Call it what you want – heatwave, hamsin or sharav – 50 days of heat & dust.
Current weather conditions in Israel: hot and getting hotter.
Hebrew: אקלים ומזג האוויר בישראל – שרב או חמסין
The temperature in some parts of Israel, this week, is expected to reach into the 40’s and a Sharav or Hamsin prevails.
What is a Hamsin?
“Hamsin” is an Arabic word. You might see it spelled like this: khamsin, khamseen, khamaseen, chamsin or hamsin. The name originates from the Arabic word for ‘fifty’ – khamsin, or similarly in Hebrew – chamishim. It refers to a unique set of weather conditions mostly in the spring and early summer months. In short a “hamsin” is an oppressive, hot southerly or southeasterly, sandy wind blowing up from North Africa in the spring and summer months. There are approximately 50 days in a year when these weather conditions prevail in the Levant; North Africa and the Arabian Peninsula – hence the name.
A Sharav
Even though the Hebrew word for hot is “cham” it has nothing to do with the Arabic word “chamsin” . In Hebrew this weather condition is called a ‘sharav’ but in Israel it is commonly referred to by the Arabic name – hamsin.
Typically, in Israel, during a Sharav, temperaturescan increase by 10° C within a few hours . This oppressive, dry heat is often accompanied by large amounts of dust. Be prepared if you are an allergy sufferer! Typically this weather condition lasts for a few days at a time. As soon as the Sharav breaks, the wind changes direction, and a cool sea breeze generally follows. Sometimes there is light rain too.
This extreme heat and wind is of great concern to farmers in Israel; crops can easily be damaged or destroyed.
One can dehydrate very quickly in this weather; take preventative measures and drink plenty of water.
You might be tempted to do a few loads of laundry but remember that the sharav often brings dust and sand and these fine particles will settle on the newly laundered items.
It might seem like a good idea to go to the beach and catch some rays, be careful, this can be dangerous. Keep out of the direct sun.
If you’re in a car and driving long distances, keep the air conditioner on and regularly check on the welfare of small children who are with you in the vehicle. Never, ever leave children, or the family pet alone in the car, even for a couple of minutes. The inside temperature of a car rapidly increases and can be life threatening when there is not adequate ventilation.Let us not hear of another terrible tragedy!
Head for the shopping mall and spend the day in cool, air-conditioned comfort!
The decision has finally been made. A date has been set for you Aliyah or relocation. You are super excited. You are confident that you are doing the right thing for you and your family. But before you actually move, there is so much preparation that needs to be done. You need to shrink and downsize your belongings. You seriously need to start thinking about and planning your Aliyah and everything you are taking with you to Israel. Packing and sorting is a monumental task but it has to be done and being organized and methodical will help you enormously.
Before you even start calling in specialized Aliyah shipping agents and getting at least 3 quotes for your aliyah shipment, we recommend that you start sorting out your belongings. Time to fight your hoarding impulse and get rid of all that stuff that has not been used in ages.
Make a plan
Walk through your home, and room by room, area by area, jot down action items. Break each action item down into smaller actions and in this way the project will not seem as huge and insurmountable.
Managing your time wisely
Once you have listed all the action items, allocate your time accordingly and mark it on your calendar or day planner.
Start your downsizing by collecting suitably sized containers/storage boxes/bags. Work with 3 different containers per task; trash, keep and donate. Stick to the one-year policy.
The one-year policy
If you have not worn it in a year or used it in a year, chances are you won’t again. Trash it or donate it! You will probably have to be quite ruthless here. Give things away to family members who may want them. You’ll feel better knowing that these items will still be put to good use.
The Keepers
Once you have sorted your stuff, put the items you are keeping to one side. Containerize the items wherever possible, so that they will be ready for professional packing.
The dress you wore to the prom in the ’70’s, your great grandma’s handkerchief, your daughter’s first dress…. If you can sew or can get someone to do this for you, cut a large square of each fabric and sew them together to make a patchwork quilt. That way you’ll keep your loved ones close to your heart and your toes warm in Israel’s winter months.
Keeping old photographs
We all have thousands of old photographs in albums and shoe boxes. Is it worth shipping them? Scanning photographs take ages. With a bit of creativity, you can cut out the important parts of the photograph and glue them down onto a large, strong piece of paper card that you can get from your local picture framing shop. When your done, you will have a beautiful collage of all the people you love and that are important to you, then have it framed. Doing this makes it much easier emotionally, to get rid of all the rest.
You can turn your trash into cash. Use second hand websites to sell off whatever you can. Arrange a garage sale. Remember that you need to allocate time for this, so plan wisely.
There are plenty of other things you’ll need to consider before you get on the airplane; selling your house, bringing your car, bringing your family pet, getting the paperwork organized. Do it slowly and methodically and make the most of the time you have left.
Reading Time: 3minutesNothing beats a bowl of hearty soup – a winter comfort food, served with crusty, artisanal breads or a light gazpacho or fruit soup on a summer’s day.
Whether it be for a midweek meal, at a party or family gathering, whether you serve it in a bowl, in a mug or in a pumpkin, with croutons or pastry, soup is satisfying and nourishing.
Aviva R, Bakaa, Jerusalem sent us her recipe for Carrot & Lentil soup. She says “This soup is loved by every single person I have ever served it to and is a great starter to our Shavuot meal”.
It’s easy and quick to make and tastes delicious every time…
Carrot & Lentil Soup
1 cup red lentils
4 cups of water
1 medium yam or sweet potato, diced
1 bouillon cube (veggie or herb)
some soya sauce
quarter teaspoon of thyme
1 1/2 TBSP of olive oil
1 medium or large onion, diced
3 medium size carrots, diced
sprinkle of dried parsley
some fresh lemon juice
Cook the lentils with the bouillon cube, yam and parsley until thoroughly cooked (about 20 – 30 minutes) Add two of the diced carrots during the last 10 minutes of cooking
In the meantime, fry the onion in the olive oil and soya sauce, and add one diced carrot…fry until onion and carrot are soft…. 10 – 15 minutes
Add this mixture and the thyme to the cooked lentils and simmer for another 5 to 10 minutes
Let cool. Once cooled, put into blender (or use hand blender) until creamy.
Once ready to serve put a little lemon juice in the bottom of the soup bowls… then pour the heated soup on top.
Chef’s Tips
Serve with fresh, crusty bread!
You can also serve the soup with some grated cheese or with a dollop of sour cream or plain yoghurt.
This soup freezes very well and looks and tastes the same once heated up again.
Ashe Mast is a Persian dish (Iran), it translates as “Thick Yoghurt Soup” and is widely popular throughout Iran. Traditionally, Ashe Mast is served as an entrée. The Ashe Mast when cooked, slightly resembles a risotto.
Ingredients
1 1/2 tblsp olive oil
1 large onion chopped finely
2 tblsp red lentils
125g long-grain rice (200ml)
1 liter water
500g spinach, rinsed and shredded (Heb: tered)
a small bunch of fresh coriander, chopped (Heb:koos’bara)
a small bunch of fresh chives, chopped (Heb: irit)
a small bunch of fresh parsley, chopped (Heb: petrozilya)
600ml of natural yogurt
salt and pepper
To garnish
1 large onion, sliced
1 1/2 tblsp olive oil
2 tsp fresh mint, chopped finely
Directions
In a large pot, heat oil and cook the chopped onions until soft. Add rice and lentils, salt and pepper. Cover with water, bring to the boil and then simmer for 20 minutes, until the rice and lentils are tender. Add the spinach, coriander, chives and parsley. Cook for about 10 minutes until the spinach is soft. Add a little water if the soup is too thick. Let it cool.
Beat then yogurt, stir it in to the mixture and then transfer into a serving bowl.
Garnish: fry the sliced onion in olive oil until golden. Add mint and then spoon the mixture over the soup.
Chef’s Tips
Basmati rice cooks perfectly and gives the best results.
You can use Swiss chard (Heb: man’gold) instead of spinach, just remember to remove the white “spine”
Make sure the soup is well chilled before adding the yoghurt, otherwise it may curdle.
There are recipes for Ashe Mast that incorporate small meatballs. In a kosher kitchen, adding meatballs to this recipe would be forbidden.
Facebook groups for Anglo olim and internationals in Israel.
Be part of our network and join our groups on Facebook.
Anyone new to Israel knows how important networking is. The first step, even before making Aliyah or relocating to Israel, is to join online resources that offer networking opportunities and local groups for specific information.
There are hundreds of groups on Facebook that cater to English speakers living in Israel and we have put a list together with over 500 relevant groups as well as some international Jewish interest groups.
We invite you to join the Anglo-List network and become part of our Facebook family. With more than 20,000 members you will make new friends, get lots of advice, share tips and build your network.
Importing your car may sound appealing while you’re still abroad, planning your Aliyah. According to your Aliyah emissary (שליח / shaliach), the process can seem relatively straightforward—but in reality, it’s often far more complex than expected.
The Ministry of Transport and Road Safety (Misrad HaTachbura – משרד התחבורה) permits the import of a vehicle for personal use only, and the process is subject to strict regulations, taxes, and technical requirements.
We are not trying to encourage or discourage you from bringing a car to Israel, we are just sharing valuable information based on the experience of other olim.
In the early 1950’s, Israel’s first car manufacturer – Autocars, built the Sussita, the Carmel and the Gilboa. The Sussita shown here was made from fiberglass.
Oleh benefits for buying a car
Olim are permitted to import and ship a private vehicle to Israel for personal use, and may be eligible for reduced purchase taxes for up to three years from the date of Aliyah. Importing a car is not counted as one of the three tax-free shipments granted to new immigrants.
As regulations and benefits can change, it’s important to verify current entitlements with your local Aliyah office or the Ministry of Aliyah and Integration. They can provide the most up-to-date information regarding tax benefits and import requirements.
Hidden costs involved in bringing a car to Israel
$$$: A car will take up a significant portion of your shipping container. Since there are typically only shipping container sizes available, you’ll likely need the larger one to accommodate both your vehicle and your personal belongings—adding to the overall cost.
$$$ – In addition, you’ll need to factor in the cost of insuring the vehicle while it is in transit at sea, which further increases the overall expense.
$$$ – It’s also important to remember that you do not receive a full tax exemption on an imported vehicle—only a reduction—so this should be included in your overall cost considerations.
But, that’s not all.
Let’s assume you decide to bring your car. Your shipping agent has handled the paperwork, secured the necessary import permits, and the vehicle is scheduled to arrive in Israel a few weeks after you do.
At this stage, it may feel like the hard part is over—but the process doesn’t end there.
This means converting your foreign license. Since 2017, if you’ve held a driver’s license for five years or more, you can typically convert it without additional lessons or testing. If not, you may be required to take driving lessons and possibly pass a practical test.
Regardless of eligibility, it’s worth considering a few driving lessons. Road conditions, driving culture, and etiquette in Israel can differ significantly, and it’s wise to be prepared. Be sure to budget for this added expense.
Hallelujah—you’ve completed the licensing process and now have a valid Israeli driver’s license in hand.
$$$ – Your car is due to arrive at an Israeli port—either Port of Ashdod or Port of Haifa)—and you’ll need to be physically present to arrange its release.
In many cases, you may need to rely on public transport to get there. Depending on where you are living , the journey to the port can be time-consuming and involve multiple connections.
And as the saying goes—time is money (and bus fare).
Hidden $$$ – One of our members imported her car from Belgium. In the end, it took three separate trips to the Port of Ashdod—being sent back and forth between offices—before she was finally able to release it. Three trips… three times the cost.
Each journey to Ashdod, along with the hours spent dealing with paperwork and bureaucracy, came at a price—not just financially, but personally. She was forced to miss valuable Ulpan classes, setting back her ulpan classes during those critical early weeks of Aliyah.
Servicing your imported vehicle
$$$ – Do you know whether your car’s make and model can be properly serviced in Israel? Are spare parts readily available? And are there qualified mechanics who know how to work on your specific vehicle—especially if it’s something less common?
Jokes aside, this is an important consideration. If your car is not widely available in Israel, you may be required to obtain written confirmation from a local garage stating that they are able and willing to service it.
If parts need to be specially imported, repairs can take significantly longer than expected. During that time, you may need to rent a car or make alternative transport arrangements—something our Belgian member experienced firsthand when her vehicle required repairs shortly after arrival.
Left-hand-drive & Right-hand-drive Vehicles
However, if you are coming from countries such as the United Kingdom, Australia, or South Africa—where vehicles are right-hand drive—you will not be permitted to import your car into Israel, as local regulations require left-hand drive vehicles only.
Car Insurances
$$$ – Compulsory insurance (bituach chova), third-party insurance, and comprehensive insurance must all be arranged and paid for before you can legally drive your car in Israel.
Insurance costs vary depending on the driver’s age, driving history, and type of vehicle, but for a new car, you can expect to pay roughly 400–800 ILS per month for full coverage (compulsory plus comprehensive). It’s important to factor this ongoing expense into your overall budget.
Buying a car in Israel
The alternative is to buy a car in Israel at your own pace. Once you’ve had time to settle in—even if only a little—adjust to your new routine, learn some Hebrew, take a few driving lessons, convert your driver’s license, and secure a steady income, it may be a more practical time to make the purchase.
You can choose to buy a brand-new car using your oleh tax benefits, or opt for a “passport-to-passport” purchase—buying from another oleh who is selling their vehicle. In this case, the original tax benefits can be transferred, meaning the seller does not have to repay the reduced taxes.
Car Resale Value
If you import a car that is not commonly sold in Israel, you should also think ahead to the day you may want to sell it. Will there be a market for it? Who will be willing to take on the added responsibility of sourcing special spare parts or dealing with limited servicing options?
Valuing the car can also be challenging. The widely used Levi Yitzhak Price Guide only provides price benchmarks for vehicles officially sold in Israel. If your model isn’t listed, determining a fair market price may be difficult—often leaving you with a smaller pool of potential buyers and less negotiating power.
Bringing a Used or New Car?
You already own a car—but is it really worth bringing it with you?
If your car is a few years old, you need to weigh the total costs and effort involved—shipping, taxes (even with reductions), insurance, licensing, potential servicing challenges, and resale limitations. In many cases, the overall expense and inconvenience may outweigh the value of the vehicle itself.
What about bringing a new car? While this might seem more appealing, the same considerations apply—along with the risk of tying up a significant amount of money in a depreciating asset, before you’ve fully settled into your new life.
Taking everything into account, it’s worth asking: does importing a car truly make financial and practical sense—or would you be better off waiting and buying locally once you’re more established?
In the early 1950s, Israel’s first car manufacturer, Autocars, produced models such as the Sussita, Carmel, and Gilboa. The Sussita, made from fiberglass, became especially popular at the time.
According to a well-known local legend, Israelis would drive their Sussitas down to the Sinai, park by the roadside, and head off on hikes. When they returned, they were sometimes met with an astonishing sight: their cars partially eaten—chewed and chomped by wandering camels and goats, apparently drawn to the fiberglass body.
Whether entirely true or slightly embellished, the story has become part of Israeli folklore, adding a quirky chapter to the country’s early automotive history.
A selection of the latest headlines; housing, economy, employment, diaspora, religion, culture and news items of special interest to Israel’s immigrant and expat community.
Sourced from the Jerusalem Post, The Times of Israel, HaAretz, Israel Hayom, Arutz 7, YNet, Globes & Calcalist
Woman indicted on hate crime charge for attacking Israeli college student
68th Independence Day Celebrations in the Main Centers: Official Ceremonies, Free Concerts, Picnic Spots, Free Museums, IDF Bases, Fly-overs…
Activities for Wednesday 11th May & Thursday 12th May, 2016
Official Ceremonies & Free Concerts
Please note: The schedules and artists listed here may actually change or differ on the evening especially where an artist is scheduled to perform at more than one location. Only the main attractions have been included in this list.
This list is being updated daily as soon as the information comes in.
Afula
Pablo Rozenberg
Dud Aharon
Arad
Mickey Gavrielov
White Noise
Kobi Peretz (on Thursday)
Ariel
Mosh Ben Ari
Yoav Yitzhak
Ashdod
Nadav Gadg
Peer Tassi
Mashina
Ashkelon
Avraham Tal
Sarit Chadad
Skuzzy
Be’er Sheva
Dudu Tassa
Balkan Beat Box
Barry Sacharov
Hadag Hanachash
Skuzzy
Kafe Shachor Chazak
Pinky
Bet Shemesh
Eilat
On the Promenade near the Mall
Near the Bridge – a stage for local groups
Folk dancing near the Bridge
Givatayim
Avraham Tal
Avihu Shabbat
Knisiyat HaSechel
Haifa
Barry Sacharov
Aviv Geffen
Eli Botner with Yaldei HaChutz
Jane Bordeux
Lucille Karo
The Angels
Mercedes Bend
Omer Adam
Herzliyah
Shlomo Shabat
Miri Masika
Ron Shuval
Hod Hasharon
Holon
Yehudit Ravitz
Kafe Shachor Chazak
Idan Yaniv
Yardena Arazi
Jerusalem
Mount Herzl – Official Celebration – (By invitation only)
19:45 – Yizkor, Speaker of the Knesset, Candle lighting ceremony, Flag raising ceremony, Various dance troupes and IDF Choirs, Fireworks display. The ceremony will be televised on local TV channels.
Kotel HaMaravi (Western Wall)
8:00pm Prayers and partying
Numerous street parties and happenings all around Jerusalem with:
Natz Natz
Liron Amram
Binat El Funk
Lazer Lloyd
Einat Saruf
Chanan Ben Ari
Maor Edri
Karmiel – Kikar HaIriya
Kfar Saba
Karolina
Shiri Maimon & Shimon Buskila
Rotem Cohen
Static
Ben-El Tavori
Kfar Shmariyahu
Kiryat Bialik
Tuna
Ethnix
Shlomi Shabbat
Kiryat Ono
Dani Sanderson
Ma’ale Adumim
Modiin
Mashina
Chanan Ben Ari
Maor Edri
Netanya
Rotem Cohen
Liran Danino
Eliad Nachum
Simon Buskila
Shiri Maimon
Hatish Hagadol
Yuval Hamebulbal
Petach Tikva
Ronni Dalumi
Lior Narkis
Guy Yehud
Mosh Ben Ari
Raanana
Eden Ben Zaken
Muki
Miri Masika
Ramleh
Kobi Peretz
Adir Getz
Shlomi Saranga
Rehovot
Rishon LeZion
Performing at the various stages in Rishon LeZion will be:
Ben-El Tavori
Mosh Ben Ari
Skuzzy
Mercedes Bend
Ramat Gan
Performing at the various stages in Ramat Gan are:
Ivri Lieder
Dana Berger
Efrat Gosh
Jeremy Kaplan
Kafe Shachor Chazak
Itzik Keleh
Asaf Amdurski
Tviak Pik
Harel Skat
Dana International
Ramat Hasharon
Tzvika Pik
Hadag Hanachash
Yehudit Ravitz
Jane Bordo
Full Trunk
Ariel Zilber
Red Band
Shoham
Yehoram Gaon
Natz Natz
Tel Aviv
Adir Getz
David Broza
Stallos and Oren Chen
Deklan and Sagiv Cohen
Moshik Afiya
Tivon
Tzfat
Yavne
And here is more fun stuff to do for Yom Ha’Atzmaut on Thursday 12th
The Ministry of Culture & Sport as well as The Society for the Preservation of Heritage sites are sponsoring entrance to a selection of museums, heritage sites and visitor centers across Israel
Please call before you go – book, verify opening hours, guided tours and other details
Southern Israel
Yad LaIsha HaLochemet in Nitzanim – Tel: 08-6727895
The Open Museum in Negba – Tel: 050-55605540
From Holocaust to Revival Museum in Yad Mordechai – Tel: 08-6720599 , 052-3923104
The Water and Security Museum in Nir Am – Tel: 050-5709042
Mitzpe Gvulot – Kibbutz Gvulot – Tel: 054-7919000
Ben Gurion’s Desert Home (Sde Boker) – Tel: 08-6560469
Maoz across from Gaza in Kibbutz Saad – Tel:052-3726644
Every year the Israel Defense Force allows members of the public access to some of the army, navy or air-force bases. The bases listed below will be open on Thursday from 9 am – 2 pm
Tuesday, April 18th, 2023 is Yom HaShoah – Holocaust Memorial Day in Israel. The siren and commemorative events.
The central state ceremony, marking the start of Holocaust Martyrs’ and Heroes’ Remembrance Day in Israel, will be held at Yad Vashem on Monday, April 17th, at 20:00. The ceremony will be held in the presence of the President of the State of Israel and the Prime Minister, dignitaries and Holocaust survivors. Israel TV station will cover the live event.
Each year, six Holocaust survivors are chosen to light torches in memory of the six million Jews murdered during the Holocaust.
Tuesday, 18.04.23
10:00 a.m. siren across Israel and a 2-minute silence is observed
There are now little over 160,000 Holocaust survivors in Israel. More than 15,000 died in Israel in 2022.
The average age of a survivor in Israel is 84.5, and about 83% are over the age of 80
Haifa has the largest surviving community of Holocaust survivors
900 Holocaust survivors – victims of the most terrible torture and atrocities, succumbed to Covid-19, and many died alone.
One-quarter live below the poverty line. Thousands of them require food and medication immediately.
Appeal: The Foundation for the Welfare of Holocaust Survivors is a non-profit organization founded in 1994 by Holocaust survivors and for Holocaust survivors. Their mission is to assist, in every way possible, those who survived the horrors of the Holocaust and now, in their advanced years, lack the resources to live in dignity. If you can donate, however small, to this worthy cause, please follow this link…
The official name of Holocaust Memorial Day is Yom HaZikaron laShoah ve-laG’vurah (יום הזיכרון לשואה ולגבורה; “Holocaust and Heroism Remembrance Day”), commonly referred to in Israel and abroad as Yom HaShoah (יום השואה) or simply Holocaust Remembrance Day.
In Israel, Yom HaShoah is commemorated on the 27th day of the Hebrew month of Nisan, usually in April or May in the Gregorian calendar. If the 27th of Nisan is adjacent to Shabbat, the date is changed by one day. International Holocaust Remembrance Day is commemorated on January 27th.
In Israel, on the eve of Yom HaShoah, at 8 p.m., an official memorial ceremony takes place at the Yad Vashem in Jerusalem in the presence of the Prime Minister and President of Israel. Each year 6 Holocaust survivors are called upon to light a memorial candle in honor of the 6 million Jews who perished in the Holocaust. It is usual for the Speaker of the Knesset to address the nation. Kaddish (Mourner’s Prayer for the Departed) is recited as well as a touching prayer called El Malei Rachamim (G-d Full of Mercy) – watch the video below. The ceremony ends with the singing of the Israeli national anthem – Hatikvah.
As this is an official day of mourning in Israel, all public entertainment is prohibited – restaurants, theaters, pubs, etc., are closed. Television channels broadcast programs that remind us of those difficult days. The Diary of Anne Frank, the story of Rauol Wallenberg, Janusz Korczak, and the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising, and touching interviews with survivors who share their personal stories are broadcast.
“For the dead and the living, we must bear witness” – Elie Wiesel
Yom HaShoah is an official working day in Israel. Children attend school and participate in age-appropriate memorial activities. At 10 a.m., a siren sounds across the country, traffic comes to a standstill, everyone stops what they are doing, and the country stands together for a minute of silence. The siren marks the commencement of the official memorial service at Yad VaShem.
In Poland, the day is marked by “The March of the Living.” The March of the Living is an annual educational program that brings Jewish students from around the world to Poland, where they explore the history of the Holocaust.
On Holocaust Memorial Day, thousands of people march from Auschwitz to Birkenau, the largest Nazi concentration camp complex built during World War II.
Lighting a memorial (yarzheit) candle on the eve of Yom HaShoah is traditional. The memorial candle burns for a little more than 24 hours.
Yom HaShoah has no specific religious ritual, and practices differ in Jewish communities worldwide.
The day holds significant meaning for Jews around the world. The central theme that runs through all observances is the importance of remembering and recalling the victims of the Holocaust and ensuring that such a tragedy never happens again.
The words to “El Malei Rachamin” for Yom HaShoah
God, full of mercy, who dwells on high, provide a sure rest upon the Divine Presence’s wings, within the range of the holy and the pure, whose shining resemble the sky’s, all the souls of the six million Jews, victims of the European Holocaust, who were murdered, slaughtered, burnt and exterminated for the Sanctification of the Name, by the German Nazi assassins and their helpers from the rest of the peoples. Therefore, the Master of Mercy will protect them forever, from behind the hiding of his wings, and will tie their souls with the rope of life. The Everlasting is their heritage, the Garden of Eden shall be their resting room, and they shall rest peacefully upon their lying place, they will stand for their fate in the end of days, and let us say: Amen
