Jerusalem Expats 

In addition to the above mentioned schools, parents may also go to AACI (Association for Americans and Canadians in Israel) and check its bulletin board for long term baby-sitting. 

Hours and pay can be set up individually to meet the needs of each family. 

AACI is located on 6 Mane St., not far from the Agron Rd. consulate building.

Recommendations

Baby Music

Anyone with 6 month - 3 year-olds should take a look at a baby music class taught by Jackie.

Mondays. 9:30-10:15 for the younger ones and 10:30-11:15 for the older ones.

It's in English and it's for parents and babies. Call to see if there is space. It comes highly recommended by discerning expats.

Jackie 02-999-5522  

Emek Refaim Gaan  -- Rivka Schnall

Ain Kerem -- Dafna

I highly recommend the pre-school. Many journalists and diplomats in the past have sent their children there.

My 3 year-old went there and my 18 month old, Amelia will be going there in September.

They have an outside music teacher come in once a week. They bake muffins with Rivka every Thursday.

The focus is on sharing and group play. They do art projects in Rivka’s kitchen. It’s just structured enough for this age group before they move onto a more formal preschool.

All of the children that I’ve known who have gone there have loved it. So if you have a child in this age-group, call now and go observe before they break in August.

Jennifer Griffin

Dafna's is just like grandma's.

My son had such a good time and good meals.

You can drop off the kids anytime from 7:30am.

For lunch, they have soup or other starter, then meal, then dessert

Music, Walks, Baking and more.

Dafna is originally French.

Her English is not very good but one of her assistants will speak English.

Dunke Tostevin

Rifka is and was always popular amongst expat-kids, and we too can recommend her.

Kids eat lunch together but bring their own food.

The place is small (and not very fancy) but safe, has a little garden, parking in front.

The first impression of the location might not be so inviting, but  take a second look.

Kids learn a lot there in terms of social skills. Rifka is very experienced, knows what she's doing and the kids

Christine Pfaff  and Nadja Gemmel

Choices about medical care are very personal.  While many ex-pats choose to use Palestinian doctors and facilities, it is worth noting that Palestinians themselves often choose to visit Israeli facilities when a medical condition is particularly serious.

Dr. Ari Greenspan (Dentist)

The Tower in The Technology Park. 5th Floor.

Opposite the Malcha Mall (Easy Access and Lots of Parking)

www.greenspandental.com

Choices about medical care are very personal.  While many ex-pats choose to use Palestinian doctors and facilities, it is worth noting that Palestinians themselves often choose to visit Israeli facilities when a medical condition is particularly serious.

West Side

Large medical group: Jerusalem Medical Centre, also known as the Wolfson Medical Centre.

3rd Floor,  9A Diskin St, in the Wolfson Centre (off Ramban street)

Tel: 02-561-0297 (almost everyone there speaks fluent English).

Most of the doctors are American.

Recommended by various expats.

Dr. C. Sherer - (New Zealand) M.R.C.S., family physician and travel medicine.

10 Jabotinski Street (mornings)

Tel: 02-563-6463  Fax: 02-566-4459

Dr. Diana Flescher - American/Israeli specialist in women's health issues. Works from Jerusalem Medical Centre and a clinic near Malkha Mall (extremely comprehensive approach)

Tel: 02-567-0703 (secretary)

Dr. Ruth Weissert - Pediatrician, English, German and French speaking.

29 Ramban Street.Tel: 02- 563-2593

Dr. Nili Yanai - Gynecologist and Obstetrician

Jerusalem Medical Centre (Wolfson Centre)  Tel: 02-567 0703

and Hadassah En Kerem Hospital Tel. 02-6777-111

Dr. Susan Warchaizer - Comprehensive Women's Healthcare
Board-certified and licensed in Israel and U.S.

Tel: 03-620-14-38.
Dizengoff 14, Tel Aviv

Dr Jeff Friedman M.S.W - Couple's and Family Therapist (including mediation) Tel: 0522-872-249

East Side

St. Joseph's Hospital Sheikh Jarrah - (also known as the French Hospital).

Has a good reputation, many nuns still work there. It has an emergency room and clean facilities.

Dr. Samir Abu-Khalaf  - Salah e-Din Street No 4, East Jerusalem.

Clinic: Tel: 02-628-1231

Augusta Victoria Hospital 

Administration Tel: 02-672-9902 , 02-627-9911

Front Desk Doctors available at the Outpatients Clinic.

Hani Abdeen MRCP/Internal Medicine

Anwar Dudin (French Certified) /Pediatrician.

Has a 24h emergency room and specializes in ENT, cancer, internal medicine, pediatrics and surgery.

People apparently do sit driving tests here, although it can be hard to believe sometimes.

Buying Cars - Most expatriates can buy new cars tax free. Most of the dealers have showrooms in Talpiot.

Alternatively, you can get a 'passport to passport' car.

You get foreign licence plates, some have to be taken out of the country every year. A weekend in Amman will do the trick.

Try Ariel Paloge, nice chap but make sure you haggle. 0505-240-977

Buying locally is not cheap, Israelis pay 110% tax on vehicles!

Easy park - Much of Israel uses the EasyPark smartcard system, an in-car electronic device (about the size of a pocket calculator), which automatically deducts the cost of street parking. Most locals have one of these devices in their cars, but it is also possible to buy traditional parking cards. These can be obtained from street kiosks, post offices and gas stations. The traditional parking card is a strip of paper with punched tabs for the hours of the day; drivers tear a tab to designate the month, day and hour they parked. Five different kerbside colour codes indicate what parking is permitted – blue and white means parking is allowed with pre-paid parking cards only. Visitors should not park where there is any other kerbside colour as they all represent restrictions and parking regulations are rigorously enforced.

Get an EasyPark it makes life easier. Try one of the yellow petrol stations.

Fellow road users - The driving in Israel/Palestine is appalling. People will pull out without indicating, cut you up, reverse without looking, u-turn into oncoming traffic and, on top of all that, look indignant if you hoot at them. Driving can be one of the most frustrating/stressful things you do.

Licences - Short-term, a driving license from Europe or the US is sufficient (same applies to European countries).

Israeli law requires those living here for more than six months obtain an Israeli driving license.

Depending on your situation, and how much time you spend outside Israel/Palestine, this may or may not apply to you.

One source for obtaining the Israeli license (requires a road test) is 'Ramsor', on Hillel Street (West Side).

The Licensing Office is in Ha-Uman Street, Talpiot.

For Diplomats: you don't need a road test but you need an eye test by an optician (cost NIS 20) and some forms to fill out.

 Bring your passport (and a copy) and your Israeli ID or passport (and a copy). Be prepared to visit several different offices and wait all day to achieve your goal.

Meters - most are fairly easy to use but are being phased out and are being replaced with parking ticket machines. (Keep shekel coins at hand.)Parking ticket machines – great for using up loose change, including 10 agorot pieces.

Navigation - Jerusalem can be a confusing city to learn your way around, but you'll find you use many of the same routes to get places and there are many hills and landmarks that will help you learn your way. It's often a good idea to take your first drives on the West Side on Saturdays, when there is little traffic.

Parking  - Blue and white signs indicate where you can park. Some car parks have attendants, there are meters in other areas and in some places you need to buy a parking card -- at a kiosk or post office.

Red and white striped curbs: parking not permitted.

Seatbelts - must be worn at all times, both back and front

Speed limits -  in towns are 50 kmph. Intercity roads go up to 90 kmph unless otherwise stated. Watch out speeding fines are huge!

 If your car gets towed away then try the pound on Haneveim St.

Roads - are often in poor repair and on most rental agreements, the first several hundred dollars of any repair is likely NOT to be covered, so drive carefully if you (or guests) are renting. Driving is aggressive and defensive driving skills are essential. Roads are often treacherously slippery during the first autumn rains (due to months of oil and other build-up on the pavement).

Tactics - Always drive defensively - be alert for pedestrians crossing unexpectedly, and drivers making blatantly illegal moves (that, unfortunately, includes police cars). It’s worth taking extra care around the white van sheruts in East Jerusalem as they drive like madmen and very few of them are insured.

East Side

Balsam Pharmacy, on Salah e-Din Street, near Azaharra Street - open daily until 10pm

Al Jazeera Pharmacy on Nablus Road near the American Colony Hotel

Petra Pharmacy on Salah e-Din street is run by a father and son, both
trained as pharmacists in the US.
 
 

West Side

SuperPharm - large chain, has several locations.

See also local English-language newspapers, Ha'aretz and Jerusalem Post, which usually list the pharmacy that has been designated for late hour opening.

The Pharmacy on the corner of Hebron Road and Rifka Street is open on
Shabbat and is attached to an urgent care physician's office that is also
open on Shabbat.
 

Top Clean - near the mosque in Shu'afat

Ritz Laundry - next to Ritz Hotel - Tel 02-672-4889

Ace Laundry – Bethlehem Road, highly recommended

Malkha Mall

Electric Corporation:  Dial 103

Police

Ambulance (Magen David Adom)

Fire

Terem urgent medical assistance 24h

Tourist Police

Information

Overseas Operator

Telegrams

Milev Crisis Counselling Hotline (English)

1-800-654-111 or

 02-654-1111

East Jerusalem Ambulance

Rape Victims Centre

Do not underestimate the strain that a move to Jerusalem involves; it's been known to bring many a strong person to the breaking point. You may find yourself unusually tired or weepy, unable to understand why it seems so hard. Some ex-pats experience serious levels of depression, for the first time in their lives; there are excellent counsellors and psychiatrists available if need be. If you do experience 'down times', talking and writing about it may help; keeping physically active and finding things that work for you most probably will - your very own Mental Health Project. Most important, know that you are not alone. Use the Ex-pat Network. The need for emotional support is perhaps the primary reason it was launched.

A great resource to get referrals for any kind of counselling is the AACI, Association of Americans and Canadians in Israel, 563 8118 or 561 7151 or Debra at 050-963 118 for a sympathetic professional who can direct you to the best source of help.

Ambassador 43 Emek Refaim Street. 02-561-8101. email: ambasdor@inter.net.il

Habitat Real Estate Tel: 02-561-1222

Montefiore Realty 02-625-2071

Metric basics

If you have not used a convection oven before, you may find you need to use slightly lower temperatures for baking.

Also, with the altitude it is better to bake at a lower heat for a longer time!

MAR-CAKE

CHOCOLATE GALORE and good value baking ingredients / kitchen ware

A real winner and much cheaper than anywhere else I have discovered that sells good chocolate etc – up to 80% cocoa!

4 Schechterman Street, Northern Industrial Zone, Netanya. Tel:  09 884 8587

Take Highway 2 towards Haifa.  Turn right at the Netanya Junction (Route 57) signed to Kfar Yona, heading EAST. Turn Right again at the 2nd traffic light onto Pinkas.  Take the 1st right onto Hakadar (into the Industrial Zone). Turn left into Haorzim.  Just past a petrol station on your left, turn left into  Schechterman Street.  The shop is on your right after about 100 yards.  The sign over the shop is in Hebrew, white with blue and red printing, a picture of a baker and the words 'Made in France'.

When leaving, turn left at the 1st traffic light into Pinkas and left again onto Route 57.  You will see highway signs on your right.

French Loaf  - French bakery in Salah e-Din Street, East Jerusalem. Sells baguettes and brown bread. Closed Fridays/Open Saturdays

Pat Lechem  Bakery -  33 Bethlehem Road (around the corner). Fine selection. Also sells a selection of "real" cheese.

Small Bakery on Emek Refaim inside Ice Cream Shop, close to Pizza Hut and opposite of supermarket, very good selection of whole wheat and rye bread, fantastic cookies and cakes as well as other goodies

Claire - Hassoreg Street, West Jerusalem sells wholegrain bread

Wholesale bakery on Rivka Street (turn off the Hebron Road and it is at the bottom of Rivka, on the left hand side next to the English bakery). Go early in the morning for croissants straight from the oven.

Due to Kosher regulations, cheese cannot be made with rennet and so to the foreign palate Israeli cheese is flavourless.

Jafar's sells imported cheese

Iwo's - On the street behind Hillel Street, sells imported cheese

Cheese shop opposite Harmony furniture store off Jaffa Road.

Delicatessence opposite the Jerusalem pool on Emek Refaim

Deli World, down the lane opposite McDonalds on Emek Refaim

Kit Kat Grocery Store on Salah e-Din Street

El-Dorado Internet Café on Salah e-Din Street sells a big variety of coffee

The Coffee Mill on Emek Refaim

Fresh and Frozen : Mazen's Mediterranean fish shop near Café Europe on Azahara Street, East side

Jafar's in Bet Hanina sells frozen shrimp

The Golden Fish in Shuafat sells fish and shell fish. Good quality

Fish Shop, between Shuafat and Bet Hanina, on the right just before you get to the Garden of Eden fruit shop, it has a huge neon sign with a fish on it.

Garden of Eden on the Beit Hanina Road has an excellent selection and is great value.

Supermarket in Emek Refaim next to Jerusalem Pool. High quality but expensive

There is also an excellent shop in Wadi Joz, on the corner of the T junction on the back road / shortcut to Mt. Of Olives

 There are two very good shops on Salah Eddin St, near the Herods Gate end.

Shops in Ramallah sell lamb from New Zealand and Australia (frozen), not kosher and at reasonable prices.

Organic Lamb from Kibbutz Galilee - expensive but will deliver to your door.

Ben - 06-676-5958

Iwo's on Hillel Street sells very expensive, good non-kosher meat.

Rami's Butchery next door to Garden of Eden on the Beit Hanina Rd (closed Mondays/open Saturdays)

German Colony - smallhealth food shop at the end of Emek Refaim direction City Center on the left.

Bigger Organic Fruit and Vegetables and Health Food Shop at the other end of Emek Refaim towards Talpiot, good selection of fresh organic fruit and vegetables, dry fruits and nuts etc. 

Givat Shaul - Organic Supermarket and Health Food Shop, great selection of dried fruits and nuts, fresh organic produce. Service is good. Parking can be difficult.

Palmach Street – there is a good but expensive organic fruit and vegetable shop on, just down from the Islamic Art Museum

Malkha / Kanyon  Mall - Small Health Food Shop, no fresh organic produce.

Iwo's deli on Hillel Street also sells ham and sausages.

Kit Kat on Salah e-Din Street.

Deli World opposite McDonalds on Emek Refaim sells pork products and pates.

Beit Jala

Aziz Farm and Butchery - 052 548 039 and 02 274 1418

Abu Qubr - clean premises, will mince meat in front of you, closed Sundays.

Tel: 02-274-4687

Pisgat Ze’ev - Europa Butchery  47 Meir Gershon Street.

Balagan

For anyone looking for specific ingredients for Asian cuisine, the very best place to track them down is Balagan, a tiny little shop at the Western end of Agrippas Street - close to the Sima kebab shop close to the JCS building.

Jafar Supermarket ( Beit Hanina/Shuafat)

Has Indian spices for the perfect curry.

Kit Kat in Salah e-Din Street has a large variety of spices and  real vanilla (plus tea, coffee, pork, foreign products)

 The Souq {market} in the Old City is another great place for all kinds of spices – enter through Damascus Gate and take the right hand fork at the bottom of the steps.

Assaman 4 Salaheddin St, for salted nuts and seeds.

Candy world 47 Jaffa Street

For hot seeds, nuts and chocolate. You will also find most things for a kid's party, from doggy bags to balloons.