Jerusalem Expats 

All newcomers should register with their appropriate Consulate/Embassy as soon as possible after arrival.

It is worth carrying your passport or equivalent ID with you at all times - you never know when you might encounter a flying checkpoint or otherwise be required to show it.

Your passport number is often required when mailing a package abroad.

see POST OFFICES

Daniel Kersenti  / Nicole Levy - Wolfson Medical Centre, 9 Diskin St, (4th Floor) - off Ramban Street  02-561-8572 / 567-0703 / 563-6265

Alan Wallis  B.P.T. 57 Hebron Road  02-673-2939

Mr Shmuel Goldberg B.P.T.
The Israel Physiotherapy Clinic Beit Hatayelet, 2 Beitar Street Arnona, Jerusalem 93386
Telephone: 02 6734111 (close to the UNTSO Government House)

The petrol station opposite the American Colony is open on Shabbat and the staff speak English. Get your car valeted at the car wash behind it for NIS25.

In the West, the petrol station beside Liberty Bell Park, near the old railway station opens late in the evening, and on Shabbat.

2 Salah e-Din Street near the Old City

French Hill (off Bar Kochba Street)

Central Post Office 23 Yafo (Jaffa Road) Hours: Sun-Thurs, 7 am-7 pm, Fri 7 am -12pm

Ramat Eshkol Arcade (Paran Street)

Shua 'afat (beside the mosque) Beit Hanina

Malkha Mall

There are many smaller branch offices where lines may be shorter, but some of these close for quite a while in the middle of the day.

Depending on levels of security, you may find it necessary to present your passport when mailing a package.  You may also find that the use of staples is a no-no.

Most main post offices remain open continuously from 8:30am to 6:00pm. Branch post offices are usually open from 8:00am to 12:30pm daily, and 3:30pm to 6:00pm on days that vary depending on the branch.

Friday hours are 8:00am - 12:00pm.

Telegrams can be sent from all post offices and hotels , or by dialling 171.

These are varied and complex - see a good guidebook for details.  

Ramadan is the most important holiday on the East, while Pesach (around Easter) and the High Holy Days (September/October) are the main ones in the West.

Christmas goes by relatively unnoticed outside the expat community.

For a good and detailed description of the Jewish holidays go to www.ou.org

For most Jewish holidays businesses and schools in Israel are closed.

Jewish holidays commence at sunset, the day before. Many Israeli businesses are closed for the duration of Passover (7 days) and Sukkot  (8 days).

Every Friday at sunset to Saturday at sundown is Shabbat, a weekly Jewish holiday, therefore many businesses close Friday at approximately 2:00 PM and reopen on Saturday at 8:00 PM.

Jewish and Muslim holidays are determined according to lunar calendars, so their dates change from year to year.

Purim (Like Halloween)

Bus

Local bus information:  Egged ['Egg Ed'] Tel: 02-530-4704/530-4555

Intercity bus information:  Egged ['Egg Ed'] Tel: 02-530-4704 or 03-694-8888

Israeli buses do not run during Shabbat (i.e., late Fridays or on Saturdays) except in some Palestinian areas.

Egged Bus Information (inter-city): Tel. 694-8888 (Recording in Hebrew and English until picked up. Most operators speak English.)

Children under age 5 ride for free, sitting on an adult's lap.

[Safety tip: For the safety of the child, sit in a rear-facing seat.]

Monthly pass [''Chofshi Chodshi'' - ''free monthly'']: These are valid for one calendar month. In other words, there's no value in buying one except at the beginning of the month. Unless you are going to be taking at least two buses, daily, for a month, this is not an advisable option. Note that passes are for strictly defined areas and are priced accordingly.

Mini Vans

Israeli Sheruts (shared mini-van) service to airport: 

Nesher  Tel: 02-625-7227/ 623-1231

NB: Will only pick up in West Jerusalem. About $10 per person, one way.  Will pick you up at home, or deliver you to your door.  Remember to call ahead on weekends (they are closed for phone calls late Friday and Saturday).  

Palestinian Services - Mini-vans that can be flagged down on main roads or found near the Arab Bus Station on Nablus Road. Prices are very low (2.5 NIS will get you to Abu Dis, 3 NIS to Qalandia) but insurance is generally non-existent.

Taxis

Gilo                      02-676-5888

Hapalmach            02-679-3333

King David            02-625-2510

Malha                   02-679-4111

It is illegal for a taxi driver not to use his meter.  It was until recently quite common for drivers to 'forget' to turn their meters on.  Insist...if necessary, just start writing and the driver will generally turn on the meter. If he still refuses, you can refuse to pay when you get out -what's he going to do, call a cop?

All ''special'' taxi fares are calculated by a meter, which operates according to Tariff 1-from 5:30am to 8:59pm and Tariff 2-from 9:00pm to 5:29am. When starting a journey, the driver is obligated by law to activate the meter. At your request, the driver must give you an official receipt printed by his electronic meter.
In the event that you wish to lodge a complaint regarding travelling by taxi, please contact the Taxi department of the Ministry of Transport, 02-6663154

There are some recycling 'cages' around town, which accommodate plastic water bottles; we can hope more will follow. 

Newspaper Recycling Box on Rachel Imeinu Street. Otherwise, recycling for paper does not yet existas far as we know.

The following is intended only as the briefest overview and as such is inevitably an over simplification.

Muslims, many observant Jews and some Christian denominations are deeply offended by skimpy dress.  You will probably find you and your guests - especially teenaged girls  are more comfortable and treated more politely if you do not wear shorts, crop tops and sleeveless blouses in Palestinian neighbourhoods and some parts of West Jerusalem.

In Mea Shearim, for instance, you will be openly shouted at for dressing inappropriately. 

It is considered inappropriate to cross your legs in many Orthodox Christian churches and monasteries.

Terminology

Be aware that 'the Israelis' as a term, includes many sub-sets - including the nearly 20% of the population of the State that is Arab/Palestinian but holds Israeli citizenship.  'Palestinian' as a term includes both Muslims and Christians, who share a common national goal but often have very different lifestyles. 'Israeli Jew' includes everyone from the most conservative, right-wing settler to the secular Israeli who is working actively for peace. 

Food

If you are entertaining devout Muslims, you will of course want to avoid having alcohol present.  Some Muslims are not uncomfortable if you yourself drink; you'll have to feel your way.  If you are entertaining Jews who keep Kosher, you will want to inquire about their needs. (Ham and pork are not eaten by most Muslims and Jews and shellfish is avoided by most Jews.)

Passover (Pessach)

During the run-up to the Passover holiday, and during the holiday itself - which lasts a full week - expect to find it impossible to buy a wide range of products in Israeli shops (not only bread, but pasta, bread-crumbs, crackers, etc., etc.).  Large sections of the supermarket shelves will be papered over. 

Don’t drive on Yom Kippur in Israel or near settlements – you will certainly cause offence and could even end up with your car being damaged.

There is a wide selection of restaurants: Arabic, Moroccan, Chinese, Japanese, Italian, Yemenite - even Korean - with more opening all the time.  Here are a few to get you started; you'll find many more listings in local newspapers and guides.

Our lunch bunch tries out different restaurants every month.

East Side and Old City

Abu Shanab’s pizza place. Latin Patriarch Rd, near Jaffa Gate, Old City

Ambassador Hotel (Italian/Arabic) Good fresh pasta, pretty outdoor setting

Askadinya (Arabic/Mediterranean) 12 Shimon Hatzadik St, Sheikh Jarrah.

Tel: 02-532-4801: Jazz on Thursdays

Armenian Tavern (Armenian) 79 Armenian Patriarchate Rd, 02-627-3854

Azzahra Hotel (French/Italian/Arabic) Azzahra St. Clay pizza oven.

Does Pizza Delivery - 02-628-2447

Café Europe (Arabic, burgers, etc) Azzahra St. 02-628-4313: Casual, inexpensive.

Kan Zaman Jerusalem Hotel, Nablus Road. 02-628-3282: Garden, live music Thurs., Sat

Philadelphia (Arabic) Shimon Hatzadik St (between Askadinya and Pashas)

Sizzling (Mexican/ European) Azzahra St: Mexican restaurant and cigar lounge, occasional parties with DJ.

West Side

Amigos Mexican cuisine
19 Yoel Salomon Street, Jerusalem. Tel:02-623-4177

Apropo Thai Fine fish and dairy restaurant in the Jerusalem Mall {Malha Mall}

Tel 02-679-3424

Darna Moroccan Expensive but authentic.

3 Horkanus St, 02-624-5406

De La Thien Chinese

34 Beit-lehem Road. Tel: 02-673-2432. Closed Sundays

Dolphin Ben Shatach Street.

Domino's Pizza (will deliver to some parts of East Side), 1-700-70-70-70

El Gaucho South American For the steak lover this restaurant is an absolute delight.
22 Rivlin Street

Tel: 02-624-2227

Open Hours: Sun-Thu Midday-11.30pm, Sat. 9pm-midnight. Booking is advisable.

Focaccia Delicious Mediterranean . A must try.

4 Rabbi Akiva St (off Hillel) Tel: 02-625-6428, Open Shabbat.

Gizmongola Mongolian style barbecue, includes both Chinese and Japanese menus.
9 Heleni Hamalka
Tel: 02-624-0490

The all-you-can-eat option allows you to return to the food bar endlessly until stuffed. 

Business lunch from midday to 3pm.
Open Hours: Midday-midnight Sun-Thu & Sat.

Kampai Sushi Bar Intimate sushi bar
20 Emek Refaim. Tel: 02-563-1770

Kohinoor Indian
Crowne Plaza Hotel, Givat Ram
Tel: 02-658-8867
At 7pm every night there is a classical Indian dance performance.

Booking is advisable. Disabled access.

Korea House A Taste of Korea in Jerusalem
7 Ma'alot Nachalat Shiva Street. Tel: 02-625-4756

Mamma Mia (Italian), 38 King George Street.

In old stone building, via parking lot.

Tel: 02-624-8080

Pampa Grill South American
3 Joseph Rivlin Street
Tel:02-623-1455

Paradiso Italian

Keren Yahesod St (at the Yemen Moshe junction)

Open on Shabbat and serves pork dishes

Pinni's Greek
31 Jaffa Street
Tel:02-622-2540

Pizza Hut American-style pizza
10 Luntz Street

Tel: 02-561-7474

Pundak Garden Restaurant, Ein Karem Beside Mary's Spring

Rebecca
59 Haneveim
Tel: 02-537-2131

In addition to their tapas selection, which is extensive, this restaurant has a large, fully-stocked bar.

It's also worth noting that they're open until 1am.

Sakura Combined Sushi bar and restaurant  

Feingold Courtyard, between Hillel St and Jaffa Rd.

Tel: 02-623-5464. Will deliver

Shonka's Hasoreg Street, 625 7033: good business lunch until 6pm

Spaghettim Italian

8 Rabbi Akiva Street, (off Hillel)

Tel: 02-623-5547/8:

Lovely patio; 50 different sauces; very popular with kids

Thailandi B'Moshava Fast and fresh Thai food
20 Emek Refaim

Tel: 02-566-1395

Sea View cafes in Ashdod, Tel Aviv and Herzliyah

AL HAMAYIMl - Right on the beach - reasonably expensive, but excellent food (and drinks).

Sharon Beach Promenade, Herzliyah Pituach. Through the beach entrance off the Sharon Circle. It's the second restaurant on the right.

BLUE - Excellent seafood, fish and pasta served for breakfast lunch and dinner. Again, right on the beach.

Tel-Baruch Beach, Tel Aviv (towards Herzliyah).

TERASSA - A lovely place to meet for lunch to enjoy the sea view and the breeze. Accadia Beach, Herzliyah Pituach (between Daniel and Dan Arcadia Hotels).

IDI - While it doesn't exactly have a sea view, it does have great seafood. Its big but fun and the quality is good.

6 Habosem St, Ashdod.

URI BURI - Again, close to the sea but not quite close enough to smell it. This place also serves excellent seafood, you can bring your own alcohol, and if you are feeling brave but indecisive, the owner while order for you.

Lighthouse Square, Old City, Akko/Acre.

SUSHI AND NOODLES

If you like your fish raw, here are some of the best places to try it in and around Tel Aviv. Again, all come expat-recommended.

GIRAFFE- More noodle bar than sushi joint, but very good.

9 Hasadna'ot St, Herzliyah Pituach.

KYOTO - Authentic Japanese cuisine.

8 Shenkar St, Herzliyah Pituach.

SALLY - Another Japanese restaurant, recommended for its atmosphere.

7 Sapir St, Herzliyah Pituach.

YAKINUKU TENKA - An expensive choice, but you do get to cook your own food at the table. Closed on Thursday and Friday.

85 Medinat Hayehudim St, Herzliyah Pituach.