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Confusing Hebrew Words: Shomer, Shumar, Shomeah

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Learn Hebrew Fast.  Tackle these Confusing Hebrew Words: Shomer, Shomeah, Shumar & Shamir – With Hebrew, English & Transliterations

Have you heard?  The guard is looking after the fennel…  Naaah!!!!

It’s no joke when you confuse your spectacles with your trousers, your Purim fancy dress costume with ammunition and your neck with your last will and testament.

All olim make mistakes and you will too.  Here are some Hebrew words that sound similar and Olim have been known to confuse.

English Transliteration Hebrew
 guard Guard Shomer שׁוֹמֵר
 ear Heard (have you heard…) Shomeah  שומע
 fennel Fennel Shumar שֻׁמָּר
dill Dill Shamir שמיר

Transferring your Israel electricity bill to your name

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How do I transfer the Hevrat HaHashmal electricity bill to my name?

Step-by-step instructions

israel electric logoYou certainly don’t want to be responsible for a previous tenant’s outstanding electricity bill or be forced to take on any of their utility debts. If your moving into your own place or renting it is always preferable to have your utility bills registered in your name.  Transferring your Israel electricity bill from Hevrat Hahashmal, to your name, is easy and takes only a few minutes

So, what do I do?

You can process the change online via the Israel Electric Company website here  https://www.iec.co.il/pages/customerregistration.aspx

There are links to 2 PDF forms (in Hebrew)

  • The first is to change the name of the client לטופס בקשה להחלפת שם לקוח בנכס
  • The second is to register a new client for a new dwelling – לטופס בקשה לרישום לקוח בנכס חדש

Download and complete the appropriate form and fax it to 1-800-200-103.  Alternately you can scan the document and email it to the appropriate recipient:

103-dan@iec.co.il for residents of the Dan region

103-hai@iec.co.il for Haifa residents

103M3-south@iec.co.il for residents of the South

103m6-jer@iec.co.il for Jerusalem residents

103M2-north@iec.co.il for residents of Israel’s Northern region

You can also transfer directly by calling 103. Click here for a translation of the Israel Electric Company automated answering service.

Enter your Contract Number (on the top left hand corner of the electricity bill, the meter reading  and your personal details: your name, Teudat Zehut number and phone number

The new bill will now be registered in your name

CONVENIENT RESOURCES

Sukkot in Israel – Activities 2016

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Sukkot Activities 2016

sukkot downtown sept 2015 2 810x400

The intermediate days of Sukkot are upon us.  Most businesses are operating as usual but many Israelis are on vacation. It’s festival time in Israel and it’s a wonderful time to take a break and take advantage of the fabulous weather; warm enough to swim yet not too hot to hike.  There are loads of activities for the whole family and if you are on a limited budget, there are plenty low cost and free attractions too.

Greater Jerusalem Area

The Safra Square Sukkah, is well worth a visit – it’s the largest Sukkah in Israel.  There is the annual Jerusalem Family March on 20th October, 2016 starting at Safra Square, thousands will march through the streets of Jerusalem.  The march ends at  Gan Sacher.

The 2nd Jerusalem Biennale for Contemporary Jewish Art showcases nearly 200 Israeli and international professional artists in 10 exhibitions across the city. Curators and artists, secular, ultra-Orthodox and non-Jews all come together within the Biennale framework to give their own interpretation of contemporary Jewish art.

The exhibitions are being held at:

  • The Tower of David Museum, Jaffa Gate
  • First Station (Tachana), David Remez Street
  • Hechal Shlomo, King George Street
  • Van Leer Institute( Polonsky Building), Hanassi Street
  • Achim Hasid Center, 47 Emek Refai’m Street
  • The Hebrew Union College, Skirball Museum, King David Street
  • The Worldwide North Africa Jewish Heritage Center, King David Street

The best 5 museums in Jerusalem for the whole family; The Natural History Museum, The Israel Museum, The Yad Vashem, The  Tower of David Museum (see Biennale above) as well as The Bloomfield Science Museum which has a host of new exhibitions including

  • Fields of tomorrow
  • CAPTCHA
  • Flashlight in the dark
  • Illusions
  • Space Mezuzah

 

Starting October 21st, is the Abu Gosh Music Festival in the village of Abu Gosh west of  Jerusalem.

Soreq and Emek Ha’Shalom are 2 places, near Jerusalem that cater for people with special needs

Haifa & The North

Tikotin Japanese Museum, Science & Technology Museum and the Haifa Art Museum are just a few worth visiting. 

As part of the annual Haifa Film Festival, some movies are also being screened at the Tikotin Museum.  Other movie venues include Rappaport, Krieger and the Cinematheque. 

While you are in the Haifa area you might want to stroll through Wadi Lotem, brave the suspension bridge at Nesher Park, visit to Elijah’s Cave.  There are many more options to choose from…

Akko – The Old City, the market and the Tunisian Synagogue are just some of Akko’s must-see attractions. 

From Achziv to Eilat you can spend the last summer days at one of our top 10 beaches.

Sukkot is a great time for camping.  Seasoned campers share their best tips and advice

Take a day-trip up north and meet with Israel’s Druze community in Isifiya, Shfaram, Maghar, Rama, Bet Jan, Peki’in….

No better time for a picnic. Combine your family picnic with a scenic stroll.  Lots of attractions at Nahal Harod Park near Afula.  

Tel Aviv

Feel the vibe in trendy Tel Aviv – shop on Shenkin or at Sarona, walk through the White City heritage sites and dine at quaint restaurants at the Port

Southern Israel

Heading South?  Take in the panoramic views of the Ramon crater or enjoy free star gazing at night.  In Beer Sheva the Air Force Museum and the Bedouin Market are well worth a visit

The Municipal Museum in Eilat is an inexpensive outing.  A sunset jeep ride in the desert or a visit to the underwater observatory or ice-skating in the mall are  popular but pricey attractions in Eilat

Matmon

Go on – take a hike! For beginners and experts. Get a Matmon membership card for discounted entrance fees to Israel’s Nature Sites. Park Shuni, Park Alona, Tzuk Manera are some of our faves.

Chag Sameach and happy travelling!

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Hebrew-English: Sukkot

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Learn Hebrew – Sukkot Words & Phrases

Free word-sheet with English, Hebrew, Transliterations & Explanations

Aliyah – עליה

Aliyah refers to an honor that is given to a person who is chosen to  go up to read from the Torah.  This is especially significant on Simchat Torah (the last day of Sukkot) when we read the last chapter of Deuteronomy and the first chapter of Genesis.

The word Aliyah also refers to immigration to Israel.

Circles – הקפות

Hakafot or circling; this refers to a celebratory circling – dancing, singing and holding the Torah – practiced on Sukkot and Simchat Torah

Citron –  אתרוג

The Citron or Etrog – one of the 4 species

Four species –  ארבעת המינים

Arbat HaMinim

Genesis – בראשית

Bereishit – the first chapter of the first  book of the Torah which we read on Simchat Torah – the last day of Sukkot.

Giving thanks –  הלל

Hallel – a collection of prayers and psalms giving thanks.  Holiday blessings…

Inviting guests – אושפיזין

‘Ushpizin’ is the traditional practice of inviting guests to your Sukkah especially the poor.

Intermediate days – חול המועד

Chol Hamoed refers to the intermediate days of Sukkot between the 1st and 7th day in Israel or between the 2nd and 8th days in the Diaspora.  The customary greeting for Chol Hamoed is ‘Moadim L’Simcha.

Myrtle –  הדס

Hadas – one of the 4 species

Palm branch – לולב

Lulav – one of the 4 species

Rain – גשם

Geshem – rain. Prayers for rain are recited during Sukkot

Roof of foliage – סכך

Schach is the foliage used to build a roof for the Sukkah.  Traditionally palm leaves are used for Schach but today many use bamboo branches or grass mats.

Tabernacle/booth – סוכה

Sukkah – Jews are commanded to dwell; live and eat in a Sukkah for the duration of the festival.  The plural of the word Sukkah is Sukkot.

Three pilgrim festivals – שלושה רגלים

Shloshah Regalim refers to the 3 pilgrim festivals; Pesach, Shavuot & Sukkot where it is customary to go up to Jerusalem.

Willow – ערבה

Arava – a willow branch, one of the 4 species.

Hotzaa L’Poal – Writ of Execution.

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The court’s bailiff, a writ of execution and Hotzaa L’Poal.

Hebrew: הוצאה לפועל

hotzaa lepoal large

In Israel the term Hotzaa L’Poal (Heb. abbr. הוצל”פ) is used when referring to the official government court collection agency authorized  to recover outstanding monies, possession or assets.  Hotzaa L’Poal does not refer to private collection agencies.

If you do not want the courts’ bailiff knocking at your door at 5 a.m. or having your bank account attached, make sure you pay your mortgage, outstanding loans, household or municipal bills, your mobile phone bills and make sure you pay your parking violations or other fines. Don’t ignore any demands for money on transactions made by you.

How does Hotzaa L’Poal work?

You have been sent numerous requests and final notices to settle an outstanding amount and finally you receive notification that a case file has been opened via Hotzaa L’Poal to recover the outstanding debt. Do not waste any time.  The debt accumulates interest at a startling rate.

Hotzaa L’Poal branches near you

Eilat, Ashdod, Ashkelon, Beer Sheva, Beit Shean, Dimona, Herzliya, Haifa, Hadera, Tiberias, Jerusalem, Kfar Saba, Nazareth, Netanya, Akko. Afula, Petach Tikva, Tzfat, The Krayt, Kiryat Gat, Kiryat Shmona, Rishon L’Zion, Ramle, Rehovot and Tel Aviv.

Call *35592 for opening hours (Kabbalat Kahal)

Paying the outstanding debt online

There is an option to pay your outstanding debt by credit card online via the official government website for Rashut Ha’Achifa VeHagviya.  Here is a translation:

hotzaa lepoal online

You will be charged interest on any debt that has been split into more than one payment.  (Heb: Kredit)

Once the debt is paid, your file will be closed within 3 working days.  It is up to you to check that the file has actually been closed and if not the onus is on you to query it.

Roads Closed for Shimon Peres Funeral.

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Roads Closed for Shimon Peres Memorial Services & Funeral.

 

Thursday, 29th September, 2016

roadclosed1

 

Friday, 30th September, 2016

roadclosed2

Images courtesy of Waze

Extra Info

Expect major traffic jams on Road No. 1, the main highway connecting Jerusalem to the rest of the country and around Ben Gurion International Airport.

Rd. No. 4, the alternate route from the Northern Israel going south will be carrying extra, heavy traffic.

Shimon Peres: 1923 – 2016

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Shimon Peres z”l 1923 – 2016

shimonperes
Image Credit: IsraelElection2015.org

Anglo-List and all its members mourn the passing of Shimon Peres.  Baruch Dayan Emmet.

President of the State of Israel 2007 – 2014
Prime Minister of Israel 1995 – 1996
-Acting Prime Minister of Israel 1995
-Prime Minister of Israel 1984 – 1986
-Minister of Defense, Finance and Foreign Affairs
-Nobel Peace Prize Laureate
-Politician, statesman, peacemaker, historic-figure, beloved father and grand-father.

Greatly respected and much loved by members of the international and Israeli community.

Our deepest sympathies to his family. May his memory be a blessing.

About Shimon Peres

Born Szymon Perski on the 2nd August 1923 in Wiszniew, Poland. He was a member of 12 cabinets and his political career spanned 66 years.

He was married to Sonya Gelman who preferred to stay out of the political limelight.  Shimon and Sonya had 3 children;

  • Chemi (Nechemia) is the co-founder and managing general partner of Pitango Venture Capital, the largest venture capital fund in Israel
  • Tsvia Walden, his daughter, is a psycholinguist and currently a professor at Ben Gurion University of the Negev in Beersheba
  • Yoni is a veterinarian, who founded the Village Veterinary Center in Tel Aviv

The Peres Center for Peace was founded in 1996 by Shimon Peres, a non-profit, non-governmental, non-political organization whose mission is to promote peacebuilding between Israel and its neighbors (particularly between Israelis and Palestinians) as well as between Jewish and Arab citizens of Israel.

Shimon Peres authored these books:

  1. The Next Step (1965)
  2. David’s Sling (1970)
  3. And Now Tomorrow (1978)
  4. From These Men: seven founders of the State of Israel (1979)
  5. Entebbe Diary (1991)
  6. The New Middle East (1993)
  7. Battling for Peace: a memoir (1995)
  8. For the Future of Israel (1998)
  9. The Imaginary Voyage: With Theodor Herzl in Israel (1999)
  10. Ben Gurion: A Political Life (2011)

Shimon Peres will lie in state at the Knesset on Thursday, 29th September, 2016.  The public are invited to pay their respects from 9:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m.

On 30th September, 2016 his body will be transferred from the Knesset to Mt. Herzl at 8:30 a.m. The ceremony will commence at 9:30 a.m. and the burial will be at 12:00 p.m.

Remembering Peres

Benjamin Netanyahu – Prime Minister of Israel: “Together with all the citizens of Israel and with the Jewish people, and many in the world, I bow my head in memory of our beloved, dear, Shimon Peres.”

Yisrael Katz – Minister of Transport: “Shimon Peres was an unbreakable part of the State of Israel’s  history, from its creation until today”

Barak Obama: “The hope he gave us will burn forever”

Bill Clinton: “I will miss Shimon Peres, my brilliant and eloquent friend. His life was a blessing to all who strive for peace.”

Dan Rather: “Of all political leaders I have ever met, few commanded a room with as much grace, charm, and depth as Shimon Peres.”

Israel Driver’s License Renewal.

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Renewing your Israel Driver’s License

Hebrew: חידוש רישיון נהיגה

Transliteration: Hidush R’shayon Nehiga

israel drivers license renewal
An example of an Israeli Driver’s License

After completing the minimum required number of lessons and passing the practical driver’s test, you will be issued your permanent Israeli driver’s license.  Driver’s licenses are issued for 2, 5 and 10 years as follows:

A two year validity

  • A new driver – Nehag Hadash
  • A license for a public transport vehicle, heavy goods vehicle, security vehicle or children transport vehicle fro a driver over the age of 50
  • A licensed driver aged 65 years and older

A five year validity

A 5 year license is issued after the 2 year period

A 10 year validity

After driving for 7 years i.e. 2 as a new driver plus 5 – you will then be issued a license that is valid for 10 years.

The renewal date of your driver’s license coincides with your date of birth.  Approximately one month before expiration of the license, the Ministry of Transport (MOT) will send you a renewal form (which is also a new temporary license)  together with a payment voucher reflecting the renewal fee for your type/category of license.

Once you have paid the renewal fee, your new license will be mailed to you.  This could take a few months and during this period, you are required to carry your new temporary license.

The Eye Test

All licensed drivers over the age of 40, are required to undergo an eye-test prior to their license renewal.  This eye-exam costs 50 shekels (September 2016).  If you require spectacles for driving, your license will be endorsed accordingly.

The Medical Exam

Drivers aged 70 and over are required to undergo a medical examination as a condition for renewal of the driver’s license.
Professional drivers (taxi drivers, buses, heavy vehicles and more) are required to undergo medical examination from the age of 60.
For questions and inquiries, call the National Transportation Ministry’s hotline –  *5678

Paying for the drivers license renewal

Making the renewal payment has never been simpler.

  1. You can pay it by calling the Ministry of Transport  on *5678
  2. It can be paid at any commercial bank or any postal bank
  3. It can be paid at your local licensing bureau
  4. It can be paid at any branch of Superpharm that has the MOT self-service station
  5. It can be paid by credit card, online and in English by clicking on this link

Important Note

The onus is on you to renew your license even if you do not receive a renewal form in the mail.  So, make a mental note of the renewal date, or just check your license every so often.  If you do not receive the renewal form, contact the MOT on *5678

Tofes 17: Payment Authorization for Israel Health Funds

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Tofes 17 – Form 17 – The required payment authorization for Israel Health Funds.

Hebrew: Hitchayvut – התחייבות 

Should you need to go to a public hospital, ambulatory or outpatient clinic for any reason, you will be required to present a payment authorization (hit’chay’vut) from your participating health fund.  The “Hitchayvut” is also referred to as “Tofes 17” – Form 17.  A Hitchayvut can only be issued upon the presentation of a doctor’s referral. 

Once you have your doctor’s referral in hand you need to apply for the Hitchayvut.  Contact your Health Fund by phone, fax, email, via their smartphone app or their digital services via their website (as per the options they offer) and tell them you need a Hitchayvut.  They will ask you to either fax or email the doctor’s referral to them.   Once approved, they will send the Hitchayvut Payment Authorization to you.  

If you have been rushed to the emergency room, and depending on the circumstances, you may have to provide the payment authorization – the Hitchayvut –  to the hospital within a certain time after you have been discharged, as specified by them.

The Hitchayvut is a pre-requisite to selected examinations, treatments and care and without it, the clinic will not carry out the required procedure. 

Here is a sample of an electronically transmitted Payment Authorization form.  Forms may differ slightly from one Kupat Holim to another.

hitchayvut2

Health Tips

If for some reason, you no longer require the treatment or the Hitchayvut, please contact your Health Fund and advise them of these changes

The Hitchayvut is valid for a limited amount of time.  Check the dates.  If your Hitchayvut has expired you can ask for a new one or an extension on the old one.

CONFUSING HEBREW WORDS.

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Confusing Hebrew words and their meanings.

There are many Hebrew words that are spelled differently but sound the same – homonyms – and all have different meanings.

There are also plenty of homophones – spelled the same, sound the same but have different meanings.

Here are some new immigrants often confuse.