GUIDE FOR THE NEW AND FOR VISITING FACULTY GUIDE FOR THE NEW AND VISITING FACULTY Twelfth Edition The Hebrew University of Jerusalem Guide For The New And Visiting Faculty CONTENTS | 2 CONTENTS FOREWORD 3 The Pscyho-Educational Service 65 Health Services in Schools 65 CHAPTER ONE English for English Speakers 65 THE HEBREW UNIVERSITY OF JERUSALEM 4 Extracurricular Activities 66 The Adviser’s Office 4 Sports 66 Introduction to the Hebrew University of Jerusalem 5 Music and Art 66 The Edmond J. Safra (Givat Ram) Campus 6 Other Activities 67 The Ein Kerem Campus 7 Community Centers 67 The Rehovot Campus 7 Youth Movements 67 Libraries 8 Field Schools 68 Other University Units 12 Summer, Hanukkah and Passover Camps 68 The Rothberg International School 15 CHAPTER SIX International Degree Programs 18 UNIVERSITY, ADULT, AND CONTINUING EDUCATION 70 Non-Degree Graduate Programs 19 Academic Year 21 The Hebrew University of Jerusalem 70 Adult Education 71 CHAPTER TWO Hebrew Language Studies 72 FACILITIES ON CAMPUS 22 CHAPTER SEVEN Getting There 22 GETTING TO KNOW JERUSALEM: LIFESTYLE AND CULTURE 73 Security: Entry to Campus 24 Administration 26 General Information 73 Traditional and Religious Activities 30 Leisure Time 74 Academon 32 Touring Jerusalem 74 Performing Arts 76 CHAPTER THREE Cafés, Bars and Discotheques 76 PLANNING TO COME 40 Cinema 76 Visa Information 40 Media 77 Salaries and Taxes 42 Museums 78 Income Tax 42 Libraries 81 Value Added Tax (VAT/“ma’am”) 43 CHAPTER EIGHT National Insurance (Bituah Leumi) 43 OUT AND ABOUT IN JERUSALEM 82 Customs Regulations 44 Car Matters 46 Jerusalem Weather 82 Health Services 51 Clothing 82 Emergency Services 53 Shopping and Services 83 Sports 86 CHAPTER FOUR Transportation 89 HOUSING 54 Intra-City Travel 89 Finding Housing 54 Inter-city Travel 91 Renting a Furnished Apartment 55 Domestic Air Travel 92 Peculiarities of the Israeli Apartment 57 International Travel 92 Purchasing a Home 58 Currency and Banking 93 Insurance of Personal Effects 58 Postal Authority 94 Express Mail Services 95 CHAPTER FIVE Telephones: Landlines and Mobile Phones 95 EDUCATION AND YOUTH ACTIVITIES 59 Primary and Secondary Education 59 CHAPTER NINE SOCIAL AND RELIGIOUS PRACTICES 97 Newborns – Pre-Kindergarten 60 APPENDIX I USEFUL PHONE NUMBERS 100 Kindergarten (Gan Hova) 61 Elementary School (Beit-Sefer Yesodi) 61 APPENDIX II IMMIGRANT ORGANIZATIONS 101 Registration for Elementary and Junior High School 62 APPENDIX III CLOTHING 102 Secondary (High) School 63 Registration for High School 64 APPENDIX lV GLOSSARY OF USEFUL WORDS 103 Fees 64 APPENDIX V FOOD GUIDE 105 Hebrew Language Studies 64 Helping Youth Adjust 64 APPPENDIX VI WEIGHTS AND MEASUREMENTS 110 Private Schools 65 APPENDIX VII GOVERNMENT WEBSITES 111 The Hebrew University of Jerusalem Guide For The New And Visiting Faculty CONTENTS | 3 FOREWORD Dear visitors and newcomers, The Guide for the Newcomer has become over the years an indispensable source of information for new and visiting faculty. It has served and guided numerous visitors and new faculty, coming virtually from every corner of the world. For many this is an introduction to the city of Jerusalem and the Hebrew University. It is intended both as a preparatory book prior to your arrival as well as a reference to make your adjustment here smoother and, consequently, your stay more pleasant. Jerusalem – like Israel at large – is a rich, dynamic, immensely complex part of the world, both in the sublime as well as in the temporal sense. What defines the city as such differs from one individual to another. Thus, for example, while to observant Jews the stillness and peace of the Sabbath in Jerusalem may be total bliss and a welcome change in their weekday lives, to a young post-doctoral fellow from another part of the world, the absence of public transportation over the week-end might seem nothing but a nuisance. Despite the many changes that the University has undergone, it has remained steadfast in its commitment to keeping its gates wide open to international professional exchange and academic collaboration. Around 300 visiting professors, scholars and post-doctoral fellows make their unique contribution each year and we hope that the number will continue to increase. We wish you an enjoyable and productive stay in Jerusalem and at the Hebrew University. Bruchim Ha'baim l'Yerushalayim: Welcome to Jerusalem! Limor Levy Adviser to visiting faculty This guide aims to be comprehensive source of information for newcomers. As such, there may be outdated information here and there. We will welcome any information corrections that will keep the guide up to date. Please send to [email protected] The Hebrew University of Jerusalem Guide For The New And Visiting Faculty CONTENTS | 4 CHAPTER ONE THE HEBREW UNIVERSITY OF JERUSALEM This chapter lists the various Faculties, Departments, Libraries, and other units on the campuses of The Hebrew University of Jerusalem. The International Office The International Office is located on the Mount Scopus Campus in the Sherman Administration Building, First Floor, Room 417. The Office helps visitors prior to their arrival by providing information regarding visas, housing, school for children, the terms of the appointment, etc. Once in Israel, the Office will keep you posted about the social and cultural activities it organizes or which it co- sponsors. Circulars and invitations will be sent to you periodically via your department. For urgent matters, please contact the Office via fax, telephone or e-mail (contact information below). Also, please send the Office your phone number and/or e-mail address so that we can facilitate communication with you. Maria Feldman is responsible for the absorption of immigrants (faculty). You can contact her by phone or e-mail: [email protected]. Irit Bohbot is responsible for the absorption of new faculty +972-2-588-2915. You can contact her by phone: +972-2-588-1036, or e-mail: [email protected]. Our mailing address is: Limor Levy Adviser to Visiting Faculty International Office The Hebrew University of Jerusalem Mount Scopus 91905 Jerusalem ISRAEL Tel: (from abroad) +972-2-588-2924 (within the University, dial 82924) Fax: +972-2-588-3021 E-mail: [email protected] The Hebrew University of Jerusalem Guide For The New And Visiting Faculty CONTENTS | 5 Introduction to the Hebrew University of Jerusalem The foundation stone of the University was laid on Mount Scopus in 1918 and the institution was opened on April 1, 1925, initially serving as a research center. A teaching program was started in 1928, and for the next 20 years the University enjoyed steady growth. However, in 1948, access to Mount Scopus was cut off by fighting in the War of Independence, although the campus remained in Israeli hands. As a consequence, the University developed other centers of scholarship and research, at Edmond J. Safra (Givat Ram) and Ein Kerem in Jerusalem, and in Rehovot (where the School of Agriculture had opened in 1942). With the reunification of Jerusalem in June, 1967, rehabilitation of the campus began. Faculties and institutes that had previously operated on the campus returned; a major building and development program was launched to meet the University’s needs, which by then had expanded considerably. The opening of the academic year in the Fall of 1981 marked the official return of the Hebrew University to its original home. Since its founding, the University has granted over 100,000 degrees. The Hebrew University of Jerusalem is a teaching and research institution with a threefold aim: to help Israel build its national culture, and hasten its social and economic development by training the country’s scientific and professional human resources; to serve the Jewish people as a center for Jewish scholarship and Hebrew culture; and to further the cause of human progress throughout the world. The University is managed by six central authorities, both administrative and academic: 1. The Board of Governors, the supreme authority that supervises the management of the University and its assets, in line with the University’s constitution. 2. The Executive Committee, responsible for implementing the policies determined by the Board of Governors. 3. The Board of Managers of the Executive Committee. This body deals with the day-to-day running of the University, as determined by the President of the University, who is the Chair of the Board of Managers. 4. The Senate, the supreme academic authority, responsible for managing University academic affairs. 5. The Standing Committee of the Senate, which deals with issues to be brought before the Senate, as well as current academic affairs. 6. The Faculty Boards. These bodies handle all matters pertaining to Faculty teaching and research, in accordance with Senate directives. The academic head of the University is the Rector, who is elected every four years by the Senate. The Senate has representation of full Professors, Deans of the Faculties, Associate Professors, Senior Lecturers, Lecturers and Junior Staff. The University’s budget consists primarily of Government of Israel funding, as well as tuition fees and funding by Friends of the Hebrew University organizations located throughout the world. The University’s Authority for Research and Development coordinates research activities funded from external sources. Today, the Hebrew University’s seven Faculties and 15 Schools are spread over four campuses. Three are in Jerusalem: Mount Scopus, the Edmond J. Safra (Givat Ram), and Ein Kerem; one is in Rehovot. There are currently close to 900 faculty members and approximately 24,000 students (one-third of whom are studying towards advanced degrees) in any given year. The general phone number for the Hebrew University is: +972-2-675-8111. The operator can transfer you to any office on any of the campuses. The number for the Veterinary Hospital is: +972-3-968-8588.