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gov.il Welcome to the Israel Government Portal gov.il
 Israeli Government Portal   Guides   Working In Israel   Everyday Life in Israel    
Guide for Migrant Workers
Coming to work in Israel
Rights, obligations and working conditions
Health
Housing
Maternity
Frequently Asked Questions
Assistance to migrant workers
Everyday Life in Israel
Using a Foreign Driver's License in Israel
  Your employer has the duty to arrange accommodation for you. Here you can learn about the required standards for employees’ residence and its cost.
 
Climate
The weather in Israel is typical Mediterranean weather, with long, dry, relatively hot summers and short mild winters. The hottest months of the dry season are July and August. During September-November and April-June, temperatures are comfortable and there is little rainfall. Although the rainy season lasts from October through May, most of the rain falls between December and February.

Please note that on the right hand side of your screen you will find a weather forecast for Israel’s four major cities: Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, Haifa, Beer Sheva.

 Climate information – Israel Tourism Portal
 Israel Meteorological Service
 Geography and Climate
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Shopping in Israel
There are shopping centers (malls), markets, street malls, and shops in the large cities.

Most stores are open Sunday through Thursday between 9:00 in the morning and 7:00 in the evening.  Some stores close for a break between 2:00 and 4:00 in the afternoon. In some cities, stores are closed on Tuesday afternoons.  Stores close at midday on Friday and open again on Sunday morning. Stores close in mid afternoon on the eve of Jewish holidays and remain closed throughout the holiday.

Some malls are open on Saturdays and they are usually open for longer hours.

 Israel Tourism Portal – Shopping in Israel
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Money and Currency
The official currency in Israel is the New Israeli Shekel (NIS), or shekel for short. In the Bank of Israel website you can find up to date exchange rates, as well as information about Israel’s currency system, and Israel’s coins and notes. An on-line currency converter is also available on the Israel Government Portal, on the bottom right hand side of your screen.

Foreign currency of all kinds may be exchanged at the airport, banks, post offices, most hotels or licensed exchange agencies in large cities.

 Bank of Israel
 Israel Tourism Portal – Detailed information on money and currency
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The Jewish calendar and Jewish holidays

The Jewish calendar is based on the lunar cycle, and has 12 lunar months. The Jewish calendar starts with the Jewish New Year, in the Hebrew month of Tishrei, which usually falls around late September - early October.

The Jewish holidays are national holidays in Israel and vacation days are set in accordance with them.

The major Jewish Holidays are: 
 Rosh Hashanah – the Jewish New Year
 Yom Kippur -  the Day of Atonement
 Sukkot  - the Feast of Booths
 Chanukah – the festival of lights
 Purim – the holiday of dress up and amusement
 Pesach – Passover
 Shavuot – the holiday of weeks

 Information about Jewish Holidays in the Israel Tourism Portal
 Jewish Festivals and Days of Remembrance in Israel
 Holiday Dates
 The Jewish Holidays website
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Driving in Israel
For detailed information on driving in Israel with a foreign driver’s license, and converting it to an Israeli one check out the section devoted to Using a Foreign Driver's License in Israel in the Israel Government Portal.

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Using the telephone
Overseas calls can be placed through three different phone companies. In the Israel Tourism Portal you can find detailed information about making overseas calls. Overseas call rates vary according to the destination.

Public phones can be found on the main streets of all cities and towns. They are operated by magnetic cards (in Hebrew Telecart) that are available at post offices, supermarkets, and kiosks. The cards are easy to use and are good for local, intercity, or international calls.

Cellular phones are in widespread use in Israel.

 Israel Tourism Portal – Telephone Service in Israel
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weather forecast
Last Update: 1/7/2009
light rain/showersTel Aviv
11-18
light rain/showers
partly cloudyJerusalem
6-14
partly cloudy
light rain/showersHaifa
10-18
light rain/showers
partly cloudyBeer Sheva
7-19
partly cloudy
Meteorological Service...
Exchange Rate
Last Update: 07/01/2009
Dollar3.861
Pound5.6205
Euro5.1504
Bank Of Israel...
Currency Converter