So it has dawned on me that I need to brave the Israeli roads (actually make that drivers) and learn to drive here.

Yip, I know, I also didn’t think that at the tender age of 30-something I would have to relearn a skill I have had for many years. Well, if you call driving like a frustrated grand prix driver a skill…..

I know some of my friends in South Africa are scratching their heads in confusion and thinking, Ro, why does someone who drives like she thinks she is Schumacher on a hot lap have to take driving lessons?

While Israel has an extremely efficient public transport system (the trains are a trip! Pardon the really bad pun!), it is a good idea to have your own set of wheels. Or at least the ability to make them move. On the opposite side of the road which we Saffers (ex South Africans) are not used to. This definitely takes some getting used to!

Anyone who has ever observed the art of driving in Israel would come to the same conclusion: why hasn’t NASCAR or Formula 1 recruited drivers from this tiny little place? Just observing a bus turning a corner or the morning rush into Tel Aviv would have the most generous racing sponsor salivating! Speed and the innate ability to overtake at a rate of knots make Israel the perfect breeding ground for racing drivers. When we are children we learn that cars go vroom vroom. Here they go “yalla! Zuz (move)!!!

And then there is parking. This is a phenomenon all on its own. It requires a level of driving skill mixed with a David Blaine-esque ability to squeeze a car into the space designed for a bicycle. It also requires a certain amount of rhythm to do the shuffle backwards and forwards and then from side to side to ensure that the aforementioned vehicle fits comfortably. And don’t stress if one of your wheels humps the pavement. This is parking. Israeli style!

All back seat driving aside, driving in Israel is extremely pleasurable. The roads are excellent and well signed. Even a directionally-challenged person like me can find her way around! Olim, note that you have limited time to drive around using your licence from your country of origin. You have a year to get your Israeli licence. But you have three years to convert your licence. Confusing I know, but the system seems to work.

It may appear to the unassuming new driver that the rules of driving in Israel are like Fight Club (ie, there are no rules) the licensing process and the laws of the road are quite strict and failure to adhere will result in harsh penalties. You also have to go for obligatory medical examinations before attempting to take your licence. This means visiting your GP and an optometrist for the a-okay.

This is the next step in the entertaining journey of self discovery that is Aliyah.

It is time for me to whip out the bad passport sized photograph, take my documents and permission from the powers that be down to the DMV and officially be let loose on Israel’s roads.

Now that my engine is revving dangerously close to the red zone, my fellow citizens, consider yourselves warned. I will be driving on a highway near you. Soon.

You will love this beautiful, 98 sq meter, 1^st floor apartment located in the high-up neighborhood of Mordot, Tveria. The building is made of beautiful Jerusalem stone and is located on a very quiet street near to synagogues, small grocery stores and bus transportation. The apartment is on the 1^st floor from one street, and the top floor from the opposite street, making it a top-floor apartment and a first-floor apartment, the best of both worlds. From the salon and mirpeset (balcony), you have a view of all the Kinneret and the city of Tveria below. The mirpeset is accessed from the salon and, with its pergola, it is going to be a favorite place for relaxing and entertaining. The apartment has been tastefully designed, with many artistic finishes throughout, such as the special finish on the walls in the dining area, ceramic tile floors throughout, and custom built-ins in the kitchen for storing and displaying your dishes, glassware and books. Another special feature of the kitchen is the view from the window, making it a very pleasant place to spend your time. The apartment is 4 rooms, with three bedrooms (one of which is the saferoom) and one and a half bathrooms. From the 3^rd bedroom, there is an option to add a mirpeset or to expand the size of the room. This is a very special apartment at a great price—not to be missed! NIS 745,000

78 sq meter apartment, partially furnished and just steps from the Kever of Rabbi Akiva, is the perfect home for your life in Israel, or, for the savvy investor–  the best real estate investment you can make. The apartment is on the 1^st floor, is 3 rooms with beautifully designed cabinetry in the kitchen, a modern and sleek bathroom, porcelain floors, gorgeous wood trim around all the doors—a true gem in the northern Israel housing stock. And at this price, was 470,000 NIS  NOW ONLY 410,000 NIS (furnished and with new air conditioning) it is a steal! The neighborhood is very popular, with many amenities and gorgeous views of the Kinneret from the road leading to the apartment, from the grounds and from the building lobby. As an investment, you will see a very good return as it is located in a very popular area and potential tenants are already waiting for the sale to be completed. Don’t delay and miss out on this great opportunity.

All the benefits of a private house without the work! This ground floor 74 sq meter apartment in a new building is the perfect choice for the family looking for expansive outdoor space with lots of room for gardening or even to enlarge the apartment. The location is very quiet and you will hardly notice that you have neighbors. The apartment is wonderfully maintained, with a beautiful, stone-finished wall to welcome you and your guests. The wall is designed with built-in shelves and alcoves to hold your television, stereo system, books and decorations. The salon is very comfortable and the dining area was enlarged so there is plenty of room for a large table. The kitchen is well-designed for efficiency and attractiveness, leading to a laundry and storage room. The apartment has two bedrooms and 1.5 bathrooms with tub and shower. This is a great apartment for living. Or, it will also be a great investment purchase as you are sure to have rental income immediately. The building is in a very good location of the city, near to synagogues, small grocery stores, restaurants, bus transportation and is an easy walk down the hill to the city center and Kinneret activities. Was 555,000 NIS NOW ONLY 545,000 NIS!

This is an amazing apartment for this price! Completely remodeled apartment, new on the market, empty and ready for occupancy– on the top floor of an apartment building (with elevator), in the center of the upper city commercial district. The apartment is 102 sq meters, 3 bedrooms (master bedroom with bathroom) (one of the bedrooms is also the safe room and it is very large), 2 bathrooms, spacious, filled with light and air and beautifully restored with gorgeous wood cabinetry in the kitchen, dark wood trim around the doors, bathrooms with all new furnishings, new air conditioners—everything new inside. The mirpeset (balcony) is very large with stunning views of the Kinneret. You can see forever. This apartment will not stay on the market for long. It is an excellent purchase if considering a new home in Tveria or for investment, as it will rent very easily and generate a very good return on your investment.  Was 750,000 NIS NOW ONLY 690,000 NIS!

via Foreigner\’s guide to property m… JPost – Business – Real Estate.

For information about buying opportunities in the North, please contact us. The real estate marketplace is very favorable right now, whether you are ready to live here or looking to make an investment.

Stunning, 2-floor, penthouse apartment located in the upper neighborhood of Sefan in the Holy City of Tiberias. This apartment must be seen to believe. It has been meticulously cared for and the interior is in excellent shape. The apartment is 190 sq meters, 6 rooms, in an 8-year old apartment building, and with stunning views of the Kinneret, the mountains and the city of Tveria, which you can enjoy for hours on end from either one of your two mirpesot (balconies).

When you enter the apartment you are immediately greeted with this gorgeous view which can be seen through the salon glass doors that lead to the mirpeset. The kitchen is comfortably designed with beautiful granite countertops, blonde wood cabinets and plenty of space for all your gourmet cooking accessories. The apartment has beautiful Italian tile floors throughout.

The mirpeset, or balcony, on this level is the perfect place for your container gardening as it receives lots of sunshine, as does the entire penthouse apartment. From here you can see to the Kever of Rabbi Akiva, and take in all of the hills and mountains of the Kinneret. On the first floor, you have the kitchen, salon, dining area, two bedrooms, one of which is also the safe room, and a bathroom. The larger bedroom has a closet and a bathroom with shower. Upstairs, you come to a room that could be a family room, play room for the children, library, study or whatever fits within your lifestyle and needs. There are two bedrooms here, plus a large laundry and storage room. The bedrooms have skylights, as well as gorgeous views from the windows. On this level, there is another bathroom with shower.

The rooftop deck is spacious and provides you with breathtaking views of the southern hills going out from Tveria, the hills of the Galil, and, of course, the beautiful, ever-changing colors of the waters of the Kinneret—the perfect place to begin and end every day to bring peace and serenity into your life.  You have a vista that spreads from the south to the east to the north. The deck is already plumbed for a Jacuzzi, so all you need to do is move in, purchase your Jacuzzi and enjoy the stars! The apartment is filled with many luxurious touches, such as the glass-block walls that separate various spaces in the apartment and that grace the entrance. This is an exquisite property in a great location and at a great price — only 900,000 NIS or at today’s rate, around $265,000 USD.

Olim Chadashim are entitled to mortgage assistance and discounted purchase tax.

Mashkanta (Mortgage) Benefits

A special mortgage for Olim is available under the following conditions:

1. Granted up to 10 years after your Aliyah.

2. Provided as a loan with fixed rates (around 4-4.5%). Oleh rates should be carefully compared with the current non-Oleh interest rates prior to purchasing a home, as depending on market trends the non-Oleh track may offer lower interest rates.

3. Paid back in monthly payments, usually for a period of 20-28 years.

Because the amount of the mortgage is rather small, you may need additional sources of funding. It is wise to shop around for the best rates.

Who is eligible for a government housing mortgage?

1. Olim Chadashim (New Immigrants)

2. Ktinim Chozrim (Returning Minors)

3. Ezrachim Olim (Israeli Citizens born abroad)

Mortgage assistance is granted only if you meet the following criteria:

1. The individual must be “without housing,” which means that neither member of a couple owns an apartment, or part of an apartment in Israel.

2. Only available to Olim Chadashim who hold a Teudat Zakaut issued by a mortgage bank. (A Teudat Zakaut is an official document issued by Israel’s Ministry of Housing and Klita).

3. Those purchasing property in Israel before making Aliyah must make Aliyah within one year and still owe payments to the buyer equivalent to the mortgage received as an Oleh.

Mortgage received is based on a point system and will be determined with consideration of the following criteria:

1. Age/family status/family size – single, married, children

2. Numbers of years living in Israel

3. Length of service in the Israeli IDF

Please check the Misrad HaBinui v’Hashikun (Ministry of Housing) website and check their calculator for mortgages (in Hebrew): www.moch.gov.il
Go to Siyua B’Diyur (סיוע בדיור) and then to Ashaf HaSiyua (אשף הסיוע). 

Mas Rechisha (Purchase Tax)

Anyone who purchases a property in Israel is obligated to pay a purchase tax, which is a percentage of the value of the home.  As Olim Chadashim you are entitled to a discount.  The amount you are taxed is based on the value of the asset and can amount to considerable sums of money.

All Olim Chadashim and anyone who resides in Israel on a temporary resident visa (A-1) are entitled to a reduction. A reduction in Mas Rechisha is available up to 7 years after your date of Aliyah. There is no extension of this 7 year period (unless the applicant served in the IDF).

There are two possible tracks that are available for Olim when purchasing a home.

Track One: Purchasing Home as Israelis or Tourists

Israelis and tourists pay the following percentages on Mas Rechisha. Please note that these percentages are calculated on a graduated basis according to the apartment’s price:

Up to 1,350,000 NIS – 0%
1,350,000 NIS – 1,601,210 NIS – 3.5%
Above 1,601,210 NIS – 5% tax

Track Two: Purchasing Home as Olim Chadashim

As Olim Chadashim, you will pay the following percentages on Mas Rechisha:

Up to 1,463,035 NIS                   0.5% tax
Over 1,463,035 NIS                    5% tax

Purchase Tax Rates (for homes purchased between 1/16/2011 and 1/15/2012)

To calculate your Mas Rechisha, see this online calculator (Hebrew).

Notes:

1. If you are purchasing a property that is under 1,329,207 NIS in value, it is recommended that you purchase it as an Israeli and do not choose to exercise your “rights” to a purchase tax discount, since surprisingly, this ends up being significantly more expensive.
2. If you are interested in purchasing a property as a tourist, we recommend that you consult with a real estate lawyer to establish what purchase tax rate you will be charged.
3. Please note that if you are purchasing property that is above 1,463,035 NIS, you will still be entitled to the 0.5% reduction for the specific amount of 1,463,035 NIS, but the remaining cost of the property will be taxed 5%.
4. A person who purchased an apartment prior making Aliyah and paid purchase tax in full can submit a request in order to get a reimbursement if making Aliyah within one year from the formal date of signing the contract.
5. If you already own one property and you are interested in purchasing a second property, these rates do not apply.
6. It is always recommended to consult with a lawyer to calculate how much your Mas Rechisha should be.

This gorgeously remodeled and furnished apartment is hot on the market in Tiberias. Located just a short walk away from the Kever of Rabbi Akiva, this 3 room (2 bedrooms), 78 sq meter apartment is ready for an owner or tenants. The neighborhood is quiet, with lots of amenities nearby, and there are awesome views of the Kinneret from the street and building grounds. The apartment has just been remodeled and as you can see from the photos, it is almost fully furnished. This makes it an excellent purchase as an real estate investment property. In fact, there are already tenants ready to move in, just waiting to see who will be the owner! Or, make this your home in Tiberas and enjoy the daily breezes that help keep the apartment cool even in the hot summer (there is air conditioning). At the low of price of only 475,000 shekels, this apartment is going to go fast. Don’t waste a single minute.  Contact us for more information.

Here is great news for all of you overseas buyers. Mortgage Israel, and their partner Forex Israel can help you with all of your real estate purchase financing needs and also help you to protect your purchasing power.

Mortgage Israel was founded in 2003 to assist people in obtaining financing for Israeli real estate, both in the residential and commercial sectors. They were the first Mortgage company of its kind in Israel, catering exclusively to the international English speaking market and essentially introduced mortgage brokerage to the Israeli banking system. Their clients include local and international buyers and they work closely with local lawyers, various real estate companies, builders and other industry professionals. Their head office is based in the center of Jerusalem, with offices in Ramat Beit Shemesh, Ramat Gan, Ranana and Toronto, Canada.

Mortgage Service

Below are some of the services offered.

• Up to 90% loans, 30 year term, at the lowest bank rate
• Refinancing and home equity loan
•  loans available in all currencies
• access to advice and research about the many loan options available in the market

Foreign Exchange Service
 
Through their sister company Forex Israel, Mortgage Israel also offer an additional service that assists clients in sending money to Israel at much lower exchange rates and fees than the Israeli banks. Since 2005 they have been assisting clients with sending money to Israel for Property Purchases, Investments, Mortgage payments, Living expenses and Salaries. To see more about these services please visit their website at www.fx-israel.com
 
Some of the Forex Services include:

• Wire Transfers -  at much better than bank rates !
• Forward Contracts -  Lock in the rate for up to 1 year in the future  – used for protecting against the rate falling when purchasing a property or other larger purchase
• Check Cashing at the lowest rates in the market – 0.5% fee

For more information, visit their website www.mortgageisrael.com. And, when you are ready, please get in contact with Warren Factor, wfactor@mortgageisrael.com

And stay tuned for our new website, Coming Soon!

The mirpeset (balcony) is very large with stunning views of the Kinneret. You can see forever. This apartment will not stay on the market for long. It is an excellent purchase if considering a new home in Tveria or for investment, as it will rent very easily and generate a very good return on your investment. Only 730,000 NIS, a real bargain. Contact us right away to get in on this special deal.

SOLD!

In less than one week after listing, this great investment apartment has been sold. Located in a perfect area of the city, close to all the downtown amenities, the beaches, and grocery stores, this apartment quickly caught the eye of  a very savy real estate investor with excellent vision for the future yields this apartment would return to him as a vacation rental apartment. So follow Horovitz Properties & Investments and don’t delay. Good properties like this one are not hanging around for very long.

Tiberias is still THE hot spot in Israel for purchasing a home at a very affordable price or making that successful real estate investment purchase. Contact us right away to catch your good deal.

I have fallen in love with a 63 year old. A complicated, tempestuous and passionate 63 year old. These past weeks this sexy 63 year old has made me ride a rollercoaster of emotions.

Now before some of you scratch your heads in confusion, my delicious 63 year is of no particular gender (well, being quite tempestuous some may render my 63 year old a woman!) and though only “officially” 63, this love of mine is several thousands of years old.

It is easy to fall in love withIsrael. This is a country whose people value life and celebrate it with incredible vigour. In as much as we celebrate the sanctity of life, we also stress the importance of the preservation of memory.

Never is this more evident than on Yom Hazikaron (Memorial Day). On this day, the entire country pauses to rememberIsrael’s brave men and women who have fallen in battle. When the first siren sounds at 20h00 the evening before, signalling the start of Yom Hazikaron it is a very humbling and sobering reminder that the lives of nearly 23 000 men and women have been cut short in defence of the security of our beloved State. In its short 63 year old existence as a modern State, this country has witnessed several wars and more than its fair share of clashes with its extremely hostile neighbourhood. The Middle East is a volatile neighbourhood where bullyboy tactics are the order of the day but pluckyIsraelis not one to stand down in the face of adversity!

But courage has come with a terrible price and that is the loss of precious life.

A recent Olah, I have never had the opportunity to serve my country in her army. I regret not coming toIsraelat an age where I could serve because I feel that as Olim we miss out on a vital part of Israeli society.

And then literally overnight the mood of the country changes from deep reflection and mourning to that of exuberant celebration.

Israelover the chagim (holidays) is a sight to behold! Cars and apartments are festooned in blue and white Israeli flags and the excitement is absolutely palpable. Saying that Israelis can party is an understatement!

On the eve of Yom Ha’atzmaut (Independence Day)Israel’s streets are lined with happy proud revellers. Modiin rocked toIsrael’s most popular singer Eyal Golan. His arrival was announced by the high pitched, ultrasonic squealing of several thousand excited teenage girls and more than a few ecstatic adult women. Even I knew the words to some of his songs and managed to sing along in badly mimed Hebrew!

Living inIsraelis a sensory experience. Whether it is hearing Hebrew spoken around you (normally at a very rapid speed!) or the feast for your eyes which this little oasis in the desert is, on Yom Ha’atzmaut it is your sense of smell which is heightened. By the smell of food a’la aish (for South Africans……BRAAI VLEIS!)

Normally debating is the favoured national pastime but this is given short reprieve for a la aish on Yom Ha’atzmaut. To my great amusement, pita vendors paraded up and down the beach selling perfect accompaniment to any meal – the pita. No not ice creams, pitot! Well as we say here, ZOT YISRAEL! (This isIsrael).

And what a treat to sea the best of Israel’s naval and air force hardware demonstrated in a flyover and a sail past on the coastline! The sight of a cluster of F16’s definitely had this Olah Chadesha screaming like a teenage girl at a Justin Bieber concert!

These have been weeks of “firsts”. And what a wild ride they have been!

Even though I have been made to ride an emotional rollercoaster these past few weeks, my love affair with Israel is one I will gladly boast about.

Among them are 5.837 million Jews and 1.587 million Arabs, as well as 322,000 people who do not belong to either group. Despite decades of demographic scare tactics, Jews continue to make up more than 75% of Israel’s population.

Since last year, 178,000 babies were born to Israeli parents, and 43,000 Israeli citizens died. Aliyah was a key factor in growth as well, with 24,500 people making Israel their new home in the past year.

Another 7,500 were added to the Israel population in other ways, for a total of 155,000 more Israeli citizens on Israel’s 63^rd Independence Day than in the year prior.

More than 70% of the Jews in Israel are native to the country, and more than 50% were born in Israel to a parent born in Israel. In comparison, in 1948 only 35% of the Jewish population was born in Israel.

In 1948, only one city, Tel Aviv, had more than 100,000 resients; today 14 cities have more than 100,000 residents and six—Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, Haifa, Rishon LeTzion, Ashdod and Petach Tikva—have more than 200,000 residents.

(Israel National News.com)

View from the balcony

This apartment is a treasure! Hidden from the hustle and bustle of the most popular street in Tveria, this 1^st floor, 156 sq meter apartment will surprise you with its stunning views of the Kinneret, Tzfat, and mountains of the Galil, and gorgeous interiors. The easy flowing floor plan is perfect for all your living needs, whether you are a couple or a growing family. White ceramic floors flow throughout the apartment, special, artistic finishes on the walls, marble steps down to the living room and up to the bedrooms– the apartment is filled with many luxurious finishes. When you enter the apartment, you step down 3 steps to the salon and are immediately drawn to the spacious, 14 sq meter mirpeset (balcony) where you can gaze for hours at the endless views before you. The kitchen is fully equipped, with ample, beautiful wood cabinetry, built-in gas range, granite countertops, white brick splash tiles and windows that look out on the Kinneret, making the kitchen a favorite room in the home. Your clean-up time will fly by unnoticed. Three steps take you up to the bedroom level, nicely separated from the public living area, where there are two very large bedrooms, a full bathroom with tub, and a spacious master bedroom with toilet and shower. The apartment has central air conditioning throughout, plus individualized units in the rooms. The apartment also comes with a security system, parking space in the garage and storage room. Very reasonably priced at 950,000 shekels, this apartment is sure to go quickly.

by Rabbi Chanan Morrison

Baruch Duvdevani served as the Executive Director of the Jewish Agency’s Aliyah department. He recounted this tragic story:

It was the winter of 5716 (1956), immediately following the Sinai Campaign. Poland and the USSR had just signed a treaty allowing all Polish citizens who had fled to Russia during World War II to return to Poland. Jewish or not, they had the right to return, as long as they were Polish citizens on September 1, 1939, the day the War broke out. As a result of this treaty, thousands of Jews throughout Russia returned to Poland, and the majority of them subsequently immigrated to Israel.

I was privileged to spend that year, and the next, in Poland, helping organize this mass aliyah to Israel.

One December morning, when the temperature in Warsaw reached 19 degrees below zero (Celsius), I arrived at the Israeli embassy where we were stationed for our immigration work. The courtyard was filled with scores of people who had come from Russia to immigrate to Eretz Yisrael. I stopped and talked to each and every one of them at length. Our hearts were so filled with joy that we did not feel the cold.

I noticed an old Jew standing in the corner of the courtyard. He was bone-thin, with practically no flesh on his body. His dim eyes lacked any spark of life; his cheekbones protruded profusely; and his clothes were tattered and torn, despite the bitter cold. I realized immediately that the man wanted to speak with me and that he was simply waiting for me to finish talking to the others.

Click here to read the rest of the story….

I consider history and I consider the near future. Time appears to me as a corkscrew, winding around a stationary pole. I think that is how our Sages taught us. As I view photos of hundreds of automaton Hezbollah-nikim giving the Nazi salute, I feel as if my soul has been here before — and I am disturbed by the visions of the past, the future, dancing painfully in my mind.

Now I know how this happened before, and I know it could happen again……very soon.

Then I watch my beautiful, precious, innocent children as they play, not knowing the dark days we may all face, and I sigh. I read yet another news story obsessively, hearing the drumbeats, the war whoops, the bloody threats. I write, and I pray I am wrong. Someone will stop this madness, no? I sing laments over and over and over, another way to pray. I hope that somehow, this will all make some difference.

Then the lights go on in my mind. And I pack to move back to E”Y – home. American Jews, 6 million strong, back in E”Y – settling where the world forbids us to settle, all becoming obstacles to “peace” (whew), in Yehudah and Shomron, where our history unfolded…. The American can-do spirit, reviving our tired out brethren who have been saving our spot for us all these long, weary years. Our ancient kings didn’t know Tel Aviv. They knew Beit El…they knew Itamar. They knew Jerusalem. They knew Shechem, Hevron.

We need to go home, or we just may perish before we get the chance, chas v’shalom, as Ben Gurion sadly predicted — are we only Jewish dust? Will we continue to abandon half our people by loving the goldeneh golus?

This is not an advertisement for Nefesh b’Nefesh, but…who believes it is an accident, that G-d has given us this generous leg-up? In the history of the Jewish people, nothing is an accident. It all means something.

Prior to the Shoah, Jabo toured Europe, desperately telling his beloved brothers and sisters, “Liquidate the golus before the golus liquidates you.” — to incredulous crowds of European Jews. Many jeered him, did not believe him, thought Eretz Israel was certainly more dangerous than Europe…did not want to leave family, to uproot children…to turn their lives upside down. Even many rabbis, out of well-placed concern for their flock’s souls (the Zionist leadership of Israel was proving hostile to seriously observant communities) advised their congregants to disregard Jabo. And so…many did not heed Jabo’s desperate plea.

We have hindsight as foresight because Hashem has taught us how to use our history as our future. They did not go when they could…and then, one day, Europe was on lock-down. And Jabo was right.