Thoughts on the Plight of Olim in Israel (Guest Post)

[CC BY-SA 3.0 or GFDL], via Wikimedia Commons

Zev Wolf shares his thoughts with us about making Aliyah. He speaks about the struggles, and takes an honest approach to the process and considerations to take into account. He gives us a fair view of things here and gives us the opportunity to consider how we can do better at integrating more successfully into the Land of Israel. Here is what he shares:

Being an Oleh myself who made Aliyah 16 years ago and then returning to the States after 3 years only to once again journey back to Israel 10 years later I can relate to the struggles and hardships of assimilating successfully into Israeli society. In my case I have Israeli parents so grew up with the language and culture and it was and is still difficult but definitely helped.

Learn your Hebrew. However, some of the things that helped me and may help others is to remember the Sabra mentality of being closed and aloof on the outside and warm and caring on the inside. It is necessary to speak up in this country even if it is not in your nature because otherwise you will get drowned out by the masses. For better or worse that is the culture and if you remember that it will help you immensely

Don't be afraid to ask for help and speak confidently. People generally want to help and telling them your story may move them to take action but don't expect that just because you are an Oleh you are entitled. Yes, I believe as a cross section of the Israeli society we have our own unique needs and desires and those voices should be heard, so yes, we should organize peaceful rallies because we must show that we are one, united and strong. Never be complacent. Israelis are fighters and so must the Oleh if they are to integrate into the Jewish homeland.

Thanks Zev for your thoughts!

If you're thinking of making Aliyah or have already made Aliyah and have some tips, experiences or just thoughts you'd like to share with the entire world - please email us directly. We'd be delighted to add your thoughts to our blog!

Professional Referral Service

After receiving many requests for referrals to all manner of therapists, we have added a new service to the work that we provide through Chessed Ve'Emet. Our new service is a Professional Referral Service. 

Our most recent professional to sign up is Lizzy Rubin who is a Registered Nurse, Certified Kallah Teacher, Clinical Sociologist and Sexologist. One of Lizzy's areas of expertise is working with Jewish women who are in an abusive marriage. Lizzy has been married for many years and is a mother and grandmother. She brings wonderful life experience to her professional work, assisting Jewish women to enjoy a healthy marriage. 

If you are a health professional working privately in Israel and would like to join our Professional Referral Network, please email us to schedule and appointment. 

If you are Jewish, living in Israel and are in need of professional services to improve any area related to the Jewish home, marriage and parenting, please be in touch for an interview so that we can refer you to the appropriate therapist or other professional. 

We look forward to hearing from you.

Shoshanah Shear

Occupational Therapist, Healing Facilitator

Certified Infant Massage Instructor

Certified Kallah Teacher

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

Work from Home

Some years ago I read an article of how home industries or working from home helps to improve the ecconomy of developing countries. When one makes Aliyah, many will tell you that all you can do is work in a 9 - 5 job earning a salary and preferably (or at least for the one giving the info) a minimum wage salary at that.

Do you prefer to work from home than be tied to a job with little room for progress? Are you a mom who works from home or would like to work from home. Are you interested in part-time work from home?

Have you considered part-time work in telesales? Work can develop to be from home once we see your progress and productivitiy.

We are looking for:

- Olim who are interested in telesales or students, new Chatanim / Kallot or new mothers interested in telesales. Must be able to give a tax receipt and work free-lance. Must be prepared to begin earning commission only, however there is much scope for progress for those who are motivated, persistant and want to succeed.

- Any English Speakers in Israel who have a small business from home that is related to a Kosher wedding or setting up a new home in Eretz Yisrael. It could be ceramic items to give as gifts, linnen, curtains or table cloths, it could be wedding dresses, catering or video. If you have a small business working from home, we'd like to offer for you to advertise in our new magazine. Our prices are terrific and will help to give you the exposure you require to increase clients while at the same time doing the added chessed of helping needy orphan Chatanim and Kallot as a percentage of the proceeds goes to our Bayit Chadash Gemach.

Remember, we can only give to the Chatanim and Kallot once there are proceeds, so how about you helping us reach our target and you can increase opportunity for blessings and clients. Sounds like a good deal to me. What do you think?

Come and join us and have fun with the latest developments in our new magazine "Yibaneh Yerushalayim"

If you fit either of the above descriptions, please be in touch, we'd like to add you to our team.

Shoshanah Shear

Occupational Therapist, Healing Facilitator

Artist, Certified Infant Massage Instructor

Certified Kallah Teacher

Project Manager for "Yibaneh Yerushalayim"

Exclusive Marketing Opportunity

Shalom Friends

We are putting together a publication to be distributed in Jerusalem. If you have a service related to Smachot, Pesach or setting up a new home in Jerusalem, we have terrific prices for the first few editions. Those who purchase adspace by latest tomorrow Thursday 1 March 2012 will receive an additional discount.

Here are some services that will benefit tremendously:

• hair
• cars for weddings
• taxis
• short term accomodation for those coming to a Simcha
• tiyulim (tours)
• flowers
• halls / venues
• hats / head coverings
• suits
• Pesach products (with recognized Heksherim)
• Shatnes checking

This is the latest addition to expanding our Bayit Chadash Gemach (http://lovingkindness.co/wedding-project.html) - helping orphan Chatanim and Kallot. 

Be part of a huge Mitzvah of Hachnasat Kallah while marketing your sevice or product.

Purim is the perfect time to participate in such a venture. 

To place your ad call 052 767 7074 

We look forward to hearing from you

Shoshanah Shear 

Buy a Gift and Support Israel

We have a new online store. Lots of ideas, just a few up at present.

We have a bit of editing to do, but please stop by, visit our store, make your purchase and let us know what your choice is for your ideal gift.

Remember, every gift you purchase assists Olim in Israel and needy Orphans in Israel.

Do YOU Write Press Releases?

We are needing a series of Press Releases written to get into Jewish Publications so as to promote some of the services and Chessed Projects we are involved in.

If you are an Oleh or Olah, preferrably from South Africa or Rhodesia / Zimbabwe originally, and you write Press Releases, please be in touch. The person we select to write these must have contacts with Jewish Publications to get the Press Releases into and have examples of previous work to show us.

If this sounds like something you can do, please email us with:

• Your years of experience in this field
• Where you currently reside
• Where you made Aliyah from
• When you made Aliyah
• Your fee
• Examples of your work
• Previous Press Releases written
• Which Jewish Publications you have contacts with
• Contact information including email, landline, if you have Skype or gmail for an interview or can interview in person

We look forward to hearing from you

Shoshanah

Co-Director of Chessed Ve'Emet

Update

Wondered where we went to? Been missing posts on this blog? 

We have not forgotten about our blog to Welcome and Encourage Olim Chadashim. It happens in Israel that every so often things get so busy that before you know it another Chag has passed, a few months are behind us and where did the time go?

We have many ideas and much to share but right now we want to hear from you. Yes YOU.

What are your thoughts on Aliya. Have you made Aliya yet? Still planning, what information do you still need?

How is your Aliya process going?

Is there any specific information, guidance or Chizzuk that you need or would like to read, hear and share?

Please let us know, send in your questions or any positive stories of your Aliyah.

We look forward to hearing from you.

New Customer Service at Misrad HaBriyut - 2

In a previous post we began to share the exciting news that Misrad HaBriyut, the Ministry of Health now has a Customer Service.

I am pleasantly surprised that the new customer service actually calls to follow up. At least they have so far.

Once again the customer service can be reached on *5400.

The hours for this service are 8 am - 6 pm Sunday to Thursday and 8 am - 1 pm on Fridays.

There is a new fax number too, which is 02 - 5655997

Try them and enjoy.

Actually, this time they even spoke to me in English and were happy to help me with the spelling of something I needed to prepare a cover letter for a fax in Hebrew.

Let us know how you progress. If you enjoyed good customer service, please let us know to encourage other Professional Olim.

Help For an Oleh and His Family

The following letter was submitted by a caring member of the Beit El community. 

A few months ago a ten year-old-boy from the town of Beit El in Israel was diagnosed with an advanced stage of Leukemia. The boy must undergo both hemotherapy and radiation therapy for an ongoing period of time. He travels every day to and from Hadassah Hospital in Ein Kerem, Jerusalem—about an hour trip each way.

The boy, suffering from the side affects of the treatments, is in pain, has lost all his hair, has no appetite, cries often, is very weak and bloated, and at times needs a wheelchair to get around. He is one of four children, including a twin brother who is suffering along with him emotionally, and in many other ways. His family made aliyah to Israel from Chile about five years ago; the father’s employment wages are minimal and his mother has had to quit her job in order to take care of him.

One of the problems Beit El community members are trying to help solve for this boy and his family is the daily travel situation. The family has no car and must rely on favors from neighbors or charity organizations to take the boy and his mother to and from the hospital every day. The present volunteer-based arrangement is very problematic. It involves many different drivers, a variety of drop-off and pick-up points, sudden changes in schedules or cancellations, the boy being exposed to many germs, waiting outside in the summer sun or winter cold and, unfortunately, a lot of stress for everyone involved.

We, the residents of Beit El, would like to set up a better system that would involve paying for a driver / taxi that would be on hand and available on a regular day to day basis. We are, therefore, turning to different communities both within Israel and outside of the country to help this young boy and his family. It is estimated that travel expenses alone would cost approximately $125 (400 shekels) each way (to the hospital and back) or $2,450 (about 9,500 shekels) a month.

Unfortunately, this is only one of the many areas in which they will be in need of financial support for a prolonged period of time. We are very grateful for any contribution that would help ease their hardships.

Gathering Information Regarding Available Jobs

Through our work with assisting Olim Chadashim become established in Israel, we are developing a resource list of current jobs available.

Current jobs needed by Olim are:

•  nutritionist
•  typing / editor
•  freelance writing (for pay)
•  tele-marketting to English Speaking clients / companies.

If you know of any information for current jobs available in any of these fields, please email Shoshanah with informatiion.

If you know of other jobs appropriate for Olim, these would be greatly appreciated too.

Thank you for your assistance.

Shoshanah Shear

Experienced and Registered Occupational Therapist

---

For Olim Chadashim wanting assistance  in becoming gainfully employed or successful in their role as paid worker, a comprehensive service is offered by Shoshanah Shear. To set up an appointment for the initial interview please email Shoshanah. Interviews are carried out in person, via email correspondence or Skype.

Please note this is a professional service.

We look forward to hearing from you.

Shoshanah

Hachnasat Kallah - Helping Brides In Need

Last week we interviewed a young couple for our Bayit Chadash Project  

We have a questionnaire / interview that we follow and the project does have Letters of Approbation.

This particular couple came to us a few weeks after their wedding. Thank G-d they have both married young and are now beginning their Shanah Rishona together. Yet, instead of the radiance and happiness one would expect on newly weds faces, we noticed the lines and expressions of stress. Why?

In order to keep up with societies dictates, they ran up bills amounting to close to NIS 40 000.

We were able to give a gift of something to off set this debt and certain items towards the new house, thanks to donations (both monetary and items) sent in to our project. However, we became aware of a deeper need.

This couple both came from families unable to provide a wedding. Understandably, they wanted their day to be special, and hence ran up bills, bills and more bills.

Over a series of posts, we will, bli neder (without a vow) be offering advise to Olim that is necessary for making a wedding in Yerushalayim. Information related to Kashrut, music and more. We will also offer tips on how to keep your wedding special and reduce on costs.

Anyone wishing to make a donation towards our Bayit Chadash - Wedding Project, please make a donation here, or via the website (follow the link on the words Bayit Chadash)

If you have a service and are able to either provide gift vouchers with a reduction to needy Kallot or other reductions or gifts, please be in touch too. 

Thank you for your kindness. As Rabbi Fishel Jacobs wrote at the bottom of his letter of approbation, "There is great merit to sponsor Bayit Chadash (New Home). The merit of such contributions is unfathobable. I vigorously urge the public to support this effort.

asd

Recommend a Good Service Provider

We have an amazing competion on the go, and the clock is ticking. Just a few days left.

 All you have to do is send in a recommendation of a service provider who offers a quality, affordable service to Anglos in Israel. Any Olim are welcome to send in info, and we will post the recommendations on the blog, bli neder.

For those Olim from South Africa, come and join our ning and you could win money in cash for submitting a good recommendation. Visit the previous blogpost about this, or the ning itself for further details. If you have any questions, you are welcome to send us an email or post a comment to this blog post.

Welcome to this Weeks New Olim

This past week was an eventful one here in Israel. Our week began with a fast day. A few days later on 29th December 2009 there was a group flight from UK, France and South Africa of new Olim to Israel.

We want to make a special welcome to these Olim Chadashim. May this first Shabbat as Olim be a very special one and fill you with the spiritual resources for a successful Absorption.

For those coming from South Africa, we do have a network group on the go for South African Olim. Please send us an email to be included or send a message or comment to this post. We look forward to getting to know you and all Olim.

If you have questions or discover topics you would like addressed on this blog, please be in touch.

Hatzlachah (much success) and Shabbat Shalom

Our Prayer Project - To Increase Unity and Successful Klita

This image is one of 4 stunning fridge magnets created by
Shear Success Photographers.

You can purchase or order one of these fridge magnets or the full set by sending a comment to this post or following the link on the word fridge magnets.

We read in the Chumash, that when the Spies came to check out the Land, two of them were protected from talking negatively or falling into believing falsely what their eyes saw, ie "that life in Eretz Yisrael would be impossible and it is better to remain outside of the land." One of these was Kalev ben Yefune and his key to protection while scouting out the Land was to go and daven at Maharas HaMachpela that the merit of the Avos and Imaos protect him. For Kalev it worked, as we read further in the Chumash.

If you are considering making aliya or have already made aliya but are living in an area of Eretz Yisrael that makes it difficult to get to Maharas HaMachpela, we are offering a special Prayer Project. Send us your Hebrew name together with a donation of US$ 18 per name submitted. In return we will say a personal tefillah and recite some Tehillim, in the merit of names submitted, at Maharas HaMachpela.

If you would like a personalized package of either a 40 day cycle of davening on your behalf carried out by a Torah scholar / rabbi and his wife together with visiting various Kivrei Tzaddikim on your behalf, please do send us an email.

Please note: No-one can ever guarantee the type of outcome or a visible response to the tefillos. Our Prayer Project is aimed at creating a positive partnership to increase goodness and kindness amongst all of the Jewish people. On our side we wish to increase in all of the projects we are involved in and to create opportunities for others to be able to live in Israel and earn an income doing what they enjoy and are skilled at, while still being attached to true Torah values and a Torah lifestyle. On your side, through your contribution to our projects, through increasing in your act of goodness and kindness, you bring yourself to be more meritorious and deserving of blessing. Together, this project of UNITY brings blessing to us all.

Maaser money can be used for this.

Where Do You Start - Networking Options

If you have already made Aliya or are considering doing so, a common hurdle is where do you start when you don't know what to do? You might have completed your Pilot Trip, found all manner of useful facts, tips, rights etc, then you make aliya and everything changes. Now what?

You might have connected with Misrad HaKlita (Ministry of Absorption), completed everything you need to do, then things become different. Now What?

You might have interviewed for several jobs, decided which to chose, comes the day before the job starts, you find new information. Either the job you thought you had now is not, or the details change. Now what?

You might have found an apartment, now you need to sign a contract or move or .... Now what?

The list of reasons for networking are many. We have already mentioned the new yahoogroup for South Africans in Israel.

I am happy to say that with the progress of technology, there are many avenues to pose questions and obtain answers. Here are a few ideas, if you have others to add to the list, please do post a comment.

• For English Speaking Olim in Jerusalem, a very useful networking forum is Janglo.net
• For English Speaking Olim in Tel Aviv, there is the equivalent to Janglo known as Tanglo.net
• If you know the area you wish to move to, most areas have their own yahoogroup e.g. Tzfat, Telzstone, Rehavia, Rehovot. You will require a Yahoo Mail Account, but after that it is very easy to sign up for as many Yahoo Groups as you wish to.
• We would be very happy if you search this blog and also send in questions that you might have. If you have a question, chances are another Oleh does too or has been through the same.
• If you are linked to any social network forum, e.g. Face Book, Twitter, Linked In ... there are many Israelis here too. Post a question on one of these forums. If you dont find your answer, post again or on one of the YahooGroups.

These forums are a very good beginning and a wonderful way to network.

Once again, if you either know of other network options or you have a question you have not yet found a solution for, please do send a comment to this blog. We look forward to hearing from you.

Have a successful Klita (absorption) and settlement in Israel.

National Insurance - Bituach Leumi Part II

National Insurance Part II

This post has been compiled for us by Tzvi Szajnbrum a lawyer who has some free services for Olim

Work Status

Sometimes a person changes his work status (for example, he may cease working as an employee and begin working as self-employed). Such a change has implications on the benefits he receives from the NII as well as on the rate of insurance contributions that he is obliged to pay to the NII. Types of changes in work status and benefits affected by the change vary from case to case.

Rates

Rates of insurance contributions for a person who has income and is neither an employee nor self-employed :

For the share of the income that is up to (60% of the average wage): % 4.61 (as of 07.01.2002) national insurance and % 5.00 (as of 01.01.2006) health insurance contributions, and for the share of the income that is above 60% of the average wage and up to the maximum income liable for insurance contribution: % 7.00 (as of 01.01.2008) national insurance and % 5.00 (as of 01.01.2006) health insurance contributions.

A student who does not work:

A student at an institute of higher learning who does not work pays the minimal rate of national and health insurance contribution - NIS 110 (as of 01.01.2009) , using the payment booklets sent to him/her once a year.

Domestic Worker and His / Her Rights:
· A domestic worker is a person employed in household work not for his employer’s business or occupation. Such work includes the care of children, cleaning stairways in apartment buildings and the like.

· A person employing a domestic worker must register him at the National Insurance Institute, must report on his wages, and must pay both national insurance and health insurance contributions for him.

· The employer may deduct the worker’s share of the insurance payment from the worker’s wages.

· When filling in a report of the employment of a domestic worker, all of the worker’s particulars must be accurately registered. Non-specification of the worker’s particulars in the report or specification of incorrect particulars may adversely affect the worker’s rights in national insurance.

· The penalty imposed on a person delaying payment of insurance contributions for a domestic worker is one year of imprisonment or payment of a fine. This person will also be required to pay insurance contributions based on the employee’s actual wage, but no less than half of the average wage during each month of the employment for which payment was delayed. Furthermore, the Institute is entitled to file a claim against a person who did not register a domestic worker on time, or did not pay insurance contributions on time, for the sum of the benefits to which the worker is entitled.

· The obligation to pay insurance contributions for a domestic worker applies also to a person who employs a foreign resident or a worker who is not an Israeli resident and resides in Judea, Samaria, and the Gaza Strip or in the territories of the Palestinian Authority. Insurance contributions for these workers are paid directly to the National Insurance Institute.

Ceasing work:

A person who ceases working and cannot return to the labor market may be eligible for NII benefits for limited periods as a substitute for his wages.

· There may be a number of reasons for ceasing work. The benefits related to these various reasons are listed below.

· A student at an institute of higher learning who does not work pays the minimal rate of national and health insurance contribution - NIS 110 (as of 01.01.2009) , using the payment booklets sent to him/her once a year.

Immigrating to Israel

· The NII provides a wide range of benefits to persons immigrating to Israel for the first time as well as to returning residents, in accordance with the different needs of these population groups.

· Some of the rights provided are contingent on payment of insurance contributions.


Injury

· The NII assists persons injured in various circumstances – and therefore unable to function at work or in daily life – in a number of ways.

Causes of the injury and the relevant benefits:

Hostile (terror) action, Vocational Rehabilitation (work or accident), Work Injury, or Attendance Allowance (work or accident).


Living Abroad

· For a NII beneficiary, living abroad may have implications on his right to receive NII benefits, and even lead to the ceasing of payments for the entire period of his stay abroad. The continuation or cessation of eligibility for benefits depends on the circumstances of the departure from Israel, as stipulated in the law.

· Circumstances of departure, and relevant benefits, vary from case to case.

Pregnancy, Birth and Adoption

The NII provides a wide range of benefits to women giving birth and their husbands, both during and after the pregnancy. Benefits are provided also to couples who adopt a child.

The circumstances entitling the couple to benefits and the list of relevant benefits vary from case to case such as: Maternity Allowance, Hospitalization and a Maternity Grant, A high- risk pregnancy, or Adopting a child.

Reaching Retirement Age/ Age of Entitlement to Old-Age Pension

· The NII will grant an old-age pension to persons reaching retirement age, on condition that they do not have high incomes. Persons who require assistance in daily activities may be eligible for such assistance from the NII.

· When you reach this age, you may be eligible for one or more of the following benefits: The age at which the insured person is eligible for old-age pension, conditional on means test. The age gradually rises until, at the end of the process, it will reach 67 for men and 64 for women.

If you need more information or clarification on any subject concerning the NII, please feel completely comfortable to contact Tzvi by email or phone, his contact details be found on his site:

www.lawadv.com or www.voleh.org

National Insurance - Bituach Leumi Part I

This post has been compiled for us by Tzvi Szajnbrum a lawyer who has some free services for Olim.

National Insurance Part I

Different categories of those insured include:

Self Employed

Who is a Self-Employed worker?
A self-employed worker is one who meets one of the following conditions:

· He works in his occupation for an average of at least 20 hours a week.
· His average monthly income from his occupation is not more than 50% of the average wage.
· He works at his occupation for 12 hours a week and his income is over 15% of the average wage.

A self-employed person who is registered at the NII and who pays his insurance contributions regularly is covered in all insurance branches except unemployment and bankruptcy.

Who is a Self-Employed Person?
A self-employed person is defined as one of the following:

· A person who is engaged in his occupation for at least an average of 20 hours a week
· A person whose average monthly income from his occupation is more than NIS 3,964 (as of 01.01.2009) - 50% of the average wage.
· A person who is engaged in his/her occupation for at least an average of 12 hours a week, and his average income is more than NIS 1,189 (as of 01.01.2009) - 15% of the average wage.

The Self-Employed Person
A self-employed person with additional income from a source other than work must pay insurance contributions from this income as well, while it is equal to or higher than his/her income as a self-employed person, up to the maximum income liable for the payment of insurance contributions

Registration with National Insurance Institute
A self-employed person must register at the National Insurance Institute immediately upon opening his business. A self-employed person who was injured at work is entitled to work injury benefit only if he/she was registered at the National Insurance Institute as a self-employed person at the time of the injury and paid insurance contributions.

Who must register?
· A married woman who works as a self-employed person at her husband’s business must register herself at the National Insurance Institute and pay insurance contributions.

· A married couple working together in a joint business can divide up the income from their business between themselves and pay insurance contributions according to each one's share, on condition that the division is between 1/3 and 2/3 of the overall income. If one of the spouses has income that does not originate from their joint business, this spouse can be credited with only 1/3 of their income from the joint business.

· A self-employed person who also has an income from work as an employee must pay health insurance at both workplaces, up to the maximum income on which insurance is payable.

· A self-employed person with additional income from a source other than work must pay insurance contributions from this income as well, while it is equal to or higher than his/her income as a self-employed person, up to the maximum income liable for the payment of insurance contributions.

· The maximum income on which contributions are paid. No payments are made on income above this amount. The amount is five times the average wage, as published in December 2005, and updated each January by the change in the consumer price index.

· A person who does not meet the definition of self-employed person as specified above is not considered a self-employed person and the regulations applicable are as specified (see below).
· A farmer who meets the definition of a self-employed person is required to register at the National Insurance Institute and pay insurance contributions on his/her income.

· The wife of a farmer in a cooperative settlement (moshav) is also considered a self-employed person and is required to register and pay insurance contributions for herself.

· If the farmer or his wife do not work in their farm, for example, if they work as employees outside the farm and only reside at the farm they must contact the National Insurance Institute and submit ratifying documents

The rates of insurance contributions paid by a self-employed person:

A self-employed person aged between 18 and retirement age pays:

· For the share of the income that is up to 60% of the average wage NIS 4,757 (as of 01.01.2009) - % 6.72 (as of 07.01.2002) national insurance and % 3.10 (as of 01.01.1995) health insurance contributions.

· For the share of the income that is over 60% of the average wage and up to the maximum income liable for insurance contributions: % 11.23 (as of 01.01.2006) national insurance and % 5.00 (as of 01.01.2006) health insurance contributions.

Who is exempted?
· An unemployed new immigrant within 12 months following the date of immigration to Israel;
· A person aged 18 who has not yet been drafted and is unemployed, is exempt from payment for a period of up to 12 months provided that he/she is drafted to the army no later than age 21;
· A high school student (11th and 12th grades) who has reached the age of 18 is exempt from payment for the period of his/her studies provided that he/she is drafted up to age 21;
· A prisoner or detainee in prison for longer than 12 months.

Attention:
· A soldier in regular service receives healthcare services from the IDF and is not insured under the National Health Insurance Law, and therefore is not obligated to pay health insurance contributions.

· A career-service soldier is obligated to pay health insurance contributions.
A person whose military service is postponed due to academic studies ("atudai") has to pay national and health insurance contributions himself during the period of studies. The National Insurance Institute will send him the payment booklets and he must pay the insurance contributions quarterly.

· A student enrolled at a "Yeshivat hesder": beginning January 2002 the Ministry of Defence pays national and health insurance contributions for him, from the date of drafting and up to the date of demobilization, including the periods of study at the Yeshiva.

How to pay?
· Self-employed non-workers students and yeshiva students:

You may pay by means of: a pay-book; credit card; standing order at the bank; debt settlement by checks

· Employers – on behalf of their employees and pensioners:
You may report and pay on form 102 by means of: the NII payment site; a bank; the “representatives” computer system; a hand-written report


· Self-employed non-workers students and yeshiva students:
You may pay by means of: a pay-book; credit card; standing order at the bank; debt settlement by checks

Differences between Employee and Self-Employed:
· Employee the employer must report on his/her wages and pay insurance contributions for him/her.

· Self-employed must register at the National Insurance Institute and pay insurance contributions himself.

· Employee is insured both under unemployment insurance and under insurance for employees’ rights in cases of bankruptcy or corporate liquidation.

· Self-employed is not insured under unemployment insurance or under insurance for employees’ rights in cases of bankruptcy or corporate liquidation.

· Employee rights are not affected due to delayed payment of insurance contributions by his/her employer.

· Self-employed rights may be affected if he/she does not register himself or is late in payment of insurance contributions.

If you need more information or clarification on any subject concerning the NII, please feel completely comfortable to contact Tzvi by email or phone, his contact information can be found on his website:

www.lawadv.com or www.voleh.org

Bituach Leumi - National Insurance Institute - Introduction

This post has been compiled for us by Tzvi Szajnbrum a lawyer who has some free services for Olim

National Insurance Institute (NII)– “Bituach Leumi”

What is “Bituah Leumi”?

The NII, known in Hebrew as HaMosad LeBituach Leumi , is the government body responsible for social security. It dispenses various insurance benefits and collects insurance premiums.

Its main purposes are to assure a means of subsistence for residents of Israel, for reasons beyond their control are temporarily or permanently unable to support themselves, and to provide allowances and benefits for eligible, insured persons who have accumulated rights.

This is not a private insurance or an eligible insurance but a Compulsory National Insurance and Health Insurance – you must pay (except those exempt by law, as noted below) whether you like it or not, or need it or not.

Booklets in English free of charge can be found in any branch of the NII. These booklets provide most of the needed information on rights and benefits.

Who must pay?

· Every resident of Israel aged 18 and over is obliged under law to be insured by National Insurance and to pay the National Insurance contributions, except for a housewife (a married woman who is not employed outside the household) and for a person who first became an Israeli resident over the age determined by law (the age increases gradually from 60 to 62).

· A person whose life is centered in Israel. Among the criteria for determining residence in this context: permanent place of residence, place at which the family is staying, place of the children's education, main place of work, place of learning.

· Every resident of Israel aged 18 and over is also obliged to be covered by Health Insurance and to pay the health insurance contributions to the National Insurance Institute together with the national insurance contributions.

· A housewife is exempt from payment of health insurance, with the exception of a housewife who is an old-age pension recipient or whose spouse receives a supplement to his old-age pension. Every insured person must be registered in one of the sick funds and is entitled to the health services defined by law.

· Payment rates of national insurance and health insurance are calculated according to the insured’s earned and unearned income, and according to his work status (employee, self-employed, unemployed, student, etc.). Payments will not be less than the minimum specified by law and will not be more than the maximum income ceiling for insurance contributions.

· A person who does not work and has no income will pay the minimum insurance contribution of NIS 147 (as of 01.01.2009) per month.

· An insured person is obligated to pay insurance contributions for any period he/she is temporarily absent from Israel.

Insurance for New Immigrants

New Immigrants are exempt from NII payments during your first year in Israel, unless your income exceeds a set minimum. Different forms of benefits are available for the new immigrant, but you must consult with the NII (or me) if you are eligible during your first year in Israel.

If you need more information or clarification on any subject concerning the NII, please feel completely comfortable to contact Tzvi by email or www.voleh.or

Networking Opportunity for South Africans in Israel

If you are South African and are considering Aliya, have made Aliya, are in the process of making Aliya, do join this exciting Yahoo Group. It has been set up specifically to increase networking amongst South Africans in Israel.

The group is South Africans in Israel Job Exchange - SAIJE
The idea behind the group is to strengthen and assist South Africans making Aliya to be successful in Israel. How?

If, for example, you have the need for a plumber, you of course have many options of plumbers to use. By posting on SAIJE and responding to posts on this group, you can give work to a South African plumber, thus helping him to have the opportunity to be financially independent in Israel. In addition the SA plumber is enabled to continue working in the profession or trade he is skilled in and accustomed to.

The same is true if you need a secretary, tutor, doctor, lawyer, therapist, editor or indeed any other kind of service.

In addition to this, the latest trend in becoming successful in business is networking. How can we do this? By connecting with like-minded people, hence fellow South Africans in Israel. In this way, even if you dont need a service provider right now, perhaps you will in the future. Or perhaps you will be chatting to a friend and discover that they need exactly the service you just happened to see posted today, yesterday, the day before, even last week.

We are told that living in Israel is difficult. Let us make it easier by uniting and helping fellow Olim from South Africa.

We look forward to hearing from you and to welcoming your interaction on this great Yahoo Group. Together we can ease the process of making Aliya.