Learning About the Different Business Structures in Israel

 

I spent an enjoyable morning today at the Jerusalem Nefesh b'Nefesh office in a very informative workshop. The workshop was on "Choosing the Right Legal Structure for your Business". The workshop was a little over two hours long and presentations were offered by both a lawyer and an accounting firm.

The legal side was presented by Russell Mayer who has his own legal firm in Israel,  Livnat Mayer & Co. Attorneys at Law and also a FaceBook group entitled "Ask an Israeli Lawyer".  In the limited time available, Russell outlined the different types of for profit and not-for-profit options for working independently, including some important tips relevant for Olim. 

The accounting side was presented by Jeff Nurkin & David Beychok of NurkinCPA. This presentation included a lot of information for Olim who are US citizens. If you have made Aliyah from the US, it is a good idea to consult with an accountant who is an expert in US taxes. There are many details to take into consideration even if one has married an Israeli. 

A definite bonus for me was to discover that Nurkin CPA assists with applying for the ITIN number. If you are not a US citizen and publish a book via an American company such as CreateSpace, you will need to apply for an ITIN number. Now you can know where to go to for assistance in this process.

After a full question and answer session, for some details we were recommended to consult with an Israeli Accountant. A wonderful piece of advice was that most accountant will give about half an hour of a free session in which you can ask questions related to your work. It is of benefit to the accountants as if they provide the answers you require, you are more likely to hire their services.

If you know of any good Israeli accountants, prepared to give advice to Olim wanting to work privately or to be self-employed, do be in touch, we love to develop a list of who to turn to for such information. Please note, comments are moderated. We do not permit SPAM. Any accountant (or other professional) that we add in a list we will be in touch with to get to know prior to listing them on this blog.

Thank you for your co-operation and understanding.

Have a blessed day and wishing you much success in Israel.

Shoshanah Shear

Chessed Ve'emet

Winter Storm

The weather this winter has been quite unusual. A few weeks ago we posted about a snow storm that was expected. We prepared in advance and awaited the snow. And we waited and we waited and we waited.

Yes we had some good hail and yes it progressed to be a little snow. But the snow fell just as we lit our Shabbat candles and melted before Havdala. Sadly, there are no photographs to show for the snow storm that was supposed to be or the little snow that was.

This week we were again warned of a storm that would end in snow, possibly on Thursday, which is today, and definitely on the weekend. 

Instead of the heavy rains, we have had strong sand storms. The light is different, the air is different and many in Israel have been suffering. Sadly, a trip to hospital for some has not even enabled them to receive the necessary treatment as the hospitals are currently full to overflowing.

The temperatures have dropped but there is no sign of snow, at least not where we are. I read on the news that there is snow on Mount Hermon. Will it snow in and around Jerusalem? As an Israeli mentioned to me today, I'll believe it will snow when I see it with my own eyes.

One thing is interesting though, in previous years, the chance of snow has been mentioned once in a winter. Twice is quite something. Definitely there are changes in the weather taking place.

Wherever you are, whatever the weather, stay warm, stay dry and have a blessed day.

A Touching Moment in Israel

While many try to find fault in Israel, a recent newspaper article highlights the kindness and the incredible heart of Israel. A unity that is unshakable. Many traumas and tragedies have befallen the Jewish Nation through the years. One such tragedy robbed a little 6- month- old baby of her mother. 

The loss of a parent is something most can not understand. The pain at growing up without the loving guidance of a parent is something hard to describe. Today, an Israeli joined the IDF, just as thousands do. But for her there was no mother to see her off. No mother to give her a kind word and pray for her safe return. 

Shani was a 6 month old baby when her mother was killed by a suicide bomber. The touching story of her coming to sign up for the I.D.F is featured in YNetNews. The touching part is not that she signed up, but that the policewoman who carried baby Shani to safety has stayed in touch. To the policewoman it was not enough to carry baby Shani to safety, she stayed in touch all the years and was there to see her off as Shani begins a new phase of her life.

The dedication and care of one Jew to another. One Israel to another is what makes living in Israel so very special and gives us the strength to continue, together.

Does Israel Have an Allergy to Windows?

Can you see the image above? The building is in the process of having another floor added. You can see the pieces of wood stacked on the Mirpeset (balcony) on the end of one floor down. These pieces of wood make up the wall, with a layer of concrete and of course the stone facade.

Take a look at the top floor. Can you see the tiny window on the left and a large section of wall space with no windows? This wall space is actually one apartment. Can anyone explain to me what the resistance is to windows in Israel? Why not put in two wide windows or three if they will fit? 

If you take a look at the other walls visible here, windows are quite narrow compared to the wall space available.  This is something very common to see in most buildings I walk past, it is not isolated to the one we happened to photograph.

The way the walls are built, the walls can not breathe, at least I cant work out how they do. Many apartments do not have adequate ventilation.

Do you know that having sufficient oxygen intake is crucial for ones health, concentration and general functioning?

This blog post is prepared for you by Shoshanah Shear

Currently a Puzzled Occupational Therapist. Puzzled because home modification is a specialization of my profession. Health and wellness is a major area and one I work in. The environment has an important role to play in our daily functioning, health and wellness.

It would be wonderful to see an increased respect for health by those designing and building in Israel.

My late grandfather (who was a civil engineer) had a professor who taught the engineers that unless one considers who will be living in a building, you have missed out on the majority of the design. Apartments are for human beings to live in and people need to breathe. One of the best ways to have sufficient airflow is with adequate windows.

Send a 3D Selfie to Family Overseas!!!

Just when it seemed like "selfies" were the in thing - it seems that a new technology is on the arise - and Israel is in the forefront. The two young men in the video are pioneering a project to make this new technology a lot more affordable for everyone.

What does all that mean? It means being able to have a 3D photo taken of you, allowing an exact "mini-me" replica of you and your family which you can either keep yourself (if you'd prefer looking at it rather than in the mirror,) or sending to friends (who you know probably can't get enough of looking at you,) or even to family - who may in fact enjoy having a new "photo" of you on the piano or other piece of furniture!

Enjoy the video and be a part of helping these young men achieve their goal! Check out their work here - 3DUSelf

Job Offer: Freelance Sale / Telesales

We are looking for dynamic sales people to join a dynamic, creative, Torah based team.

Successful candidates must have:

Must enjoy selling and have good people skills

At least 3 years experience in direct sales

Proven successful track record of generating revenue and closing business

English mother tongue, good Hebrew skills beneficial

Persistent and organized

Self-motivated and focused

B2B sales experience

Excellent phone and email communication skills

Good follow through

Be prepared to do cold calling

Ability to provide Israeli tax receipt

Must dress smart, elegant and modest

Must have minimum level of Torah observance and appreciation for a Torah publication

Must have a love of Torah and Torah values

Compensation is productivity and commission based only

Please send CV, contact details and contactable references through for possible appointment.

Only those complying with above list of criteria and willing to work FREELANCE, should apply.

We look forward to hearing from you

Shoshanah Shear

Changes to the Bus Routes

 If you have been to Israel and especially to Jerusalem in the past and think you know your way around, you are in for a big surprise. The latest bus changes will raise your eye brows and bring question marks to the fore.

Many buses are being discontinued and being replaced by others. New numbers, new routes, its all about change. 

Don't find yourself confused or waiting for a bus that no longer runs. You can go into the Central Bus Station (Tachane Mercazit) and obtain your new bus schedule. Be sure to find out too which roads are as they were and which roads are being uplifted to make way for yet another train line.

 

The Story of Eliezer ben Yehuda and Modern Hebrew (Video Clip)

This is a wonderful short animated video of the story of modern Hebrew. Enjoy!

Mold in Israel

Guest Post by  Tzvi Szajnbrun

Mold, Drainage and Moisture in Israel are a well-known painful phenomenon that affects half of this country’s apartments. This is the sad reality we have to deal with. As I have written previously, the sole responsibility to fix moisture and mold lies on the landlord`s shoulders as specified by law. This law determines that the landlord must fix any tangent problem restricting or limiting the use of a rental property. It does not matter if this specific clause does not appear in the contract. It is all about the circumstances and how reasonable or unreasonable these circumstances are.

It may be impossible to convince a Judge that a room that had to be evacuated because of water problems is "reasonable". If a room cannot be used because of water damages the contract can be considered void/null or at least the rent should be recalculated accordingly. 

Mold and New Immigrants: Mold is a different case. Mold can be a result of your own doing. I will try to explain. 

Because of the material used in the construction (we rarely use dry cement walls, etc.), our walls "behave" very differently from what you are accustomed to. If you are used to keeping all the windows shut, you will certainly find mold on the walls - it is just a question of time. Rooms must be ventilated in the winter or you will see those ugly black spots popping out on the ceiling and walls very rapidly. Friends may suggest bleaching, painting or any other "technique”. Don’t waste your time because the mold will come back. You can bleach and paint but to avoid the reappearance of the mold you must open the windows and ventilate the room. 

The Common Roof of the Building: It does not matter on which floor the apartment is located; the roof is the common responsibility of all the property owners - not the tenants living in the property but the owners. This is a problem because a roof will eventually leak if not maintained properly every few years. The question is now who will be responsible for the bill, finding the right person to do the job, etc. 

It is not you but the landlord who is the only one responsible for your wellbeing in his property. This is the problem. The landlord will have to deal with a leak on the roof because a leak will certainly affect you as his tenant. You will need a lot of patience - it will take some time because a roof cannot be fixed in the winter when it is raining - not if you want it repaired correctly. 

The Common Installations of the Building: These are the drainage pipes along the building (coming from the roof), sewage pipes, faucets in public areas, elevators, etc. These are all common property and they are considered as the roof - the responsibility is on the "Vaad Habayit" of the building but it is not your concern at all. Your landlord is the one responsible to deal with the "Vaad Habayit". 

The Unique Problem Caused by Foreign Owners: Jews from all over the world have been buying real estate in Israel for years but not necessarily living in the property they buy. Property management in Israel is a booming business but there is bad news about this as well. Many buildings, especially in the center of Jerusalem, became more like a "ghost premise" with too many empty apartments. When the landlord does not live in the property and if there is no property manager (this is the case with most of these properties) or not even a normal way to communicate with the owner of the property, things can be hard on those tenants living in that kind of building even if the property they are living in has a landlord living in Israel. 

When any major damage is caused to the common area a large amount of money may be needed to make repairs, the difficulties for your landlord due to the lack of communication with other owners, etc. will also become your difficulty. Be prepared for a long waiting period until the problem is finally solved. Try to be calm, polite, but persistent. The problem is not your problem but your landlord`s problem and he is responsible for the property. He receives the rent - this is his issue and not yours. DO NOT get involved with the "Vaad Habayit". You can politely emphasize to your landlord that it is not enough to make an effort. He must succeed in fixing whatever needs to be fixed. 

This must be done within a reasonable time. The courts have decided on several occasions that the obligation to repair water damages is a requirement of the rental contract, and he cannot be exempt by his "efforts” - he must solve the problem and failing to do so is a violation of his duty as a landlord.

 A Word of Wisdom: When a problem arises, try to have a good conversation with your landlord. If this conversation does not lead to solving the problem, let a lawyer speak to him/her. We will probably have better results.

Sincerely, Tzvi Szajnbrum, Attorney at Law

Copyright © 2009-2011

Rain, Kineret and Weather in Jerusalem

It has been a few weeks since we posted about the weather in Israel and Jerusalem in particular. We are happy to say there has been much rain. Windy days too. At this moment on Friday morning the rain has subsided and the wind is still active. There are predictions for rain to continue this afternoon and for snow for Jerusalem tonight and tomorrow, ie over Shabbos.

So if you are visiting Jerusalem and walking to friends, family or kind and caring hosts for your Shabbos meals do make sure to bundle up. If you live in Jerusalem, you can bundele up too, :). You just may be walking in the snow either to or from Shul or your meals. If it falls later on, take care when going to Shul in the morning. 

There are a few Hallachos for snow on Shabbos. If snow falls on your clothing, you can gently shake off unmolten snow. If it falls on a waterproof raincoat, you can shake off the snow more vigorously. It is not permitted to make snow balls or a snow man if the snow settles sufficiently. Snow itself is not Muktze, however we can not mould it into any shape on Shabbos. Remember, no photographing on Shabbos either, even if the snow flakes are beautiful or fun or the white on the roof tops or at the Kotel is impressive and a picture. The snow comes from Hashem and He requests us to observe the Shabbat.

So if there is snow fall this Shabbos, enjoy the beauty and the clean white snowflakes, but remember to follow the laws for Shabbos. 

The last few weeks of rain has had a positive effect on the level of the Kinert. In the last few days there has been a rise of 5 cm. The level of the Kineret is currently -212.83m and 82cm above what it was this time last year. 

Keep up the davening and good deeds. We want the Kineret to be full to the appropriate level that there is no flooding but we have the quanitiy of water required to take us out of danger zone.

Shabbat Shalom, Good Shabbos, Gut Shabbos - all acceptable ways to greet your fellow Jew for Shabbat

 

Tu B'Shvat 5772

Tu B'Shvat, the 15th of the Hebrew month of Shvat has arrived and with it comes to festival of the birthday of trees. It is a special time in Israel. Today happens to be raining but we are not always so blessed.

Enjoy two short video clips of this special time of year.

Disability Pension in Israel

Like most countries, Israel offers a disability pension. The National Insurance Institue of Israel known as Bituach Leumi, has a website on which a number of articles are listed regarding this. On their website, it states that "A disability pension is paid to a person whose earning capacity is reduced by 50% due to his disability, or to a disabled housewife whose ability to function in her household is reduced by 50%."

I do not have any personal experience with the process. What Welcoming Olim can offer our readers is the link to the website of Bituach Leumi that deals with this topic. http://www.btl.gov.il/English%20Homepage/Benefits/Disability%20Insurance/Pages/default.aspx

If you would like to enquire from Bituach Leumi directly the call centres number is *6050. They permit questions to be asked in Hebrew, Arabic, Russian and one of the languages of Ethiopia. Sometimes the person answering the phone knows English too. If your English is not good, make sure you have someone with you who speaks one of the 4 languages they offer and can assist to translate for you or to talk on your behalf, thus acting as a translator.

If any of our readers has had experience with successfuly obtaining a disability pension, please email us so that we can share the information. Please note, we do not permit links to comments here to avoid SPAM messages.  We do welcome comments that are constructive and have no links. If you would like to write a guest post on the topic of Disability and Israel or obtaining a Disability Pension in Israel, please submit it to our email and we will review and submit if the information is beneficial. 

Shoshanah Shear

Occupational Therapist 

Krembo Chocolate Treats - How They are Made!

A biscuit on the bottom... a mixture of sugar and egg-white on top of that (read: marshmallow), neatly molded, with a layer of (pareve) chocolate surrounding it. If you don't know what I'm talking about, you haven't been in Israel long enough! If you're a new Oleh/Olah or a veteran, you'll know about this tasty chocolate treat - called Krembo! It's a composite of two words - "קרם" meaning "cream" and  "בו" meaning "in it". In South Africa, the equivalent treat (not to be confused with knowing it's state of Kashrut) is known as a Sweety Pie, or Beehive (for it's shape apparently!) In Israel there are a couple of manufacturers of this tasty treat, producing it in a few flavours - vanilla and mocha being the most common.

You best keep your eyes out for these delicious chocolates because you'll see them for only around 5 months of the year - during the winter season. They come out around September/October and are stocked up until around the end of February. You can always stock up for another 7 months or so if you have extra room, but don't expect them to be as fresh!

Would you believe that some 50 million of them are consumed each winter?!

If you've ever wondered how they're made - wonder no more! Watch the delightful video clip below and see how your treats are brought to their final form!

Enjoy! And don't forget, if you've bought a box of 40 and found it's not your taste after all, please do send them my way!

Disabilities, Israel and Olim

Being an Occupational Therapist, I am used to working with the disabled population. Did you know it is not so easy to get information as to the rights of disabled Yidden to make Aliyah? Well, if you know someone who has a disability and has made Aliyah, you stand more of a chance of obtaining the information you require. For me, I tried emailing certain offices that I would think should provide this information only to discover after several emails I still had no reply. The one reply I did receive was a Shaliach admitting that probably the offices are avoiding the question in order not to have to take responsibility. 

Is that acceptable? Is that how we as Yidden treat those who have a more difficult path in this life? Surely if they are Jewish with a Jewish mother, then they have a right to live in Eretz Yisrael?

If you do know someone who is disabled and made Aliyah, please do write in. We would like to know how your Aliyah is going, what your process had been like and any other tips you can offer to other disabled Yidden who want to make Aliyah.

Of course, we would prefer that we have Moshiach and all Yidden are fit and healthy, but in the meantime, do send in any useful info or comments.

In this series of posts, we hope to post information about Disability Grants, information on disabilities in Israel.

Erez Yisroel Needs and Welcomes You!

Shalom and Welcome Home! 

My name is Miriam and I was asked by Shoshanah if I would write a posting about our experiences in making Aliyah.

Israel is in the news everyday. We are just a small country surrounded by enemies who want to see our destruction. I fear for my country. Our precious homeland has known many wars in our short 63 years of the modern state. Politics is the most popular discussion topic, every citizen and non citizen has an opinion.

Israel is the homeland of the Jewish people and we must always be the majority. We have to increase our population by many and we have room for every Jew. Aliyah is the only answer.

My husband and I spoke about Aliyah for many years before we finally decided to come home. There was always one reason [excuse] or another why we should wait another year.

The summer before our Aliyah, my son and I came to spend a month in Israel. When we returned to Canada I said to my husband, we must be crazy….our children and grandchildren are in Israel and we are here.
Something is wrong. Our real problem was we both had elderly mothers. We asked our Rav if it was wrong to leave them and he said go and make aliyah.

It took eight months from our first meeting with the shaliach from the Jewish Agency until our aliyah date.

On May 31st, 1994, my husband, son and I made Aliyah and were reunited with our married daughters and our Sabra grandchildren. Both our daughters came to Israel after high school to attend a one year seminary program and decided Israel was their home and never returned to Canada. Today, B”H we have 13 grandchildren, 6 are 10th generation Israeli.

During the past seventeen years our lives have been enriched in many ways. We notice things that we never noticed before, even though they were in front of our face. We have an appreciation for rain. Every drop is a
Bracha.. We appreciate beautiful flowers, fruit trees and amazing birds. We appreciate the quiet. We went through a war and still have air raid sirens to warn us of in coming Grad missiles to our Yishuv [community].

We don’t have any more money than we had in the ‘old country’, [we were always broke] but here we always seem to have enough for what we need. We had two cars in the ‘old country’ we don’t have a car in Israel. We travel by bus or tremp [hitchhike] or just walk.

When you walk the streets of the old city in Jerusalem or Beer Sheva....you know this is where Avraham Avinu walked. I live in Yishuv Ma’agalim [in the Negev] 5 minutes away from where Avraham Avinu lived. Today, where Avraham Avinu pitched his tent to welcome visitors, and his animals grazed is a nature park with a small stream where families go to picnic, hike and just relax. My grandchildren love to go to the ‘forest’. Sometimes if you are lucky and dig down a little in the earth you will find artifacts from Biblical times.

Making Aliyah is a difficult decision. It affects every member of your family. Living in Israel is both a honor and privilege. Yes, you may have to give up the so called ‘good life’, but I can tell you from personal
experience, that even though life in Israel is a struggle the personal satisfaction you receive living in our precious land gives you a much better life.

B”H our Aliyah has been very successful. If I may, I would like to leave you with a piece of advice. Mainly learn to go with the flow. In other words, you live in Israel and in Israel we don’t do things the way it was done in your former country. But most of all have PATIENCE. Israel works at a slower pace than most countries.

Wishing you B’ hatzala [good luck] and may your Aliyah fulfill your every dream. If I can be of assistance or if you want to just ‘talk’ about Aliyah please feel free to e-mail me at saftala@gmail.com

Miriam
http://miriamswords.blogspot.com

New Income Tax Changes for Working Fathers

 

“The Israeli Knesset has just passed an amendment which will raise Israeli tax rates for many in 2012. This is pursuant to the Law for Change in the Tax Burden (Legislative Amendments), 2011 (Book of Laws 2324, December 6, 2011).

Working fathers will receive extra “credit points” (personal tax allowance) one point in the year of birth; two points in each of the next two years; one point in the year the child reaches three years old. Each point saves tax of around NIS 209. It apparently doesn’t matter if the father isn’t married and doesn’t have custody of the children. This is not chauvinistic as working mothers already receive extra points. “ - Thanks to Leon Harris for this information

We recommend that your contact you accountant to receive more information.

Giving to a New Home

We have two new Kallot that we are assisting in our Bayit Chadash Gemach. A little about them and the Hamlatzot can be viewed on our website.

The first Chatunah is scheduled for 29 Kislev and the second for 2nd Tevet. That means we have only 2-3 weeks to help these special Kallot to set up their new homes.

Prior to coming to us these Kallot have the following to start their new home:

One Kallah has two pillows and a blanket thus far, the other Kallah has one set of linen and an outfit for Sheva Brachos. 

What can you donate?

We would love to give the Chatan who is an Orphan the Chatan Set which is the OzVeHadar Shas, Shulchan Aruch HaBahir, the complete 23 volume set of Shirat Devorah Tur and Oz VeHadar Mishna Brura

Both couples will need a good heater for the remainder of winter.

Both couples need towels.

We have one kettle how about another for the other couple?

We were donated two pots of different sizes. Both Kallot need a set of pots.

In short, any NEW item that will help to set up their new home.

Lastly we need to cover their taxi fare home with all the new items that you readers kindly donate. If you would like to donate in terms of money, please do so via our website

If you live in or around Yerushalayim and have any New items you can donate, please email us.

If you are still single and looking for a Segula to assist you to come to Chuppah, helping these Orphans to come to Chuppah is a very great Mitzvah. The Hamlatzot you will see on our website all talk of the blessing donors will receive by assisting these couples.

Thank you for your assistance. May we hear good things for Am Yisrael.

Shoshanah

Rabbi Greenbaum and Israel for the Nations

Jerusalem has some wonderful rabbis.

Here is one of them who is a published author, translator and teacher in various areas of Torah.

This particular video clip is the first of several taken at a function in America. The rabbi is Rabbi Avraham Greenbaum of the Azamra Institute.

Please do stop by the online store and browse some of the amazing books written by Rabbi Avraham Greenbaum. Purchase a copy and let your friends know that they can obtain his books right here.

Shavuah Tov - Chanukah Is On The Way

Shavuah Tov everyone.

It's been another glorious day in Eretz Yisrael? Is that what you want to hear?

HM, we are wanting rain, beautiful soft, rain that continues for a few days at least.

You know what though, the sunshine reminds us of another light. The light of Chanukah.

Here in Eretz Yisrael, the stores are stocked up with Chanukiot, candles, wicks, olive oil to light the Chanukiah. Some are preparing Sufganiot or donuts.

Like with most Chagim, the Chag is in the air, in the stores, the talk of the town.

So let's get into the mood. Here is the first video clip to help Chanukah at the Kotel, obvaiously from a previous year. Watch  it, enjoy and enjoy your preparations for Chanukah.

Shabbos is Coming

This week 2 December 2011 and next week 9 December 2011, candle lighting in Jerusalem for Shabbat will be the earliest it gets during winter time. This will be 15h55 or 3.55 p.m. From the 16th of December the candle lighting time begins to gradually go later, beginning with 15h57 or 3.57 p.m. Please note these times are according to Chabad.org. For those who prefer to follow the times set out in Devar Be'Ito, this week and next will be 16h00 or 4 pm instead of 5 minutes earlier as Chabad.org states.

If you light earlier, let it be a blessing but make sure not to light earlier than Plug HaMinchah which for Jerusalem this week will be 15h36 or 3.36 p.m. 

Please check your calendar to make absoutely sure or ask your local Orthodox Rabbi to clarrify the correct candle lighting time.

Please note, times for Tel Aviv, Haifa and elsewhere are not the same as for Jerusalem even though we are in a small country.

Enjoy the shorter Fridays if you do. Keep warm and keep up your Tefillos for rain. We still have a few months of winter and the Kineret is no where near the level of water that is needed.

Have a wonderful day

Shoshanah