u/Weak_Ambassador3999

Hi everyone,

I’m a new olah and I’m currently looking at Ulpan options in Jerusalem. I want to progress through Alef as quickly as possible because I’m studying Hebrew intensively on my own as well and I don’t want to wait until June just to take the final exam.

Beit Ha’Am told me that it may be possible to study with them and take the official final exam at another Ulpan if that Ulpan has an exam session earlier, for example in January.

Does anyone know how this works in practice? Are there any requirements for taking the official Ulpan final exam, such as completing a minimum number of classroom hours (for example 400 hours), or can you take the exam once you have reached the required Hebrew level?

Has anyone studied at one Ulpan and then taken the exam at another Ulpan or taken the exam earlier than the rest of their class?

I’m willing to travel to another city for the exam if necessary. I’d especially appreciate experiences with Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, Be’er Sheva, Haifa or other government-recognized Ulpanim.

Thank you!

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Has anyone here lived in a Jewish Agency absorption center and moved out before the end of the one-year period?

I was told by a staff member that I can leave whenever I want and that I only have to pay until the day I move out. However, she also told me that this is not explicitly written in the agreement.

Has anyone personally moved out early from an absorption center? Did your payment obligation end when you moved out, or were you asked to pay for the remaining months?

I’d really appreciate hearing about actual experiences. Thank you!

Shabbat Shalom everyone! 🌸

I'm a new olah and I'm about to start my first Ulpan. I'm trying to understand what options are available afterwards, especially when it comes to employment and professional training.

I was told by Misrad HaKlita that after completing Ulpan, there may be options for professional training, vocational courses, employment programs, or vouchers for further training.

Has anyone here actually gone through this process?

I'd especially like to know:

- What kind of professional or vocational courses were you offered?

- Did Misrad HaKlita pay for the course, or did you have to pay part of it yourself?

- Are there options for more advanced or job-related Hebrew after Ulpan Alef?

- Did the employment department help you find a job afterwards?

- Are there any programs you would particularly recommend?

I'm especially interested in hearing from people who went through this as new olim themselves.

Thank you, and Shabbat Shalom! 😊

Hi everyone,

I’ll be moving to the Ye’elim Absorption Center in Be’er Sheva soon as a new olah, and I’d love to hear from people who have actually lived there or know someone who has.

What was your experience like?

I’m especially curious about:

- the rooms/apartments and their condition

- sharing the kitchen and bathroom with other residents

- cleanliness and laundry facilities

- the general atmosphere and people living there

- staff/support at the absorption center

- monthly costs and utilities

- whether the 700 NIS monthly price for a single person is accurate

- the surrounding neighborhood and supermarkets/public transport nearby

Did you generally feel comfortable living there? Is there anything you wish you had known before moving in?

Any recent experiences would be especially helpful. Thank you! :)

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Hi everyone 😊

My name is Rachel, I’m 40 years old and from Germany. I made Aliyah last week and I’m already in Israel.

Right now I’m staying in temporary accommodation in Ashdod, but I can only stay here for about two more weeks. I’m therefore looking for a room, shared apartment or sublet for a few weeks or a few months.

I’m quite flexible about the location. Tel Aviv and the surrounding area, Holon, Petah Tikva, Jerusalem, Be’er Sheva or other places with good public transportation would work for me.

I’m currently looking for a job and I also want to attend Ulpan. I’m clean, respectful, quiet and I don’t smoke. I’m really just looking for an affordable and safe place where I can stay while I get settled here.

I’m already looking in Facebook groups as well, but because my Facebook profile is new, unfortunately I can’t post in many of the groups yet.

Maybe someone here knows of a room or sublet, or knows someone I could contact. I would be very grateful for any help or recommendation 🙏

Thank you 😊

Rachel

Hi everyone,

I recently made Aliyah and I have an appointment next week to apply for my first biometric Teudat Zehut and Israeli passport.

I need to travel back to my home country for a while and will later return to Israel, so I would like to get my Israeli travel document sorted out before I leave.

I received the Visa card from the Ministry of Aliyah and Integration when I made Aliyah. Does anyone know if this card can be used to pay the passport fee, either online on gov.il or at the Population and Immigration Authority office?

I don't currently have another Israeli credit card.

Has any recent oleh/olah actually used this card for the passport fee?

Thanks! 😊

Hi everyone,

I will be making Aliyah soon and I received an appointment from the Ministry of Aliyah and Integration for a first meeting with a personal absorption counselor in Ashdod, about a week after my arrival.

I wanted to ask people who already made Aliyah:

What usually happens at this first appointment?

Is it mainly about Sal Klita, bank account, health insurance, Ulpan and general first steps?

Which documents should I bring?

Do they ask about education, work plans or certificates/diplomas?

Is this appointment mandatory, or is it just a regular guidance meeting?

I may also need to return temporarily to my home country after Aliyah because of university studies, so I would be grateful to hear if anyone has experience with how this affects Sal Klita, health insurance or other benefits.

Thank you!