Free Parking for Ashkelon Seniors
Yes, there is free parking for Ashkelon seniors! You must apply for a virtual tag in order to use it. In order to get the tag, you must be of retirement age. For men, it is 67 and for women, the age changes depending on when you were born. Visit https://retiringinisrael.com/retirement-age-in-israel/ for details. Follow these steps to apply via email: Download and fill out the form found here: https://www.ashkelon.muni.il/Documents/דוברות%202018/טופס%20בקשה%20למתן%20תו%20חניה%20לאזרח%20ותיק.pdf In an email, send the [...]
Shopping in Ashkelon
You moved to Ashkelon and someone on the Anglo Community WhatsApp group tells you to pick it up at Silver or you can find it at Giron. Consider this page as your "primer" on where to find the major stores and shopping areas. This is an ongoing project of listing popular shopping places in Ashkelon. If you find yourself at a location that does not already have a Waze link, please take a minute [...]
Tikkun Leil Shavuot in Ashkelon 2023
Tikkun Leil Shavuot - a Multifaceted Night of Learning in Ashkelon This year's annual Tikkun Leil Shavuot features multiple shiurim in three different venues. We are highlighting the English-language shiurim that will be given this year on Shavuot. What is Tikkun Leil Shavuot? The practice of staying up all Shavuot night to study Torah – known as Tikkun Leil Shavuot ("Rectification for Shavuot Night") – is based on a Midrash [...]
How to Help your Pets Through a Rocket Attack
Pets are important members of your family. Here are some suggestions we hope you will find helpful to get through sirens and rockets: Common sense and sensitivity: Seek shelter if you are outside. Do not walk your dog or remain in an open space like the beach. Even if sirens have not sounded in your neighborhood, dogs can develop phobic responses to the sound of a nearby explosion (fireworks or rockets alike), so [...]
Jewish Values Shiur
Rabbi Dr. Nachum Amsel will be teaching a class in Jewish Values at the Central Synagogue of Afridar. The class is held on Wednesdays at 7:30 PM. Each week we cover a new topic, independent of the others. The class is meant for men and women and is taught in English. Light refreshments are served. Rabbi Dr. Nachum Amsel currently works with Rabbi Berel Wein and the Destiny Foundation as the Director of [...]
Parasha Banners
Every week we send out a newsletter with information on davening times and upcoming events at the Central Synagogue of Afridar. The banner is changed every week to reflect events in the parasha or an upcoming holiday. Some are missing, but when we get to them this year, we hope to create new banners for those parshiot. Thanks to Debbie B. for noticing! Parasha Banner Bereishit Noach Lech-Lecha Vayeira Chayei Sarah [...]
New in Ashkelon: the not-so-new sport that is taking America by storm
In 1965, a few families on Washington's Bainbridge Island created a game to keep their kids from being bored. The game used table tennis paddles, a wiffle ball and a badminton net. A while later, a name was found for the game and "pickleball" was born. According to Joan Pritchard, wife of one if the inventors: "The name of the game became pickleball after I said it reminded me of the pickle boat [...]
What dangers lie ahead for Diaspora Jews?
Date: Tuesday, November 22, 2022 Time: 7:00 PM Place: Central Synagogue of Afridar 2 Yekhezkel Zonabend Street, Ashkelon The חוג התרבות is delighted to invite you to a free program featuring Emanuel Rund. What dangers lie ahead for Diaspora Jews? Is it time for Jews to leave the Diaspora? Judaism has an institutionalized, collective memory that has guided us through both good times and bad times. We mourn our historical losses and celebrate our [...]
Evenings to Meet the Parties
With the Israeli election just three weeks away, many people are still unsure who to vote for. So here is your chance to ask questions, in English, from representatives of the major parties. The plan is to organize a series of "chug bayit" evenings in Ashkelon where we can meet the different parties. We have heard from some parties that they will only send candidates if there are enough people attending. Please take [...]
A Guide to Yom Kippur for Visitors to Israel
Yom Kippur, also known in English as the Day of Atonement is the holiest day of the year in Judaism. It occurs annually on the 10th Day of Tishrei, the seventh month of the Hebrew calendar. In 2022, Yom Kippur starts on the evening of Tuesday, October 4. Primarily centered on atonement and repentance, the day's observances consist of full fasting and ascetic behavior accompanied by intensive prayer as well as sin confessions [...]
Approaching Tisha B’Av
Before making Aliyah, I could not have understood the vast differences between life in the “old country” and our new home in Israel. I knew that living in Israel meant we’d have the “feeling we're not in Kansas anymore”, but after 16 years, I keep on seeing more and more differences that I did not see when we first arrived. While living abroad, I did not fully appreciate the incredibly strong bond that [...]
Beach Flags in Ashkelon
A common question from Ashkelon residents is "What color is the flag at the beach right now?" The system of flags is meant to guide people as to the conditions in the water. At all times, follow the instructions of the life guards and wear sun screen! Thanks to Akiva for the summary of conditions. Flag Condition Generally calm seas, safe for swimming. Rough seas, could be under-tow or rip tides. Exercise caution [...]