayit) cannot visit you on Shabbat or chaggim or without an agreed upon appointment.

51. Welcome to the land of No yeshiva dinners, No mikvah soirees, No JCC bingo nights but remember that we still need to give tzedakah. So be generous when those young students come to your front door with an envelope and tzedakah receipts for everything from fighting Cancer, the Heart Association to feeding the poor or housing the Special Needs adult. Remember all those monies you are saving here and give generously! Save your receipts and you can submit them to the tax authority for a partial refund at year end.

52. Recycle. Yes, Israel recycles many things including newspapers, plastic bottles glass and soda cans. Be a partner to keep Israel clean. There are plenty of people willing to trash it. Don’t be one of them. Throw that trash in a receptacle not on the street. Have a litter bag in your car and toss that gum in a trash can not on the ground.

53. Remember that the work week begins on Sunday for most people, and many people are off on Fridays. Maximize your Fridays by getting your Shabbat cooking and cleaning finished on Thursday and leave Friday free for family outings or some relaxation and fun!

54. Everyone you meet is a connection. Be it for a job, a babysitter, a friend for your children or someone who knows someone who knows someone that can help you in any of these areas. Networking is a way of life here. You may need to keep in touch with people for a job, for an apt, for school information, a shidduch, medical advice, etc. Always exchange business cards and keep them in a file near your home phone. (Have cards printed up with your name, address, city, zip code and phone numbers, both cellphones and home phones.) Hand them out to people you meet and be helpful in passing on peoples resumes(CV ) to help someone find a job.

55. Listen to the news in Hebrew every day and read a Hebrew newspaper. I’m still reading the newspaper from 2000 but hey I’m working on it!

56. Keep a list of office hours for the post office, your bank, your municipality, your library, etc. This way you can reduce frustration... and not arrive after they have closed. Don’t forget “siesta time” here is a bank closing from 1-4pm or a government office closing at 1pm. Check before you go!

57. Plan your vacations wisely. Chol Hamoed Succot and Pesach, Yom Ha'atzmaut and summer time are great times for hiking, touring and learning to really love Israel. Keep your eyes on the newspapers and internet to see what kinds of activities are going on around that time. Museums are often free to Israelis during the chaggim and if not free a better rate for new olim. Always carry with you your teudat zehut.

58. Carry around a small notebook and write down Hebrew words you are not familiar with that you hear. Study them and try to integrate them into your Hebrew. You’ll find that your using the words will help you remember them better.

59. Shuk shopping is an experience. Enjoy it; you can also find great bargains, cheaper prices, gorgeous produce and wonderful household gadgets you never knew you needed. You can also get havdalah candles, kippot, washing cups, etc much cheaper in a shuk. Have fun and you can use your bargaining skills if you feel brave enough.

60. Bring with you and use often your sense of humor. It is invaluable. It is always better to start laughing at a situation than crying.

61. Every day try and remember why you decided to move here. Maybe it's the sufganiyot that they sell at the beginning of December to get us in the spirit of Chanukah, or the kids collecting lumber (keep yours under lock and key) for L'ag B'Omer right after Yom Ha'atzmaut, or the Arba Minim marketplaces stocked with everything you could possibly need or not need for Succot right after Rosh Hashanah. Enjoy finding in some super markets, tzitzit, kippot or counting the Omer charts! Isn’t this fun?

62. Don’t be shocked when your 2nd grader or any of your children come home from school with political opinions. Politics and political discussions are a way of life here. Encourage dialogue at your table and share views based on your beliefs. And understand that things change daily here in Israel so if you don’t like the politics one day it may all be different the next. Don’t forget to register to vote and USE that privilege. VOTE here and sign up for absentee ballots from abroad. It is very important. Go to the Overseas Vote Foundation website https://www.overseasvotefoundation.org/overseas/home.htm There is a State directory with contact information.

63. Let your kids become age appropriately independent like their Israeli peers; let them walk to the pizza shop, go for a falafel with friends, get on a bus, go to the movies or the park with their group of friends all after you have gone with them a few times and review your safety instructions.

64. If you want to keep some money in US dollars (Until it is worth something again!), a safe way to keep your dollars is to bring travelers checks. If lost or stolen they can be replaced and you always have available dollars. Put it under your mattress for safekeeping, you get more interest there than in the bank and pay less in fees to keep dollars!

65. Make copies of every document you bring (driver’s license, social security card, marriage license, ketubah, medical records (Ask your doctor about getting the Hepatitis A series shots), birth certificate, get, dental records, etc.) and have it in a plastic file folder, one file for each member of the family. Carry the folder every time you go to any government office for aliyah business. Undoubtedly you will always need the one paper you left behind causing you to have to make a second trip.

66. Before aliyah find Israeli pen pals for your kids in the community you are going to live in. Each community has an on-line chat list and you can ask if anyone will have their children write to your children. When you arrive in Israel your children will already have a friend in Israel.

67. Always think out of the box. In Israel looking for a new career requires creativity, a touch of chutzpah and a new slant on your dream career. Work towards your goals and dreams and remember that NO is only a suggestion.

68. Be your child’s advocate. Your kids need to know there is someone on their side, in school, in chuggim and at the doctors. If something is bothering your child and the teacher isn’t helping, go to the principal, or go to the yoetzet (school counselor) and get it resolved. Israeli kids are more physical and if your child is being hurt you have the right to protect them and make sure they are not the recipients of harmful behavior. Remember you may be put off once but keep trying. There is no excuse for bad behavior directed to you or your child.

69. Israeli shopping divides into "open for negotiation" and "not open for negotiation". Don't be embarrassed to try to reduce the price; the worst that can happen is the seller says no to your bargaining but then says a different price to keep you as a customer. But if you have no intentions of buying anything don’t start bargaining just for fun.

70. The price on cars is not negotiable, but on everything else it is, your long distance phone carrier is willing to give you a “good deal”. The bank mortgage department will consider your counter offer for a mortgage rate. At a store if you buy more than one of the same items, lamps, chairs, appliances, etc, you can negotiate the price. You’ll be surprised how much you can save.

71. Don’t try to understand every shekel charged to you at the bank. It is impossible to balance your checkbook and that’s just the way it is.

72. Enjoy the quiet of Shabbat. Take walks, sit on your mirpeset, sleep with a wonderful breeze coming into your home, watch the sunset with a cool refreshing drink and enjoy! It doesn’t get any better than that!

73. Carry around sucking candies or mints. Offer them to a secretary or clerk when they are helping you. You will be given the royal treatment and not be rushed aside or yelled at. It always brings out a smile in people and you will now have a new best friend, ready and willing to help you!

74. Use your Hebrew even when you are told “Speak English”. While it may be painful to use your Hebrew it only helps you get better. So always thank your listener for having patience to let you use your Hebrew‼ Now don’t you feel good about yourself‼!

75. Your job as a “greenhorn” - new immigrant parent - is to embarrass your children and you will. They will speak better Hebrew than you, understand the system better than you and have more friends more quickly than you. But that doesn’t mean you need to stay out of your children’s lives. Know their friends, know where they are going, and allow them to hang out in the streets on Shabbat with their friends as this is the norm here, I know it is not what you did back home‼! Oy, this is a difficult transition for everyone!

76. Always take snacks and something to do, for yourself and your kids, when going to a government office, bank, post office etc., lines /waiting can be long and frustrating but seem less tense when eating, drinking and doing something fun.

77. So that your extended family doesn’t stop talking to you because you are making aliyah and leaving them behind to go to that G-d forsaken place “over there”, just tell them you are going on a “long” vacation. Send postcards often, “having a wonderful time, wish you were here! Then invite them to visit you and they will see you live in a civilized place accessible not only by camel but taxis and buses and cars!

78. Take the train anywhere it goes. What a wonderful way to see the country and avoid all that traffic. It is a true marvel of this country.

79. One of the first things you must do upon arrival is sign up for a Kupat Cholim-Medical plan. Discuss with your friends and neighbors which one they use and which doctors they recommend in which plan. Extra coverage, which takes your medical coverage to a higher level of coverage is not expensive and you may find it useful. Make sure you discuss the various plans with a HMO-kupat cholim representative in English so you will understand your plan and what is covered and what is NOT.

80. You have never seen a country more into burning fires at Lag B’omer, burning chometz on Pesach, burning candles on Chanukah, and making barbeques on Yom Ha’atzmaut, than in Israel. On Lag B’omer night close your windows and trissim (outer window covers) to keep soot and smell of fire out of your home. If you have any breathing disorders stay indoors during the fire burning on Lag B’omer. If you want to get a sense of the chag, take a walk at night on Lag B’omer and visit the hundreds of fires throughout your city. Always carry a bag of marshmallows/hot dogs with you as you can always pick up a stick at anyone’s fire and roast them. Enjoy and be safe!

81. Investigate the new aliyah rules about ulpan and learning Hebrew in classes. Whatever rights you have for learning Hebrew should not be wasted. There are also courses in professional ulpan where you are taught the language of your profession and all its jargon. If you already speak Hebrew this type of class may be a very good option for you.

82. Learn about your family’s Israeli clothing and shoe sizes as quickly as possible. It’s not just about S, M, L, XL.

83. Keep up yours and your kids English skills. Internet is helpful, but so is your local library. See if they have English books, or find the closest second hand bookstore, or join an English book club. Even enroll your kids in an English speakers chug. Being bi-lingual will pay off later in life.

84. Magnets are a way of life for advertising and keeping all the phone numbers of service suppliers and professionals you will need at easy glance. Put them on either your refrigerator or inside front door (most are metal). Stuck in traffic and won’t be able to make dinner? Call the kids on your cellphone and tell them to pick out the pizza place magnet you want them to call for home delivery of dinner. When you walk in from a long day, supper has been delivered (and it’s kosher too!!) Life doesn’t get any better than that!

85. Make sure that your computer is Hebrew enabled. It doesn’t matter if you buy a new computer abroad or in Israel but make sure it is Hebrew enabled. Your children will be writing reports and papers and doing research in Hebrew before you know it.

86. It is NOT worth it to bring your car from the states. It is often too expensive for parts (if you can get them at all), too time consuming to get the right repair company and a real headache for minor or major repairs, annual servicing and inspections. So sell that car and bring the money. It is not recommended by anyone to bring your car.

87. A four room apartment means 3 bedrooms and a salon (living room sometimes dining room combo area). Kitchen, laundry room, bathrooms are not counted in the advertised room count. So if you want 5 bedrooms you will be looking for a 6 room apt.

88. If you are told you will receive English for English speakers in school for your children, or Hebrew remedial help for your children don’t wait until “after chag”! to ensure that they are getting that help! In Israel there is a chag (holiday) every month and if you wait until “after chag” you will have spent an entire school year waiting for help and find that it is already June! Insist on those classes immediately.

89. School books are bought by parents for school. Go to the book store or school supply store convenient to you and buy your supplies early. First of the year school rush in stores are bigger than Macy’s after Xmas sales. Don’t bring school supplies from the states. Your child’s school supplies are all different than in the states, except white out, girls use that for nail polish!!!

90. Ask for help. Israelis really respond to you when you look to them for assistance. They love to correct your language skills, they love to tell you directions (if two out of three people give you the same directions it might be correct), they love to tell you where they got a good deal, and they love to tell you that they will gladly take your American passport because you are crazy to come here) … ok you knew that, but you love it here anyway!

91. Speak Hebrew no matter how stupid you sound. Your job is to embarrass your Sabra sounding children because you are now “green horns”! This will give you an idea of how your grandparents felt coming to America!

92. Invite children over for your children to play with. Have a Shabbat party, Sukkot party, Chanukah party to introduce your kids to the neighborhood kids. Serve lots of sweets and bamba and bisli - the national junk food!

93. Welcome to the land of Kineem—Lice!! Since the 10 plagues they have not left. In fact they have gotten bigger and bolder! Schools do not check for lice and you will undoubtedly be given a gift of lice as a welcome present at your child’s new school! Don’t freak out! Ponytails, braids, baseball caps and instructing your children not to share hats, combs, hair accessories etc will add to the deterrence … but not for long! There are many home remedies, drug store products and of course RID kits from the states that you brought with you, right? So keep an eye out for head scratching.

94. Let your children hang up pictures, posters, items that they like on their new bedroom walls and let them decorate to make their room feel cozy and safe. They will feel that this is a place of comfort when they are overly challenged out of the house.

95. Women/wives/mothers should not forget to take care of themselves because they are so overwhelmed with the needs of their whole family. Keep up your mammograms, ob-gyn appointments and any other health issues you may need to take care of. Don’t forget you are the home and family engineer and that means you are needed in good health.

96. Returning items at stores is different here in Israel than in the states. You must have your store receipt to return any item. They will not give you back your money or credit your credit card. They will only give you a store credit receipt(don’t lose it as it is worth money). Carry around in your pocketbook a large envelope to put every receipt you receive from every place you shop. If the cottage cheese is spoiled you will have the saved receipt in your envelope or if the pants don’t fit you have the receipt saved in your handy envelope. At the end of the month you can check the receipts you have to the charges on your credit card statement because undoubtedly you will forget where all your money went!

97. It is illegal to smoke in a restaurant or public place so if someone is smoking you have every right to tell them to put out the cigarette or report it to the manager of the restaurant or mall or wherever you are.

98. Don’t forget when you are packing up clothes, shoes, bedding etc, that if you haven’t used it in two years the chances are you won’t use it in Israel. Donate it or throw it away or have a big yard sale.

99. Buy a new digital camera before coming to Israel and start recording your aliyah process through pictures. Snap a picture of the family at the Israeli consulate, at the El Al ticket office, in front of the house you are leaving, as the kids are packing their rooms and as the dog is burying his last bone in the backyard. As friends come by to wish you hatzlacha take their picture and write down their phone number & email address so you can keep in touch, putting picture and contact information all in one place. Print out the pictures and create an aliyah picture album. It is a wonderful way to reminisce.

100. When you wake up in the middle of the night in a cold sweat, after making aliyah, selling your house, pulling your kids out of their yeshivot, and justifying your aliyah to your parents, remember how beautiful the Galilee is, how awesome the Negev is, how holy the Temple Mount is and how majestic the sunset is on the Mediterranean Sea. You are sleeping in the land of Avraham, Yitzhak, Ya’akov, Sarah, Rivka, Rachel and Leah, and all the rest of our mishpacha. You are another strong link in our unbreakable chain! Remember all the reasons that made you dream of coming home to Israel and being part of the Kibbutz Galyiot, making the return of Jews to our homeland a reality. Smile, take a deep breath, take two Tums and go back to bed…..tomorrow’s a work day! Welcome Home!
Revised 3 August 2009