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Information Letter #4
This is another in a series of communications designed to help prepare you for your upcoming year
of study at the Midrasha. In this letter you will find information pertaining to cellular phone rental,
as well as information regarding visa renewal, Midrasha policy regarding mailings from outside
providers, and some important reminders.
MOBILE PHONES
As most of you are aware, the mobile phone industry in Israel has undergone
radical changes, leading to dramatic price cuts for mobile and data services. As
a result the option of bringing an unlocked handset to Israel and simply buying
a sim card with a full data plan and international calling has become
increasingly popular. On the other hand, many families prefer the peace of
mind that comes from renting from a company which specializes in providing
services to overseas students, even if the costs are higher. In light of the
above, the Midrasha no longer works with any specific company and you are
free to choose the option and company that best fits your needs.
Please remember that for security reasons, all students must have a mobile phone. Your mobile
phone must have an Israeli number and be open to receiving text messages (i.e. not a "kosher"
phone). If you are bringing a handset from your home country please check with your provider that
the phone is unlocked for use in Israel.
VISA RENEWAL
Every student is automatically issued a three month tourist visa upon
arrival in Israel. This visa must be renewed or extended after the three
month period expires. You should be aware that your visa will be
renewed as a student visa, and will be valid for the rest of the year.
During the renewal process we will take your passport to the Interior
Ministry for you. There is no need for you to go to the ministry yourselves, and your passport will
be returned to you at the end of the day. You will only be asked for your passport on the day that
we plan to renew your visa. Important:
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The visa that we will be arranging for you is a multi-entry visa, meaning that you will not
have to renew it each time you leave the country during the year (Poland trip, family
s'machot, bein hazmanim, etc).
The cost for this visa is 200 NIS, which you will be asked to pay. We have, on occasion,
managed to get this fee waived. If we are successful in doing so this year you will not
be asked to pay the fee.
You will also need two passport-sized pictures for the application.
Finally, please remember that your passport must be valid until at least March 2016.
We are aware that you may apply for a student visa at a local consulate prior to arrival in Israel.
However, new criteria issued by the Office of Religious Affairs require that students (such as you)
who are recognized for funding through the ministry have student visas issued in Israel. As a
)‫מדרשת הרובע בעיר העתיקה בירושלים (ע"ר‬
50 Chabad Street, Old City, Jerusalem 97500 ISRAEL Tel: 02-626-5999 Fax: 02-628-4690
02-628-4690 :‫ פקס‬02-626-5970 :‫ טל‬97500 ‫ העיר העתיקה ירושלים‬50 ‫רח' חב"ד‬
e-mail: [email protected] website: www.harova.org
‫בס"ד‬
result, even students who receive a student visa before they come will have to repeat the
procedure (and pay the fee) once they are here. Therefore, there is no purpose in obtaining a visa
outside of Israel.
Students who are not yet 18 years of age- Students under the age of 18 are still minors and can
not renew their visas without parental permission. If you will be turning 18 after October 1st 2014
both your parents will need to attest to their willingness to have you receive a student visa. If your
birthday falls after October 1st please contact the nearest Israeli consulate for exact instructions as
to how your parents can provide this declaration.
Israeli citizens - As we noted in a previous mailing, students who are Israeli citizens or who
have a parent who is Israeli are strongly advised to check with the local consulate prior to
coming to Israel to avoid unnecessary hassles here. You will be able to arrange for an Israeli
passport (if you don't already have one) as well as to file for an exemption from army service. If
you do not do so, what will most likely happen is that when we go to have your visa renewed you
will be flagged by the Ministry computer and refused a visa. You will then have to go personally to
the Ministry, apply for an Israeli passport and have to arrange for an exemption from the army.
DRESS CODE REMINDER
We know that the months leading up to your arrival are very busy, as you work to complete your
schoolwork, prepare for the summer and get ready for next year. Since it is quite likely that you will
be doing some shopping as part of those preparations, and styles do change, we wanted to remind
you that all clothes that you purchase and bring with you must adhere to our dress code as
previously outlined to you.
For your convenience, we have copied those guidelines below:
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Skirts must cover the knee, even while seated.
Shirts must meet the top of the skirt at all times, with sleeves to the elbow and appropriate
necklines.
If you are "layering" your shirts, you must ensure that your shoulders and neckline are
appropriately covered.
Students are expected to dress appropriately at all times, including tiyulim and when outside of
the Midrasha.
Please remember that body piercings as well as excessive ear piercings, are considered
inappropriate for Midrasha students.
Please note that the dress code is not merely a suggestion, and it will be strictly enforced
from the beginning of orientation and throughout the year, including on tiyulim and other
informal activities. Your cooperation in adhering to these guidelines is greatly appreciated and
will help us all avoid uncomfortable situations. We thank you for your cooperation.
HEALTH INSURANCE
As we have previously informed you, your tuition payments cover health
insurance for your stay in Israel. Remember that the insurance is in effect
)‫מדרשת הרובע בעיר העתיקה בירושלים (ע"ר‬
50 Chabad Street, Old City, Jerusalem 97500 ISRAEL Tel: 02-626-5999 Fax: 02-628-4690
02-628-4690 :‫ פקס‬02-626-5970 :‫ טל‬97500 ‫ העיר העתיקה ירושלים‬50 ‫רח' חב"ד‬
e-mail: [email protected] website: www.harova.org
‫בס"ד‬
in Israel only, and if you plan to travel outside the country you are responsible to ensure
that you are properly insured. Insurance coverage is through Shabbat, June 13th, 2015. If
you intend on staying in Israel past that date, you are responsible for your own insurance.
COMMERCIAL MAILINGS
On occasion, we might send you a mailing (either via regular post or email) with information about
a service provided by outside suppliers. Alternatively, we may alert you to links from our website to
outside suppliers. Please be aware of the guidelines we always follow in sending you and your
parents such information.
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Your personal information is NEVER made available to anyone outside the Midrasha, nor is it
made available for commercial use.
We only send out information from companies whose services have been requested by parents
in the past, or which we believe will be of interest to you or your parents.
It goes without saying that neither the Midrasha nor any individual associated with the Midrasha,
receives any benefit, material or otherwise, from any company whose materials are included in one
of our mailings or are linked to from our website.
FLIGHT PLANS
So that we can best plan for your arrival at the Midrasha, it is important that we know your flight
plans. If you have booked your ticket on the group flight through Ariel Tours, they will update us
regarding your status, and you need not provide us with any further details. Otherwise, we ask that
you please update us with your arrival information as soon as your flight is booked. Please let us
know the date of your arrival and your airline and flight number. If you will be arriving in Israel prior
to the beginning of term, please provide us with a contact number (if available) for where you can
be reached in Israel. Please remember that all students are expected on campus no later
than 7:00 PM on Tuesday, August 26th.
As always, if you or your parents have any further questions about the information in this letter, or
any other aspect of your year at the Midrasha, please do not hesitate to contact us at any time.
We can’t wait to see you in Ellul!
Sincerely yours,
Rabbi Michael Susman
Associate Director
)‫מדרשת הרובע בעיר העתיקה בירושלים (ע"ר‬
50 Chabad Street, Old City, Jerusalem 97500 ISRAEL Tel: 02-626-5999 Fax: 02-628-4690
02-628-4690 :‫ פקס‬02-626-5970 :‫ טל‬97500 ‫ העיר העתיקה ירושלים‬50 ‫רח' חב"ד‬
e-mail: [email protected] website: www.harova.org