FAQ

Phone Plan

• Almost everyone in E"Y uses WhatsApp to text and call. I purchased a monthly phone plan for 60 Shekel a month, for 100 GB + some minutes for calls and texts (which I rarely used).  You can purchase a phone plan at the airport, however, it will be more expensive than if you can wait until you arrive at your destination and buy a Sim-Card there. There is a one-time charge of a few Shekel for the actual Sim-Card

• My T-Mobile claimed that it offered a good internet connection, but it was terrible. You are probably better off buying an Israeli Sim-Card. I saw many people use Google Voice to call America on regular calls. 

Transportation 

•  I took the bus to most places. There are locations (Ex: Zohar Fortress) where I would have to sometimes walk an hour+ to get there.

• The best way to pay for public transportation is through the app Moovit. It calculates the fares at the end of the day and applies whatever discount you would have gotten if you had initially paid with the discount. 

• If you're not using Moovit, the other option to pay for trains & buses, is by using a Rav Kav card (a bus/train card). You can purchase a Rav Kav at a kiosk at the airport train station, or any train and bus stations (not bus stops). You can add money to your Rav Kav card at any Light Rail stop, or any train and bus stations. You can also download the Rav Kav app to pay for the card. 

• I found Google Maps to be the most helpful for navigating how to get around Eretz Yisrael, including with the bus and train times. However, some locations require lots of walking, and Google Maps doesn't calculate that (Ex: Shivta). In those cases, I used Moovit, because it includes extensive walking. 

• There were places where I had to walk on the side of the highway. Just try to walk beyond the guardrails.

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Where To Stay

• I always stayed in Yerushalayim and early in the morning took the first bus out, and came back at night. As such, I don't know where there are good places to stay.  

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Food

• THIS IS A SIMPLE GUIDE, WITH SOME GENERAL INFORMATION. ASK YOUR RABBI BEFOREHAND, WHAT AND WHERE IS APPROPRIATE FOR YOU TO EAT!!!

• Most food establishments in Yerushalayim, are under the Rabbanut, which is the basic level of kashrus. There is Rabbanut Mehadrin, which is a more stringent form of kashrus. The Frumer people that I met who visited E"Y, would only eat from Rabbanut Mehadrin. The highest available kashrus in Yerushalayim is Edah HaChareidis, which mainly gives its hashgacha in the Meah Shearim/Geulah area.

• Don't feel shy to ask a restaurant where is their kashrus certificate, or to ask them what kashrus they have. They have already been asked that many times, and are used to it. 

• For Lubavitchers looking to eat at a fleishig restaurant. There are certain meat brands that Lubavitchers eat, and you can ask the restaurant if they are serving that meat. 

• Almost all packaged junk food in E"Y has a high level of Kashrus (bissli, Bamba, pretzels, cereal, chips, packaged ice cream...) You can purchase such food almost anywhere in E"Y, at convenience stores, gas stations, or at the entrance of national parks. 

• I tried to push myself to explore Eretz Yisrael in the most challenging ways. I would try food fasting on my trips until nighttime. I always took with me some granola bars, just in case. As such, I don't know of many good Kosher places to eat