Cell Phones & Email


What kind of a cell phone should I get?

As a foreigner in Israel, you have 2 choices for a cell phone:

  1. Monthly Plan
  2. Pay As You Go

Monthly Plan
Most of the seminaries and yeshivas have agreements with one of the monthly cell phone companies. These companies will provide you with both the phone and the monthly cell phone service.

For a list of cell phone companies, click here.

Photo of a SIM card
QUICK TIP: If your cell phone from America has the ability to use an Israeli SIM card, then all you need to do is rent a SIM card from one of these companies. Renting a SIM card is much cheaper than renting a phone and will cost you around $2/month (instead of around $20/month for renting the phone).




Pay As You Go
Another option is to buy phone cards with pre-loaded amounts of talking time (called "Talkman" cards). You can pick up these "Talkman" cards at most "makolets" (little neighborhood markets).

To find a store where you can buy such a phone and these cards, click here.

Photo of a SIM card
QUICK TIP: If your American phone has the ability to use an Israeli SIM card, then all you need to do is buy a SIM card from one of the phone vendor companies. Buying SIM card is much cheaper than buying a cell phone and will cost you about $25 (instead of around $200 for a new phone).


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Are the incoming calls to my Israeli cell phone free?

Yes! Unlike in America when they charge you for calling and receiving calls on your cell phone, in Israel, all incoming calls are free. It doesn't matter which cell phone plan you choose. It also doesn't matter where the call comes from – your Mom in America or your friend from seminary in Israel – receiving all calls on your Israeli cell phone are free.


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How do my parents call me from America?

If your parents are calling you from their house phone, here is how they call you on:

  • Your cell phone: Let's say your Israeli cell phone # is (052) 555-1212. Then your parents would dial:
    • 011 972 (52) 555-1212.
    • They need to take off the 0 at the beginning of the number and instead add 011 972.

  • Your landline (in your dorm): Let's say your Israeli landline (in your dorm, for example) # is (02) 555-1212. Then your parents would dial:
    • 011 972 (2) 555-1212.
    • You take off the 0 at the beginning of the number and instead add 011 972.
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What are the emergency phone numbers in Israel?

Ambulance: 101
Fire:            102
Police:         100

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What are the phone numbers for the hospitals in Jerusalem?

Terem:              (02) 652-1748
Hadassah:        (02) 677-7111
Sharee Zedek:  (02) 655-5111

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Where can I check my email?

Most of the seminaries and yeshivas have at least 1 or 2 computers at the school where you can check email. The only downside is that your time is limited (because all of the other students have to be able to use it), and you usually can only check on your breaks (i.e. not during class time). For a list of internet cafes and coffee shops where you can check your email, click here.

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How do I change the keyboard from Hebrew to English?

There are two ways to change the keyboard from Hebrew to English:

  1. Click on the �HE� button on the lower right-hand side of your monitor. Select �En� for English.
  2. Hold the �Shift� and �Alt� keys simultaneously.
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