Working Hours in Israel

The Israeli work week is from Sunday through Thursday, with a few offices also open on Friday mornings. The weekend for most office workers is Friday and Saturday. At Tel Aviv University, courses are held and administrative offices are open from Sunday through Thursday.
Stores in Israel are generally open from Sunday through Friday afternoon. Some malls and stores also open for Saturday-evening shopping.

Currency and Banks

The Israeli currency is the new Israeli shekel (NIS). You can check the daily exchange rate for the dollar or euro at: http://www.bankisrael.gov.il/eng.shearim/index.php.
Bank accounts can be opened at all banks using details from your passport. If you are receiving payment from the university, you must open a local account for the direct deposit of your salary. The following banks are located in the vicinity of the university:
  • Bank Discount, at Entin Square (Gate 7), the main entrance to the campus, tel. 6464222.
  • Bank Hapoalim, opposite the student dormitories, Bart St., tel. 65532407.

There are branches of other banks nearby in Ramat Aviv, Ramat Aviv Gimmel and Neve Avivim.

Post Office

In addition to sending letters and buying stamps, many extra services are offered by the post office: you can pay your utility bills, send and receive money wires, exchange currency and buy phone cards.
The nearest post office is located at 67 Haim Levanon St., opposite the main entrance to the campus, Entin Square (Gate 7),
tel. 6425109.
Sunday through Tuesday: 08:00-13:00, 15:30-18:00.
Wednesday: 08:00-13:00.
Thursday: 08:00-13:00, 15:30-18:00.
Friday: 08:00-12:00.

Cellular Phones

A mobile phone account can be arranged with the following companies:
  • Orange, at the Dionon Bookstore near the main entrance to the campus, Entin Square (Gate 7), tel. 6426656.
  • Celluline Ltd., Ramat Aviv Mall, tel. 6437764.

Public Phones

Public telephones in Israel require the use of telecards. They are available at all post offices and in some kiosks. Costs:
  • 20 unit card - NIS 13
  • 50 unit card - NIS 29
  • 120 unit card - NIS 60

Cable TV

Cable TV at your place of residence can be arranged with the following:
  • The “Hot” cable company, tel. * 6900.
  • The “Yes” satellite company, tel. * 2080.

Travel Agents

The following agencies are located on campus:
  • ISSTA, Mitchell Student Center, tel. 6415960.
  • Ophir Tours, Academy of Music building, tel. 6429001.

Insurance

We recommend that you arrive in Israel with prearranged health insurance from your home country. This may be supplemented with policies for automobile, home, health and life insurance by local companies:
  • Bela Lavon—Klal Bituah agency, located on campus in the Academy of Music building, tel. 6408850.
  • Sahar-Shiloah agency, tel. 6408016.
  • Amos Gilboa—Yedidim agency, tel. 052-3250975.

Shopping

The closest shopping center to the campus is the Ramat Aviv Mall, which is a five-minute walk from the university’s main gate, at 40 Einstein Street, tel. 6426612. The mall has two large supermarkets and two levels of shops, restaurants, cafes and cinemas.
Other options in Tel Aviv are:
  • Dizengoff Center, 50 Dizengoff St., tel. 6212416, Dan bus #25, 24, 13.
  • Azrieli Center, off the Ayalon Freeway, tel. 6081400, Dan bus #27 and Egged # 74, 86.
  • Opera Tower, right on the sea at 1 Allenby St., tel. 5107496, Dan bus #25, 24, 13.
  • Gan Ha'ir, designer boutiques, 71 Ibn Gvirol St., tel. 5279111, Dan bus #25, 24, 13.
Tel Aviv has a number of colorful and lively bazaars, or open-air markets, which are open from early morning to early evening Sunday through Friday. While it is less customary to bargain on food prices, it is acceptable to try for a discount on clothes and housewares. The word in Hebrew for bazaar is shuk.
  • Shuk Hacarmel - The largest and best market for fresh fruit and vegetables, cheese, meat, Asian and other specialty foods, cleaning supplies, inexpensive clothes and every other consumer item under the sun. Begins at the corner of Allenby and King George Streets, Dan bus #25, 24, 13.
  • Nahalat Binyamin - An arts and crafts market held every Tuesday and Friday with live music and entertainment. On the Nahalat Binyamin pedestrian-only street, right off Allenby St., and parallel to Shuk Hacarmel, Dan bus #25, 24, 13.
  • Shuk Bezalel - Discount clothes. Off King George St., very close to the corner of Allenby St., Dan bus #25, 24, 13.
  • Levinsky Street - A wonderful street market for spices, nuts, dried fruit, etc., Dan bus #25.
  • Flea Market (Shuk Hapishp’shim) - Second-hand clothes, furniture and general household items. Jaffa, Dan bus #25.