Yom Kippur fasting tips and fasting do’s & don’ts.
Fasting tips and recommendations from Soroka Medical Center specialists & Adina Ben-Aharon, chief clinical dietitian at Soroka Medical Center. Thanks to Kupat Holim Clalit for sharing this information with us.
The very first thing
Before the fast, no matter what your age, if you are taking any medication, consult with your doctor to discuss whether it is advisable to fast under your health circumstances and ask for instructions on how to conduct yourself on the fast day.
A few days before the fast
Preparation for the fast begins two or three days before the fast
Make sure your are well hydrated – drink around 10-12 cups of unsweetened beverages, preferably water before commencing the fast.
To prevent headaches, gradually reduce consumption of caffeine and theophylline found in coffee, tea, coca cola, chocolate, cocoa, and diet drinks. None of these should not be consumed on the day before the fast.
Make sure to eat set and balanced meals.
The day before the fast
Stay away from sweetened beverages and salty soups which generate a sense of thirst.
Make it a point to eat frequent, small meals. At each meal, make sure to eat carbohydrates such as rice, potatoes and pasta, with a serving of protein such as eggs, cheese, fish and meat, along with a vegetable side dish.
Avoid gassy foods like legumes, cabbage, cauliflower and carbonated beverages.
Even if you do not feel thirsty, make sure to drink plenty of water. Remember the body can survive without food for a month but only 3 days without water.
To avoid heartburn, aftertastes, and a sense of thirst on the fast day, stay away from salty, spicy and heavily seasoned foods as well as anything fried or fatty.
To avoid a feeling of heaviness, abdominal pressure and fatigue, don’t overeat at the final meal – you’ll have an easier fast if you don’t stuff your stomach.
What to serve at the final meal
Clear soup – go easy on the salt.
Complex carbohydrates
Protein: fish, chicken, turkey, meat, tofu for vegetarians, eggs, and soft cheeses
Boiled or baked vegetables of any kind (nothing fried)
Fats: oil, avocado, tahina and humus – these can be tossed in a salad or served separately
Drinks: water or tea
After the fast
To avoid discomfort, it is important not to overeat immediately after the fast. Eat a small helping of food, take a half hour break and then come back for more. It may take a day or two for your body to completely recover. Overeating or ingesting certain foods too quickly may cause you to experience a bit of nausea, stomachache or even diarrhea.
The first foods that you consume upon breaking a fast are critical to nourish the body, and should not expend much energy to digest and assimilate in the body. Raw fruit juices and fruits contain much water content and are easily digested. Watermelon, grapes and apples (all readily available in the shuk right now) are easily digested, nutritious and provide quick energy. Minimize citrus fruits at first since they may feel too acidic in your stomach. Also, drink a glass of water to re-hydrate your body.
Eggs
Did you know that one egg has 6 grams of protein and all 9 essential amino acids? They are easily digestible so serving eggs after a fast makes good sense. If scrambled, sunny-side up, boiled or poached does not appeal to you, try serving a ‘pashtida‘ – a quiche or savory tart – for an egg-filled, light and nourishing meal.
Opening a Business in Israel & Getting a Business Loan
Hebrew: הקמת עסק בישראל – הלוואות לעסקים
300,000 Shekels small business loans are available to new immigrants
The Ministry of Absorption
New, returning residents can receive 250,000 NIS loan, professional advice to open company in Israel and will provide half of minimum wage for employers who hire olim. This is a new campaign to help and encourage new immigrants or returning residents who previously left the country and have now returned, to establish new businesses in Israel.
New immigrants and returning residents will receive a package of benefits to start new businesses in Israel. The package includes a loan, up to 250,000 NIS (Nearly $80,000), with convenient conditions and professional business help from accountants and financial and marketing advisors, who will be assigned to help build a business plan and open the business itself, all before the immigrant arrives in Israel.
Koret Foundation Israel Economic Development Fund
The AACI has partnered with the Koret Foundation’s Israel Economic Development Fund (KIEDF) to establish a small business loan program. Loans for up to 5 years and up to NIS 300,000 can be used for starting a new business or expanding an existing one.
The process begins with a counselor who reviews basic eligibility and referral to KIEDF. The KIEDF wil provide business consulting services including review, advice guidance, and the preparation of a business plan. Should the loan be approved, the applicant will be introduced to a bank used by the KIEDF. The bank then needs to approve the loan.
The Ness Negev Business Loan Fund
Established to assist small businesses in the Negev, with the broader aim of creating jobs and accelerating economic activity in Israel’s southern region. By providing resources for economic development, regional growth, and the creation of critical new jobs, the fund was designed to provide burgeoning entrepreneurs with initial capital and professional mentoring to help them realize their business vision, bringing prosperity and vision to the underdeveloped Israeli Negev.
The Israel Free Loan Association IFLA
The IFLA provides Israel’s struggling working population with interest free loans. The IFLA has had a major impact on keeping low income needy working Israeli families financially independent and off of welfare and away from loan sharks. IFLA loans help all type of people. The loans help financially strapped Israelis get back on their feet, help university students obtain academic degrees, help new immigrants move out of Absorption Centers and into their own homes, allow ailing Israelis to undergo medical treatment, help families with disabled children to purchase specialized medical equipment, as well as enabling small businesses to start or expand, thereby supporting both themselves and others.
Contact the Israel Free Loan Association Rechov Rivka 29 Jerusalem, Israel Tel: 02-5300777 Fax: 02-5669504
The Jewish Agency
The Jewish Agency operates a loan fund, with excellent conditions, for creating employment opportunities, impacting Israeli society and stimulating the economy.
Many new immigrants to Israel have entrepreneurial initiative and sound business ideas but lack the collateral needed for bank loans. New immigrants and economically disadvantaged native-born Israelis generally stand little chance of getting financing from banks in Israel.
The Jewish Agency Loan Fund addresses this need and even guarantees part of the financial responsibility in the event of default of repayment.
The first step is to contacting an independent business advisor or your local MATI branch (small and medium business development centers). You business concept is studied and an application and business plan is submitted to the Jewish Agency for approval. If the loan is approved, the Jewish Agency becomes a guarantor for the bank loan for the amount set by the committee.
The Jewish Agency together with the Jewish Federations of North American, operate 7 loan funds around Israel. Loans, up to NIS 300,00 can be taken and repayment is spread over 6 years
