DEAR FRIENDS,
March 2025 | PURIM Edition
Spring is in the air! Or, at least, it's on the calendar. In recent years it seems that the seasons appear whenever they want to. The poor trees are all in bloom. The weatherman keeps talking about cold spells, but is it really so cold? Those of us who come from countries where winter is winter have a hard time relating to the weather as really winter. We really feel cold when we go into our homes. Inside the cold walls it's cold. So remember to keep a few layers of clothes on when you're inside, and peel them off if you're outside in the middle of the day.
But enough about the weather. As I mentioned in our last newsletter (and every newsletter before that) our city continues to provide all kinds of culture, from music to theatre to dance. There's no need to travel to Tel Aviv, as we did in the old days. The culture comes to us. Of course, there is the problem of bundling up warm in the evening and getting to the Mishkan where most of the performances are staged. There are plenty of othere things to keep you active provided by the Community Centers (Matnasim) in various parts of town. All you have to do is phone them or write to them by email. Don't just sit around and wait for something to come to you. Be proactive and search out activities. You won't be sorry!
Emergency Numbers
Citizens Rights in an emergency situation (Hebrew)
https://www.kolzchut.org.il/he/ (need to google translate if you do not know Hebrew)
Israel Home Front Command (Pikud HaOref) Phone: 104
This is the official address for Israeli citizens during these times:
https://www.oref.org.il/en
Israel Police / Phone: 100
https://www.gov.il/en/departments/israel_police/govil-landing-page
MADA – Ambulance / Phone: 101
https://www.mdais.org/en
National Fire and Rescue Authority / Phone: 1299
https://www.gov.il/en/departments/firefighting_and_rescue_israel/govil-landing-page
Emotional Support
Association of the Deaf in Israel
Contact: +972 52-6033505 / Website:
https://www.deaf-israel.org.il/contact-us
Al-Anon Israel serves friends and family of alcoholics
https://www.al-anon-israel.org/
Crises Intake for U.S. Citizens in Israel
https://cacms.state.gov/s/crisis-intake
Eran Hotline
Sponsored by the Ministry of Aliyah and Integration to provide emotional support, is open for immigrants to Israel in English, Russian, Amharic, French and Spanish between the hours of 4pm and 9pm at *3201. Website:
https://www.eran.org.il/helpline-for-olim-eng/
Ezer Mitzion
- psychological support: 1800808100
- special for people 60+: 1800802030 (between 8am and 8pm)
- want to volunteer?: 0732477777
- need medical equipment?: 036144500
- Bayt Cham: *9518
- Special professional hotline, for free, for boys, for girls, in English also: *8147, 24/7 *for more
- info: m1599503232@gmail.com
Get Help Israel
https://gethelpisrael.com/
Help Line for Holocaust Survivors
https://www.k-shoa.org/index.php?language=eng
Number to call is *5105 or 03 5682651
Kav LaOved – Workers Hotline
Foreign aid workers are able to check regulations via this link:
https://www.kavlaoved.org.il/en/
Leket food Bank in Israel
https://www.leket.org/en/volunteers/
Mashaabim Center
Parenting and family in an emergency:
https://hoseneastgalil.org.il/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Parenting-and-family-in-an-emergency.pdf
Health Funds
Meuhedet *3833 – 3 for English
Maccabi *3555 – 4 for English
Leumit *507 – 4 for English
Clalit *2700 – 4 for English
English News Resources:
i24News: https://www.i24news.tv/en/
Ynet: https://www.ynetnews.com/
Israel National News:https://www.israelnationalnews.com/
The Jerusalem Post: http://www.jpost.com
Ha’Haretz: http://www.haaretz.co.il
The Times of Israel: https://www.timesofisrael.com/
Arutz Sheva: https://www.israelnationalnews.com/
Other Helpful Resources:
Libby – Israel Digital Library
LIBBY for the Southern Evacuees Click here
Behavioral guidelines while driving a vehicle during sirens
https://www.oref.org.il/12487-16149-en/Pakar.aspx
Choosing a Protected Space – Pikud HaOref
https://www.oref.org.il/12487-15895-en/Pakar.aspx
How to explain the war to our children: A guide for parents
https://www.oref.org.il/12487-15895-en/Pakar.aspx
The Silent Radio Broadcast Stations Activated During Shabbat
https://www.gov.il/en/departments/news/12102023_2
Foreign Embassies in Israel
