Information Letter #4

Information Letter #4

בס"ד

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. Three of the most used companies which service the overseas market are Talk'nSave, IsraelPhones and Talk4less. 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 it is your responsibility to ensure thatthe 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 – the Midrasha will renew visas as a group. 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. Please note the following important points:

  • 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).
  • Finally, please remember that your passport should be valid until at least March 2018.

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 result, even students who receive a student visa before they come will have to repeat the procedure 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 18are still minors and can not renew their visas without parental permission. If you will be turning 18 after October 1st 2016both your parents will need to attest to their willingness to have you receive a student visa. If your birthday falls after October 1st you should contact the nearest Israeli consulate for exact instructions as to how your parents can provide this declaration.

Please click on this link to find the form which you will need to present at the embassy or consulate near you. The officials there will have to approve and sign the form in order for your parental permission to be authorized.

Please note, you should be asking to sign a parental consent form to have a visa issued in Israel.Even if the consul offers the option, do not have them issue a visa for you.

Any student who requires this declaration will not be allowed to register prior to providing documentation that the declaration has been made. Please send a copy of the declaration to Leiba at . Thank you for your cooperation with this important bureaucratic requirement.

NOTE: If you have an Israeli passport you need not go through this process. However we ask that you send us a copy of the main page of your Israeli passport for our records.

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 in 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 (not a deferment!) 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 youmust adhere to our dress code as previously outlined to you.

For your convenience, we have copied those guidelines below:

  • 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 but a program requirement, 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 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 17th, 2017. If you intend on staying in Israel past that date, you are responsible for your own insurance.

Please remember, as well, that pre-existing conditions generally are not covered under the plan. If you have any questions in this regard feel free to contact our Mashgicha Rashit, Tanya Cohen at .

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.

  • Your personal information is NEVERmade 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 on our website.

FLIGHT PLANS

It is important that we know your flight plansSo that we can best plan for your arrival at the Midrasha. 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
  • 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 10:30aM on Tuesday, September 6th.

CHANGE TO ANNUAL SCHEDULE

Please note:There has been a change in our Annual Schedule so that Shabbat, December 3rd is now home hospitality with Israeli students and the Shabbat of December 24th is a free Shabbat. The schedule can be viewed on our website page for incoming students – click here to download.

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, OldCity, Jerusalem 97500 ISRAEL Tel: 02-626-5999 Fax: 02-628-4690

רח' חב"ד 50 העיר העתיקה ירושלים 97500 טל: 02-626-5970 פקס: 02-628-4690

e-mail: website:

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