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Haifa Festival of Festivals 2018 Walking Tours.

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Haifa Festival of Festivals 2018 Walking Tours.
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Haifa Festival of Festivals 2018 – Walking Tours

haifa festival of festivals 2018 walking tours

Scenes from the Haifa Festival of Festivals ( Image: Anglo-List)

Program of Walking Tours

The graffiti tour – Friday, December 7 at 10 am 
Understand and learn about the graffiti artists,how to cope with the tension created by forbidden and permitted activities and how to continue to exist.
60 ₪ early bird tickets or  at the door, 80 NIS

Tour from black to green – Fridays 7,14,21 / 12 at 10 am 
On the morning of November 24, 2016, a huge fire broke out in Haifa. The city turned from green to black. In a new premiere tour, agronomists Hanoch Burger and Khaled Hamoud will followi the path of the damage to the recovery and restoration or the urban environment. 40 NIS advance purchase, 60 NIS at the door.

Art and food tasting – Fridays 7,14,21 / 12 Saturdays 8,15,21 / 12 at 11:00 and 14:00 
A new tour combining art and cuisine. From Beit Hageffen straight to Wadi Nisnas to explore unique street art that have been in the Wadi for 25 years. Visit small restaurants serving local, fresh and delicious food. Hear the story of the wonderful neighborhood that is almost as it was in 1948, and now combines old with new.. 60 ₪ early bird tickets or 80 NIS at the door.

Come for Lunch – Saturdays 8:15 / 12 at 12:30
In the Wadi al-Jamal neighborhood – Ein Hayam is a mixed and colorful neighborhood at the foot of Mount Carmel. As part of the holiday celebrations, residents of the neighborhood open their doors and invite you into the neighborhood with its special character, characterized by co-existence. Around the dinner table, you will be served an authentic lunch in the tradition of the host family. ₪ 80 early bird tickets or 100 NIS at the door.

Inspirational Women’s Day Tour – Friday: December 7, 21, 9: 30 New!
Who are the women of Haifa? Feminists, activists, artists? A tour in the wake of Haifa’s women.
Between the Carmel and the sea are images of strong, active Haifa women who work tirelessly for the sake of the community and for themselves, with  fascinating and inspiring life stories.
Get to know the feminine side of Haifa in a tour that will begin in the center of the Carmel in a meeting led by Dr. Hannah Safran, well known in the Haifa community as a peace and feminist activist.

The tour lasts about three hours.

110 NIS early bird or 130 NIS at the door.

Open house experience in the wadi – Fridays 7,14,21 Saturdays 8,15,22 hours: 10:00 12:30
Locals in Wadi NisNas open their doors and invite you in. Share the stories of those who remember the neighborhood like it was when Arabs and Jews cooked together in the courtyard of the building. Arabic, Yiddish and other languages mixed together and heard only in Haifa. Drink coffee, hear a story, ask questions. The tour lasts two hours. 70 ₪ early bird tickets. 90 NIS at the door. 

Christmas Tour – Thursday 13 + 20 16:30 | 17:30

Haifa in December is like Christmas abroad

A special and festive Christmas tour – wonder through the decorated streets and the illuminated Christmas trees, the Churches and private homes that flicker with colorful lights and herald the coming of the Christmas holiday.

70 NIS early bird tickets or 90 NIS at the door.

Flea Markets – more than just vintage – Fridays 7,14 – 13:30 Saturdays 8:15 10:00 +13:30 – New!
Dr. Ofer Schwarzglass, a local resident of Yad Vaedan for market and environmental affairs, knows the small, secret alleys that tell special stories, architecture and history of the flea market. See beyond vintage and antiques.

40 NIS early bird tickets or 60 NIS at the door

Around Ein Hayam – Saturdays 8-15 December at 10:00

Ein Hayam is a community-tourism initiative initiated by the residents of Ein al-Hayam and Wadi al-Jamal where Jews and Arabs co-exist. The neighborhood is located on the green slopes of the Carmel opposite the shores of the Mediterranean Sea, has about 2,800 Jewish and Arab residents, Christians and Muslims and growing Haredi population. The neighborhood has unique good neighborliness and mutual understanding. Around the neighborhood are plenty of archeological, historical and religious sites and nature. The tour lasts two hours. 30 NIS early bird or 50 at the door.

What’s happening in the German Colony?

More details, early bird and discounted tickets and a full program on the festival’s website: 

The Haifa Festival of Festivals 2018

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The Haifa Festival of Festivals 2018

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The Haifa Festival of Festivals 2018 – Holiday of Holidays – חג החגים

More music, more shows, more flavors, more scents, more tours, more exhibits at the Haifa Festival of Festivals 2018

This year, the  Haifa Festival of Festivals  is celebrating its 25th year. Haifa is a city of many religions, it’s multicultural with a variety of cuisines and natural beauty. The Festival of Festival extends over two weekends in December with rich and diverse cultural and educational activities for the whole family. The festival’s events are based on the belief that face-to-face encounters with other cultures, each with their own heritage are important for breaking barriers and building trust between different nationalities, ethnic and religious groups in Haifa and Israel.

Every year, visitors from all over the country come to the festival to participate in a colorful celebration of music, poetry, theater, literature, art and more. An initiative of Beit Hagefen – the Arab-Jewish Cultural Center and the Municipality of Haifa, it began in 1993. This year it will expand beyond the Wadi Nisnas neighborhood and events will also take place in the German Colony with many tours in the area. The aim of the festival is to promote and foster tolerance and mutual respect through culture and art.

haifa festival of festivals 2018

Scenes from the Haifa Festival of Festivals ( Image: Anglo-List)

Highlights of The Haifa Festival of Festivals 2018

6.12  Festive Opening Event at Haifa Auditorium

19:00: 80 Worlds in One Day – Performances singing, dance and acting – the Marseilles group ‘Mot Pour Mot’ – with Roni Someck, Yankele Pilzer and Rabia Khoury. The show is in Hebrew, Arabic and French.

20:00: Omri – A festive concert with the Fürket El Nour Orchestra, with singers Violet Salame, Raymond Abekis and Natalie Peretz.
Cocktails after the concert; 60 NIS early bird tickets, 80 NIS at the door, Haifa Auditorium, 138 Hanassi Ave.

Marking the 25th anniversary of the festival, the Beit Hagefen Center will inaugurate a new area, “The Third Wing: An area for art and education”. The area is part of the new wing of the Beit Hagefen Gallery that will offer an audience experiences that combine art and activities and focus on acquiring life skills in a multi-cultural society. The festive opening event on 7.12 at 14:00. (Concurrently the exhibition “Tzel Harim”at Beit Hagefen Gallery will open).

At 21:30 – 1,000 Leila v’Leila (1000 nights) – a production of the Department of Cultural Studies, University of Haifa about Arab culture and the West and everything in between – about literary work and their translations.

Open to the public. A House in the Gallery  – Ha’Atzmaut 97, downtown (also on Thursday, December 20)

7 December – 3 Lessons

First Lesson: 7.12 – Have fun learning Arabic with Avshalom Farjun.  The fascinating lectures exploring the roots of Hebrew and Arabic.

Second Lesson 14.12 – Simple conversations in Arabic

Third Lesson: 21.12 – Hebrew and Arabic in the Bible

21:30: 80 Worlds in One Day – Performances singing, dance and acting – the Marseilles group ‘Mot Pour Mot’ – with Roni Someck, Yankele Pilzer and Rabia Khoury. The show is in Hebrew, Arabic and French.

7.12  20:00 – Media Noche – The Haifa Salsa community at a Cuban Salsa party. Lessons and dancing accompanied by instructors and dancers.

Open to the public – Beit HaGefen Theater, 33 Hatziyonut Blvd.

9 December

19:30 – “B’ein Gvarim Karoo L’tarnagol Abu Ali” – launching of the book by Avshalom Farjun and Buthana Shehade – a magnificent ethnic musical celebration featuring the best artists in Israel.

Open to the public – Beit HaGefen Theater – HaTsiyonut Boulevard 33 Haifa

12 December

At 12:30 Hebrew in the Bible in light of Arabic (21.12) – All meetings are accompanied by a meeting in Arabic The opening of each session is about two hours, open to the public, Beit Hagefen Theater – Hatzionut Boulevard 33

20:00 – Media Noche – The Haifa Salsa community at a Cuban Salsa party. Lessons and dancing accompanied by instructors and dancers.

Open to the public – Beit HaGefen Theater, 33 Hatziyonut Blvd.

At 21:30 – 80 Worlds in One Day – Performances singing, dance and acting – the Marseilles group ‘Mot Pour Mot’ – with Roni Someck, Yankele Pilzer and Rabia Khoury. The show is in Hebrew, Arabic and French.

Open to the public – Beit Hagefen Theater – Hatziyonut Boulevard 33 Haifa

14 December

21:30 Marrakesh Express – a celebration of music combining Eastern and Western classics.

40 NIS early bird tickets. 60 NIS at the door. Beit HaGefen Theater, Hatziyonut Blvd 33, Haifa

16 December

20:00 The Oriental Rhymes – a traditional ethnic dance and music show from China

Open to the public – Beit Hagefen Theater, Hatzionut Ave 33

20 December

20:30 Madonna: Singing with Yechiel Hermesh – a satire

40 NIS early bird tickets. 60 NIS at the door. Beit HaGefen Theater, Hatziyonut Blvd.

21 December

21:30 – Mira Awad talks about complexity, resignation, hope and especially about love.

40 NIS early bird tickets. 60 NIS wat the door. Beit HaGefen Theater, Hatziyonut Blvd.

29 December

18:00 – Missa Theresa celebrates Haydn

With the participation of the Orpheod ensemble and the Union Choir conducted by Ronen Borshevsky

Soloists: Soprano – Nur Darwish, Alto – Dima Bakri, Tenor – Liran Kupan, Bass – Yoav Weiss

In the program – Dvorak – Serenade for String Instruments / Haydn – Missa Theresa

Early bird tickets 60 NIS or 80 NIS at the door.  The Catholic Church, Ein Dor 23

Hebrew to English translations gone bad

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Hebrew to English translations gone bad
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Hebrew to English translations gone bad. Google translate doesn’t always get it right.

There are many examples where Hebrew to English translations go bad and even Google and other online translators, get it wrong.   Olim Hadashim make mistakes all the time.  In my own experience it has sometimes been years later that I learnt what my mistakes were and that they were hilarious in many ways.

Here is one that was recently posted in our Facebook group.

hebrew to english google translations

What makes this hysterical? The words בעלי חיים means animals.  בעלי in Hebrew also means ‘my husband’ and חיים  is a man’s name – Haim.  The actual translation should be Not tested on animals.  

If you have one you’d like to share, please do so in the comments section below.

This Hanukah try Indian Bhajia Onion Fritters.

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This Hanukah try Indian Bhajia Onion Fritters.

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bhajia onion fritterIndian Bhajia deep fried onion fritters instead of traditional latkes on Hanukah.

Tired of the traditional potato latkes or sweet-potato latkes for Hanukah? This Hanukah you might want to try your hand at making Bhajia onion fritters – a traditional Indian recipe that is a great accompaniment to a curry, a soup or a wonderful starter to any meal.

For lovers of Indian cuisine, there is no difference between the Bhajia fritter (also: bhajiya, bhajji) and pakora (also: pakoda, pakodi, fakkura)

Here is the recipe for Indian Bhajia onion fritters…

Ingredients for Bhajia onion fritters

  • 2 large onions finely sliced
  • 200 g of chickpea flower (available in better supermarkets and health-food stores.  If you make your own falafel, chickpea flower is a must-have pantry item)
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • 1 tsp turmeric
  • 1/2 tsp chili flakes
  • 1/2 tsp ground cumin
  • 1/2 tsp ground coriander
  • salt
  • 100 ml water
  • oil for frying

Method

1. Heat the vegetable oil in a large pan

2. In a large bowl make the batter. Add the chickpea flour, baking powder, turmeric, chili powder, cumin, coriander, salt and the water. Mix together well and then add the sliced onion – mix the onion through until well coated.

3. Check the temperature of the oil by dropping a small piece of onion into the pan – it should brown fairly slowly – not burn or go dark brown straight away.

4. Carefully drop spoons of the bhajia batter in to the oil, do NOT overcrowd as they will stick together. Fry in small batches for 1 to 2 minutes until they are a golden brown and crispy.

5. Remove them with a slotted spoon and allow them to drain on a paper covered plate in a warm oven.

6. Repeat until all the bhajia batter is finished and they are all cooked.

If you like you can serve the bhajia onion fritters with a yogurt based dip – an Indian cucumber raita or another Middle Eastern favorite –  tzatziki (cacik)

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Parshat Hashavua Vayishlach – Part 2

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Parshat Hashavua Vayishlach – Part 2

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Parshat Hashavua Vayishlach – Part 2.

By: Rav Nissim Mordechai Makor

There are some very interesting incidents in Vayishlach.
First, when Yaacov and Eisav finally meet, it says that Eisav kissed Yaacov. The word that is used is “Vayishakaihu”, Genesis 32:4. The interesting thing about this word is that there are six dots above the word. There are no dots in the Torah, so it must mean that there is a big secret with this word. There is a Midrash that says that Eisav wanted to bite and kill Yaacov and that Yaacov’s neck turned to stone and Eisav broke his teeth and cried out in pain. This is a nice Midrash but it is s simple one. We know that there are seventy faces to the Torah, so I will now give a very deep secret to these dots. Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai writes a big discourse about this secret in the Mishnah. He says that these dots have to do with the root of antisemitism.
There is a Halacha that says:
Eisav sonei Yaacov – Eisav hates Yaacov.
What does this all mean???
Rabbi Shimon says that Eisav has to hate Yaacov unless Yaacov does his work. What is this work? Yaacov and Eisav were brothers and when Yaacov came to meet Eisav he came with unconditional love. Eisav came to kill Yaacov, he came with 400 men(there are 400 negative forces). When he encountered Yaacov, Rabbi Shimon says his kiss was sincere by Eisav. At that moment he didn’t want to kill Yaacov anymore, because Yaacov’s love turned his hatred around. Hate cannot stay in the same place as love. Either it gets turned around or it has to run away.
Shlomo Hamelech in Kohelet brings down that the same way as a persons face is reflected in water, the same way a persons emotions are felt by the person opposite one. This is a big secret and I am sure everybody has experienced this with other people. Many times one encounters a person in a bad mood and immediately feels the negative vibes the person is giving off or a person walks into a room and one automatically does not like them.
The way to turn people around is to come to them with love. When you meet a person, send them love and they will suddenly be nice to you. Use this idea and you will be amazed at the results. Use the combination from the Ana Becoach prayer. The acronym of the first line has a numerology of 506 which is the same numerology as Ahavat Chinam/Love for Reason. Think of this meditation and send love to people. It worked for Yaacov!!!
This is what Yaakov’s job is, to be in unity with his brother. If we could do this, Mashiach would come today.
Another very interesting thing in this portion is when Yaacov goes back across the Yabok river to retrieve a little flask of oil. It does not make sense. Again there are big secrets with this episode. First this was not just a regular flask of oil. When Yaacov woke up from his dream in the last portion, he realized he was in a holy place and anointed the stone with this oil. What he found was that the flask refilled itself and he realized that it was very special oil. In fact it was the same oil that was used in the Temple later on and also the oil that was found on Chanukah. This is why he went back to get this flask.
Also the name Yabok is a very big secret. The numerology of Yabok is 112, which is the total of three of Hashem’s names.
26-65-21. These three represent the worlds of Briah 21, Yetzirah 26 and Asiah 65. They represent an elevation. When Yaacov went over the river he was Yaacov and when he came back he was Yisrael. He elevated himself to a much higher level. This is what happens when we grow spiritually, we become a different person, we elevate to a higher level. When we hear the Torah on Shabbat we can elevate ourselves to this higher level to become a new person and our own Yisrael.
Something I read…
There is a vort in this week’s parsha of Vayishlach which is not a vort but rather a yesod, a concept that can change our lives.  For that reason, I often share it with the alumni on Parshat Vayishlach.  We heard it from Rav Hillel Zaks shlita, the Rosh Yeshiva of Knessia Gedolah in Kiryat Sefer and grandson of the Chofetz Chaim ztz”l.
How strong is a malach – an angel?  Is he macho with bulging biceps?  If you think for a moment you’ll probably realize that he is as strong as he needs to be to accomplish the task for which Hashem created him.  The malach that destroyed Sodom must have been quite powerful to cause such an upheaval.
But if so, why was the malach of Eisav unable to defeat Yaakov?  The verse tells us, “he wasn’t able to overcome him”.  Once again, with a little thought, we can understand that Hashem gave this malach enough strength to engage Yaakov in combat but if Yaakov fights back, Hashem did not give the malach the power to defeat Yaakov.  We know that the malach of Eisav is the yetzer hara.  It’s mind boggling but it’s true.  If we allow it to tempt us and our struggle is merely wishful thinking and not real, we lose.  But if we would only fight back we are assured that we will win.  This yesod is an insight to life and its challenges.
It teaches us that we only came to this world to change our bad character traits and if we don’t fight with all our might, Chas veShalom, the malach can beat us.
Rav Yeruchum ztz”l of the Mir asks, what is a tzaddik?  If it is that a tzaddik does mitzvos and a rasha does aveiros, that’s not true because the pasuk says that there is no tzaddik in the world that doesn’t (at times) “mess up”.  Furthermore, we can be “as full of mitzvos as a rimon (pomegranate) and still be a rasha”.  The difference is that a tzaddik fights back when the yetzer hara tempts and challenges him.  A rasha doesn’t bother to fight, follows the path of least resistance and gives in. This is the essence of change. Remember it is a 24/7/365 day job. The yetzer hara never sleeps.
The Ben Ish Chai writes something very interesting about this portion. With regards to the verse, Bereishit 35:1,
“Arise-go up to Beth-el…. And make an alter there to Hashem who appeared to you”.
The Ben Ish Chai writes that in Midrash Bereishit Rabbah, Hashem told Yaacov that all the sorrow and anguish that happened to him regarding his daughter, Dinah and being side-tracked in his travels for no specific reason were because Yaacov Avinu was late in fulfilling his neder(vow). Yaacov made an oath to give one tenth of his income to charity. Hashem, therefore, told Yaacov to hurry up and go to Bet-El in order to fulfill his vow.
The great mussar lesson that we all need to take from this story, is that Yaacov Aveinu, who was one of the greatest Tzaddikim, was punished for not fulfilling his vow. Being a Tzadik did not help him. Hence, the average person should really watch out regarding what he obligates himself to do and not to take lightly what he promises to do regarding Holy items.
Shlomo Hamelech in Kohelet, 5:1-5, says:
“When you make a vow before Hashem, do not be late to pay it”.
The Ben Ish Chai says that the important thing is that the words of a person regarding holiness are not the same as his speech regarding mundane items. A person must consider very carefully what he undertakes to do regarding Holy matters and not to produce words from his mouth or from his heart and make empty promises before Hashem.
The biggest example of this is the promises we make to give charity. Many time we buy aliyot in Shul and forget about them or a meshulach comes to our door and we promise to send money. Be careful of this as we see that Yaacov’s righteousness could not even save him. Another example is promises to help a friend, which we sometimes forget to do. Sharing is a very big spiritual deed. One will one day have to give an accounting before the Heavenly court for these mistakes.
Rather don’t promise or say “Bli Neder”.
The Ben Ish Chai says that regarding mundane items, that a person will not have to give an accounting, however, to train ourselves, we should never make promises we can’t keep. If one says something mundane and doesn’t keep his word, he might cause a Chilul Hashem which is a more serious offense.
Shabbat Shalom.

Jobs in Israel

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Jobs in Israel

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Latest jobs in Israel for English and foreign language speakers.

Looking for jobs in Israel?

To those who are looking for jobs in Israel – we have an extensive section of employment information, articles and tips for job seekers; Israel employment laws, social benefits, job opportunities, Hebrew to English translations of forms, pay slips, important vocabulary, adjusting to your new workplace and more. Click here…

jobs in israel for english speakers

Home Front Command – Pikud HaOref – Latest Instructions

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Home Front Command – Pikud HaOref – Latest Instructions

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Home Front Command (Pikud HaOref) – Latest Instructions

The Home Front Command – Pikud HaOref  has issued these instructions (from 12/11/18 at 22:30 until 13/11/18 at 22:30)

HOME FRONT COMMAND PIKUD HAOREF INSTRUCTIONS

Translated by Anglo-List.  The original Hebrew version here…

Our thoughts and prayers are with our friends in Southern Israel.

The Hebrew month of Cheshvan

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The Hebrew month of Cheshvan

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The Hebrew month of Cheshvan coincides with Scorpio on the zodiac.  What makes this month special?

Contributed by: Rav Nissim Mordechai Makor

cheshvan zodiacI heard a lecture from Rabbi Alon Anava about Scorpio and there is a very interesting point he made about this month – Cheshvan.
Everything I have read about Scorpio says that it is the most powerful month. Why?  I never really had an answer until I heard this lecture. Let me explain.
The tribe associated with Scorpio is Menashe. Menashe had a special quality. What was that? He did not complain when Yaacov blessed his younger brother, Ephraim before him. He didn’t mind being second.
To give some background. From the beginning of time, there was always strife between brothers;
  1. Cain and Abel
  2. Shem and Yafet against Ham
  3. Yitzchak and Ishmael
  4. Yaacov and Eisav
  5. Yosef and his brothers

This recurring theme is very important because none of these brothers were able to do this tikkun/correction of achdoot/unity. Unity is one of the most powerful forces in the universe and Chazal says that if the Jews were unified, they would bring the redemption immediately. It also says that if thieves are unified they will be successful. This is the power of unity. We also know that Hashem hates machlokets/arguments more than anything. When the Jews did the sin of the golden calf and the spies, the manna still fell on those days. Yet when Korach had a machloket with Moshe, that day the manna did not fall.

This tikkun/correction is one of the biggest tests in everybody’s life and one that is with us all the days of our lives.
When Yaacov crossed his hands and wanted to bless the younger one first, Yossef told his father that this was wrong. Yosef thought that here we go again with the strife between the brothers. Yet there was not a sound out of Menashe. In all the writings there is not a word that he complained. This was Menashe’s special quality. Even though he was a big shot, he was Yosef’s right hand man, he did not mind being second. He was happy for his brother. When he kept quiet he was able to accomplish this tikkun of unity. This is a very powerful character trait to have, to be happy for others with no jealousy. Later we see with Moshe and Aharon, that they perfected this tikkun. Moshe did not want to accept the job of the redeemer because he was the younger and Aharon was very happy for Moshe when he came to Egypt even though he was the older. Their relationship was the perfect one, in that they cared more about the other one than themselves. This is an amazing chidush.
Why is unity so powerful? There are a few reasons and they are all very powerful.
We know that the sin of hatred for no reason(Sinat Chinam) was the cause of the second Temple being destroyed and also the reason we are still in galut/exile. The antidote for hatred for no reason is love for no reason(Ahavat Chinam). Love for no reason comes about because there is unity between two parties. We know that the acronym for first line of the the prayer, Ana Becoach has a numerology of 506, which is also the numerology of Ahavat Chinam/love for no reason. This acronym is a very powerful force and can be used in our everyday life to help relationships with difficult people.
Also from Menashe, we learn that when he didn’t complain, he let go of his ego. Most people would be upset that they were passed over and would complain. From Menashe’s action we can use this to get rid of our ego. Humility is one of the most powerful character traits and connects to the Sefirah of Keter.
Also Rabbi Akiva told us that, Love thy Neighbor, is one of the most important laws in the Torah. This is a very deep subject, but one of the teachings, is that even though it is very difficult to love a stranger as much as your family, who are your closest neighbors, the idea is to want for your neighbor as much as you want for yourself. If you want a million dollars, then you must want the same or more for your neighbor. This was the power of Menashe. He was happy for his brother.
From the above we see that in this month we have the ability to connect to all these forces, unity, love for no reason, love thy neighbor and humility. This is the power of this month. So much energy. Being able to connect to these qualities makes this month the most powerful and the reason the third Temple will be dedicated in Cheshvan.
Chodesh Tov.

Measles outbreak in Israel

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Measles outbreak in Israel

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The 2018 measles outbreak in Israel. The latest update.

Almost a year since the 2018 outbreak, the number of infected people in Israel has jumped to over 2,700 cases with more than 900 total hospitalizations.  Measles claimed another death this week when an 82 year old woman died in Jerusalem.  In stark contrast, only 40 cases of measles were diagnosed in 2017.

Who should be inoculated against measles?

  1. Babies aged 12 months
  2. Children in the first grade
  3. Adults who have never had measles or never had the measles vaccine (2 shots)
  4. Adults born between 1957 – 1977 who are traveling abroad
  5. Babies traveling abroad age 6 – 12 months

The Hebrew word for measles: חצבת – Hatzevet

Measles is a contagious disease that can spread through contact with infected mucus and saliva. An infected person can release the infection into the air when they cough or sneeze.

Measles symptoms

Measles signs and symptoms appear around 10 to 14 days after exposure to the virus. Signs and symptoms of measles typically include:

  • Fever
  • Dry cough
  • Runny nose
  • Sore throat
  • Inflamed eyes (conjunctivitis)
  • Tiny white spots with bluish-white centers on a red background found inside the mouth on the inner lining of the cheek — also called Koplik’s spots
  • A skin rash made up of large, flat blotches that often flow into one another

Contact a doctor immediately if you suspect you have measles.

measles outbreak israel
Typical measles rash

Effects of measles

About one child out of every 1,000 who get measles will develop encephalitis (swelling of the brain) that can lead to convulsions and can leave the child deaf or with intellectual disability.

The measles vaccine

Immunizations are optional and at this time are not legislated. To prevent measles outbreaks in Israel, the Ministry of Health suggests that every child be immunized.

The measles vaccine is given together with mumps, rubella and varicella. In some countries the inoculation is known as the “four-in-one”.

Where to get the measles vaccine

Depending on your age, if you have not received a measles vaccine and you come into contact with an infected person, arrange a visit at one of the vaccination clinics  to receive a measles vaccine within 72 hours of contact to prevent infection or at Tipat Halav the Family Health Clinics around the country.

Treating measles

There is no prescription medication to treat measles. The virus and symptoms typically disappear within two to three weeks. However, your doctor may recommend:

  • acetaminophen to relieve fever and muscle aches
  • rest to help boost your immune system
  • plenty of fluids (six to eight glasses of water a day)
  • humidifier to ease a cough and sore throat
  • vitamin A supplements

The Israel Ministry of Health (MOH)

The Israel MOH has taken the following measures

-Extended the vaccination campaign for the prevention of measles in Jerusalem which includes keeping Tipat Halav family care centers open in the evenings as well.

-The campaign is coordinated with the HMOs and municipal bodies. So far, the percentage of vaccination in un-vaccinated “pockets” has risen from 55 percent to more than 80 percent.

-Added a mobile unit that patrols the target neighborhoods in order to vaccinate on site.

-Coordination within the communities with relatively low vaccination coverage rates.

-Hiring new nurses and adding new nurse positions in the Jerusalem district and helping nurses with additional manpower and male/female healthcare students.

-Restricting un-vaccinated visitors’ from entering sensitive areas hospitals, such as the ward for premature babies, intensive care, oncology, and hemato-oncology.

-Considering the issue of restricting entry to schools to un-vaccinated individuals who could put the public at risk.

-Because of the limited efficiency of the vaccine at an early age, and the necessity to repeat the vaccination at 12 months of age, it was decided to keep the age of the first vaccination as is, except in specific outbreak centers, which will be under the sole discretion of the district doctor of the Ministry of Health.

According to an article in the Jerusalem Post, parents who refuse to vaccinate their children could be fined NIS 2,000 if a bill approved by the Ministerial Committee for Legislation on Sunday, November 18th, 2018 becomes law.

The bill is meant to regulate the state’s treatment of anti-vaccine families, and will allow the Health Ministry to keep un-vaccinated children out of schools when there is a concern of an outbreak.

The proposal includes requiring the Health Ministry to keep track of which children have been immunized, according to the ministry’s recommendations, and to send a warning to parents of those who have not been inoculated.

If the parents do not have their children vaccinated after the warning, they will be invited to a meeting to explain to them the importance of vaccination. If they still refuse, they will have to sign a document saying so. At that point, any parents who do not inoculate their children can lose income tax rebates valued at up to NIS 2,000.

Israel travel warning

The Center for Disease Control and Prevention has issued a warning to travelers to Israel; travelers to Israel should make sure that they are vaccinated against measles with the MMR vaccination.  The warning continues…

  • People who cannot show that they were vaccinated or are otherwise protected against measles should get vaccinated before traveling to Israel:
    • Infants (6 through 11 months of age) should have 1 dose of MMR vaccine.
    • Adults and children over 1 year of age should have 2 doses of MMR vaccine given on or after the first birthday and separated by at least 28 days.
  • Avoid contact with people who are sick.

Disclaimer: Please note that this article is for information purposes only and should not replace medical advice from a qualified clinician or instructions from the Israel Ministry of Health.

Jewish Calendar & Months of the Year

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The Hebrew Calendar & Months of the Year

By: Rav Nissim Mordechai Makor

The Jewish calendar is based on lunar cycles.  At the beginning of the month – ‘Rosh Hodesh’– ראש חודש the moon appears as a thin crescent.  During the course of the month the moon waxes or gets larger until it is full – in the middle of the month.  When it is full, the moon begins to wane and gets smaller so that by the end of the cycle, at the time of the new moon, we see a thin crescent again.

There are 12 months in the Jewish calendar except during a leap year when there are 13 months.

Rav Nissim Mordechai Makor, an oleh from South Africa, explains how each of the Jewish calendar months are special and have their own unique characteristics.

Commentaries on Parshat Hashavua by Rabbi Nissim Mordechai Makor

Shabbat and festival candle lighting times

The Gregorian months of the year with Hebrew translations and transliterations

A fun fact 

Did you know that there are 4 months in the Turkish calendar that cognate, or take their names from Hebrew months and they are;

Turkish MonthHebrew Month
SubatShevat
NisanNisan
TemmuzTammuz
EylulElul

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