Family Health Clinics – Tipat Halav – in Israel, are run by the Ministry of Health. They offer pre-natal and post-natal services to mothers and infants. During your pregnancy, they will check your weight and take your blood pressure. After the birth, they administer the inoculations for your children and check on their general well-being. They weigh, measure, give nutritional advice for infants, check development and give breast feeding advice. They also have a list of doulas that you can contact, should you be want that type of birthing service.
Family Health Clinics in Some of Israel’s Main Cities & Centers
Contact the branch closest to you for details of opening hours.
B’shushu – Doing something secretive or on the side. She bought another pair of shoes b’shushu!
How many Hebrew slang words do you know? You need to learn modern Hebrew slang to sound like a fluent native speaker and to understand Hebrew conversation.
We have chosen 45 of the very best Hebrew slang words and common phrases that will help you understand the locals. They’ll make you smile and some of them might even crack you up!
Achla – אחלה
Achla is an Arabic word meaning great
For example: An Achla dress or an Achla movie. In Israel there is even a brand of hummous called Achla
Al HaPanim – על הפנים
The literal translation of Al HaPanim is “On the face”
It actually means: Terrible or awful
For example: This flu is really getting to me – I am feeling al HaPanim
Avarnu et Paro, na’avor gam et zeh – עברנו את פרעה נעבור גם את זה
Translated this phrase means: We overcame Pharaoh (in Egypt) and we will get through this too.
Its meaning: We overcame immense hardship and we will overcome this too.
For example: It’s been more than five hours already and we haven’t solved the problem. Don’t worry, avarnu et Pharaoh, na’avor gam et zeh.
Balagan – באלגן
A balagan is a mess, a catastrophe or complicated situation.
For example: There is such a balagan in the kitchen, I’d better clean up. Or you could say; there is such a balagan in the government at the moment, every day something else happens
Be’shu’shu – בשושו
Be’shu’shu means doing something quietly or secretly behind the scenes without notifying anyone
Example: He didn’t tell us he got a new car. He always does things be’shu’shu.
Beten gav – בטן גב
The literal translation of Beten Gav is: Stomach, back
It means: A time of relaxation, when all one does is turn over from ones back to ones stomach. A beach or island holiday would be considered ‘beten gav’
For example: I’ve been working so hard lately, I really need some beten gav.
Boker tov Eliyahu – בוקר טוב אליהו
The literal translation of Boker Tov Eliyahu is: Good morning Eliyahu!
It means: Nice of you to show up or remember
For example: Boker tov Eliyahu! Where have you been? We said 10am and it’s now 12
Elef Ahuz – אלף אחוז
Elef Ahuz translates to:1,000 percent
It means: Being absolutely certain about something.
For example : Are you sure you he is having an affair? Yes – elef ahuz!
In other countries we’d say – one hundred percent, but In Israel everything is ten times bigger or more important than anywhere else!
Eichsa fichsa or eichs – איכסה פיכסה
Literally means: Yuck
For example: Eichsa, this food is not tasty at all
Eizeh seret – איזה סרט
The literal translation of Eizeh Seret is: What a movie
The meaning: A series of out-of-the-ordinary events in real-life and usually with a negative connotation
For example: You can’t believe what we had to go through at the border crossing…. Eizeh seret!
Also, of course, if you saw a great movie, you would say: Gee, the Titanic, eizeh seret!
Face – פייס
The literal English translation is quite obvious.
However, in Hebrew, Face refers to Facebook.
For example: I posted my Selfie on my Face
Fadicha – פדיחה
An Arabic word meaning an embarrassing failure, a mess or slip-up
For example: Eizeh fadicha! I fell asleep at work today.
Gihatzta et HaCartis Ashray – גיהצת את הכרטיס אשראי
The literal translation of this is: You ironed your credit card
Its real meaning: You spent a lot on your credit card in a really short period of time
For example: You bought a lot today – Gihatzta et HaCartis Ahsray!
Gilita et America – גילית את אמריקה
Translates to: You discovered America!
Its real meaning: Wow! Tell me something I don’t know.
For example: You’re not gonna believe it but they’re actually making onion flavored crackers now. – Really? Gilita et America!
Ha’dod me’America – הדוד מאמריקה
The actual translation of this is: The uncle from America
It means: The rich uncle, family member or even a friend from the US who spoils his “poor” Israeli relatives with gifts.
For example: I wish I had a dod m’America who would send me the latest iphone!
HaKol Dvash – הכל דבש
Literally it translates to: It’s all honey
It means: Everything is perfect
For example: How is it going with your co-worker after that argument? Thanks, HaKol Dvash.
Haval al HaZman – חבל על הזמן
Its literal translation is : Pity about the time!
It can be a positive reaction – its fantastic! It can also have a negative connotation – its a waste of time!
Positive example: It was such a great movie – haval al ha’zman
Negative example: It was such a boring movie – haval al ha’zman
Teenagers use it too. The first three letters of each word are abbreviated to Hav’laz
For example: She bought such a stunning outfit – hav’laz!
Janana – ג’ננה
A word of Arabic origin meaning aggravating, annoying or irritating
For example: Ata Ma’vi li et HaJanana – You’re annoying me!
Jiffa – גיפה
Translates to: A revolting or disgusting mess
It means: Grime or gunge
For example: I have to wash the kitchen floors and get rid of all that Jiffa
Kama kama? – כמה כמה
The literal translation for this is: How much, how much?
It means: What’s the score?
For example: In the basket-ball game between Maccabi and Hapoel you would ask your friend: Kama, kama?
Kef retzach – כף רצח
Literally: Kef is slang for fun & Retzach means, murder
It actually means: The best or to die for
For example: His barmitzvah party was kef retzach
Ke’ilu da – כאילו דה
The literal translation: Like, duh!
It’s teenage slang for stating the obvious.
For example: Mom says to her son: Have you done your homework? He answers – Ke’ilu da!
Kombina – קומבינה
The word Kombina refers to a ‘combination’ or working the system to your advantage.
For example: He did a kombina at his workplace so he could take the credit for the project.
Koo Koo – קוקו
A Koo-koo is a pony-tail in your hair or the hair band used to make one
For example: Mom, I’ve got gym class today, please make a koo-koo for me
The actual translation of this is: What is the situation or what’s up?
For example: Hey ben-adam, ma HaMatzav?
Hey man, what’s up?
Magniv – מגניב
Means: Cool!
For example: So you’re all coming to my party. Magniv!
Ma ani, ez? – ?מה אני, עז
Its literal translation: What am I, a goat?
It means protesting against unequal treatment or being invisible
For example: After noticing all the kids got candy except him, Danny turns to his mother and says: “Ma ani, ez?”
Nafal lee ha’asimon – נפל לי האסימון
The literal translation of this is: My token dropped
An ‘asimon’ was the token you dropped in Israel’s public payphones until the 1990s, It had a hole in the middle and sometimes people would wear them on chains around their necks.
It actually means: It finally hit or dawned on me.
For example: Now I know why he did that. Nafal lee ha’asimon, I finally figured it all out!
Of mechubas – עוף מכובס
Translates to: a chicken that has been laundered
Its actual meaning: A bland chicken over-cooked in boiling water or an overly repeated situation
For example: If we have to go to your parents for the holidays, we will be forced to eat the same old Of Mechubas your mother always serves, but if we go to my parents…..
Another example: We’ve spoken about this so many times before, its like an Of Mechubas.
In Anglo countries you might use the phrase ‘Don’t cook your cabbages twice’
O-to-to – אותותו
A common saying meaning; In just a moment or very soon
For example: I’ve got an appointment o-to-to. I have to get going
Another example: She is close to her due date. She’ll give birth o-to-to
Pa’am Shlishit, Glida – פעם שלישית, גלידה
Literal translation: Third time, ice-cream!
Third time lucky maybe the closest in meaning. Used when you meet someone, a few times or if something happens repeatedly within a very short space of time
For example: I’ve seen you twice already today, pa’am shlishit, glida! (let’s go catch up over some ice-cream/lunch)
Pony – פוני
It has nothing to do with a young horse. It means a hairstyle with a fringe or bangs
For example: At the hairdresser’s – Should I give you a pony this time?
Protekzia – פרוטקציה
Means: Utilizing your connections in Israel, to your advantage.
For example: Joe got the job because his father knows the managing director. He’s got protekzia. Protekzia is also now commonly referred to as Vitamin P
Sababa – סבבה
Means: great or wonderful
For example: How are things with you? Sababa thanks!
Shtrudel – שטרודל
The actual meaning, as we all know, is that delicious European cake with apples and nuts.
In Israel it means: The (at) @ sign in an email address
For example: This website’s email address is anglolist shtrudel gmail dot com
Shtu’yot Be Mitz Agvani’yot – שטויות במיץ עגבניות
Translates to: Nonsense in tomato juice
Its meaning: It’s nonsense
For example: I don’t agree with you, you are talking “shtuyot be mitz agvaniyot”!
Smoch aly – סמוך עלי
Its translation: Trust me!
It is an arrogant expression that things will work out
For example: The landlord says to his tenant: I’ll get it fixed by next week, don’t worry, smoch aly! (Yeah, yeah!)
Sof Haderech – סוף הדרך
Translates to: The end of the road
It actually means: Great or fantastic
For example: We ate dinner at that new sushi place, the meal was the best I’ve ever had it was sof haderech!
Sof Haderech and Haval Al Hazman are often interchangable
Sof ha’olam smola – סוף העולם שמאלה
The literal translation is: The end of the world, on the left
It actually means: The middle of nowhere, an isolated place in the back of beyond.
For example: You won’t even find it on the map. They live on some sand road 30km south of Dimona. It’s sof ha’olam smola!
Sponja – ספונג’ה
Literally translates to sponge or sponging
It refers to cleaning the floor the Israeli way. A sponga is a broom-like object that has a long spongy, rubber attachment called a “goomi” to which you throw over a wet floor rag and clean the floor. In some countries this device is called a “squeegie”
For example: I can’t meet you for breakfast on Friday morning, I have to sponja the floors and get rid of all that jiffa.
Ta’im Retzach – טעים רצח
Literally: Ta’im means tasty and retzach means murder It actually means: Absolutely delicious – to die for!
An example: My mother’s chopped liver is ta’im retzach!
Tfu, tfu, tfu… טפו טפו טפו
Is a superstitious saying commonly used all over the world.
For example: Don’t worry mom, she is a healthy child. -Tfu, tfu, tfu…
Walla – וואלה
Walla is a Hebrew slang word that has a wide variety of interpretations. Depending on the pronunciation, it could mean: really, Hmm.., I see or okay
For example: The new Harry Potter book has just been published. The excited Harry Potter fan answers: Walla!
There is also a well known local news website called ‘Walla’
Zeh zeh – זה זה
Translates to: This is it.
It means: This is it, it’s meant to be.
For example: I love him and he loves me. Zeh zeh.
You could also say: This is the perfect dress for my sister’s wedding. Zeh zeh!
Beer Sheva the largest city in the Negev desert in Southern Israel. Often referred to as the “Capital of the Negev,” believe it or not, it is the seventh most popular city in Israel with a population of over 200,000. There is a large Russian community in the town and they have made the game of chess very popular – it’s even considered a major sport. In fact, it is so popular that there are more chess grand-masters per capita in Beer Sheva than any other city in the world.
The Negev Museum of Art is set in a building that dates back to the turn of the 20th century, known as the Governor’s House. There are four exhibition halls where the museum holds changing exhibitions of early and contemporary Israeli art.
Visitor Information
Monday, Tuesday & Thursday 10:00-16:00
Wednesday 12:00-19:00Friday 10:00-14:00\
Saturday from 10:00-14:00
Entrance free
Address: 60 Ha’atzmaut Road, Beer-Sheva
Phone: 08-6993535
The Bedouin Market
Looking for something to do on Thursday? The famous Bedouin Market will satisfy any shopaholic. Cheap Bedouin food and interesting bits of clothing are just some of the items on offer. Originally the Bedouin sold their livestock and other produce in the market. If you are looking for traditional Bedouin copper-ware, dress, fabrics, rugs, and ceramic items you will find it all here. Many Bedouin speak English. They are expert salesmen and will use all kind of tactics to get you to buy an item. Like all other markets in Israel, it is customary to bargain.
Directions: Most local buses will stop at the market upon request. If you are walking, from the central bus station, walk to Eilat St. and cross over the road to the market.
Another market just south of the Muslim cemetery is open daily and sells similar items as well.
The Israel Air Force Museum is a must see, a fantasy come true for all children and aspiring pilots. The museum has over 150 Israeli airplanes on display, from several generations of Israeli air combat and from every major operation in Israel. Also on display are airplanes captured from neighboring countries.
Travel Tip: Free guided tours are given by Israeli soldiers. Call ahead to arrange a free tour and a demonstration of the large collection of anti-aircraft guns.
Visitor Information: The museum is located at the Haterim Air-force base outside of Be’er Sheva. Bus no. 31 stops directly in front of the entrance
Tel: 08 990 6855.
Opening hours: Sun-Thurs 8am-5pm, Fri: 8am-1pm.
The Museum of Bedouin Culture at the Joe Alon Center
A rich and varied display of Bedouin ethnic items and artifacts can be found at The Museum of Bedouin Culture. Thorough explanations of the Bedouin way of life in different parts of the Negev and Sinai are charted and describe the Bedouins’ almost-extinct way of life. For directions, opening hours and other information, visit their website.
The Allenby Garden
The Allenby Garden was commissioned by the Ottomans in the early 1900s and then renamed after General Allenby, the leader of the British forces who captured the city from the Ottomans in WWI.
Directions: On HaAtzmaut St., walk up the pedestrian mall from Abraham’s Well; the garden is on the left, beyond Herzl St.
Gan Remez
Gan Remez is a ceramic sculpture garden next to the HaJama Turkish mosque.
Located between Hadassah St. and HaAtzmaut St.
The Negev Palmach Brigade Monument
The Negev Palmach Brigade Monument honors Israeli soldiers who died defending Be’er Sheva and other Negev settlements.
September 1st is the start of the new academic year in Israel. After a long and relaxing summer holiday, it’s time for our children to go back to, or start school for the very first time. Waving goodbye to your little ones as they step into the big wide world is difficult, but there are extra layers of anxiety for new olim who are experiencing Israel’s education system for the first time. Will your children cope with the language? Will they make friends easily? Will they understand instructions? Remember, even if you are anxious, your child needs to feel relaxed and secure. The first day of school is a major milestone – it’s a life changing day and it will be remembered forever.
Municipal and private kindergartens
If you have arranged for your child attend a private kindergarten (Hebrew – gan prati), you have already met the teacher (the ganan (m) or ganenet (f)) and discussed your child’s specific needs with him/her. At this meeting, the ganenet probably explained the daily routine to you; meals, nap-time, discipline etc. If your child is going to a regular municipal kindergarten – a gan ironi, for the first time, you may have a long list of unanswered questions and anxieties.
Working parents might want to take a vacation day on September 1st. Mostly, the first day is only an hour or two long. For the youngest age groups, both at a municipal or private gan, parents should be allowed to stay for a while.
Kindergarten Fees
As of the beginning of the 2012/2013 academic year in Israel, municipal kindergarten fees were lifted and municipal kindergartens in Israel are now free but you are expected to pay extra for things like outings, heating and insurance.
Expect to pay anywhere between 1,500 shekels – 3,500 shekels per month for a private kindergarten or crèche.
A municipal gan in Israel (starting from age 3) can have up to 40 children in a class. A qualified and accredited ganenet or ganan and one assistant, who is mostly responsible for keeping the gan and the children, clean and tidy, are present.
In a private gan there are fewer children. The ratio of children to ganenet is around 10:1. Giving your little angel more individual attention is the best reason to choose a private gan, if you can afford it.
The School Day
The ‘school day’, in a municipal kindergarten usually begins at 7:30.a.m and ends at 1:30.p.m. On Fridays – Erev Shabbat, the gan may close a little earlier. Your local municipality or regional council may run a ‘tzaharon’ – an afternoon program that your child can attend for a fee (not on Friday’s though)
A private gan may open as early as 7:00.a.m and may close as late as 5:00.p.m during the week. Friday’s are also early closing days.
Home-time
Parents are expected to fetch their children on-time at the end of the day. If you cannot fetch your child you must inform the ganenet and tell her who will be fetching your child instead. The ganenet will not release a child to an unauthorized person.
School Snacks & Lunch
In a municipal kindergarten parents need to provide food and snacks for their child. Mid morning snack time is usually between 10 – 10:30 a.m. It is an long-standing Israeli custom to send a child to school with the ever popular chocolate spread sandwich. Many Israeli children go to gan with a juice bottle – Israel’s favorite is “petel” a concentrated, sweetened berry syrup diluted with water. Instead of these empty calorie foods, try provide nourishing food instead; maybe a fruit or vegetable muffin, carrot sticks and other cut up vegetables. You can safely assume there is no refrigeration facility for your children’s snacks in the municipal kindergarten. Some foods that perish quickly in the summer heat; yogurts, cottage cheese, hummus and fresh fruit juice.
A private gan should be providing well balanced, nourishing meals: breakfast, lunch and a mid-afternoon snack for your child. Discuss the menu with the ganenet and any special dietary issues or allergies your child may have.
Spare Clothing
Make sure your toddler has a full change of underwear and clothing in his/her backpack. If your child is attending a religious school, make sure they are dressed appropriately.
You will be required to provide diapers if necessary however a municipal gan will require that your child be potty-trained.
In the gan
Your preschooler will be allocated a drawer or pigeon hole for their personal items and their work.
Each child will be given a hook to hang their jacket and back-pack.
Your child’s day will consist of circle-time, arts and crafts and other stimulating activities, outside free play-time (weather permitting), rest-time and of course, meal-times.
Birthday Celebrations
Your child’s birthday will be celebrated in the gan. You are expected to attend and provide a birthday cake, snacks and drinks for everyone. It is also customary for parents to provide a party favor for all the classmates. These favors could be a small packet of sweets, a small inexpensive toy or even something as simple as an ice-cream. For one shekel each, the Dollar Shops have huge selections of party favors.
If you are having a party for your school-aged child at home, it is customary to invite the entire class. Don’t feel pressurized to do this though.
Shabbat Celebrations
On Friday morning the children will celebrate Shabbat in the gan. An Ima Shabbat (the Shabbat mother) and an Aba Shabbat (the Shabbat father) will play a main part in the festivities. Each child should have a turn to be the Ima or Aba. Shabbat candles will be lit and blessings on the wine and bread will be said.
Holidays & Festivals
Jewish holidays, festivals and customs are taught and celebrated in the municipal gan and parents will be invited to participate in any festivities. These celebrations are generally scheduled for early in the evening or Friday mornings. They are great fun and you will be proud and amazed at what your child has learned during the year.
Ask the ganan or ganenet what religious education your child will receive in a private gan.
End of year Concerts
Private or municipal, there is likely to be an end of year concert. Take lots of pictures and enjoy this special time.
School vacation days
Every year the Ministry of Education and the Teacher’s Union determine school vacation days: In a municipal gan or school, take these vacation days into consideration:
Rosh Hashanah – usually a 3 day break
Yom Kippur – 2 days
The entire week of Sukkot
The entire week of Hannukah
Tu B’Shvat – 1 day
Purim – 2 or 3 days
Pesach – usually 2.5 weeks
Yom Haatzmaut – 1 day
Lag B’Omer – 1 day
Shavuot – 3 days
Summer holidays – July and August
If you have enrolled your child in a private gan, vacations days may differ. Mostly private gans are closed for 2 weeks during the summer, between August 15th and August 31st.
The PTA (Hebrew: Vad HaHorim) – Parents’ Committee: Advice for Mom & Dad
Within a week or two, you will be invited to the first of many PTA meetings. If you are anxious about your level of Hebrew, take a friend who understands Hebrew well so that they can translate for you.
The Dreaded Question!
The dreaded question of the evening: “Mi rotzeh liheyot be vaad?” – Who is volunteering to be on the parents/teachers committee? Usually 3 parents are asked to volunteer. Volunteering for the PTA is a good way for you to get to know and develop a close relationship with the your child’s educator but you will have some responsibilities too.
If you volunteer and stand for election, there is a 99.9% chance that you will be elected. Your duties may include accompanying the children on school outings, collecting money from parents for special events or gifts or volunteering for other duties like making potato latkes for Hanukah!
Your Child’s Health
Question: What has legs but walks on a head? יש לו רגליים והוא הולך על הראש
Answer: Lice
Don’t be alarmed – lice infestations are common in kindergartens and in schools in Israel. Even though this is an embarrassing situation, please tell the ganenet if your child has lice so that the all parents can be notified and instructed to treat the lice to prevent further cross infestations.
Fevers – If your child is running a fever, for their own sake and the sake of the others in the class, keep them at home for a day or two. If your child is running a fever at gan, the ganenet will contact you and ask that you come and collect your child. The ganenet is not allowed to administer any medication whatsoever, even paracetamol, without your prior consent.
If you little angel is going to be absent from gan for any reason, contact the ganenet and tell her. With 30 – 40 children to supervise, the ganenet might not have time to call and find out why your shnookums is absent.
WhatsApp groups are the new norm to keep in touch with other moms, dads and caregivers. You’ll learn some Hebrew and make new friends too!
Worms and other yukky stuff
Check with the ganenet that the sand-pit is kept covered when not in use. How often does the sand get changed? If you happen to notice worms or feces in the sand-box make sure the ganenet is alerted and does something about it. Nag her until she does. This is a health hazard! If the ganenet or the PTA does not act on this, report the matter to the education department at your local municipality or regional council. Wild foliage on the perimeter is hazardous too and makes for a great hiding place for rodents and snakes. A fax, in English, or a phone call to your mayor or head of your regional council will get the matter sorted promptly.
Olim share their experiences
Olga
We made Aliyah from the Ukraine where it was customary to keep children at home until they were ready for school. In Israel, we saw that children went to crèche and kindergarten from an early age. We were concerned about this. Our oldest son Dan stayed home with me, but we sent our daughter Noya to a crèche when she was 2 years old – we wanted her to learn Hebrew so that she would have a good start by the time she was ready for big-school. When our third child, Ronnie, came along, I chose to go back to work when he was 6 months old. We arranged for a Metapelet to come every day and when he was 2 we also sent him to creche.
Dafna
My husband and I decided that we would not celebrate our children’s birthdays with class parties. We understood the social benefits but this was a purely financial decision on our part. It costs many hundreds of shekels to have a class party at home and even more if we arranged a magician or entertainer or had the party at a special venue. So instead, every year we took 1,000 shekels per child (the amount we would have spent on a party) and put that money to a savings account for each one of them. When they come out the army, they will each have a large sum of money saved up for something special. We think it’s the right thing to do.
