Last Updated on November 15, 2021
What not to bring on Aliyah to Israel – 7 suggested items.
There is no end of lists that tell you what you should bring when you make Aliyah or relocate to Israel. From ziploc bags to antiseptic ointments, from blenders to band aids. Depending on where you are coming from, there are no hard and fast rules and everyone you ask will give you a different answer. We asked members of 11,000 member strong, Facebook group which items they suggest not to bring with when making Aliyah and these were some of their tips:-
1. Don’t bring small appliances
Small appliances are cheap enough in Israel. Remember also, that unless specifically stated, warranties for items bought abroad are not valid in Israel. Another point to consider is that not all appliance brands are available in Israel and you may not be able to get yours serviced here.
These electrical appliance brands however, are readily available in Israel
Fridges & Freezers – Sharp, LG, Hitachi, Samsung, Haier, Siemens, Smeg, Westinghouse, AEG, DeLonghi, Scholtes, GE and Whirpool are available here.
Dishwashers – Bosch, Siemens, DeLonghi, Miele, AEG, Whirlpool, Zanussi, Bauknecht are amongst the most popular brands
Ovens – Bosch, AEG, Sauter, Siemens, Electrolux, Zanussi, Constructa, Blomberg and Rosieres are among the international brands that are locally available.
Mixers – Kenwood, Kitchen Aid, Sauter, Bosch, Morphy Richards, Moulinex and La Kitchenette are most popular. Breville and Russell Hobbs are much less popular.
Food Processors – MagiMix is the brand leader, Kenwood, Kitchenette, Moulinex and Philips follow in order of preference. Bring your Ninja if you have one.
Coffee machines – Nespresso and Lavazza are the most popular
Vacuum cleaners – Dyson, Xiaomi, iRobot, Samsung and Electrolux are the favorites and Hoover of course. iRobots have become very popular.
Air conditioners – Tadiran, Electra and Tornado are the most popular brands .
2. Don’t bring baking sheets and roasting pans
Ovens in Israel are smaller and so it was recommended, by an American Olah, not to bring large baking sheets and roasting pans in your Aliyah or relocation shipment.
3. Linens
Only bring enough bed linen for your immediate use but be aware that beds are narrower in Israel and weather conditions are different. Don’t bring synthetic bed linen or synthetic/cotton blends – Israel’s summer months call for the coolness of pure cotton sheets. Don’t bring tablecloths that require starching, ironing and very special care. The price of tablecloths are discounted before Pesach and Rosh Hashanah.
4. Don’t bring a printer or PC
Buy a printer in Israel. A standard home-office inkjet scanner, fax, printer combo can be bought for around 200 shekels. HP, Canon, Brother, Samsung and Xerox are most popular in Israel.
Laptops are not cheap so bring yours, but for a little over 1,000 shekels you can purchase a PC – gamers cost more.
5. Old crockery
Crockery and cutlery are heavily discounted before Pesach. You can buy a 6 place setting pack, for everyday use, for around 100 shekels from the larger supermarkets or for a little more from a store like Ikea. If you bring your silver heirloom cutlery (flatware), remember it takes hours to care for, clean and polish.
6. Silverware
Bring your heirloom candlesticks and other Judaica silver items but as one of our readers pointed out, the elements here can be harsh on silverware. Her silver frames and ornaments got damaged over time from the humidity and salt in her coastal town.
7. Plugs and extension cords
Plugs and extension cords that are not compatible with Israel requirements and sizes. (South Africans – leave the large 3 pin plugs behind but 2 pin plugs are suitable). Electricalsafetyfirst.org says this about Israel’s electrical and plug requirements: – “For Israel there are three associated plug types, C, H and M. Plug type C is the plug which has two round pins (household plugs), plug type H has three pins in a triangular shape and type M has three round pins. Israel operates on a 230V supply voltage and 50Hz.”
