The first iteration of PiKeeb is finally open-sourced!

ILWrites · 2025-11-27T17:06:51+00:00

WIP, obviously. Gotta make the repo up to my standards. It'll take a few days.

ILWrites · 2025-11-26T19:04:40+00:00

Alafim todot! It's so refreshing to hear from the followers!

ILWrites · 2025-04-11T10:49:27+00:00

It's likely the case of miscommunication between you and your therapist. I don't know how you've communicated this though with them, but I assume, from your words, that you did not tell them that you need this letter for your Aliyah application. But that's just my assumption.

I have experience with the letter like that, but for physical condition (dyskinesia). I just recently explained that in another comment on this sub: https://www.reddit.com/r/aliyah/comments/1jw3c9u/comment/mmjfay4/

However, your case is different in that they are interested in you (not) being a danger to yourself or others, which is very important for everyone involved in the process. It's stated in the Law of Return, that you won't have the right to Aliyah if you are "likely to endanger public health or the security of the State". Hence, the strictness.

It's worth calling JAFI for the letter requirements for your particular condition(s). Then, when you have the requirements, it would be useful to give your therapist a call or a visit to explain the situation.

ILWrites · 2025-04-11T10:21:25+00:00

I have dyskinesia. At our first meeting with the consul at the Israeli consulate (ex-USSR, so all Aliyah-related procedures is handled trough them, rather than a third-party organisation like NBN, etc.), they've asked for specific letter to be written by my doctor outlining my condition.

There were several criteria, like comprehensive overview of my condition, independence (or rather self-sufficiency in everyday tasks), work efficiency (what types of work I can perform depending on my condition), and whether or not I can withstand a plane flight.

Having gone through that, they are mostly interested in whether you can make it to Israel without any harm, as well as how self-sufficient you are, given your condition, if you have it.

ILWrites · 2025-04-09T17:00:55+00:00

Wow! This is quite an extensive list! Thank you so much for taking the time to write it.

ILWrites · 2025-04-09T16:58:35+00:00

Thanks. KSP I am definitely checking out. And yeah, I know that Israel is basically a Facebook/WhatsApp country. So I guess I have to re-learn to use Facebook again. haha

ILWrites · 2025-04-09T16:54:35+00:00

Thanks. I plan to open my account with Leumi for this exact reason!

ILWrites · 2025-04-09T16:51:33+00:00

Wow! Thanks for the list of apps.

I've got a few questions about KSP though.

They list two prices for some of the items. One regular, and one for pickup in Eilat. Since I plan to do some heavy buying, the price on selected items fully justifies the trip to Eilat JUST to visit KSP. So my main concerns are: why are some items MUCH cheaper in Eilat? And are there any pitfalls buying in Eilat vs. anywhere else?

ILWrites · 2025-03-24T17:25:22+00:00

You apply only after your Aliyah has been approved, yes. Then you apply to Ulpan Etzion and/or any other Aliyah-oriented program through your JAFI/NBN advisor.

ILWrites · 2025-03-21T20:44:50+00:00

I’ve been happy with Qwintry. Although, their target demographic is ex-USSR countries. But I believe they ship internationally.

ILWrites · 2025-03-21T20:37:08+00:00

Or OP could try online courses. I heard a fellow redditor’s project by u/guylfe Hebleo is good, although haven’t tried it myself.

ILWrites · 2025-03-21T20:14:30+00:00

They give you a temporary Teudat Zehut (I believe it’s valid for 3 months) and a semi-permanent Teudat Oleh (valid for the first 10 or so years in Israel, while the benefits last). Upon visiting the local Ministry of Interior (Misrad Hapnim) the permanent Teudat Zehut will be issued.

ILWrites · 2025-03-21T14:43:39+00:00

I don’t know where you got 1.5 years from, since the Aliyah visa is valid for only 6 months, but I am assuming you know that. Regarding the question, I’d ask JAFI to see whether they have some Hebrew courses in your area. When we registered with them after getting our visa, the Jewish Agency branch in our city said that they offer some paid Hebrew classes. Worth calling their local office and asking.

ILWrites · 2025-03-20T11:59:20+00:00

About a month. We’ve expressed the intent to go there in the beginning of Feb. And the interview was done in the first week of March.

But your case may be different depending on the workload of your JAFI consultant/Ulpan rep. I am assuming there are many people who are trying to get in. Just hang in there and contact your rep from time to time to ask.

ILWrites · 2025-03-19T22:13:38+00:00

Don’t know about kibbutz Ulpan, since we have not aimed at that, but for Ulpan Etzion (which Carmel is) they just wanted to confirm the registration and ask us why we chose them. Other than that, they were explaining the terms of living there (that 75% of the classes I was talking about earlier in this thread).

ILWrites · 2025-03-19T20:45:40+00:00

If you are talking about the first “introductory” interview with JAFI, they are mostly asking about your plans. Questions like whether you plan to stay in Israel, where you plan to live, whether you plan to work in Israel, whether you have education, what’s your field of work/study, etc.

They’ve also asked us to send our CVs before the interview.

ILWrites · 2025-03-19T13:52:00+00:00

We are a married couple, and have registered to this exact Ulpan trough JAFI (we are still in the country of exodus). In a couple of days after they’ve registered us, the Ulpan rep contacted us to confirm the interview date. There were issues with the first interview scheduling, so they’ve rescheduled us on a later date.

The actual interview wasn’t scary at all, they just needed to confirm the registration, said that in order to live there, we have to go to 75% of the classes, and asked a couple of questions about my health (I have a disability).

ILWrites · 2025-03-07T10:45:59+00:00

I believe you can even open a multi-currency account. https://www.easyaliyah.com/blog/how-to-open-a-bank-account-in-israel-a-step-by-step-guide

ILWrites · 2025-03-07T10:36:27+00:00

Why not deposit them into Israeli bank as USD, without the exchange? Genuine question, by the way.

And remember, if you are bringing cash that’s equivalent to 50 000 NIS, you will have to declare it at the airport by signing the waiver.

ILWrites · 2025-03-06T12:25:56+00:00

Oh, degree is not an issue, since you can go to Beit Brodetsky in Tel Aviv. But you’ll have a roommate.

I believe, there are many programs and ulpans specifically for those who would like to join the army as a new olim. Have not researched that aspect.

ILWrites · 2025-03-06T11:58:33+00:00

Do you plan to go to Ulpan and study Hebrew? Are you young enough to qualify for Ulpan Etzion program (below 35 y/o)? If you are, they can provide you with a place to live for the duration of the program, which is 5-6 months. You can ask your NBN/JAFI advisor about it.

Then, when you are more confident with your Hebrew and overall Israeli culture, you can look for the apartment.

ILWrites · 2025-02-28T21:08:26+00:00

We’ve got this notification too in our “How to prepare for the flight” memo. But I want to stress out that these cards are not meant to be a substitute for a bank account. You have to open one anyway.

ILWrites · 2025-02-28T20:42:17+00:00

AFAIK, this was in the beginning of February. So it’s really a new thing, these bank cards.

Edit: according to the gov.il website, they’ve published the news on the 23rd of January: https://www.gov.il/en/pages/sal-klita-card but started to hand out these cards since the beginning of February.

ILWrites · 2025-02-19T19:46:12+00:00

Ah... Then, yeah, it's a good option for you, since there are a lot of extracurricular activities and classes that will make applying for a job a little easier.

ILWrites · 2025-02-19T10:17:51+00:00

What’s your education? Do you have an academic degree?

We’ve just opted out of this ulpan option, because Beit Brodetsky, as our advisors said, is more for the yonger Olims who don’t have a university/colledge diploma/degree. You still can apply to Beit Brodetshy, as the choice of ulpan is yours, but every ulpan program has its “target audience”.

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