English, Hebrew transliterated guide with Meat Chart and Oven Temperatures °F to °C

There is nothing like your first day in Israel, hopefully this page will help…

All grocery stores offer delivery service in Israel, (mishloach) משלוח

Metric Conversion Chart:

Oven Temperatures

Fahrenheit (°F) to Celsius (°C)

A great colorful Cookbook

The Neighborly Cookbook: Cooking with the Supernatural World

Keeping Kosher in Israel

Another reason to use a good Kosher certification hecksher

Health Risks of Genetically Modified Food or The benefits of keeping Kosher

How and Why to Check for Bugs:Tu B’Shevat-How and What to check for Bugs

Click to download the pdf files

Kosher Israeli Symbols, Kashrut Organizations in Israel with Names

Kosher Israeli Symbols, Kashrut Organizations in Israel with Names

• OU-Kashrut_Organization_Nov2013
• Keeping_Kosher_in_Israel
• Recognized Kashrut Agencies in Israel
• Israeli Breakfasts – Don’t Skip that Morning Meal
• The Secret of Challah – How to Separate Challah

Corrections and Errors: Some transliterated words are from English – Hebrew Dictionaries and some words are just my closes guess. I apologize for any errors.

English Hebrew Food Vocabulary Chart

English Hebrew Fruits and Produce Chart

English Hebrew Grain Chart

English Hebrew Bean/Legume Instruction Chart

English Hebrew Fish Chart

English Hebrew Meat Char

English Hebrew Poultry Chart

English Hebrew Spice Chart

English Hebrew Baking Terms

For Baking Pan Sizes Metric Conversion Chart See: Inches/Quarts to Centimeters/Liters

For Volume Measurement (Dry or Fluid) and Weights Metric Conversion Chart See: Metric Conversion Chart for Volume Measurements and Weights

Flour Weight in Kilograms to Volume Conversion in Cups Table

Online Shopping Sites

Check out Sam’s super helpful video guide to shopping online, here.

Supermarkets

Shufersal – https://www.shufersal.co.il/online/he/
Rami Levy – https://www.rami-levy.co.il/he
Yesh Online – https://www.lamehadrin.co.il/pages/catalog.aspx?pid=22

Organic Markets and Restaurants

זמורה אורגני בע”מ ZMORA ORGANIC LTD

– Lev Echad, a National community crisis aid organization has volunteers throughout the country to assist with food delivery. There are English speakers to assist. Call- 02-676-2044.

Pharmaceuticals

Super Pharm – https://shop.super-pharm.co.il/
Be (Shufersal) – https://www.bestore.co.il/
ePharma https://www.epharma.co.il/

Links

Matam Chofetz Chaim

Matam-Chofetz-Chaim

For all your Chicken, Meat and Delicatessen needs

Matam products are available at a number of locations, and at its flagship store, at 30 Agrippas Street in Yerushalayim. Orders can be made by calling 02-6232839 or 02-6249443.for 100 years.

Culinart Kosher All the English Hebrew Food Charts you would need.
אסם Osem
סוגת – משפחות המוצרים של סוגת sugat.com All Products
יכין-כללי yachin.co.il All Products
Tekoa Farms
חלב תנובה Tnuva Dairy Products
Maimon Spices
Ta’am Vareach Spices
סנו – מה הבעיה? קחו סנו! Sano

Nefesh B’Nefesh: Live the Dream US & CAN 1-866-4-ALIYAH | UK 020-8150-6690 or 0800-085-2105 | Israel 02-659-5800 https://www.nbn.org.il/ info@nbn.org.il

Your Food Shopping in Israel Survival Guide

https://www.nbn.org.il/aliyah-inspiration/visions-of-aliyah/trending-in-israel/insider-tips-food-shopping-israel/
Early on in your Aliyah, there’s one thing you’re definitely going to need to do: go food shopping. Israel’s shopping venues may be similar to what you’re used to–or drastically different. But for most Olim, there is still much to adapt to–including Hebrew labels, different measurements, new brands, a diverse variety of hechshers, and produce that is available seasonally.

For Michael Hoffman, who made Aliyah with his wife in 2013, the language barrier proved to be the biggest challenge. In addition to calling his three daughters who live in Israel when he has a question, he also finds that other customers are happy to assist. “When people see me looking confused in the supermarket, they’ll ask if they can help. Cashiers also let me know what’s on sale,” Hoffman says. “Here people go out their way to be helpful, and these exchanges have definitely improved my Hebrew.”

Miriam Naiman, a post-Aliyah advisor at Nefesh B’Nefesh, runs an Israeli supermarket tour for new Olim, which involves walking through each aisle to understand labels, gain an overview of Israeli products, and learn about the different teudot kashrut. She also provides new Olim with a supermarket vocabulary sheet that includes transliterated terms for items.

“It’s natural to pop into a store, get what you need and leave,” said Naiman. “We want to help Olim to be able to do this in Israel.”

Miriam Botwinick, an Olah from Maryland, had an added incentive to master food shopping in Israel. As a dietician, she first needed to pass a test from the Ministry of Health before she could practice in Israel. While exploring Israel’s many shopping venues, she found that she loved the freshness of Israel’s produce, that samples were distributed widely, and that all food measurements were listed in increments of 100 grams, making it easy to compare products.

“Just go with the flow, experiment, and don’t stay within your niche,” she advised.

Ready to set out on your own food shopping excursion? Here’s everything you need to know about Israel’s diverse venues:

1. Supermarket

If you’re looking for an American food shopping experience, you’ll come closest with Israel’s supermarkets. Pick up your cart from the front of the store and make your way down each aisle, stocking up on goods. Though no supermarket offers an overwhelming variety of each item, Israeli supermarkets will have what you need–and keep you focused.

Supermarkets vary in size–from the large Shufersal, Mega, Yesh, Victory and Rami Levy, to the smaller neighborhood varieties of Shufersal Express, AM/PM, and Super Yuda. Most offer delivery services for an additional fee.

For Olim looking for their favorite items like Pepperidge Farm cookies, pumpkin pie filling, and Imagine chicken broth, there are a number of supermarkets that cater to Olim. These include Super Moshava in Jerusalem, Meatland in Ra’anana, and Best Market in Ramat Beit Shemesh.

When you check out, you’ll notice a few things that are uniquely Israeli: you may have to bag your own items and you’ll have the option of tashlumim, paying for your items over the course of a few months.

2. Shuk

Get ready for a farmer’s market with a Middle Eastern twist. The shuk is an outdoor market filled with individual stands selling fresh fruits and vegetables; baked goods; fish, meat and cheeses; nuts, seeds, and spices; and wine and liquor. The shuks in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv also have shops that sell clothing, housewares, textiles, and Judaica items.

Shopping in the shuk is a sensory experience: prices are shouted into the crowds, food samples are distributed freely, the aroma of diverse food wafts through the air, and pedestrians push one another in their attempts to maneuver from one stand to the next. Filled to the brim with mass numbers of shoppers trying to beat the clock, the shuk on Friday is not for the faint of heart. But on every other day, the shuk offers lower prices than supermarkets and a colorful display of the large variety of food that Israel has to offer.

If you plan to shop for the week, think about investing in a granny cart as well as large reusable bags. Most stands take cash, though shops within the shuk often accept credit cards. Bargaining is acceptable, but may be more hassle than its worth.

3. Makolet

These minimarts are speckled throughout the country, and offer the necessities. Often selling their goods at higher prices than supermarkets, the makolet is best when you need to make a quick run for milk or paper towels.

Some kibbutzim, moshavim, and small villages may only have a makolet on the premises. These will offer a wider variety of goods, such as fruit and vegetables, but may not be sufficient for food shopping for the week.

In small neighborhoods, it may be possible to open up an account at the makolet and pay your bill once a month.

4. Online

For those who don’t have the time–or don’t want–to push through a supermarket and pack their own shopping bags, there’s good news. Online shopping has come to Israel. Shufersal, Mega and Rami Levy all enable customers to skip the lines. MyMakolet offers Jerusalem-based clientele a majority of Mehadrin products. Delivery fees are often about 30 NIS.

MySupermarket.co.il, the newest and most exciting addition to the online shopping experience, helps customers search for their favorite products, and recommends cheaper alternatives. When you’re ready to check out, mySupermarket will show you which store offers the total lowest price so that you can make your purchase there.

With a diversity of food shopping venues, Israel offers options for different types of shoppers. Check out each option and see which one works best for you.

Baking afiya אפייה and Cooking bashel בישול

See the English Hebrew Baking Terms Chart below

Dry Yeast – שמרים יבשים בפחית

Yeast: shmarim שמרים

Yeast comes in many different forms. Fresh yeast comes in 4 ounce cubes or in granulated form in packaged from the company Shmirit. Dry yeast is sold in the baking department, generally in 500 gram vacuum sealed foil packages.

Baking Powder: Avkat afiya אבקת אפיה

Baking Powder: Avkat afiya אבקת אפיה

is baking powder, but it often says it in English as well.
Some advise importing baking powder. Sold in little packets, usually 10 per cellophane wrapper. One packet is about one scant Tbs.

Baking soda: Soda leshtiya סודה לשתייה– הנמל

Baking soda: Soda leshtiya סודה לשתייה – הנמל

(drinking soda) is baking soda. It comes in little blue boxes next to the vanilla sugar, labeled as

סודה לשתייה – הנמל Sodium Bicarbonate in English.

Vanilla-sugar-סוכר-וניל

Vanilla sugar   סוכר וניל

This is sugar made with vanilla beans or mixed with vanilla extract. Sold in little packets, usually 10 per cellophane wrapper. One packet is about one scant Tbs.

Vanilla flavored extract Tamtzit bataam Vanila תמצית בטעם וניל

Vanilla: Vanilla flavored extract  Tamtzit  bataam Vanila תמצית בטעם וניל

Imitation vanilla is widely available. Real vanilla is very expensive. If you’re a baker, you might want to import real vanilla or learn to make from vanilla bean and vodka.

Poppy seeds whole pereg shalem  פרג שלם

Poppy seeds whole pereg shalem  פרג שלם

sesame seeds shumshom שומשום

Sesame seeds shumshom שומשום

Cooking-Oil shemen bishul שמן בישול

Cooking-Oil shemen bishul שמן בישול

Canola oil shemen kanola שמן קנולה
Sunflower oil shemen chamanit שמן חמניות
Soybean oil shemen soya- שמן סויה
Corn Oil shemen tiras – שמן תירס

Olive Oil shemen zayit – שמן זית

Olive Oil shemen zayit – שמן זית

Olive Oil Health Benefits

Olive Oil: Amazing Benefits of Olive Oil for Health, Hair, Skin & Its Wonderful Uses

Olive Oil is packed with several health benefits, Bangalore based Nutritionist Dr. Anju Sood says ” It is good for your heart, hair, skin and veins, if you massage it on blood clots, the clots would heal soon.”Macrobiotic nutritionist and Health Practitioner Shilpa Arora ND says, “Olive oil is loaded with heart-protective polephenols that lower cholesterol. It is also packed with anti-inflammatory properties. The mono-saturated fatty acids boosts metabolism and aids weight loss.”Dr. Simran Saini of Fortis Hospital also recommends the oil for its heart healthy properties, “Olive oil is loaded with omega-3 fatty acids- which improves good cholesterol(HDL). It is also good for digestion, and keeps your hormones balanced.”
Moisturizes your skin
Olive oil contains vitamin E, which improves skin health by treating inflammation, acne, and dryness. It also improves skin elasticity and its regenerative properties. The anti-oxidants, minerals and good fats, fight the free radicals, and facilitate healthy and fuller skin respectively.
Reduces wrinkles and signs of ageing
A face pack made with olive oil( 2 tablespoon), and lemon juice(1 tablespoon), and a pinch of sea salt, can rejuvenate your skin, and prevent it from sagging and other signs of ageing. Massage your face thoroughly, and repeat the regime at least three times a week. This would give you instant results.
Nail Health
Your nails need as much attention as your skin, simply dip a cotton ball in 2-3 tablespoons of olive oil and dab it on your nails, the vitamin E in olive oil helps bring your dry brittle nails back to life.
Treats Dandruff
Olive oil moisturizes your hair and reduces scalp irritation, which further reduces dandruff. Just heat a cup of olive oil and massage hair generously, especially on the scalp and the ends. Let it sit for 20 minutes, post which rinse your hair with mild shampoo.
Moisturizes Your Hair
The hair smoothening and strengthening qualities of Olive oil is fast gaining recognition throughout the world. Bring your lifeless locks back to life, with the moisturizing hair pack of olive oil (1/2 teaspoon), honey(2 tablespooon) and a protein rich egg yolk. Mix the ingredients thoroughly to get a smooth paste. Apply the paste onto your hair and let it sit for twenty minutes, and then rinse off with cold water. Follow the regime twice a week.
Promotes Hair Growth
Olive Oil is rich in Vitamin E which makes your hair strong and prevents hair fall. Massaging regularly with olive oil can also fix the problem of split ends.
How to use Olive Oil for Cooking:
Extra virgin olive oil tends to have a subtle golden-green hue with a light peppery flavour. Because it is taken staright out of the fruit and is not refined it has a beautiful crude and pungent smell too. Shilpa Arora ND says, “Always use a good quality extra virgin oil to get all its benefits. It does not have a very high heat point , therefore not quite recommended for frying and heavy cooking.”

white chocolate chips שוקולד צ’יפס לבן

chocolate chips שוקולד צ’יפס

chocolate chips שוקולד צ’יפס

Apple Sauce resek tapuach ets-Jar קאד רסק תפוחי עץ

Apple Sauce resek tapuach ets קאד רסק תפוחי עץ

Apple Sauce resek tapuach ets קאד רסק תפוחי עץ

Bread Crumbs peruri lechem פרורי לחם

Come in cellophane bags, not cardboard canisters. Which is different then Mazah Meal which comes in boxes.

Bread Crumbs perur lechem פרורי לחם:

Mazola Margarine-מרגרינה מזולה

מרגרינה-Margarine

Margarine מרגרינה:

One stick of American margarine/butter is 100 grams (half an Israeli stick).
Blue Bond stick margarines are widely available and come in yellow wrapper (unsalted), blue (salted), red (butter flavored). Yellow is best for baking.

Tnuva Cooking Cream shemenet l’vishul – שמנת לבישול

Tnuva Cooking Cream shemenet l’vishul- שמנת לבישול:

• Called shemenet l’vishul.
• Comes in 250 ml and 500 ml cardboard boxes like juice boxes.
• Comes in 23%, 15%, and 10%.
• Half and half doesn’t exist here. If you want coffee cream buy 10% cooking cream.

Sugar Powder sukar avkat- אבקת סוכר

Sugar Powder sukar avkat- אבקת סוכר great for Cake frosting

Date Spread mimrach tamarim ממרח תמרים

Date Spread mimrach tamarim ממרח תמרים

חמאת בוטנים קלאסית סקיפי

Classic Skippy Peanut Butter chemat botnim חמאת בוטנים קלאסית סקיפי

Classic Skippy Peanut Butter chemat botnim  חמאת בוטנים קלאסית סקיפי

Tnuva Pareve Vegetable whipped cream katsefet tsimchit קצפת צמחית

Tnuva Pareve Vegetable whipped cream katsefet tsimchit קצפת צמחית

Real mayonnaise מיונז אמיתי

Real mayonnaise מיונז אמיתי Just sound it out, it is the same thing.

Salt-מלח

Salt melach -מלח

Spices for Cooking

See the Hebrew English Spice Chart below:

Ground Cumin- kamon כמון
Sweet Paprika paprika mamtak פפריקה-מתוקה
Ground Cinnamon kinamon tachun -קינמון-טחון
Ground black pepper pilpel shachor tachun פלפל-שחור-טחון

Ground Cumin- kamon כמון
Ground Cinnamon kinamon tachun -קינמון-טחון
Sweet Paprika paprika mamtak פפריקה-מתוקה
Ground black pepper pilpel shachor tachun פלפל-שחור-טחון

Ketchup

Osem Ketchup and Spicy Ketchup charif -קטשופ אסם וקטשופ חריף

Osem Ketchup and Spicy Ketchup charif -קטשופ אסם וקטשופ חריף

Israel has recently required Heinz ketchup to be relabeled as ‘tomato seasoning’. A lab test was conducted showed that the Heinz ketchup distributed in Israel contains only about 20 percent tomato concentrate, much less than the 61 percent minimum required by Israeli regulations. (Even if the regulations are changed American products are now all fake)
But there are a couple of more reasons why it was relabeled … Heinz is loaded with high fructose corn syrup, which is extremely unhealthy. The corn syrup is made of GMO corn and this is what makes it so dangerous. It can cause a rapid increase in your blood sugar levels and damage your liver.”

Phyllo-Dough batsek filo בצק פילו

Phyllo-Dough batsek filo בצק פילו

Pastry Dough/Pie Crust

Rolled Puff Pastry batsek alim merudad בצק עלים מרודד

Rolled Puff Pastry batsek alim merudad בצק עלים מרודד

It is possible to find prepared graham cracker crusts in Israel. If you use them, stock up when you see them because they are hit or miss. Some stores that cater to American olim sell pareve Oronoque prepared pie crusts, but they are very expensive. A great alternative is the widely available puff pastry dough . Comes in a sweet variety (called batzaik sh’marim – metukim in the green wrapper below) and a plain (batzaik alim). There are several brands. I have never been able to distinguish a flavor difference, so I just buy whichever is cheapest. They go on sale often.

Hot Paprika  paprika charif פפריקה חריפה

Hot Paprika  paprika charif פפריקה חריפה

Paprika is sold with and without oil and hot and sweet. Hot paprika is not a bad substitute for cayenne pepper.

Garlic bulbs shum -שום

Garlic bulbs shum -שום You can get real Organic Garlic Bulbs at the Shuk or your local Organic Market

Turmeric-curcum_כורכום

Turmeric curcum כורכום

Turmeric, a widely-used spice, known for its delicate flavor and bright yellow color that livens up every dish. It is widely used in India and known as Indian saffron. Fresh turmeric can be used in the same way as turmeric powder. It is a wonderful addition to soups, meats, fish, rice, and more. The root must be peeled and grated into the cooked dish.

Herbs

Herbs and Fresh Greens are packaged in Plastic Bags to prevent bugs and to them keep fresher.

Some herbs, including parsley (petrozilia), dill (shamir) and celantro or coriander (cuzbara) are highly perishable. Cut them up and put them in small plastic bags and freeze. Use as needed.

Cilantro (Coriander) Kuzbarah כוסברה

Cilantro (Coriander) Kuzbarah כוסברה

Basil reichan ריחן

Basil reichan ריחן

Dill Shamir שמיר

Dill Shamir שמיר

Not to be confused with

Yitzhak Shamir

Yitzhak Shamir (Hebrew: יצחק שמיר‎, born Yitzhak Yezernitsky; October 22, 1915 – June 30, 2012) was an Israeli politician and the seventh Prime Minister of Israel, serving two terms, 1983–84 and 1986–1992.^[1] Before the establishment of the state of Israel, Shamir was a leader of the Zionist militant group Lehi. After the establishment of the Israeli state he served in the Mossad between 1955 and 1965 and as a Knesset Member. He served as the 6th Speaker of the Knesset and as Foreign Affairs Minister. Shamir was the country’s third-longest-serving prime minister after David Ben-Gurion and Benjamin Netanyahu.^[2]

Parsley Petrozillia פטרוזיליה

Parsley Petrozillia פטרוזיליה

Ginger ג’ינג’ר or zangvil-זַנגבִיל (Ginger root)

Ginger ג’ינג’ר or zangvil-זַנגבִיל (Ginger root). You can get fresh Ginger at the Shuk or your local Organic Market

Zahatar זעתר

Zahatar (Za’atar) זעתר

Used in Israeli Salads

Hawaij-for Soups ‘חוויאג

Hawaij ‘חוויאג:

a Yemenite spice blend to give soups soup/cholent/stew a rich flavor.

Oregano – אורגנו

Oregano – אורגנו

Soup mix

Osem Chicken cooking soup with noodles- בשרי-Baser🐔 – מרק בישול עוף עם איטריות בד”צ

Osem Chicken cooking soup with noodles- בשרי-Baser🐔 – מרק בישול עוף עם איטריות בד”צ

Available in 1 Kg bags as well as the more familiar plastic tubs. Chicken soup mixes are available pareve and meat. Osem makes both without MSG.

Chicken flavored soup powder Parve פרווה אבקת מרק בטעם עוף

Flour Kemach קמח

Israel now has very many different types of Baking Flours. Flour is packed in 1 Kilogram Paper Bags. This is just a small sample of the types of flour both regular and Organic flour.

• White, whole wheat and 70% whole wheat are widely available.
• Flour is sold by the kilo to avoid infestation.
• Pre sifted is very expensive. Consider buying an electric sifter.
• I have found the texture of the flour somewhat different, requiring that I add a bit more flour to some recipes.

See: Flour Power: Your Definitive Guide to Baking With White, Wheat, and More https://www.bonappetit.com/test-kitchen/ingredients/article/guide-to-flour

White Wheat Flour kemach chita lavan קמח חיטה לבן

White Wheat Flour kemach chita lavan  קמח חיטה לבן

All-purpose flour kemach rav tachliti קמח רב תכליתי

All-purpose flour kemach rav tachliti קמח רב תכליתי

All-purpose flour is a versatile and general use wheat flour. As the name suggests, all-purpose flour is suitable for all types of baked goods such as bread, biscuits, pizza, cookies, muffins, etc. It is also used in thickening gravies and sauces.
Best for: Cookies, bread, baked goods.

Self-raising flour kemach tofeach קמח תופח-used for Cakes

Self-raising flour kemach tofeach קמח תופח-used for Cakes

Self rising flour is a mix of all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt. This allows the bread to rise without the need for yeast. It can be used for everything from pizza crust to biscuits! You’ll be amazed at how easy it is to make fluffy pancakes, decadent brownies, or soft biscuits!

80% wheat flour without the need for sifting kemach chita 80% -קמח חיטה 80% ללא צורך בניפוי

80% wheat flour without the need for sifting- kemach chita 80% -קמח חיטה 80% ללא צורך בניפוי Excellent for white Bread

Whole Rye Flour kemach shipon male -קמח שיפון מלא

Whole Rye Flour kemach shipon male -קמח שיפון מלא

Rye is a grain, although not a subset of wheat. It has a tangy flavor and natural gumminess when processed.

Best for: Breads baked with rye stay fresh longer, and are especially good when made with slightly fermented doughs.
Don’t use for: A 100% rye bread can be challenging for beginning bakers. Start with 25% rye flour and 75% wheat.

Whole Wheat Flour kemach chita male – קמח חיטה מלא

Whole Wheat Flour kemach chita male – קמח חיטה מלא

Whole wheat flour is more absorbent than white flour, thus requiring more liquid.
If you’re interested in making whole wheat bread, swap 25% of your white flour for whole wheat to start, and increase as you become more skilled at kneading a wet dough.

Cornmeal kemach tiras and Polenta פולנטה and קמח תירס

Cornmeal kemach tiras and Polenta פולנטה and קמח תירס For a traditional American or Mexican Flavor

Cornmeal/Cornflour/Cornstarch – “Cornflour” can be either cornmeal (sometimes called kemach tiras and sold in the same section of the store as beans) or cornstarch (sold in the baking aisle). Corn flour (in the US and elsewhere), very finely ground cornmeal, ground from dried maize (Corn).

There is also Polenta, Yellow whole-grain cornmeal, Yellow degerminated cornmeal (fine to medium grind), Yellow coarse-ground cornmeal, White stone-ground cornmeal, Masa harina.

Chick Pea Flour kemach humus קמח-חומוס

Chick Pea Flour kemach humus קמח-חומוס

Chickpea flour is naturally dense, with a stickier texture than all-purpose flour when added to liquids. Because of these traits, it makes a fantastic binder for baking (use it 1:1 to replace heavy flours like rye or teff) or for dishes that need a little extra stability (think veggie burgers or fritters).
Dried, frozen and canned chickpeas can be made into falafel, ground into hummus, turned into soup or stews, baked into bread, made into a filling salad or tossed with pasta for a protein-filled, meat-free meal. In India and Italy, chickpeas are turned into flour and made into various fritters, like vegetable pakoras (India) and panelle (Italy). You can roast whole chickpeas in the oven for a crispy, crunchy, addictive (but healthy) snack — you can even make them sweet or savory. Chickpea flour also makes excellent gluten-free flatbreads, and many cuisines make their own version — like the French socca or the Ligurian (Italy) farinata.

Bread lechem לחם and Bakery maafiya מַאֲפִיָה items

Neeman Bakery מאפה נאמן

http://neeman.co.il/

• Most ‘Supermarkets’ have their own bakery in the store with fresh bread and baked goods.
• On Friday, Erev Shabbat, deliveries of government subsidized Challah. The most wonderful white, simple Challah around, very large and very inexpensive.
• There is great REAL bread in Israel, but it’s not always possible to find an exact duplicate for what you are used to. There is ‘Egg Challah’ which may be at regular Bakeries and Supermarkets on Friday.
• There are fantastic ORGANIC BAKERIES IN ISRAEL.
• Now that the French are making Aliyah, they are opening French Bakeries. Thing are really going to get exciting.

Sabra Hummus צבר חומוס

Sabra Hummus צבר חומוס

Sabra Matbucha Salad צבר מטבוחה אמיתית

Sabra Matbucha Salad צבר מטבוחה אמיתית

Osem Falafel with ease-פלאפל בקלי קלות

Osem Falafel -פלאפל – Great with Pita

Tahina -טחינה

Tahina -טחינה

• Don’t forget the Pita, try it with Falafel, Salad and Tahini or have your Kid’s make something up.
• Israeli Children use Hashachar Haole Chocolate Spread with Pita. A Great way to send your Children off to School!
• There are a couple of brands of packaged, lower calorie breads that are widely available.
• There is no such thing as white bread (Wonder Bread ®) in Israel. The closest is called לחם אחיד, a government subsidized light rye. Angel Bakery מאפיית אנג’ל  and others have Sliced Breads of all kinds that are REAL BREADS!
• Real Jewish rye bread is almost impossible to find unless you go to a special boutique like bakery such as Teller in Machane Yehudah (the shuk) in Jerusalem.
  

  Teller Breads Machane Yehuda Shuk Jerusalem

• Don’t forget the other bakery items such as Bagels, Borekas, Cookies, Danishes, Knishes, Muffins, Pizza Sandwiches, Rugalach and Sandwiches:

Dairy Machlavah מַחלָבָה and Eggs Beitsim ביצים

Tnuva chocolate in a bag- שוקו תנובה בשקית

Chocolate milk Shoko – שוקו

Shoko (Chocolate Milk) comes in various sizes

Tnuva UHT 3% Milk chalav amid -חלב עמיד

Tnuva UHT 3% Milk chalav amid -חלב עמיד

Ultra-high temperature processing (UHT), ultra-heat treatment, or ultra-pasteurization^[1] is a food processing technology that sterilizes liquid food by heating it above 135 °C (275 °F) – the temperature required to kill bacterial endospores – for 2 to 5 seconds.^[2] UHT is most commonly used in milk production, but the process is also used for fruit juices, cream, soy milk, yogurt, wine, soups, honey, and stews.^[3] UHT milk was first developed in the 1960s and became generally available for consumption in the 1970s.^[4]

The heat used during the UHT process can cause Maillard browning and change the taste and smell of dairy products.^[5] An alternative process is HTST pasteurization (high temperature/short time), in which the milk is heated to 72 °C (162 °F) for at least 15 seconds.

UHT milk packaged in a sterile container, if not opened, has a typical unrefrigerated shelf life of six to nine months. In contrast, HTST pasteurized milk has a shelf life of about two weeks from processing, or about one week from being put on sale. A significant percentage of milk sold in the US as organic food is UHT treated.^[6]

Some loss of Vitamin B₁₂, vitamin C and thiamin can occur in UHT milk.^[24]

Shelf Stable UHT Pasteurization needs no refrigeration if unopened. link: https://www.alpro.com/il

משקה סויה Alpro Soya Drinks

(left to right) Bio Soy Drinks mashke soya teva bmotekot – משקה סויה טבעי במתיקות
Soy Drinks mashke soya – משקאות סויה
Soy Drinks without sugar mashke soya lelo sukar משקה סויה ללש סוכר
other: Almond drink mashke kimat – משקה שקדים
Vanilla flavored soy drink mashke soya vanila -משקה סויה בטעם וניל

משקה סויה Alpro Soya drinks and Non-soy beverages משקאות סויה ומשקאות שאינם סויה

Milk drinks: are milk with water and other flavors added

Buttermilk

Rivion is the closest substitute, but you can often substitute with gil or leben. Or use milk and a bit of lemon juice.

Tnuva Special milk drink for coffee 3% mashke chalav meyuchad lekafe -משקה חלב מיוחד לקפה

Tnuva Special milk drink for coffee 3% mashke chalav meyuchad lekafe -משקה חלב מיוחד לקפה

Milk-1L Bag – chalav -חלב

Milk chalav -חלב

Like milk in the US, many dairy products in Israel come in different fat percentages. This is true for sour cream, hard cheese, cottage cheese, yogurt and, of course, milk.

• Skim milk is hard to find.
• Generally, you can find 1% (red) and 3% (blue). Whole milk is basically 3%. These are the opposite colors from the US.
• Sometimes 1.5% is available.
• Milk comes in liter cartons and plastic bags. The bags are 1 liter, which is basically 4 cups.
• Milk in plastic bags is price-controlled and should cost the same anywhere. It is also cheaper in bags than in cartons.
• There are clear produce bags near the tubs of milk bags. I have found that the produce bags begin to tear if you put more than 2-3 bags of milk in them.
• Milk doesn’t have vitamin D added unless you buy Yotvata or Tnuva brand 3% milks.

Goat milk chalav ezim חלב עיזים

Goat milk chalav ezim חלב עיזים

Jews have been milking Goats in Israel since Abraham.

Organic Fresh Milk 3% chalav tari organi -חלב טרי אורגני רדוף 3%

Organic Fresh Milk 3% chalav tari organi -חלב טרי אורגני רדוף 3%

Tnuva Soy drinks and Non-soy beverages משקאות סויה ומשקאות שאינם סויה

Tnuva Soy or Almond Drinks-משקאות סויה או שקדים

(Left to right) tnuva Almond drink mashke kimat – משקה שקדים
tnuva Vanilla flavored soy drink mashke soya vanila -משקה סויה בטעם וניל
tnuva Natural Soy Drinks mashke soya teva bmotekot – משקה סויה טבעי במתיקות
tnuva Soy Drinks mashke soya – משקאות סויה

Others: tnuva Oat Drink mashke shibolet shual משקה שיבולת שועל

Yoplait strawberry melon yogurt drink יופלה משקה יוגורט תות מלון

Yoplait strawberry melon yogurt drink יופלה משקה יוגורט תות מלון

Cheese Gevina גבינה

Yellow Cheese Sliced גבינה צהובה פרוסה

Yellow Cheese Sliced gevina tsahov parus גבינה צהובה פרוסה

Cheddar Cheese gevina cheder גבינת צ’דר

Cheddar Cheese gevina cheder גבינת צ’דר

• Lots of people mentioned that it was scary to use to cheese counter but so worth it.
• Sliced and grated cheese are significantly cheaper when purchased from the cheese counters.
• The cheese counter is also likely to have types of cheese that you won’t find in packages – like cheddar and feta.
• If it’s not crowded at the cheese counter or the cheese stand in Machane Yehudah (the shuk), you can ask to taste different cheeses.
• You can ask at the cheese counter to slice your cheese thin.
• Tnuva makes cheddar but it’s very very mild. Ask for something “charif yoter” (sharper).
• Many supermarket deli counters have pre-sliced packages of popular cheeses, such as Gilboa and Emek. This obviates the need to wait in line and is the same cheese that you have sliced to order at the counter. There are also pre-packaged grated cheeses, such as mozzarella and parmesan.
• If you go to the cheese counter and ask for a mix you get shredded scraps of whatever’s left over at the time.
• Hermon is like a salty farmers cheese or a way less salty feta.
• Baby belle cheeses in the red wrappers are not kosher in the US but are kosher here.
• The cheese market in Machane Yehudah (the shuk) in Jerusalem has amazing white cheddar cheese from England that is OU.
• Israel has lots of other cheeses that you can’t get kosher in the US.
• Tiv Tam cheese can most closely be described as pressed cottage cheese, but it’s actually strained gvina levana. It is also used as a substitute for Philadelphia cream cheese in cheesecake. It comes in a block wrapped in plastic see through wrap. It spoils quickly so buy it close to use.

Piraeus feta goat cheese 5% גבינת עזים פטה פיראוס

Piraeus feta goat cheese 5% גבינת עזים פטה פיראוס

Great with Pita

gad-dairy-Safed-5%_ צפתית

gad-dairy-Safed-5%_ צפתית

gad-dairy-Traditional Bulgarian 5% בולגרית מסורתית

gad-dairy-Traditional Bulgarian 5% בולגרית מסורתית

gad-dairy Mozzarella Balls כדורי מוצרלה

gad-dairy Mozzarella Balls כדורי מוצרלה

Look around the cheese section next to the milk. Besides local Israeli Cheeses, a lot of Markets have imported Cheeses Spreads and Butter from Europe given all the French and British Jews making Aliyah. Are New Yorkers next?  links: https://www.gad-dairy.co.il

Butter chema חמאה

Butter chema חמאה

Cottage-Cheese kotej ‘קוטג

Cottage-Cheese kotej ‘קוטג

Cream Cheese:

gad-dairy-natural New York cream cheese 30%

gad-dairy-natural New York cream cheese 30%

גבינת שמנת – Cream cheese

• Philadelphia is occasionally found here, but it’s expensive.
• Gvinat shamenet which is the cream cheese sold in the rectangular containers has a softer consistency. There is one in a black and white speckled tub that looks like a cow pattern and spreads like light cream cheese from the US.
• The one most like whipped cream cheese here is Napoleon brand (gold & white container) gvina shamenet b’signon Tzarfati and comes in cups in a few varieties. The one with the yellow daisy is plain.
• Some people make their own cream cheese. Take a cheese cloth and hang Israeli 5% cream cheese over night and in the morning you will get the cream cheese you are used to.
• Another way to make your own cream cheese: add 1/8 teaspoon salt to shamenet and let it strain. You are left with whipped cream cheese.

Tnuva Bio yogurt – יוגורט-ביו-3-תנובה

Tnuva Bio yogurt – יוגורט-ביו-3-תנובה

Leben לבן

Leben לבן

The pink and orange Yotvata brand leben tastes just like yogurt, is one-third the price and has natural colors from carrots and beets.

Gevina Lebana White cheese גבינה לבנה

Gevina Lebana White cheese גבינה לבנה

• Gvina levana (white cheese) is like soft cream cheese, with a little less tang.
• Some use Israeli Gvina Levana instead of American-style cream cheese for cheesecake.

Sour Cream – שמנת חמוצה

Sour cream shamenet chamuts שמנת חמוצה

• Called shamenet שמנת.
• Comes in 4-pack of small plastic tubs (200 ml each) or in 1/2 liter containers.
• Sour cream is a perfect substitute for ricotta in baked pasta dishes such as lasagna.

Shamenet: Generally refers to sour cream (shamenet chamutza). But the word also refers to cooking cream (shamenet l’vishul), cream cheese (gvinat shamenet) and whipping cream (shamenet lhaktzafa which is 38%).

Eggs Beitsim – ביצים

Egg Carton – קרטון ביצים

Egg Carton – קרטון ביצים

Eggs in the Shuk

Eggs in the Shuk

• There are two dates stamped on eggs. The earlier one is the freshness date if the eggs are unrefrigerated. The second is the freshness date when they are kept cold.
• Egg shells are not, ahem… pristine here. Washing them introduces bacteria into the egg. They are, however, generally much fresher. You’ll get used to it.
• Most Shuks have Eggs on Trays.  30 Eggs per tray

La cremeria Joya Ben and-Jerrys Ice Cream-glida

Israeli Ice Cream in the Stores glida גלידה

Ice Cream glida גלידה

Ice Cream glida גלידה

Fresh, Frozen and Canned Fruits and Vegetables Yerakot ירקות

Fruits Vegetables at Mahane Yehuda Shuk, Jerusalem

See the English Hebrew Fruits and Produce Chart below:

• Eating seasonal is a new concept. You can’t always get what you want when you want it. On the other hand, it’s always a joy when new fruits come into season.
• remember that Israel is a very small country, so the farms are just a few hours away vs. America where they are weeks away. Everything is super fresh.
• There are Shuks in every City and town in Israel. They are like the Open Air Farmers Markets in America. Wonderful!!
• Leafy Greens such as Lettuce, Bok Choy, Kale, Green Onions and Celery are packaged in Plastic Bags to prevent bugs and to keep them fresher.
• On Sunday evenings, the fruits and vegetables at the Jerusalem shuk are cheaper than usual.
• The internet is a great resource for learning how to use ingredients with which you are not familiar (e.g. kohlrabi, dragon fruit, etc.).

Bananas בננות

It took me awhile to get used to Israeli bananas. They are slightly different. Although bananas are generally available year round, summer bananas often go from green to overripe without an edible stage in between. Winter bananas are much better. Also, Israeli bananas may look more brown and bruised than you’re used to on the outside and still be perfect inside.

Strawberries tutim תותים

Strawberry season in Israel is winter.

Oranges tapuzim תפוזים

Oranges tapuzim תפוזים

Tomato Agvaniya עגבנייה

Tomato Agvaniya עגבנייה

Cucumber melafelon – מלפפון

Cucumber melafelon – מלפפון

Bell Peppers pilpel -פלפלים

Bell Peppers pilpel -פלפלים

Chestnut Pumpkin delaat armonim – דלעת ערמונים

Chestnut Pumpkin delaat armonim – דלעת ערמונים

Onions Batsalim בצלים

Onions Batsalim בצלים

Yellow (though they are called batzal lavan) and red onions are available. Raw onions are very strong here and peeling them is a challenge. I have never seen Vadalia onions in Israel.

Potatoes tapuach adama  – תפוחי אדמה

Potatoes tapuach adama  – תפוחי אדמה

Potatoes in bags:

• Thin-skinned red and white potatoes are widely available. I hardly ever peel potatoes anymore.
• If a grocery store sells potatoes in a mesh bag, it’s perfectly acceptable to open the mesh and take only the size and quantity of potatoes you need.
• I have seen fresh new potatoes (small) in the gourmet produce section. They are expensive.
• Since canned potatoes are hard to find here, I just use sliced fresh potatoes in my brisket.
• No russet/Idaho potatoes here.

Zucchini kishu – קישוא

Zucchini kishu – קישוא

Beets selek – סלק

Beets selek – סלק

Swiss chard מנגולד שוויצרי (Beetroot shoresh selek  שורש סלק)

the mehadrin packages of what is called alei selek is actually swiss chard.

Spinach Medallions medalioni tered – מדליוני תרד

Spinach Medallions medalioni tered – מדליוני תרד

Frozen Cut up Cubes of Spinach. Great for baking.

Spinach leaves illi tered עלי תרד

Spinach leaves illi tered עלי תרד

Frozen Broccoli – ברוקולי מוקפא

Frozen Broccoli – ברוקולי מוקפא

I had to forget all about the 10 oz boxes of chopped broccoli that were a staple in my American kitchen. I buy the 800 gram bags from the freezer case and I learned to slice the florets into smaller pieces for quiches and soups. I tried kitchen shears but a sharp knife on mostly defrosted florets works best. I’ve seen the price range by brand from 13 NIS to 40 NIS for the same amount of frozen broccoli. Bodek brand is available here but it’s the highest priced.

You can find fresh Broccoli in Season.

Brussel sprouts kruv nitsanim – כרוב ניצנים

Brussel sprouts kruv nitsanim – כרוב ניצנים

Frozen only. Imported. Not widely available.

Jerusalem artichoke-ארטישוק ירושלמי

Jerusalem artichoke-ארטישוק ירושלמי

Green Peas afuna gina אפונת גינה

Green Peas afuna gina אפונת גינה

Tomato Paste Concentrate resek agvaniyot parich – רכז עגבניות פריכוז

Tomato Paste Concentrate resek agvaniyot parich – רכז עגבניות פריכוז

• Comes in cans and small red plastic tubs, generally two or four together.
• There are codes on tomato paste that refer to the thickness of the paste.
• Tomato paste concentration is measured in BX (pronounced ‘bricks’). The higher numbers are more concentrated (less water).
• Tomato paste is typically sold in 22⁰BX or 28⁰BX. 22⁰BX is less concentrated than 28⁰BX.
• Some say 22⁰BX is tomato sauce.

Yachin Cut Green Beans sheuit yarok chatach – שעועית ירוקה חתוכה

Yachin Cut Green Beans sheuit yarok chatach – שעועית ירוקה חתוכה

yachin-Sweet corn kernels garini tiras matok גרעיני תירס מתוק

yachin-Sweet corn kernels garini tiras matok גרעיני תירס מתוק

Peeled Potatoes, Sweet Corn, Tomato Concentrate, Cut Green Beans, Garden peas, whole Green Olives. Canned Vegetables – ירקות משומרים

Canned Vegetables:

Chicken – of עוף, Meat basar בשר, Deli maadaniya מעדניית, Fish Dag דג and Vegetarian Alternatives tsimchoni צמחוני

Honey chicken. (Stuart Schnee/JTA)

Chicken; of עוף

See the English Hebrew Poultry Chart below:

• It’s often cheaper fresh than frozen.
• If you buy frozen, check the date it was frozen.
• Ask your Butcher in the Shuk or Supermarket to cut up a Whole chickens cut in quarters or eighths.
• Buy a decent pair of chicken shears and learn to cut up whole chickens.
• White meat is often cheaper than dark.
• There is a difference between chicken wings for cholent and normal ones.
• Links: https://www.tnuva.co.il/products/mama-of
  

  Mama Chicken Cylindrical green -מאמא עוף ירוק גלילי

  Mama Chicken -מאמא עוף להקפצה ירוק גלילי

• Poultry: Marc Gottlieb’s poultry chart.

Persian Ground Meat Kebab

Meat basar בשר

• Meat cuts in Israel take awhile to master.
  

  See the English Hebrew Meat Char below:

• You can get basar chamim (chulent meat) already cut into chunks.
• Check that meat is kashered–sometimes it’s sold without soaking/salting.
• Ground meat is often mixed with soy. but Butchers will grind the meat in fronto of you..
• Osher Ad and Rami Levy Mehadrin, both in Givat Shaul, have great selections of the OU Kashrut Israel line called “It’s Fleisch” frozen meats with the names we are familiar with, such as brisket, corn beef, etc.
• Most Markets have a good selection of Frozen Checken and Beef.
• Links: https://www.tnuva.co.il/products/TiratZvi/products
  

  Hamburger המבורגר

Deli maadaniya מעדניית

• Most ‘Supermarkets’ have a hanging display of deli meats. Great if you are traveling Abroad to חוץ לארץ (chutz la’aretz) or want a taste of it.
• Pastrama is not pastrami. It’s turkey breast in different incarnations.
• Try כתף בקר as an affordable beef cold cut.
• Pastrama cafrit is close to American turkey bologna.
• Hot dogs: Israeli hot dogs are generally chicken. Beef hot dogs are harder to find.
• Chofetz Chaim (a Jerusalem butcher that might be worth getting to know) sells beef hot dogs that are the closest to tasting like an American hot dog and they cost the same as the Israeli beef hot dogs. Also try the Tirat Zvi brand beef naknik americai which come in a package of six.
  

  Matam-Chofetz-Chaim

For all your Chicken, Meat and Delicatessen needs

Matam products are available at a number of locations, and at its flagship store, at 30 Agrippas Street in Yerushalayim. Orders can be made by calling 02-6232839 or 02-6249443.for 100 years.

Vegetarian Alternatives tsimchoni צמחוני

Links: https://www.osem.co.il/product/

טבעול שניצל מן הצומח- Tivall Badatz Vegetarian Schnitzel

Tivall Badatz Vegetarian Schnitzel טבעול שניצל מן הצומח

Osem Tivall Corn Schnitzel שניצל תירס

Osem Tivall Corn Schnitzel שניצל תירס

Fish Dag דג

See the English Hebrew Fish Chart

Blue tilapia מושט

Blue tilapia מושט

Israel farms carp, tilapia, grass carp, flathead mullet, striped bass, silver carp and rainbow trout, as well as many species of ornamental fish. … Israel’s most important technological advance in this field has been, therefore, the realization that it could conduct fish breeding in the nation’s strategic water reserves.

Tofu and broccoli noodles in teriyaki sauce נודלס טופו וברוקולי ברוטב טריאקי

Tofu and broccoli noodles in teriyaki sauce נודלס טופו וברוקולי ברוטב טריאקי

Seasoned tofu: For cooking, salad, sandwich and eating טופו מתובל: לבישול, סלט, כריך ואכילה

Seasoned tofu: For cooking, salad, sandwich and eating טופו מתובל: לבישול, סלט, כריך ואכילה

link for ideas:https://veg.co.il/

Side Dishes tosefet תוספות Rice Orez אורז Legumes kitniyot קטנית Grains daganim דגנים and Pasta פסטה

See the English Hebrew Grain Chart below:
See the English Hebrew Bean/Legume Instruction Chart below:

You want to buy Rice Legumes Grains and Pasta in store with a large turnover.  How and Why to Check for Bugs:Tu B’Shevat-How and What to check for Bugs When buying grains in cellophane, look at one corner and check for webs, an indication of infestation. Some brands of Rice, Legumes and Grains are Vacuumed packed in heat sealed strong plastic bags.

Kitniyot at Pesach: Oy! This is a whole separate discussion. Suffice it to say if you don’t eat kitniyot on Pesach, you’re going to need to take a knowledgeable friend to the store with you when you shop for Pesach. And you’re going to need to learn the words, lo chashash kitniyot which means there is no suspicion of kitniyot and you can buy it and l’ochlei kitniyot, which means it’s kosher for Passover for those who eat kitniyot.

Stores in certain neighborhoods in Jerusalem, in Modi’in Illit and other cities that specifically cater to American and/or Ashkenazim will have more options than in most of Israel where the majority are kitniyot-eating Sefardim.
Lasagna: Comes in boxes about half the height of a 1-pound box. Dry lasagna is completely flat (no ruffled edges) and is both wider and thinner than lasagna in the US.

Rice Orez אורז

Rice Orez אורז

Basmati Brown Rice Orez Basmati male-אורז בסמטי מלא

Basmati Brown Rice Orez Basmati male-אורז בסמטי מלא

Thai Rice Orez Thailandi אורז תאילנדי

Thai Rice Orez Thailandi אורז תאילנדי

Round Brown Rice Orez male agol -אורז מלא עגול

Round Brown Rice Orez male agol -אורז מלא עגול

Quick Rice-Barboiled Orez chish -אורז חיש

Quick Rice-Barboiled Orez chish -אורז חיש

Round Rice Orez agol – אורז עגול

Round Rice Orez agol – אורז עגול

Sushi Rice-אורז להכנת סושי

Sushi Rice-אורז להכנת סושי

Classic Mixed Rice אורז מיקס קלאסי

Classic Mixed Rice אורז מיקס קלאסי

Split Peas afuna אפונה

Split Peas afuna אפונה

Black Beans sheuit shchora – שעועית שחורה

Black Beans sheuit shchora – שעועית שחורה

Navy Beans sheuit lebana adina – שעועית לבנה עדינה

Navy Beans sheuit lebana adina – שעועית לבנה עדינה

Large Chickpeas chumus anak – חומוס ענק

Large Chickpeas chumus anak – חומוס ענק

Small Broad Beans pil katan – פול קטן

Small Broad Beans pil katan – פול קטן

Red Lentils adashim adumait עדשים אדומות

Red Lentils adashim adumait עדשים אדומות

Kidney Beans sheuit lebana – שעועית לבנה

Kidney Beans sheuit lebana – שעועית לבנה

Green Lentils adashim yarok -עדשים ירוקות

Green Lentils adashim yarok -עדשים ירוקות

Mung Beans sheuit mash -שעועית מש

Mung Beans sheuit mash -שעועית מש

Hamim-Whole Chickpeas Canned hummus shalem – חומוס שלם

Hamim-Whole Chickpeas Canned hummus shalem – חומוס שלם

Fava Beans פול

Fava Beans paul פול

Hannibal Lector’s favorite dinner

“A census taker once tried to test me. I ate his liver with some fava beans and a nice chianti.”

Clarice may never silence the lambs in her head, but if she ever drops by to visit her old friend Hannibal, she’s sure to get a meal to die for…

The Silence of the Lambs

White beans in tomato sauce sheuit lebana berotev agvaniyot שעועית לבנה ברוטב עגבניות

White beans in tomato sauce sheuit lebana berotev agvaniyot שעועית לבנה ברוטב עגבניות

Yachin Chili Beans sheuit chili שעועית צ’ילי

Chili Beans sheuit chili שעועית צ’ילי

Buckwheat kusemet – כוסמת

Buckwheat kusemet – כוסמת

Wheat chita – חיטה

Wheat chita – חיטה

Brown Bulgur-chum burgul- בורגול חום

Brown Bulgur-chum burgul- בורגול חום

Quinoa_קינואה

Quinoa קינואה

Bulgur-Thick Wheat Groats burgul -בורגול

Bulgur-Thick Wheat Groats burgul -בורגול

Fine Wheat Groats grisha burgul dak- גרישה בורגול דק

Fine Wheat Groats grisha burgul dak- גרישה בורגול דק

Pearl Barley – גריסי פנינה

Pearl Barley – גריסי פנינה

Barley – גריסים

Barley – גריסים

Osem Perfecto Spaghetti פרפקטו ספגטי

Osem Perfecto Spaghetti פרפקטו ספגטי

Osem Spaghetti #8 Pasta פסטה ספגטי

Osem Spaghetti #8 Pasta פסטה ספגטי

Osem Thin Noodles itriot dakot אטריות אסם דקות

Osem Thin Noodles itriot dakot אטריות אסם דקות

Osem Thin Egg Noodles itriot beitzim – אטריות אסם ביצים דקות

Osem Thin Egg Noodles itriot beitzim – אטריות אסם ביצים דקות

Osem Baked Ptitim Rice ptitim afiyim orez -פתיתים אפויים אסם אורז

Osem Baked Ptitim Rice ptitim afiyim orez -פתיתים אפויים אסם אורז

Ptitim was created in 1953,^[2] during the austerity period in Israel.^[3] Israel’s first prime minister, David Ben-Gurion, asked Eugen Proper, one of the founders of the Osem food company, to devise a wheat-based substitute for rice.^[4] The company took up the challenge and developed ptitim, which is made of hard wheat flour and toasted in an oven.^[5] Consequently, ptitim is sometimes called “Ben-Gurion rice”.^[6]

Osem Baked Ptitim Couscous ptitim afiyim couscous פתיתים אפויים קוסקוס

Osem Baked Ptitim Couscous ptitim afiyim couscous פתיתים אפויים קוסקוס

Osem Pasta curls-Osem pasta tiltulim פסטה אסם תלתלים

Osem Pasta curls-Osem pasta tiltulim פסטה אסם תלתלים

Osem-Perfecto-Lasagne-500G

Osem Perfecto Lasagne

Thick Oatmeal shibolet shual שיבולת שועל עבה

Oats

Oats, Thin (Oatmeal) Shibolet shual dak שיבולת שועל דקה
Oats, Thick (Oatmeal) Shibolet shual ovi שיבולת שועל עבה
Oats, instant (Oatmeal) Quaker קוויקר

Plain oats are found next to the sugar free stuff, or granola bars, health food, but never with flours, cereals, or grains. Instant oats can be found in almost any supermarket, but the price is around twice that of in the Machane Yehuda shuk, where you can also buy coarse oats. This is called Qvaker (from Quaker Oats.) There is Qvaker Dak-instant oats and Qvaker Ave-the coarse oats. You can also find these at a health food store. The Bulk Bags are very good.

Osem Couscous medium couscous beinoni-קוסקוס אסם בינוני

Osem Couscous medium couscous beinoni-קוסקוס אסם בינוני

Osem Noodles נודלס אסם

Osem Noodles נודלס אסם

tnuva-tofu-טופו

tnuva-tofu-טופו

Master Chef Thin Noodles itria dakotמאסטר שף אטריות דקות

Master Chef Thin Noodles itria dakotמאסטר שף אטריות דקות

Pasta sauce rotev lepasta רוטב לפסטה

Pasta sauce rotev lepasta רוטב לפסטה

yachin יחין makes great lasagna and pizza sauce and they are very affordable. They come in tubs like the tomato paste.

Salsa Rosa

– a combination of sour cream and tomato sauce. Very common pasta sauce in restaurants.

Coffee and Teas קפה ותה

Coffee kafe קפה

Elite Instant Coffees, Regular, Mocha, DeCaf, and Vanilla Coffees

“No matter when and how you drink your coffee, coffee is always a break of sanity, a moment of sober contemplation of the world.”
Israel has always had a strong coffee culture, ELITE Instant Coffee “Nes Cafe” is the most popular coffee here but historically Turkish coffee is a perpetual mainstay.
But espresso-based drinks have gained lots of ground, too. One favorite is the “cafe hafuch,” or “upside-down coffee,” a latte-like drink made with steamed milk on the bottom, espresso, and sometimes foamed milk on top.

ELITE Turkish Coffee kafe turki קפה טורקי

ELITE Turkish Coffee kafe turki קפה טורקי

Traditional preparation:

1. Boil a quantity of water, equivalent to the number of servings required.
2. Add one heaped tea spoon of coffee for every cup. Add required sugar amount and stir.
3. Bring to a boil on a low flame. Take off when the coffee starts rising and serve. After opening recommended to keep coffee in freezer or in sealed container.

Wissotzky Tea-Magic Tea Chest-חזה תה ויסוצקי

Wissotzky Tea Magic Tea Chest, Assorted Tea Collection

World renowned since 1849, Wissotzky tea offers a tempting selection of 80 assorted teas. Each tea is made from a unique blend passed down from generation to generation. This unique set includes 8 delicious flavors, each individually packaged in it’s own colorful tea bag and held in a beautiful wooden-hinged box.

Wissotzky Tea – תה ויסוצקי

Green Tea

Green Tea Chest – ויסוצקי זה תה ירוק

Wissotzky Tea Mini Green Tea Chest
The green tea blends come directly from China. The leaves of the green tea are plucked while they are still young and they are dried for a short time after picking. In this way they preserve the natural minerals they contain, their special green color and their delicate flavor. Green tea is the type of tea most widely drunk in China and Japan. In recent years Green tea has gained ever increasing popularity also in the West, thanks to the range ofmedical and health properties attributed to it. Numerous scientific research works have

have alluded to a connection between the drinking of green tea and the prevention of a variety of diseases. Green tea is a natural source of antioxidants, which are known for their ability to neutralize free radicals which harm the body. In this way green tea helps to strengthen the immune system and the ability of the body to cope with diseases. They also help to improve the digestive system, to increase the rate of exchange of compounds in the body and improve the feeling of positive health and invigoration.

Wissotzky’s range of green teas cover a variety of tastes. Every tea bag is double to ensure the maximum infusion. Every tea bag is packed in a sealed individual envelope which preserves the tea’s freshness and aroma and the wholeness of the product.

Chocolate drink mix שוקולית

Chocolate drink mix שוקולית

Brita water pitcher קנקן מים בריטה

Brita water pitcher קנקן מים בריטה

Snacks חֲטִיפִים and Pastry maafe מאפה

Israeli snacks serve up something a little different than the passport-less chips and candy bars found everywhere else.
9 of the best Israeli snacks By Viva Sarah Press January 10, 2016 https://www.israel21c.org/9-of-the-best-israeli-snacks/

Bamba_classic_ במבה קלאסי

Bamba (Hebrew: במבה‎) is a peanut butter-flavored snack manufactured by the Osem corporation in Kiryat Gat, Israel.

Bamba is one of the leading snack foods produced and sold in Israel. It has been marketed since 1964^[1]

Peanut allergy As Bamba is made with peanuts, people allergic to peanuts may be severely affected by it. However early peanut consumption is associated with less prevalence of peanut allergy. In fact, a 2008 study concluded that, due to the extensive consumption of Bamba by infants in Israel, peanut allergy is rare. A control group of Jewish children in the UK had ten times higher rates of allergy; the difference is not accounted for by differences in atopy, social class, genetic background, or peanut allergenicity.^[8]

Osem Bissli ביסלי

Bissli (Hebrew: בִּיסְלִי‎, Bisli) is an Israeli wheat snack produced by Nestle-owned Osem. Bissli is Osem’s leading snack brand after Bamba.^[1]

Bissli is a crunchy snack that is made with fried pasta. The name is a combination of the Hebrew word Bis, meaning “bite”, and the Hebrew word li, meaning “for me”.^[2]

The most popular flavors are “Grill” and “Barbecue”.^[1] Other flavors include onion, smoky, pizza, falafel, Mexican, and hamburger.^[2] Each flavor is shaped differently: the pizza flavored snacks are shaped like squares, the onion flavor like small hoops, and the smoky flavor like small hollow tubes.

Described by the manufacturer as a uniquely Israeli product, Bissli is produced in five factories around Israel. It was first sold in 1970.^[2]

קרמבו Krembo

Krembo,

Krembo, Creambo (Hebrew: קרמבו‎, a contraction meaning literally “Cream-in-it”) is the name of a chocolate-coated marshmallow treat that is popular in Israel. “Krembo whipped snack” consists of a round biscuit base (17% of total weight), topped with fluffy marshmallow creme-like foam (53%), coated in a thin layer of cemacao (dairy-free, sweet baking chocolate, about 30% of total) and wrapped in colourful, thin aluminum foil.^[1]

It is ubiquitous in the winter and nowhere to be found in the summer. Comes in mocha and vanilla, in 8 and 40-packs.

Beigel Beigel pretzels – בייגלה בייגלה בייגלה

PRETZELS, Beigel & Beigel

The Israeli pretzel comes in sticks, figure eights, circles and triangle-square-circle mix packs, and flavors including salted, sesame seeds and salt, cream-cheese-onion, chili, cinnamon-honey and chocolate-covered. Beigel & Beigel and Osem are the main manufacturers. Beigel & Beigel, founded in 1949, holds more than 60 percent of the Israeli pretzel and cracker market share.

Milky מילקי

Milky מילקי

Milky is no ordinary chocolate pudding but rather the most successful dairy product on the Israeli market since its debut in 1979. The pudding with a secret whipped cream topping (only five people know the recipe) is the holy grail of dessert snack foods.

Hashachar Haole Chocolate Spread

Hashachar Haole Chocolate Spread ממרח שוקולד השחר העולה

OK; Bottom line is this is highly addictive and will ruin your diet. That said: Think of chocolate spread as Israel’s answer to Nutella, only without the hazelnuts. Like its much loved Italian counterpart, Israeli chocolate spread first hit the market in the mid-1940s and has been popular as a breakfast spread, snack, and dessert ever since. Unlike Nutella, the most commercial chocolate spread is pareve, so it can be enjoyed any time of day or night.The original and arguably most popular brand in Israel is called “Hashachar Ha`ole” literally – “Bright Morning” spread—so how can one not associate it with breakfast? Try it on challah or warm pita, or as a filling for crepes. Add some banana or strawberries if you want to up the nutrition factor.

Osem Sesame Cracker קרקר שומשום

Osem Sesame Cracker קרקר שומשום

Osem_whole-rice-Cakes פריכונים מאורז מלא

Osem whole rice Cakes פריכונים מאורז מלא

Organic Whole sesame halva-חלבה

Organic Whole sesame halva-חלבה

Tahini halvah (Hebrew: חלווה‎) is very popular in Israel and among Jewish people throughout the diaspora.^[34][35] Spelled “halvah” in English, it usually comes in slabs, nearly-cylindrical cakes, or small packages, and is available in a wide variety of flavours, chocolate and vanilla being very common. The halvah is almost always parve. Israeli halvah will usually not contain wheat flour or semolina, but will contain sesame tahini, glucose, sugar, vanilla and saponaria officinalis root extracts (soapwort), which are not usually found in other recipes. It is often served as a breakfast component at Israeli hotels, though it is not usually part of an Israeli breakfast, and it is even used in specialty ice-cream.^[36]

Popcorn_ פופקורן

Popcorn פופקורן

Pickles chamutsim חֲמוּצִים

Pickles chamutsim חֲמוּצִים

come in brine or in vinegar. Brine is most familiar to Americans.

Pitted Olives ziyat זיתים מגולענים

Pitted Olives ziyat זיתים מגולענים

Pastry maafe מאפה

Sufganiyot in Israel are not the same as American style donuts.

Sufganiyot_at_Mahane_Yehuda_shuk

Sufganiyah (Hebrew: סופגנייה or סופגניה‎ [ˌsufɡaniˈja]; plural: sufganiyot, Hebrew: סופגניות‎ [ˌsufɡaniˈjot]) is a round jelly doughnut eaten in Israel and around the world on the Jewish festival of Hanukkah. The doughnut is deep-fried in oil, filled with jam or custard, and then topped with powdered sugar. The first reference to fried pastry eaten on Chanukah is by Rambam’s father Rabbi Maimon ben Yosef (born c 1110). Torahtidbits  Issue 1353 28December2019 P.76

Herby Dan, Mr. Donut and Brooklyn Bake Shop have American style donuts.

Brooklyn Bake Shop has awesome black & white cookies (and a black & white cake) as well.

Don’t forget the other bakery items such as Bagels, Borekas, Cookies, Danishes, Knishes, Muffins, Pizza Sandwiches, Rugalach and other Sandwiches at your local Bakery maafiya מַאֲפִיָה.

Osem Apple Crumb Cake – עוגת הבית תפוחי עץ עם פירורים

Osem Apple Crumb Cake – עוגת הבית תפוחי עץ עם פירורים

Petit Beurre Classic -פתיבר קלאסי

Osem Petit Beurre Classic -פתיבר קלאסי

Sugar sukar סוכר

• Sugar (white and brown) is a bit coarser than Americans are used to.
• White sugar comes in paper or 1 Kg clear plastic tubs. A kilo in a paper bag is much cheaper so I buy in paper and refill the plastic tubs.
• I reuse the tubs to store bread crumbs, rice and other grains.
• Brown sugar comes in the same 1 Kg clear plastic tubs.
• Both dark and light brown sugar are available.
• Dark and light brown sugar can sometimes be found in large plastic bags.
• Light brown sugar is called demerara sugar.
• Confectioner’s (icing) sugar (אבקת סוכר) comes in small packets. One packet is 3/4 c.

White Sugar 1 Kg. Bag sukar lavan -סוכר לבן

White Sugar 1 Kg. Bag sukar lavan -סוכר לבן

Golden Brown Sugar sukar golden classic – סוכר גולדן קלאסי

Golden Brown Sugar sukar golden classic – סוכר גולדן קלאסי

Lemon syrup

Try Prigat brand lemon syrup to make lemonade and sweetened iced tea.

Dark Brown Sugar sukar chum classic סוכר חום קלאסי

Dark Brown Sugar sukar chum classic סוכר חום קלאסי

Demarara Sugar sukar demarara classic סוכר דמררה קלאסי

Demarara Sugar sukar demarara classic סוכר דמררה קלאסי

Date Spread Vacuum pitted dates mimrach tamar התפשטות תמרים – תמרים מגולענים בוואקום

Date Spread Vacuum pitted dates mimrach tamar התפשטות תמרים – תמרים מגולענים בוואקום

Honey dvash – דבש טהור

Honey dvash – דבש טהור

Seelan Date Syrup-סירופ תמרים

Date Syrup tamar sirop-סירופ תמרים

Date syrup that makes a great substitute for honey or molasses.

Israeli Organic Medjool Dates תאריכי מדג’ול אורגניים ישראלים

Israeli Organic Medjool Dates tamarim תאריכי מדג’ול אורגניים ישראלים

Baby Food and Baby Diapers מזון לתינוקות וחיתולים לתינוקות

Baby-Food_materna-Banana-Apple-Mash מטרנה

Baby Food materna-Banana Apple Mash מטרנה

baby diapers חיתולי תינוק

Baby diapers chitul tinok חיתולי תינוק

Personal Care items

Many Personal Care items are the same brands as you would find in the US, the UK, Canada and Europe

keef-shampoo-dry שַׁמפּוֹ

Shampoo – שַׁמפּוֹ

Body Wash tachliv rachatsa תחליב רחצה

Body Wash tachliv rachatsa תחליב רחצה

Palmolive Soap סבון בר

Palmolive Soap סבון בר

Dr. Brunner – natural solid soap-wild rose ד”ר ברונר סבון אמיתי

Dr. Brunner – natural solid soap-wild rose ד”ר ברונר סבון אמיתי

Hand Soap sabon yadayim סבון ידיים

Hand Soap sabon yadayim סבון ידיים

LCD Screen Cleaning 200ml Kit

LCD Screen Cleaning 200ml Kit

Used to disinfect your laptop and cell phone.

Paper Goods, Cleaning Supplies and MISCELLANEOUS TIPS

Sano Soft Toilet Paper סנו-סופט-נייר-טואלט

Sano Soft Toilet Paper סנו-סופט-נייר-טואלט

Sano Sushi Designed Napkins סנו סושי מפיות מעוצבות

Sano Sushi Designed Napkins סנו סושי מפיות מעוצבות

Sano Sushi Magic Pads – סנו סושי כריות הפלא

Sano Sushi Magic Pads – סנו סושי כריות הפלא

Sano Sushi XXL Reusable Bags – סנו סושי שקיות רב שימושיות XXL

Sano Sushi XXL Reusable Bags – סנו סושי שקיות רב שימושיות XXL

Vinegar chomets חומץ

Vinegar chomets חומץ

White vinegar here is synthetic. Natural vinegar here is light brown but tastes exactly like natural white vinegar from the states.
Vinegar is great for all cleaning and clearing cloged sinks.
Cleaning the kumkum: If you use yourשבת קומקום חשמלי kumkum (electric kettle) for a long time you will get calcium deposits inside. Put a Centemeter of Vinegar in your שבת קומקום חשמלי Shabbat Water Urn in the bottom and wait overnight. Use a Sponge or Steel Wool to get the sides. In the morning, rinse it out and it will be all clean with no scrubbing.

Sano Sushi Aluminum Foil- סנו סושי רדיד אלומינניום

Sano Sushi Aluminum Foil- סנו סושי רדיד אלומינניום

Sano Sushi Plastic Wrap – סנו סושי ניילון נצמד

Sano Sushi Plastic Wrap – סנו סושי ניילון נצמד

Sano Sushi Magic Towel – סנו סושי מגבת הפלא

Sano Sushi Magic Towel – סנו סושי מגבת הפלא

Snow Sushi Aluminum baking molds תבניות אלומיניום עם ידיות

Snow Sushi Aluminum baking molds תבניות אלומיניום עם ידיות

Sano Soft Kleenex Facial Tissues in a Pack סנו סופט מגבוני אף צבעוניים מארז

Sano Soft Kleenex Facial Tissues in a Pack סנו סופט מגבוני אף צבעוניים מארז

Sano Sushi Floor Mops – סנו סושי מטליות-זיגזג-לרצפה

Sano Sushi Floor Mops – סנו סושי מטליות-זיגזג-לרצפה

Sano Oxygen סנו אוקסיג’ן removes stains, spraying on stains before washing מיועד להתזה מקומית על כתמים לפני הכביסה

Sano Oxygen

For efficient and easy pre-wash treatment

• Designed for spraying on stains before washing
• Effectively removes stains of sauces, fruits, wine, coffee, tea, fat and more
• Suitable for use on cufflinks and collars that tend to get dirty
• Does not contain bleach

Size: 750 ml

sano Maxima Washing Powder Sensitive מקסימה אבקת כביסה סנסיטיב

Maxima Washing Powder Sensitive

Dermatologically tested, suitable for babies and those with sensitive skin

• Cleans the dirt and removes a variety of stains
• Dermatologically tested, suitable for babies and those with sensitive skin
• Preserves the fibers and the colors of clothing
• Suitable for use at all temperatures
• Suitable for all types of washing machines
• Developed especially for the Israeli hard water

Size: 6 kg, 2.5 kg, 1.25 kg

Sano Javel Cleaning Foam ehkonamika סנו ז’אוול-אקונומיקה

Sano Javel Cleaning Foam ehkonamika סנו ז’אוול-אקונומיקה

Fat solvent for general cleaning with the addition of bleach

• Excellent for cleaning surfaces, sinks, work surfaces and kitchen and bathroom granites
• Destroys bacteria, mold and fungus
• Contains bleach with fat solvent active ingredients
• Do not use while wearing your good clothes. Bleach will ruin everything!
• wear rubber gloves!
• With a child-proof opening splash

Fragrances: limon, levander
Size: 1 liter

Sano Snow Jewel Bleach ehkonamika סנו ז’אוול אקונומיקה

Sano Snow Jewel Bleach ehkonamika סנו ז’אוול אקונומיקה

Contains fat solvent for thorough cleaning!

• Cleans, whitens, disinfects and dissolves fats
• An ideal product that ensures a perfect solution for all types of dirt, in all rooms of the house
• Israel’s leading bleach
• Suitable for a wide variety of uses
• Do not use while wearing your good clothes. Bleach will ruin everything!
• wear rubber gloves!

Fragrances: limon, levander
Size: 2 liter, 1 liter, 4 liter

garbage bags with a drawstring sakit ashpa שקיות אשפה

Garbage bags with a drawstring sakit ashpa שקיות אשפה

Sano Anti Calk Dishwashers and Washing Machines סנו אנטי קאלק לתחזוקת מדיחים ומכונות כביסה

Sano Anti Calk Dishwashers and Washing Machines סנו אנטי קאלק לתחזוקת מדיחים ומכונות כביסה

Removes scale from the internal parts of the machine

• Improves the efficiency of the wash and dish washing processes
• Enables energy saving by cleaning the heating elements
• Recommended for periodic preventive treatment every 2-3 months

Sano Forte Plus Oven Cleaner סנו פורטה פלוס

Sano Forte Plus Oven Cleaner סנו פורטה פלוס

The champion in cleaning burnt fat

• High concentration foam for the removal of grease and burnt dirt
• Excellent for cleaning ovens, baking dishes, pots, stoves, steam receptors and more
• No heating required
• Rubber gloves must be used while cleaning using the product
• With a child-proof  opening splash

MISCELLANEOUS TIPS

Learn metrics

#1 Avoid unit conversions

As much as possible, don’t try to do conversions back and forth between metric and non-metric.
Just forget about the old units. If I weigh myself and find that I am 65 kilograms, then now I have an idea of what 65 kg means. I don’t need to know what that is in pounds – in fact, thinking about the pounds equivalent will just make things more confusing.

 

Next, I can weigh some additional items to get more familiarity with what the numbers mean. I can weigh my daughter, or a heavy backpack, or look at the product label that shows the weight of the contents. Now I have some reference points to build a mental framework for what a kilogram means. It doesn’t mean a certain number of pounds; it means weight that I feel with my hands.

Make friends with your grocer. He can teach you tips about how things are used in Israel with which you are unfamiliar — and you can get a Hebrew lesson in the bargain.

Cooking from scratch: You will likely do much more cooking from scratch since many prepared/convenience foods are not available in Israel. It’s often healthier, and definitely cheaper.

American products: Some stores in neighborhoods that cater to American immigrants carry a lot of imports that are not otherwise generally available.

Cartis Moadon: This is a store loyalty card. It’s usually the first thing a cashier will ask you in any grocery store. “Cartis moadon?”
Grocery stores:

• All grocery stores offer delivery service in Israel, (mishloach)   משלוח

  but stores in charedi areas in cities will often automatically offer delivery, without you needing to ask.

• Supersol (Shufersol) is a very good store brand and their products are worth trying.
• It’s a different culture. In Israel, people will leave a half-empty cart on line, holding their place, while they finish their shopping. This annoys some people.
• You have to visit a fair number of stores to understand the lay of the land in terms of what is available. Many interesting items can be found in health food stores such as Eden Teva Market in Ramot.
• Prices are not the same in every branch of a store chain.

Packaging: Many more things are packaged in cellophane than in cardboard (e.g. bread crumbs, pasta, etc.)

Quantities:

• Packages are generally much smaller in Israel. Perhaps that’s due to the fact that people have less room to store things and there are no warehouse clubs here.
• The one consistent exception is toilet paper which seems to come only in large quantities.
• Certain common spices come in very large containers.
• If you are buying something that sells in packages of 1 liter or 2 – check the price. People assume that per liter, the 1 liter will be more expensive. Amazingly enough – a lot of times, it is cheaper to buy two or three ONE liter bottles than to buy the two or three liter bottle.

Receipts: Look at your receipts after finishing grocery shopping. Sometimes you are entitled to free gifts that you can claim from the kupa rashit (service desk).

Sales:

• Sale price signs on grocery store shelves generally list the last four numbers of the UPC code for the products that are actually included in the sale price. CHECK THE CODE. Do not assume the merchandise above/below the sign is actually connected to the sale.
• Look at the sign. See if it says mogbal l’ – restricted to x number of items- that means, you can buy only that number for the sale price; after that, it will be priced at full price.
• When something is on sale “2 for…” or “3 for…” etc., you only get the discount if you buy that number of units.
• 1+2: This means, buy two, get one free, NOT, buy one, get two free as I once thought when buying pasta. Remember, Hebrew reads right to left 🙂

Stores in Israel periodically run brand sales where everything from a particular brand is on sale – typically 20-25% off.

Translations: A GREAT tool in the grocery store is a smart phone and a translator app so you can translate words on packaging.

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Using a Foreign Credit Card:

Trusted Secure Payments Paypal Visa MC Amex Discover

Remember that you are paying in New Israel Shekels and your Bank/Credit Card Company will convert it to your Banks Curency such as US Dollars, British Pounds, golden Galleons and so on.

9 Credit Card Tips to Take With You Overseas

You usually don’t have to carry wads of cash when traveling in other countries, especially the top destinations.

Chanelle Bessette 08January2018 https://www.nerdwallet.com/article/credit-cards/credit-card-tips-international-travel

1. Bring a widely accepted credit card
Visa and Mastercard are widely accepted worldwide. If an establishment takes credit cards, it’s a good bet that your Visa or Mastercard will work. American Express has an international presence, too, but it is accepted by fewer merchants. If your primary card is an AmEx, bring a Visa or Mastercard as a backup.

Discover is the least internationally accepted card network, so you may want to think twice about bringing one overseas. There are exceptions, though. In China, for example, the state-controlled network Union Pay dominates card acceptance, and a reciprocal agreement allows cardholders to use Discover wherever Union Pay is accepted. Keep that in mind if you’re traveling to Shanghai (No. 40) or Beijing (No. 42). And in Japan — Tokyo is No. 2 on the list — Discover has a similar agreement with major card network JCB.
2. Bring more than one card
If your card is declined, you’ll be glad you have a backup. Consider bringing cards that offer extra rewards for travel spending categories, such as restaurants, hotels and transportation costs. Make sure those bonus rewards apply outside the U.S.

3. Have some cash
Just as in the U.S., some places overseas don’t take credit cards. Or your cards might get compromised and become unusable. In such cases, having some local currency can be a lifesaver. Whether you carry some euros in Paris (No. 4), soles in Lima (No. 20) or rupees in Mumbai (No. 13), cash can keep your trip moving forward. Keep your cash, as well as a photocopy of your passport, separate from your cards in case your wallet is stolen.

4. Tell your issuer you’re going
If your credit card account suddenly shows purchases thousands of miles from your home, your card issuer might decline them as suspicious. To avoid confusion, let your issuer know your travel itinerary in advance so it doesn’t freeze your account.

5. Avoid foreign transaction fees
Most credit cards charge a fee on every purchase you make outside the U.S.; 3% is a typical rate. That’s an extra $30 on a $1,000 trip. Bring a credit card with no foreign transaction fees, and save yourself the expense.

6. Understand chip-and-PIN
Most U.S. credit cards now have EMV chips, but you still verify the transaction with a signature. Chip-and-PIN cards, in which you enter a code to verify your identity, are more common outside the U.S. You can still use chip-and-signature cards many places, but self-serve kiosks in Europe and elsewhere commonly require chip-and-PIN. See if your issuer offers chip-and-PIN, or at least keep this fact in mind when planning.

7. Say no to dynamic currency conversion
Dynamic currency conversion allows you to have a transaction conducted in U.S. dollars rather than the local currency, so you have a better idea what it’s costing you. This may seem convenient, but it’s expensive. The exchange rates for dynamic currency conversion are typically much worse than what your card issuer will use when it converts the purchase for your statement. So when offered the chance to “see your total in dollars,” take a pass.

8. Research your card’s travel protections
Some credit cards — especially those designed for travel — offer protections for delayed flights, lost luggage, trip cancellation, accident insurance and more. Book with the right card and enjoy peace of mind.

9. Arange to get your Credit Card /Bank Statements online and make Online banking/Credit Card payments before you leave Chutz Laaretz (US, UK. France and so on.)
Sign up for Online Banking. You may have to go to your Bank Branch to sign forms. Do not give them your Israeli Address. They may close your account. Give them a Friend’s address. remember that you will get everything online and not through them mail.

ישראכרט Isracard

Tashlumim Explained

3August 2017 https://www.kosherfrugal.com/2017/08/tashlumim-explained.html?fbclid=IwAR2bw-4eFEEIdSX18Z-5H2w4OyexQo9fo3fN4QbNUDwGiPag5XI72MgLd44
What you need to know before you pay for something in “tashlumim” (installments)[what you will see on your bank statement|Payment tashlum תשלום] on your credit card:

Welcome to Israel! It’s great that you’re here. I know life here can be confusing at times, so I’m going to try to help you decode everyday life a bit. Have you noticed how when you shop, you are often asked, “tashlumim?” as you hand over your credit card? Many new olim wonder what on earth this is. So here’s a quick rundown of what you need to know:

Tashlumim – Installments – break whatever your total for this particular purchase is into equal monthly installments. You will be asked “how many tashlumim?” and you’ll have to choose how many, if you are going this route. So if your bill is 2000nis, and you choose 10 tashlumim, you’ll be paying 200nis for each of the next 10 months (as an example). Tashlumim are only available when you use a credit card that was issued in Israel, even if they ask you when you use a foreign card. They just aren’t inspecting your card to see where it’s from!

Tashlumim are usually interest free. But not always. They can be “Credit” payments that come with a fee and interest (and it will be credit card interest, which is usually quite a high percentage)! Beware of paying water or electric or other bills in tashlumim – they are often “Credit”, as is the default at Ikea. Also, at self checkout in Shufersal, you may be given a “Credit” option! This is not regular tashlumim – it incurs fees and interest! Regular tashlumim do not incur a fee, since the BOI stepped in a few years ago and made them free. (That doesn’t mean there are no consequences, though, so please read on…)

Tashlumim do not allow you to make a purchase larger than your credit line. Your credit line is set by your bank – and you are not allowed to charge more than that amount on your credit card. Splitting a purchase into tashlumim does not mean that you can use next month’s credit line too: Your credit line is finite.

Let’s say your credit line is set at 10,000nis. You will be allowed to charge up to 10,000nis and NOT MORE on your credit card in a billing cycle. Then, when the money goes out of your checking account on a preset date (usually the 10th or 15th of the month), your credit line is cleared for more purchases. HOWEVER – if you split a purchase into Tashlumim, your credit line will be tied up.

Here’s how it works – you make a purchase for 5000nis, and choose to pay it in 5 tashlumim. Each installment is 1000nis. But 5000nis of your credit line gets locked away until the purchase is paid off in 5 months! So you won’t be able to make another large purchase, if it means you’ll exceed the 5000nis in credit line that you have left.

Sometimes paying in tashlumim make sense. Other times, it really doesn’t. I recommend never paying in tashlumim for every day purchases – rather, budget appropriately and make sure you’re not spending more than you can afford on the every day things. Once in a while, a large purchase comes up, and paying for it using a no-hassle, interest free payment plan (what tashlumim are, in reality) can make life easier. It certainly beats taking out a 5000nis loan to cover an expense. Don’t do it all the time, though. You’ll find you’ve overspent really quickly.

Tashlumim are not unique to Israel, by the way. They just get presented differently in other places (think of how many times you heard something would cost $X per month if you make 12 equal monthly payments – I’m guessing you’ve heard that – THAT, my friends, is “tashlumim” in a nutshell)! They are a way of making items FEEL more affordable, so be CAREFUL! I don’t like it when you look at prices for items, say furniture, and the price is the monthly payment they assume you would make, if you are paying in 12 tashlumim! I feel like people don’t bother to do the math and check how much they are ACTUALLY paying, because the monthly payment feels comfortable enough.

Don’t fall for it – do the math! Make sure you know how much you’re paying before you purchase. And ONLY use tashlumim if you are sure you can pay it off in a reasonable time frame and if this purchase warrants it.

Tip: Try to never have more than one purchase at a time on Tashlumim, and budget for it and make sure that there is enough money to cover the large expense over the next X number of months, in additon to your ongoing, regular expenses. And then WAIT before making another large purchase, until you’ve paid off the first one in full, and even longer, so you can build up some savings.

Israeli fruit

English Hebrew Fruits and Produce Chart

Hebrew Vocabulary: Fruits and Vegetables https://www.lexisrex.com/Hebrew-Vocabulary/Fruits-and-Vegetables

English

Hebrew

Pronounce

Fish in Shuk

Fish דג (dag)

A great chart by fellow oleh Marc Gottlieb on the different kinds of fish available in Israel.

English Hebrew Fish Chart

English Name

שם מקובל

Hebrew Pronunciation

Preparing and Cooking a #1 Rib Eye Roast
The Steak

Preparing and Cooking A #2 Chuck Roast

Cooking a Daube

Preparing and Cooking a #3 Brisket

Preparing and Cooking A #4 Shoulder Roast

Preparing and Cooking a #5 Minute Steak Roast

Preparing and Cooking Flatiron Steaks

Preparing and Cooking #5 Minute Steaks

Preparing and Cooking a #6 Petit Tender

Fabricating and Cooking #6 Boneless Ribs

Petit Fillet Steaks with Lime

Preparing and Cooking a #7 Chuck Cover

Preparing and Cooking a #8 Shank

Preparing and Cooking A #9 Asado (Boneless)
London Broil

Preparing and Cooking Calves’ Fry

English Hebrew Poultry Chart

Chicken Poultry Meat Cuts chart תרשים חתכי עוף

Chicken is the most consumed protein in Israel by far. Of course, that doesn’t mean that there isn’t enough confusion in the simplest of meats that a little help wouldn’t hurt.

Item/term

Singular Hebrew

Plural Hebrew

Transliterated singular, plural

English Name

Hebrew Name

Hebrew Transliterated

Metric Conversion Chart: Baking Pan Sizes

Metric Conversion Chart for Volume Measurements and Weights

Metric Conversion Chart: Volume Measurements

Metric Conversion Chart: Weights – Ounces to Grams

Volume Measurements (Dry)

Volume Measurements (Fluid)

Weights (Mass)