Those making aliyah in the next future should be taking a long hard look at their belongings deciding what to bring. As a HOME ORGANIZER AND DECLUTTERING EXPERT, I have a few things to say on the topic. While some olim move into duplexes or houses, many olim are moving into apartments or smaller livingContinue reading “The Aliyah Files #21 The Ultimate in Decluttering Part IV”
Author Archives: Karen Furman
The Aliyah Files #20: The month of Shevat important events: Tu B’Shevat and First Semester Report Cards
Tu B’Shevat, the 15th of the Hebrew month of Shevat, is known as the New Year of the trees. This day marks the season in when the earliest-blooming trees Israel emerge from their winter sleep and begin a new fruit-bearing cycle. This year Tu B’Shevat was celebrated on Monday, January 21, 2019. For an eco-friendly soul like myself,Continue reading “The Aliyah Files #20: The month of Shevat important events: Tu B’Shevat and First Semester Report Cards”
Be Prepared: It’s Cold, Flu, and Allergy Season
Cold and flu season has arrived. For some (like yours truly) allergy season is year-round and the allergens just change from mold to pollen to ragweed to dust. Whether cold, flu, or allergy similar complaints prevail with the stuffy nose-sneezing-achy-coughing scenario. While I am not a doctor, nor do I play one on TV, IContinue reading “Be Prepared: It’s Cold, Flu, and Allergy Season”
The Aliyah Files Files #19: Eating Healthy on a Budget
I was in the produce section at the grocery shaking my head in dismay at the prices I lamented it was cheaper to buy potato chips than fruits and vegetables. My friend, a fellow shopper, replied with a question “Would you rather spend the extra money on healthy food or on medical expenses? Looking atContinue reading “The Aliyah Files Files #19: Eating Healthy on a Budget”
The Aliyah Files #11: America’s got S’Mores. Israel’s got Krembos. Comparison of these 2 Marshmallow Treats
Chocolate, marshmallow, and a cookie. Is it s’mores or something else? A snack attack has hit. Whatcha gonna eat?
The Aliyah Files #10: Pumpkin-Spiced Latte
Autumn has arrived in Israel! Will you find pumpkin-spiced latte and colorful leaves? Read on to find out.
The Aliyah Files #18: Welcome to Israel!
Welcome to all the new olim who arrived on this morning’s Nefesh B’Nefesh flight! 100 °F weather is probably making you wonder what you’re getting yourself into, but don’t dismay. The temperature does cool off… eventually. My biggest aliyah tip of the day is to stay hydrated. Water, juice, water with petel, shlookim, artikim, juicyContinue reading “The Aliyah Files #18: Welcome to Israel!”
The Aliyah Files #17: Ditch the Warehouse Club Mentality
Warning! Warehouse club mentality is hazardous to your aliyah. Let me explain what this means. It means don’t buy in bulk or x-large quantities ever again. THERE IS VERY LITTLE STORAGE SPACE IN ISRAEL. I REPEAT: THERE IS VERY LITTLE STORAGE SPACE. You may be used to basements, garages, attics, off-site storage, CLOSETS, large kitchens,Continue reading “The Aliyah Files #17: Ditch the Warehouse Club Mentality”
The Aliyah Files #16: Over-the-Counter-Medication
No matter where on the planet we find ourselves, there will be occasional headaches, stomachaches, and other minor discomforts. If your favorite standbys for these ailments have been Tylenol, Pepto, or other OTC medications you are going to need to know the lingo of Israeli OTCs. I can only speak for the American brands, soContinue reading “The Aliyah Files #16: Over-the-Counter-Medication”
The Aliyah Files #15: 5 Items to buy the first week after of arriving in Israel
In previous blog posts I have advised what NOT to bring on aliyah. This issue of the Aliyah Files focuses on items I recommend purchasing once you arrive in Israel. Kum kum (coom coom)-an electric kettle to heat your water for a quick hot beverage. Continue reading “The Aliyah Files #15: 5 Items to buy the first week after of arriving in Israel”
The Aliyah Files #14: Essential Hebrew Part II
If you can understand the following sentence you are doing a great job on your Hebrew acquisition: The kablan was at the apartment doing shputzim so I grabbed some mishmishim for fruit snack, told the kids to get their bimbas, and headed the park for awhile. If this sentence is a bit cryptic I adviseContinue reading “The Aliyah Files #14: Essential Hebrew Part II”
The Aliyah Files #13: Essential Hebrew Part I
Whether or not you go to ulpan (ool-pan) (intensive classes where you learn Hebrew), here are some essential words you will want to learn ASAP. The teacher in me knows that introducing too many vocabulary words at one time will be overwhelming so here are ten words for starters. Refer to this list below asContinue reading “The Aliyah Files #13: Essential Hebrew Part I”
My Journey to Alternative Health and my Crazy Diet to go along with it
Today I met someone local who sells kombucha and sourdough bread! I was reminded about my journey to alternative health in 1997, a time when I had never heard of these wonderfully healthy items.
The Aliyah Files #12 Ideas for adding color to a colorless standard Israeli apartment
I live in an apartment and like most apartments in Israel, it is made of concrete. The concrete floor is covered with neutral-colored square tiles. The walls of the apartment are painted white. This color scheme (or more accurately lack of color scheme) is very boring and without much character (IMHO). If painting the walls isn’tContinue reading “The Aliyah Files #12 Ideas for adding color to a colorless standard Israeli apartment”
The Aliyah Files #11: America’s got S’Mores. Israel’s got Krembos. Comparison of these 2 Marshmallow Treats
After publishing The Aliyah Files #10 Pumpkin-Spiced Latte, one of the kids came home with a Krembo. I had forgotten since last year that ’tis now the season for Krembos. A Krembo is a chocolate-coated marshmallow fluff atop a biscuit cookie. It’s too sweet for my liking, but nevertheless, it’s part of the Israeli cultureContinue reading “The Aliyah Files #11: America’s got S’Mores. Israel’s got Krembos. Comparison of these 2 Marshmallow Treats”
The Aliyah Files #10: Pumpkin-Spiced Latte
What images do you associate with the word “autumn”? I think of leaves in stunning hues of red, orange, and yellow, scarecrows, pumpkins, and big plump turkeys. Or perhaps you envision tall leather boots, warm cozy sweaters, and hot pumpkin-spiced latte. I’ll break it to you gently, but things are a bit different here inContinue reading “The Aliyah Files #10: Pumpkin-Spiced Latte”
The Aliyah Files #9: The First Week of School and What to Expect
Some schools start Rosh Chodesh Elul while others will start anytime up until September 1. A few minor differences to get used to when you go to school in Israel compared to the USA: Teachers are called by their first names. I was always called Mrs. Furman in the Old Country. In Israel, I amContinue reading “The Aliyah Files #9: The First Week of School and What to Expect”
The Aliyah Files #8: The Illustrated Guide to School Supplies
It’s time to shop for school supplies. This will be a brand new experience unlike any other back to school shopping outing you’ve had in the past. 1. the list will be in Hebrew. 2. you’ve now left the familiarity of Crayola products and paper folders. Whether you’re a new Oleh or have been hereContinue reading “The Aliyah Files #8: The Illustrated Guide to School Supplies”
The Aliyah Files #7: To Bring or Not to Bring, That is the Question
Apologies to William Shakespeare on the slight adaption of his famed quote. To bring, or not to bring (belongings on aliyah) is the next big question after deciding where to live and when to move. This question repeats itself over and over on Yahoo and Facebook groups with everyone putting in their two-cents worth. AsContinue reading “The Aliyah Files #7: To Bring or Not to Bring, That is the Question”
The Aliyah Files #6: Preparing for Pesach in Israel-Time Management, Shopping, and Organizational Strategies
Purim and over and now the countdown is on until Pesach. This edition of the Olim Files discusses the ORGANIZATIONAL ASPECTS of time and space the holiday.
The Klutter Koach 