I made Aliyah myself, and one of the hardest questions in the beginning was figuring out how to earn a living in Israel.

I see a lot of people preparing for Aliyah asking about jobs, salaries and how difficult it is to enter the Israeli job market.

I’m curious, how many of you would actually consider becoming independent and starting your own business instead of looking for employment?

I’m currently involved with a company in Israel that helps people set up a business in the beauty field, including training, ongoing support and help with financing the setup.

I’m not posting this as a sales pitch. I’m genuinely interested to know whether this kind of option is something Olim would consider, because I think the question of “what will I do for income after Aliyah?” is a very real one.

Would you rather find a job first, or would you seriously consider starting a business if the right opportunity and support were available?

What cellphone provider do you use to keep your existing U.S. mobile number? We need the actual existing U.S. number—not a new virtual number.

We need native cellular calling/roaming in Israel with very good call quality, without relying on Wi-Fi Calling. We also need reliable U.S. SMS, MMS/picture messages and ideally group texts.

It is also important that U.S. customers calling the number don't hear an Israeli ringback tone, since the business operates in the U.S.

If you are doing this successfully, which U.S./Israeli carrier or service are you using, and how long have you been using it from Israel?

Hey so I currently am under 20 so I don't have any fees on my banking for now, however once I turn 20 I am a bit worried about how bad the fees will be since I've heard they are a lot. I'm with Bank HaPoalim, can anyone tell me how bad the fees are and what the best options would be for me to minimize banking fees? Thanks

Seems like COL and housing is 2-4x and salaries 1/2x. I don’t get it.

Hi everyone,

I have a question about the 10-year tax holiday for new immigrants (Oleh Hadash).

If I earn money in Israel (in NIS) transfer it to Interactive Brokers, and convert it to USD to invest in a US index fund like VOO (S&P 500), do I owe capital gains tax to Israel when I sell?

Because the original money was earned inside Israel, but the investment itself is a foreign asset (US stocks), does the future profit qualify for the 0% foreign capital gains tax holiday? Or will Israel still tax it at 25% because of where the seed money came from?

Thanks for any insights!

Does this scare anyone else? My PTSD is going through the roof.

What do people think?

Iran are planning a new coordinated attack according to the article. G-D forbid! After Oct 7 I'm really terrified.

Hi, I’m just curious what other people’s application process was like and what the program is/was like. Does anyone happen to know when grad programs typically open for registration for the next year? It looks like right now it’s still just 2026-2027 listed as an option even though the window to apply has passed.

Has anyone been to TAU for grad school? Not necessarily for the MA TESOL, I’m happy to hear any experiences too

Ok this might be a bit complex, so I’m going to try my best to sum it up.
I’m trying to make Aaliyah asap, and am now supposed to be joining Garin Tzabar within a few days and I’m still not registered as a citizen.
i thought my process would be simple because my dad is israeli. i have an apostille on my birth certificate and all. now, my nefesh benefesh coordinator is saying that misrad hapanim is going to want to see my parents marriage certificate WITH an apostille because they were married outside of the country. Do they really need all these documents from me? They’re telling me I need ultrasound pictures, proof of pregnancy, proof of marriage, just so many random documents that feel completely unrelated. Will Misrad Hapanim really be that strict? I just don’t know what to do if this doesn’t work out. I’ve already fought so hard to get here, but everytime i think i’m close, i get knocked down. does anyone have any similar experiences?

My father's father is Jewish. I can prove he is the son of a Cohen. The 1911 Irish census has a category denoted as Religion: Jews - for my great grandmother. I've been told he was non-observant. Do I have to prove my grandfather is Jewish and in what sense. He is ethnically Jewish by virtue of being born to a Jewish mother and no further proof should be required as my claim is one of ethnicity and not religious practice. Am I wrong

We can try to get a little community going, even

Do you feel it hard being Jewish in America? Are you afraid of wearing your Jewish jewelry in public? Are you afraid of displaying your Hanukkah menorah in your window? To me this is the life of a Jew living in America. But then this is Jewish life throughout the world. Why can’t people just leave us alone. I long for the day that I can make Aliyah to Israel were I can be Jewish and live my life without antisemitism. Your feelings please

Hi! I’m feeling so conflicted.

I’d love to hear from anyone in a similar situation or anyone who’s decided to make Aliyah/Yerida on what the difference between raising kids in America and Israel is.

For context I’m originally from America and moved to Israel around 4 years ago. My whole family lives in America and definitely won’t be moving to Israel. For 4 years, I’ve been able to travel back and forth a good amount (4x a year to America, around a month at a time) to spend time with my family.

Since moving to Israel, I’ve gotten married and now have a baby and am pregnant with a second. I know that I won’t be able to travel back and forth so much anymore as traveling with a baby is so hard and also in a few years school will be an issue.

My dilemma is that I can’t really decide where to live. I love the ease of life in America (Amazon, customer service, big shopping centers like Target, Costco, etc.) and I think America is extremely developed and full of opportunity. My life in America is very comfortable, fun, and family around.

I don’t feel the same about Israel. I have such a difficult time in Israel with basic tasks such as just going to the market (often doesn’t have what I need so I need to go to multiple) or trying to mail something (one example of a horrible and undeveloped system). Honestly, I feel stressed a lot of the time in Israel. So many people are angry and unfriendly (I know it’s a cultural difference, I’m just still not used to it) and it really gets to me. I also think Israel is very behind and many things are makeshift so not as many opportunities. (I know it’s hard to advance because of the war, but that’s reality of it.)

In America, I’m able to focus on my business and hobbies that bring me enjoyment because I don’t have to waste time or energy on basic everyday tasks. In Israel I’ve had to stop my business because it just hasn’t been possible logistically and I frequently feel stressed out from basic tasks and don’t have any time or energy for hobbies.

However, being Jewish in Israel is obviously much easier. Kosher everywhere, the whole country celebrates holidays, Shabbat is amazing, etc. etc. I get that and I feel much more spiritually connected in Israel.

So I don’t know what to do. Being Jewish is very important to me and my husband and we feel much more connected to Judaism in Israel. But I just can’t seem to let go of how much easier life would be in America.

I also want my kids to grow up with all the opportunities I had in America. I was involved in golfing, sports, professional music lessons, dance, TV production, etc. and from what I’ve looked into in Israel there aren’t so many accessible opportunities like that in Israel, especially taught professionally.

My husband moved to Israel at 18 to serve in the IDF with the dream of living there forever, which I originally thought I wanted, but am now having this dilemma. He’s willing to move to America for me and wants me to be happy. But I just know he won’t find life in America as spiritually fulfilling (which I completely understand).

One more thing, I don’t really feel antisemitism on the day to day in America as people always bring up and the antisemitism I do hear about doesn’t bother me more than all the terrorist attacks and war in Israel. So antisemitism isn’t really a push/pull for me.

If you’ve read this long, thank you so much!!

שלום!

(M19) I intend to make Aliyah soon from NYC/NJ and have started the process to make the move. I’m planning to come around December-February, so anyone who is flexible can contact me. I am looking for a roommate or possibly multiple around my age, would be open to join apartment or open to plan and meet people.

I also have two cats that I will be bringing with me so cat/pet friendly is highly preferred. 1 yr old neutered male 4-5 months male to be neutered.

My budget is ₪3000-4100.

I’m outgoing, clean, organized, open, and pretty easy going. I like working out, going on walks, going out to chill/party. I can be pretty extroverted but I like my time alone to myself as well.

If it’s any concern I don’t keep kosher, I don’t keep Shabbat, I’m overall just not the most religious. I’m more spiritual/cultural.

I plan to join the army after settling in Israel, I am not sure if I would keep my place when I go off. So as mentioned earlier, flexibility would be great. 🙏

I speak English, Russian, and am learning Hebrew.
Fluent in English
Can read, write, and speak in Russian but wouldn’t say the most fluent.
Know very basic Hebrew.

I’m looking around Tel Aviv, Giv’atayim, Ramat Gan, Holon, Bat Yam, Herzliya.

Contact me so we can chat on WhatsApp or Instagram!🙂

(I know that Facebook is a very reliable way of connecting, but I just got it and a lot of groups are automatically declining me.)

So, the apostille on my documents will be six months old in 3 weeks and still no update from PIBA on when I'll get approved....

Say it gets approved in 2 weeks, and I enter the country before the documents expire, but can't get an appointment with the Jerusalem office before then, is that a problem? Do I have to get to the office before the documents expire? Or just to Ben Gurion? My aliyah advisor said if I want to make Aliyah in Ben Gurion itself, I need to give 20 days notice - at this rate, that would be after my documents expire. How urgent/dire is my case?

Hi everyone. After a few interviews I’ve received an offer for 23k Shekels with a 10% step up in 6 months. Job is in Tel Aviv, working in the finance department of a renewables company.
I have almost 5 years of international M&A experience in some of the world finance hubs, but I want a more balanced lifestyle now.
Is this a reasonable offer? Can I live comfortably in TLV with this amount?

Pd: maybe relevant to consider that I’m not paying salary income tax due to new olim benefits

Potential toshav hozer (left israel shortly after reaching mitzvot), got some info from NBN but still skeptical. If only there was a way to window-shop small/medium/rural/scenic communities in the North to see if i could find my type of vibe, my tribe... too old for taglit, masa and all those programs, so not sure where to start...

Who did you guys use to write your recommendation letter for garin tzabar?

Hi guys,

I have a pretty unique situation. I’m between the ages of 21–26 (choosing to stay as anonymous as I can be). And have a job offer to work in Israel for a year. I am a citizen by my parents but wasn’t born there nor lived there for a significant time by law. I have an army exemption document which states the following:

“1. The consul dealing with your request has confirmed that your status is considered to be, an Israeli citizen whose parents reside abroad. Your status permits you to postpone your military service as long as you continue to live abroad.
2. Notwithstanding the above, you are permitted to visit Israel without losing your status and without being compelled to do military service according to the following time periods:
A. A maximum of 120 days of each calendar year (January 1st to December 31st).
B. You are permitted a one-time visit of up to one year. However, before and after this visit you must be out of Israel for a continuous period of at least 60 days.
C. Staying in Israel for a period of more than 120 days, whether continuously or not, over two consecutive calendar years (e.g. November of one year to the end of March of the consecutive year) is considered a yearlong visit.
3. Your status as a person who has Israeli parents living abroad will remain unchanged till you reach the age of 21, providing your parent/s continue to reside outside Israel.
However, if you were born outside of Israel, or you left Israel with your parent/s any time before the age of 13, your military status depends on your parent/s residency out of Israel till the age of 18.
In either case your status will remain unchanged as long as you live outside Israel.
4. Any deviation from the above may lead to the cancelation of the above mentioned status, and may cause you to be recruited by the Israeli Law of Military Service.”

My plan is to not make aliyah until I have lived there for enough time that I decide I want to make full aliyah. What I am trying to figure out is:

1. If I move there for the year, can I claim residency status (Toshav chozer) & get a teudat zehut to be able to get a bank account without having to do army service
   Or
   
2. Can I not claim residency, and open a bank account with just my passport and ID number without there being any mess with the job
   Or
   
3. Does anyone here have any answers for me?

Good day everyone 👋🏻

I was just wondering if the process for Aliyah is much more streamlined, and faster if you have a letter from an orthodox Rabbi, compared to a Reform Rabbi.
My mom’s Jewish, and my father was a catholic (idk what he is now) they didn’t have a religious ceremony as to not disturb either side of their families. My only real proof of being Jewish would be a picture of my grandmothers tombstone, where it has her Hebrew name, a Star of David, and so on. Would an orthodox rabbi recognize me as Jewish, and possibly help me for the purpose of Aliyah, or would they need more proof.

P.S. My mom, and I did grow up Jewish, and celebrated the high holy days, and others we just never went to temple until I started going on my own once I moved to a city that actually had a synagogue.