Participating Parties in the upcoming 2015 Israel Elections.
Hebrew: למי בוחרים
Israel Knesset Plenum – Image credit: Unsplash
In Israel, each of the approved political parties running in the 2015 elections, are identified by a Hebrew ballot symbol. On election day, March 17th, 2015, when you enter the polling booth, you will be confronted with a box filled with slips of paper which will have Hebrew initials or ballot symbols printed, in black, on their face. Each ballot symbol represents a different political party. Avoid a mistake! Before you go out to vote, make sure you know the ballot symbol of the party you plan to vote for.
For example the Likud is represented by the letters מחל and Yeish Atid is represented by the letters פה. The full name of the party is printed in Hebrew below the ballot symbol.
Acceptable forms of voter identification for the upcoming Israel elections.
Did you get the pink slip for voter identification in the next Israel elections?
Close to the time of any election all registered voters, over the age of 18 will receive the official, pink voter information and notification slip from Misrad Hapnim (Israel Ministry of the Interior) in the mail. This notification, as shown below, can be presented at the polling stations on election day (together with an identity document). Detailed on the voting slip is your name, your personal voting details and information regarding the polling station where you are required to cast your ballot.
Voter identification
If for some reason you do not receive this slip, you can still cast your vote by presenting one of the following four official identification documents:
Identification documents, without a photograph, are NOT considered valid means of identification for the purpose of the election (for example your Health Fund membership card, credit card or retail club card).
There is only one official voter notification card in Israel – it’s pink and it looks like this and we have translated the important parts:
Front View
Back View
Take it with you to your the polling station that has been allocated to you.
Here are all the tips and advice you need to know before buying a car in Israel.
Buying a New Car
The car dealer’s selling price, in Israel, is generally not negotiable, but they may offer you free or reduced “extras”
The factory price, for a new car in Israel, may be discounted as a special-offer. These special-offers are advertised in the various newspapers. Take advantage of them if you can.
Some car dealers will not allow you to test-drive a brand-new car. Ask!
Bigger cars are more expensive to run and maintain – parts, tires and fuel consumption.
Diesel cars are more expensive to buy – so is diesel fuel. They are, however, very economical as fuel consumption is low. Licensing and the annual, compulsory roadworthy test are also high.
Purchasing of hybrid vehicles is encouraged and large tax reductions are offered.
There is a heavy tax when buying a new car in Israel. So you will pay much more for a car in Israel than for the identical car in the U.S.A.
Olim are entitled to buy new cars in Israel within three years after making Aliyah at a reduced tax rate.
Make sure you know the car’s history – some questions to ask:
How many owners have there been?
Was it owned by a leasing company?
What is the repair history? Ask to see it.
Has the vehicle been in any accidents? Ask for accident reports.
Some unscrupulous sellers may have fiddled with the mileometer – this is likely if the mileage seems too low
Have the car tested and get an official report before making a final decision
Sign a “zichron devarim (statement of intent) – a binding contract between you and the seller.
Passport to passport is a term used when a new oleh sells his new car to another new oleh within four years of its purchase.
Car & Vehicle Insurance
In Israel, you cannot drive a brand-new car, out of the showroom, without insurance. You will have to arrange this before you take delivery of the vehicle.
Insurance cannot be transferred from one vehicle owner to another – you will have to arrange insurance in your own name before you take delivery of a second hand vehicle as well.
Hova – חובה – is compulsory insurance and covers personal injury.
Makif – מקיף – is comprehensive insurance covers damage to the vehicle.
Insurance can be paid by credit card in monthly installments – ask your insurance agent for details.
Leasing a car
If you buy a car from a leasing company they will provide a history of the vehicle, road-worthy test results and repairs. They may even offer you a limited warranty.
Determining the Price and Value of a Car
The Levi-Yitzhak car price-guide is updated monthly and lists the current value of a vehicle as well the value of accessories and mileage variables.
You can negotiate the price of a used car using the Levi-Yitzhak car price-guide as a starting point. The car may not be in perfect condition or may need repair. If so, you can probably reduce the selling price accordingly.
Have the money ready but do not pay in cash – a bank guaranteed check is best.
Financing can be obtained from your bank and some car dealerships offer financing as well.
Vehicle Accidents & Procedure
Accidents can and do happen – hopefully they wont. Should you have an accident follow these procedures:
Swap details with the other driver. See our Accident Details Card below.
Report the accident to the police if someone is injured
Do not make any agreement on the scene of the accident, verbally or written, that you were responsible for causing the accident
Report your accident to your insurance company immediately or as soon as possible
Repairs to the vehicle must only be carried out once you have received approval from the insurance company
Depending on your insurance policy, you may be required to take your vehicle to a specific body shop as nominated by the insurance company.
Motoring Tips & Advice
Keep your insurance policy number in your cellphone as well as the name and telephone number of your agent. You are likely to forget these important details immediately after an accident when you may be in a state of shock.
If you have been in an accident and are able to, take photos of the any damage to the vehicle/s and a video of the surrounding area.
Swap Accident Details
You are required to swap details with the other driver. Print out the Accident Details Card and keep it in the glove compartment of your car, so that you do not forget any important information in the event of an accident.
Sufganiot, especially popular in Israel, are deep-fried jelly donuts that are traditionally eaten during the festival of Hanukkah. The oil used to fry the donuts are reminiscent of the oil that miraculously burned, according to the Hanukkah story, for 8 days in the ancient Temple in Jerusalem.
In Israel you can purchase them from supermarkets, corner bakeries and high-end boutique bakeries, ranging in price from 1NIS – 15NIS each and if you really want to impress someone, there is the sufgania decorated with gold-leaf that sells for 100NIS (each) from Dudu Outmezgine.
Whether you say doughnuts or donuts, you’ll end up with the same delicious result. Calorie value of one plain, unglazed donut: around 300 per 100g.
Sufganiot – Jam Donuts
Ingredients
25 grams (1 ounce) yeast
1 Tbsp. sugar
1 Tbsp. water
1 Tbsp. flour
3 cups flour
50 grams (1/4 cup) margarine, melted
Dash of salt
3 tbsp sugar
2 egg yolks
1 1/4 cups water (room temperature)
Jelly/jam
Oil for frying
Powdered sugar
PreparationTo make the dough:
Combine the first four ingredients in a bowl. Mix well, cover, and wait until it rises.
In another bowl, mix 3 cups of flour with the melted margarine, salt, sugar and egg yolks.
Combine the yeast mixture with the flour mixture. Slowly add water while stirring. When dough is smooth, cover the bowl with a towel and let it sit and rise.
To make the doughnuts:
After the dough has risen, pour it onto a floured surface and roll it out. Use a glass with a small opening to cut out circles of the dough.
Place a drop of jelly in the middle of each circle, and then cover with another circle of dough.
Make sure that 2 circles attach well to form a closed ball with jelly in the middle. Cover the doughnuts with a towel and let rise.
To fry the doughnuts:
Heat oil in a deep pot until very hot.
Drop the doughnuts into the oil and fry on both sides until brown.
Remove with a slotted spoon and sprinkle with powdered sugar.
Chef’sTip
These sufganiot are only good fresh so eat them on the same day. So, once you have made the dough, fry only a few at a time, as required. Store the remaining dough in the refrigerator to use again the next day.
If you enjoy cinnamon, nutmeg and allspice you will love this recipe. The great thing about it is that these spices are combined with the sugar for dusting. So if you are not partial to the cinnamon, nutmeg and allspice combination, you can just leave them out. This is a Jamie Oliver recipe from his book – Cooking with Jamie.
Ingredients
1 1/4 oz packet active dry yeast
1/3 cup super fine sugar
3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 cups plus 2 tbsp tepid milk
Zest of 2 lemons
Zest of 1 orange
5 1/2 tbsp butter, softened and cubed
1 3/4 pints vegetable oil
For flavored sugar
1/2 cup superfine sugar
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
1/2 tsp all-spice
Zest of 1 lemon
Zest of 1 orange
1 vanilla bean, scored lengthwise, seeds removed
Preparation
Place the yeast in a bowl with a tablespoon of sugar and a tablespoon of flour and mix in the warm milk (can substitute (water or almond milk, oatmeal milk etc.). Put in a warm spot until mixture is frothy.
In another bowl, mix the flour, sugar, lemon, orange zest and butter. Add the yeast mixture.. Gently mix with a spoon and then knead with your hands to make a smooth ball. If the dough is too sticky, add a little flour.
Place dough ball into a bowl, cover the bowl with a damp towel or cling wrap and allow it to rise for about 1 hour or until it has doubled in size.
Meanwhile, make the flavored sugar by mixing all ingredients in a bowl and set it aside.
Once the dough had doubled in size, knock it back by pushing or punching the air out of it. (Ultimately, this will allow the dough to rise again and the doughnuts will be light and fluffy).
On a floured surface, roll the dough out until it’s about 1/2 inch thick.
Cut out about 25 little holes with a glass rim or cookie cutter- about 2″ in diameter. Place on greased cookie sheet and place damp cloth on top and allow to double in size, about 45 minutes.
Once they have doubled in size. Use a chop stick to form a hole in the middle of each circle of dough.
Time to fry – BE CAREFUL!!! Heat oil in a deep, heavy saucepan. Check oil temperature by dropping a small piece of left over dough into the oil. If it drops and pops back up right away and turns golden after about 1 minute, the oil is hot enough.
Fry doughnuts in batches for about 2 minutes at a time, removing them with a slotted spoon, and setting on paper napkins to drain.
While still hot, dust with flavored sugar and eat warm.
Chef’s Tip
Don’t overcrowd the saucepan when frying. You need space to lever and turn the doughnuts while they are cooking.
1/4 cup shortening (butter or parev margarine) at room temperature
2 1/4 cups powdered sugar
1/4 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
Preparation
Preheat the oven 160 C.
Grease 2 nonstick, 6-count doughnut pans.
In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, salt and 1 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon.
In a small bowl, whisk together the granulated sugar, eggs, 1 1/4 cups mashed bananas, 2 teaspoons vanilla and the oil.
Stir the wet ingredients into the dry until just combined.
Spoon the batter about three-quarters full into the prepared pans.
Bake until golden and a toothpick inserted comes out dry, 12 to 15 minutes; let cool completely on a rack.
Glaze
Meanwhile, in a food processor, combine the shortening (butter or margarine), powdered sugar, the remaining 1/2 cup banana, 2 teaspoons vanilla and 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon, and the lemon juice. Glaze the doughnuts with the frosting.
It is hard to define ‘Israeli Food’. With a population from very many different countries, every community contributes its own special foods and flavors.
The Israeli breakfast is world renowned and it includes yoghurts, fruits, cheese, eggs and salads. The breakfast buffet also includes varieties of smoked fish; mackerel, herring and sometimes salmon. A selection of breakfast cereals and delicious baked goods, pancakes and Belgian waffles may also be served. Freshly squeezed fruit juice – mainly orange and grapefruit is popular.
We’ve listed some of the most popular foods amongst local Israelis and there are probably three stand-out dishes that are considered Israel’s national foods and tourists insist on eating them when visiting the country; falafel, shawarma and hummus.
Falafel
Freshly fried falafel served in a pocket of pita
Freshly fried, golden balls of chickpeas blended with traditional Middle-Eastern spices served with salads in a pita; falafel is so popular that we’ve dedicated an entire article to itspreparation and serving.
Shawarma
Shawarma served in a lafa flat bread
Shawarma: finely sliced, grilled meat – turkey or lamb, grilled on a shawarma rotisserie and packed into pita bread. Traditionally served with onions, parsley and tahina. It can also be served in a “lafa”, a flat-bread resembling a large pancake.
Hummus & Tahina
Hummus served with chickpeas is traditionally ‘wiped’ with pita bread
Hummus and Tahina: Hummus is a spread made from chickpeas and served with olive oil and pita. Tahina is a dip made from sesame seeds. Eaten together they are a complete protein. In a restaurant your order of hummus will probably be served with a variety of pickled vegetables (Heb: hamutzim) and olives.
Israelis love hot French fries (known locally as chips). Not all restaurants serve chips with a steak or burger and you may need to order them separately. Ketchup is the most common accompaniment to hot chips. If you enjoy mayonnaise or vinegar with yours, you’ll have to ask your waiter for some.
Israeli Salad
The traditional Israeli vegetable salad is made of very finely diced tomatoes and cucumber served with a lemon juice and olive oil dressing. Haloumi, Nicoise, quinoa and every type of popular salad is available in local restaurants. Portions are usually large and are easily enough for two people.
Boerekas
Boerekas are small savory pastries filled with cheese, potatoes, spinach or mushrooms. Often eaten with hard-boiled eggs and a pickled cucumber. Boerekas are eaten for breakfast, lunch or dinner. They are a popular street food.
Israelis love to scoop up their shakshuka with challah bread.
Shakshuka is a breakfast/brunch food of poached eggs cooked in a tomato based sauce. Flavored with cumin, chili and parsley, there are many variations of this dish as you will see in ourshakshuka recipe.
Kebab
Kebab, traditionally a blend of finely minced lamb and herbs and spices, shaped like a sausage and grilled on the fire. Lamb is expensive in Israel, so our little trick is to add lamb fat (which can be bought at butchers and supermarkets) to beef or turkey – the fat imparts the unique flavor of lamb into the meat.
Schnitzel
Schnitzel from chicken or turkey breast, fried in breadcrumbs is a very popular meal and children love it. Eaten on a plate and usually with side-serving of chips, it can also be served in a pocket of pita with hummus, tahina and salads.
Steak
Israelis love steak but it is expensive. Expect to pay upward of 120 shekels for one kilogram of steak in the supermarket and around 150 shekels for a steak in a restaurant. The Sinta or sirloin and the Steak Ayin, the rib-eye steak are the most popular.
An assortment of baklawa made with phyllo pastry or kadaif (shredded phyllo)
Baklawa (also pronounced ‘baklava’) is a small, sweet cake made from phyllo pastry and nuts. Baklawa are traditionally filled with pistachio nuts and other nuts. Baklawa are popular across the Levant. About 1,000 calories a bite!
Knafeh
Knafeh
Knafeh is a traditional Arab desert made with Ricotta cheese, shredded noodle-like phyllo pastry called ‘Kadaif’ and syrup. It is sometimes served with goat’s milk ice-cream. Expect to pay around 15 shekels for a single serving if you buy it as a street food and more in a restaurant.
Malt beer is a black, non-alcoholic malt flavored, Israeli beverage. In Hebrew it is called “Bira Shechora” or black beer. Popular local brands of ‘white’ alcoholic beers are Maccabi and Goldstar. Well known international beer brands are readily available in Israel. The pub price for a local Israeli beer is about 25 shekels. Alcohol is sold in supermarkets and in specialized stores. The legal purchase and drinking age, in Israel, is 18.
Tea with Nana
Tea with Nana is weak black tea served with Nana leaves (Eng: mint leaves) and sugar. Hot water infused with nana is also a popular and refreshing drink. When you order tea in a restaurant, you will be served a cup of boiling water and a tea bag on the side. No tea-pot and no milk! Another popular drink is freshly squeezed lemon juice mixed with nana and sugar and it’s called ‘limonana’. It is served ice-cold and is very refreshing in summer.
Cafe Hafuch
Cafe Hafuch – literally upside down coffee – is very popular. Basically a long cappuccino where the coffee is added to the heated and frothed milk.
Cafe Shachor
Turkish coffee – more commonly called Cafe Shachor (black coffee), is a small cup of strong, sweet coffee often flavored with cardamom and served at the end of a meal, around a campfire or just anywhere. Turkish coffee is traditionally prepared over the coals in a cone shaped coffee pot called a finjan.
Garinim
Garinim – seeds of all kinds; sunflower, pumpkin and watermelon are salted and roasted and eaten as a snack food anywhere, anytime. Roasted nuts like pistachios, almonds, cashews, pecans etc. are very popular too. Chestnuts are available in the winter months. In Hebrew, the collective name of these snack food is ‘pitzuchim’. Dried fruits of all kinds are popular too and are readily available.
You’ve made a decision to retire in Israel. You’ve done your research and made all the necessary calculations. You are reasonably sure that you have enough money to live on. You’ve discussed your retirement in Israel with your friends and taken the advice of your family. You’ve consulted a financial planner, a specialist in the Israeli market, and your pretty sure that your savings and investments will carry you through. Now it is just a question of putting it all into practice.
Prepare a budget and start living it. If you have calculated that your income in Israel is going to be US$5,000/month for example, start living according to that budget right now, before your Aliyah. Remember that national health care in Israel is much cheaper than in the U.S.A. or South Africa, for instance, and that will help to improve your monthly cash flow in Israel. Prepare a monthly budget based on the Israel cost of living figures and the average supermarket prices, we list in this website.
Our olim agree – you will need an income of between US$3,000 and US$5,000 a month to have a fairly comfortable life-style in Israel.
Tip 2 – Bituach Leumi – National Insurance
In addition to your existing pensions and investments, you may be entitled to a government pension and possibly other financial assistance due to existing medical conditions from Bituach Leumi – Israel’s National Insurance. Government pension, retirement age and financial entitlements are outlined here.
Always check with your Aliyah emissary and visit the Bituach Leumi English website for the most up-to-date information.
Tip 3 – Transport Costs
Take transport costs into consideration. Allow between 1,500 – 3,000 shekels a month if you are planning on buying, insuring and running a car. Should you wish to drive, you will require an Israeli driver’s license. If you need lessons (recommended – Israeli drivers make their own rules) budget for at least 120 shekels per lesson. It’s wise to familiarize yourself with local driving conditions and road etiquette, even if you’ve been driving for 40 years.
Pensioners, in Israel, pay only 50 per cent of the standard public transport costs. Israel has an excellent public transport system and you can get almost anywhere by train, bus, sherut or special taxi. Jerusalem’s new light-train and the Carmelit in Haifa are excellent transport options if you are living in these cities. The Tel Aviv light rail is still under construction.
Take the time before you relocate to downsize your living space. Your monthly disposable income will improve significantly when you reduce your housing costs. When you move to Israel you may want to consider moving directly into a retirement village. The all inclusive costs, levies, health care, activities etc. make them an attractive option. There are many retirement housing options that cater to the needs of English speakers and offer different levels of living, health and specialized care.
Tip 5 – Will you be able to supplement your income by working part-time?
You may be able to find some part-time work. Try think out of the box. You may be able to give extra lessons to young students, do editing work or even work as freelancer in your field via one of the many international on-line workplaces.
Tip 6 – Your Aliyah Shipment
If possible try to bring new appliances to Israel. This can be a problem if you are relocating from the United States where you use 110 volt appliances and not 220, like in Israel. By bringing new appliances, you won’t have the hassle of dealing with costly repairs and repairmen who may take advantage of your limited Hebrew skills.
With increased life-expectancy, retirement living can be a long race, so get yourself in shape. That means eating well, watching your weight and staying active. When you feel good, it’s easier to stay positive and open to new experiences. It is important, before your Aliyah, to familiarize yourself with the 4 health funds in Israel and the medical system. It may be necessary for you to opt for one of the superior, supplementary health plans or even take out an additional, private, health insurance policy.
Tip 8 – Medication
Try to bring sufficient medication, for your chronic ailments, to last you at least 3 months and if possible, try bring a 6 month supply. It may take a few weeks or so, before you find a doctor or specialist that you feel comfortable with. Similarly, it is important to bring your medical records and your medical history with you, so that your new doctor is completely in the picture. Your doctor even if he is a native Hebrew speaker, will understand the English medical reports.
Who doesn’t want to travel? Now is the time. Israel has so many wonderful places to visit and there are some inexpensive ways of doing it. While roughing it or camping may not be your thing or it may be physically impossible, there are some wonderful guest houses, hostels, holiday villages and kibbutzim that offer comfortable and affordable accommodation.
Tip 11 – Volunteer
After a life-time of working you probably would just like to indulge yourself, take it easy and do the things you’ve dreamed about for years. Volunteering in Israel is an excellent way of doing something for the community, meeting interesting people and integrating into Israeli society.
Tip 12 – Learn Hebrew
Don’t expect to get by with English alone. There are government subsidized ulpanim, run by Misrad Haklitah – the Ministry of Aliyah & Integration, that cater to older students. There are many private ones too. Try to learn Hebrew as fast as possible it is vital to your absorption and successful integration. You may even want to consider an on-line course, to get you started, before your Aliyah.
Before you make the final move, you may want to consider making a pilot trip to Israel. Retiring in a foreign country presents many challenges, it might be worth your while to make this preliminary trip to Israel with the express purpose of investigating all aspects of your retirement; arranging meetings with various consultants, visiting potential communities, investigating all of your housing options, checking out a potential job market and start building your social and professional network in Israel specifically for English speakers.
In the affluent Tel Aviv suburb of Ramat Aviv, on Einstein Street, is one of Israel’s most successful shopping malls. Some 140 stores, on 2 floors, attract about 24,000 shoppers to the mall every day. The embassies of Norway, Finland, and Croatia are situated in the adjacent office complex. An amazing store selection: Louis Vuitton, Michael Kors, Marc Jacobs, Ralph Lauren, Calvin Klein and Bobbi Brown are some of the exclusive brand stores. Bershka, Benneton, French Connection, and local Israeli stores like Castra are also represented. Zara, the Mashbir department stores and Superpharm have branches there. A large food court, lots of parking and late closing on Friday afternoon’s all contribute to the popularity of the mall.
The Azrielli Mall is part of a 3 tower complex in Tel Aviv. Conveniently situated next to the HaShalom train station interchange and the Ayalon Highway. Azrielli is about 1km from Tel Aviv’s central bus station. The shopping mall has 3 level of shops, 30 restaurants and fast food stalls and a hotel – the Crowne Plaza. With the usual selection of local brand stores and eateries, some say Azrielli in Tel Aviv is just another mall and others say it is a great shopping experience. We felt the design of the mall and store layout was not very user friendly and we lost our bearings a few times.
Kikar HaMedina is not a mall, it is a shopping plaza, The plaza is circular in shape, and the shops form its circumference. Situated in the northern part of Tel Aviv it is the place to go for luxurious designer shops, exclusive boutiques and high-end jewelry stores. Among the stores you will find international name brands like
Ralph Lauren
Chanel
Versace
Gucci
Padani and more
Dizengof Center
The first shopping mall in Israel, named after the first Mayor of Tel Aviv Meir Dizengof, is conveniently located in central Tel Aviv on Dizengof and King George Streets. With an unusual interior layout, there are 420 stores on 5 floors of shops, 18 eateries and 2 cinemas. For Tel Avivians, Dizengof is the place to be and be seen for Friday morning shopping. Reasons for going: lots of specialty stores, a gallery that hosts international exhibitions. Also a huge public, underground bomb shelter and plenty of parking. The mall is divided into 2 sections on either side of Dizengof St. which are linked by a sky-walk.
New import regulations came into effect in January 2013. The Israeli Customs Authority now requires a “Teken” (Approval from Ministry of Standards) or a “Ptor” (Hebrew: Exemption from the approval) for ALL gas grills imported, even as personal import. Any import shipment containing a gas grill will be pulled for inspection, and the grill will be held by customs until the approval or exemption is issued. Charges for the inspection/ removal, and storage of the gas grill will be billed to you, the owner.
Bicycles
January 2013 – The Ashdod Customs House has decided to inspect any import shipment with a bicycle, to ensure that the bicycle is not motorized. Motorized bicycles require approval from Ministry of Transportation. The cost of the inspection are billed to the owner of the goods. As of now, this only applicable to shipments arriving to Ashdod.
New regulations for electric bicycles
It should be noted that commencing January 1st, 2019 new regulations and restrictions for riding electrical bicycles, in Israel, came into effect and includes:
Registration of bicycles
Training courses for those without a driving license
Take a day out for shopping in the Druze villages of Northern Israel
Hebrew: מרכזי קניות בכפרי הדרוזים
A shopping day at the Druze villages of Daliat-El-Carmel and Usifiya which are about 10km outside of Haifa, a short distance from Haifa University, is sure to delight you and your guests from abroad. Set your destination in WAZE and head-out for a fun shopping and dining experience.
The main shopping street in Daliat El Carmel
A street market with typical middle-eastern wares, curios and bric-a-brac are on sale. Middle-eastern cakes and confections like baklawa can also be bought. You will find a fair selection of restaurants selling hummus, fresh pita and typical middle-eastern foods. Even though you did not order them, there is a good chance that you’ll be presented with a variety of complimentary salads while you are waiting for your main course. The Druze are well known for their hospitality.
Try a fresh, paper thin, Druze pita which is about the size of a pizza. For around 10 shekels you can buy one and request that it be served with labaneh (soured goat’s milk cheese), olive oil and and local herb blend – zaatar. Really delicious! Your kids are sure to want the less traditional version and go for one served with chocolate spread instead.
The Druze Villages are a popular destination for tourists and during the week and there are plenty of tour groups and buses. Tourist prices are inflated so make sure you bargain!! Saturday is a very popular shopping day amongst Israelis, so be prepared for hoards of people. Eateries are packed at lunch-time so be ready to wait.
Parking is not easy to find. You may have to park in one of the side streets and walk a little way to the main shopping area.
If you are coming in from out of town. midweek, and have the time and patience, you might want to park your car and take the 37A bus from the old central bus station (Egged), downtown, near the Rambam hospital. The bus travels through the Germany Colony where you can catch a glimpse of the Bahai Temple, up into the Hadar shopping district, passing the Bnei Zion Hospital, into the scenic Central Carmel, through the Ahuzza neighborhood, Haifa University and the Carmel Forest. After more than an hour, it finally reaches the Druze villages.
You’ll leave the chaos of Tzommet Raanana – The Raanana Interchange behind when you turn into the quiet Ahuza Street. Village shopping is what you’ll experience here. Ahuza Street is the main street in Raanana and it is flanked with wide selection of stores on one end and residential buildings on the other. You’ll find a vast array of shops from designer to “dollar” as well as a large selection of eateries – coffee shops, restaurants and supermarkets. Ahuza Street runs for many kilometers. Each traffic light is numbered making it easier for newcomers and visitors to find their way. English is widely spoken in Raanana.
Big Deal is a ‘dollar shop’ a huge selection of household items sold at discounted prices and with a very low price tag. The store has an ever changing selection of merchandise. They have an excellent selection of accessories for “scrap-booking” and arts-and-crafts and lots of high quality disposable crockery and cutlery, suitable for even the smartest function.
Meatland specializes in imported items from back home. If you are looking for chutney, Hersheys, a taco kit, Aunt Jemmimas, Tate & Lyles, meat pies, biltong, boerewors and many more. They have a catering service and you can buy fresh and frozen prepared foods too.
The Falafel Shop was recommended by a Raanana resident. They do an interesting twist on the regular, traditional falafel. They offer a Mexican falafel portion and a Mediterranean falafel portion. Chili and sweetcorn in the Mexican falafel and pesto, goats cheese and eggplant are some of the ingredients in the Mediterranean falafel.
The Hummus Bar was rated as the best place to eat hummus in Raanana. On a sunny day you can sit outside and enjoy the sunshine too.
Sufganiot, especially popular in Israel, are deep-fried jelly donuts that are traditionally eaten during the 
If you enjoy cinnamon, nutmeg and allspice you will love this recipe. The great thing about it is that these spices are combined with the sugar for dusting. So if you are not partial to the cinnamon, nutmeg and allspice combination, you can just leave them out. This is a Jamie Oliver recipe from his book – Cooking with Jamie.
