DEAR FRIENDS,

Summertime, and the livin' is easy.  Don't forget your hat and sunscreen.

One really important piece if information we would like you to have is something passed on to us by the H.O.B. (Hitachdut Olei Britannia) and the AACI (Association of Americans and Canadians in Israel) and I checked this out myself.

The Israeli government is providing a convenient English website helping you to navigate (easily) the many Israeli ministries that provide around 734 services. It's all in English and it's about the only website you'll ever need to find the help you need. Go to www.gov.il/en/services to go into a portal that will show you the way to obtain an Israeli passport, driver's license, how to pay a traffic violation after you have that license, help if you have a family or personal situation, how to make out your Israeli taxes, Tabu (land registry), culture and much more.
I said 734 services and by the time this newsletter goes out there may be more (or less – it's the Middle East). But it is really worth a try if you are befuddled and are trying to get help from any Ministry. Once you go into the website you'll feel better just by knowing there is help available. I'll say it again, that's www.gov.il/en/services . One click and you will probably find the help you've been looking for from one of the 62 web pages available.

Another source of important information is the 'AACI Emergency Handbook' which tells you what to do, well, in an emergency. There is a free download on their website. The AACI - Just Google it. There is more information available there and their newsletter has some suggestions for trips here and abroad.

A very important source of information is the Homefront Command (Pikud HaOref). They are the branch of the armed forces that is responsible for keeping things running back home if, God forbid, there is any kind of trouble from our neighbors over the border. Their English website (thank goodness for that) can be reached at www.oref.org.il/en and you'll find out what to do. In a national emergency when it is vital to get information immediately the Home Front Command Information Center is available to answer your questions 24/7. Call 104 from any phone.

AND: Let's not forget to wish you all a happy and delicious Holiday of the giving of the Torah, the Holiday of the First Fruits, and that is:



To all our friends!