Welcome to the first TAU international Volunteers-managed blog! This blog has been created to give complementary information to the graduated students of TAU and to create a community where we can share thoughts and information. This blog is not affiliated to any of the TAU services or bureaucratic apparatus and it is meant to be an informal tool where people can be updated, alongside the Whatsapp group and the informal word-of-mouth. Each student or post-doc is more than welcome to approach and participate in the creation of this blog, acting as a volunteer (with a little basic commitment) but also as an user, where they can collect any sort of information. All of the content posted on this blog is under the responsibility of the person who wrote it and posted it. UPDATE 06.11.23 Guidelines for the WhatsApp group 1.Respect & Kindness: Treat all members with respect and kindness. Be mindful of your tone and language. 2. Stay On Topic: Keep discussions releva...
Dear all,
in these hours we are all experiencing a stressful and uneasy situation, as the prime minister of Israel has declared war on Hamas (and Gaza strip) on 07.10.23. Unfortunately, this conflict might last several days (or more) and many of us decided to leave the country to be safe.
The situation keeps changing in any moment, therefore the ones among us who stay here need to be extremely careful. This, on the other hand, doesn't mean that we are segregated in our little rooms or apartments.
The university is open to the researchers and provides a series of emotional support services, and it has strong shelter in the basement of every building. Therefore, you can still try to get to the uni and give yourself a sense of routine. You might also find your peers.
If not, you should not feel guilty for staying at home, it is more than understandable and my personal suggestion is not to be alone, but maybe team up with one or two friends and consider staying together for the day (and also for the night).
Feel free to reach Valentina or Bhavana for any inquiry or doubt, we will gladly help you.
Check the situation
Use only reliable sources, the most accurate of which is the Front Home Command website of IDF: https://www.oref.org.il/12402-en/Pakar.aspx . You can also download the app, the link is in this webpage.
UPDATE1: make sure to have a series of things with you, since this unpredictable situation can change (in worse) at any time. This website contains the list of necessary items "Just in case", you would want to have them. The Front Home command just announced on the TV and the media they strongly recommend to be provided with these things https://www.oref.org.il/12490-15903-en/pakar.aspx
Additionally, also a TAU Int. representative reiterated the recommendation above.
Updated news on the situation WhatsApp group
Join ISRAEL REALTIME UPDATES in English:
WHATSAPP link -> https://chat.whatsapp.com/BY7sbpFD6eV4h7D6PymuMm
Telegram link -> https://t.me/Israel_Realtime_Updates
The whatsapp groups get filled pretty quickly. However, telegram links can handle many so if you cant join whatsapp group try telegram.
Check yourself in with the University
Either you are a Master, PhD or postdoc, you are kindly invited to notify your presence to the university, and whether you are in Israel or abroad.
https://forms.monday.com/forms/704830a9ce9eaab2c427a8bd6451526f?r=use1
If you are in Broshim, you can join this Group initiated by TAU madrichim to stay connected with the other residents and get info directly from the TAU int. office.
https://chat.whatsapp.com/Ha2rSvwaQKfFTP9beEeFnr
Here we report the contacts of the Madrichim
- madrichimosp@mail.tau.ac.il or calling +972 52-534-6188 (active 24/7)
and the one of Zoe, the International office liaison
- tauresearch@tauex.tau.ac.il
UPDATE18.10
Meeting with TAU president
Check the summary of the meeting at this link
Visa situation
UPDATE1 from TAU int. office: please note that all visas which are expiring in the next month were given an automatic extension until 9.11.23. This does not include multiple entry visas. After this period -if there is no further notice- visa extension must be carried out as per the usual procedures. If you need any information or assistance re visa issues, please contact intl@tauex.tau.ac.il
UPDATE18.10 A letter from Tamar (Visa management)
Dear students and researchers, I hope this email finds you all safe and well, wherever you may be at the moment.
Many of you have been reaching out to us with questions regarding your student visas, so we wanted to send out the information we know at this time.
First, as you might know, the Ministry of Interior is not handling visa related issues at the moment and most branches are closed now, as they are currently focused on emergency issues related to the security situation in Israel (assisting citizens who were affected by the war, hurt, evacuated from their homes etc.). However, they have automatically extended foreign visas that were supposed to expire this month, until November 9, 2023.
In addition, we were just recently notified that some Israeli consulates around the world aren’t providing consular services either at the moment, including issuing visas. For both of these reasons, we ask for your patience in regards to extending or issuing new visas. We will assist all students who need help once we are able to when the Ministry resumes work as usual.
If you have already filled out our online Visa Request Form, no need to fill it out again. As soon as we are able to, we will continue to process your visa requests.
If you haven’t filled out our form, and you need to extend your visa, you are welcome to fill it out, and of course it will be processed when the Ministry resumes work. Again, we ask for your patience, as there are already many students who have filled out the form and are waiting for assistance.
We understand that not being able to handle visa extensions can be stressful while being in a foreign country, and we will do our best to assist once the authorities will resume working on these issues.
Best, Tamar
Open shops and bars around the University
We have been reported that services such as Wolt are limited and not always available. Most of the bars are closed due to the Orange-zone restrictions (see link above from the Front Home Command).
Nevertheless, small shops and grocery are open, probably with some curfew hours.
For example, the Victory under Broshim is open till 9pm. In the area of Ramat Aviv mall, there are various shops open, but just a few: Shufersal and the grocery behind Einstein dorms are working, as well as Otello (ice cream) and Roladin, the Superpharm inside the Ramat Aviv mall (which is closed for any other business inside), Office Depot, a couple of copy print service and a small shop of toys, the florist, the sushi house, the falafel restaurant, a mini market at the corner of Brazil street. Leumi bank is closed for the services but available for the ATM.
If you have some more info, please share for the biggest streets and centers, so that people who don't live around will get helped!
UPDATE1: water and toilet paper are running out given the anxiety mood of the people.
UPDATE12.10 : Broshim gym will operate again from Sunday to Thursday between 10:00 and 14:00
Public transportation
Given the situation, in general the bus companies partially curbed their service. You can rely on the apps "Moovit," "efoBus," "Bus Nearby" and Google maps. In case you need further details: during the hours that the service is in operation, you can contact the call center at +972-3967-6000. During non-operating hours, you can call the participating Municipality hotline: 106 (+972-3-5238888). From TLV municipality website.
UPDATE12.10 The shabbat bus service will be halted for a while, to give room to some "shabbat lines" from Haifa to Be'er Sheva and back. Here the news in Hebrew (Google translator will do well)
UPDATE13.10 Trains will run between Ben Gurion airport and Tel Aviv as well as Beer Sheba starting at 6 p.m. Friday and running through the night. On Saturday, trains will run from Beer Sheba to Nahariya at a frequency of once an hour from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. This is to allow people moving to safety and security personnel to get around as needed (or anyone as needed). Source: Israel Realtime Upd #11 Eng Whatsapp Group listed above.
Medical services (UPDATE1 from TAU int. office):
For those of you in Israel and need medical services please note a lot of the services are now available online (doctors’ appointments etc.). However, we see some of the information is available only in Hebrew. If you are in need, or have any question please do not hesitate to contact the student life team- 052-5346188
UPDATE16.10 As I had an appointment with a doctor this week, I got an SMS that notified me the appointment is postponed to the next month, given the situation (from Clalit central line). This means that, unless your therapy is strictly urgent, your doctor appointments will likely be shifted for a few weeks, without the need to book it again (as long as you are ok with the date they suggest).
TAU useful contacts for emotional support:
1) a silent group with notifications https://chat.whatsapp.com/EDYG7twVUDxHIPS4KGhZzD
2) the link to the hotline operated by the psychological service (available to anyone between 14:00-22:00) https://tau-ac-il.zoom.us/j/83039265901 . For further info: https://international.tau.ac.il/safety_and_wellbeing
3) the telephone line for those who prefer to talk without screen sharing. 050-2047037 (available to anyone between 14:00-22:00)
4) Get in touch with the Madrichim from the TAU international office (madrichimosp@mail.tau.ac.il), phone or WhatsApp +972-52-5346188. From this week (15 to 19 October) they offer their presence on campus from 9.30 to 12.30
5) Keep in touch with your PI and the secretary of your department/faculty for further instructions and to let them know you are doing well. For example, Life Science Faculty invites its (international) students to join WhatsApp group dedicated to them https://chat.whatsapp.com/LfcObJuIP4g3CHKXXiF4Sp . Additionally, they provided the contacts of Noa, the faculty advisor, (yeutzlifesci.tauex.tau.ac.il) and the director of the faculty (deanls@tauex.tau.ac.il). Check on your email for similar advice if you do not belong to Life Science.
6) 99% of the time, any bombing is preceded by the sirens. If you hear some powerful echoes, they could be very far away missiles or, curiously, the break of the sound barrier, as this video explains. So, don't add up unnecessary stress to the current situation, you don't really need to do this to yourself 💗
7) UPDATE16.10 TAU Psychological Services Hotline: TAU established a hotline run by the campus psychological services, available in Hebrew and English. If you would like to access these services, please download, and complete this form and email it to clinic@tauex.tau.ac.il prior to the initial intake. Alternatively, you can leave a short WhatsApp message with your name and number at this WhatsApp number +972-50-2787037, a psychotherapist will contact you as soon as possible.
Additional emotional support (outside TAU):
Fake news and real situation
1) Pay attention on what you share online and who are you talking to! In these days there are cyber attacks and hunt of information by Hamas militants in disguise! They are using phones owned by Israelis to connect and gain sensitive information.
2) Various and confused information has been continuously reported: people could fall for fake news, accounts or posts. Double check and always ask for the source of the info!! Make sure you know who is the person you are talking to on the phone, if you don't know them
3)When posting or forwarding, make sure you know the source of the information, and report it as well
4) UPDATE12.10 Some "fake news" can even come from the IDF: for example...
a. 12.10.23- there was a false alarm of rocket incursion in the north https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog_entry/idf-says-rocket-sirens-in-north-were-another-false-alarm/
b. 11.10.23 - there was a false alarm of the same type earlier https://www.timesofisrael.com/warning-of-a-mass-drone-invasion-in-northern-israel-turns-out-to-be-false-alarm/
Entrance to the university
The university for now (09/10/2023) allows researchers in but discourages big gatherings. For this reason, the start of the semester has been postponed for a week.
People who want to enter the uni can use either the carousels (provided that they have the authorization uploaded on their card) and the gates 1, 7 and 14 (for everyone).
Get closer to the University by temporary accommodation in Broshim
UPDATE16.10 TAU international office sent out this information: Researchers and Students of Tel Aviv University who are in need of temporary safe accommodation, you may contact our Housing coordinator and we will try our best to
assist you in finding a solution in Einstein or Broshim dorms for the current duration.
Email- housing@tauex.tau.ac.il
Shelters in Broshim
A0201 A0301 A0701
B0301 B0601 B0701 B0801 B0901
C0114 C0212 D0212 D0312 D0414
F0120 F0219 F0319 F0517 F0617 F0818 F0917
G0417 G0517 G0713 G0917 G1118
H0010 H0319 H0417 H0617 H0717 H0818 H1218 H1318
i011 i321 i420 i521 i620 i718 i814
J005 J121 J220 j420 j519 J620 J814
K121 K220 k321 k420
Some shelters have been reported to be closed or defective. For example F917 not working properly (Window cannot be closed).
Here we have an ongoing update of the open shelters in Broshim after some active students made sure most of them are available. Anyway, check every time: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1t7ysYUGmOsAxWzEaU06n33CHiaSuspk2gWtE47bj2yc/edit?usp=sharing
Some more information for everyone
A PPT with the basic information we have so far (updated 08.10.23): LINK HERE
TAU guidelines and indication of the shelters on campus: LINK HERE
VISA issue: the visas expired in these days are automatically extended for a while. https://www.gov.il/en/departments/news/news81023_1 Nevertheless, we strongly encourage you to apply for a visa renewal by filling the TAU form.
UPDATE 16.10 Golan Telecom and Cellphone company have given extra benefit on the Internet consumption for this month.
Namely, Golan Telecom offers unlimited month of internet surfing to all customers (till November 14th); Cellcom had internet speeds increased to 1gb for 1 month at no charge.
Here, I report a screenshot taken from the FB page of Golan and the Instagram page of Cellcom. Check carefully the details
Check in from the embassies and updates on flights (UPDATE12.10)
ITALY - from FB PAGE OF ITALIAN EMBASSY
In corso massiccio attacco di Hamas in Israele con operazioni di risposta nella Striscia di Gaza. Per emergenze l'Ambasciata d'Italia a Tel Aviv è raggiungibile ai numeri d’emergenza 00972 (0) 54 8803940 e 00972 35301901 mentre il Consolato Generale a Gerusalemme è raggiungibile ai numeri d’emergenza 00972 (0) 505 327166 e 00972(0) 547 688399.
L'Unità di Crisi è sempre raggiungibile allo 0039 0636225.
Tutti connazionali nel Paese sono invitati a scaricare e attivare la App Unità di Crisi, attivando la geolocalizzazione e registrando la propria presenza. In alternativa usare il sito DovesiamoNelMondo.
Flights status and rescue flights info: https://www.esteri.it/en/sala_stampa/archivionotizie/approfondimenti/2023/10/impegno-della-farnesina-per-il-rientro-dei-connazionali-da-tel-aviv/
INDIA
All Indian nationals in Israel are requested to register with the Embassy through the following link:
Additionally, a couple of days ago (when today is 14.10.23) the Indian Embassy started a program to send rescue flights. To know more about it, speak with Bhavana.
UK
UPDATE12.10 UK government to arrange flights to get British nationals out of Israel https://www.gov.uk/government/news/uk-government-to-arrange-flights-to-get-british-nationals-out-of-israel
US
UPDATE16.10 An airlift operation initiated by Florida Governor Ron DeSantis evacuated 300 American citizens trapped inside Israel and is set to arrive in Florida on Sunday night. “If you are stranded and in need of safe transportation back to the United States, we may be able to assist you,” Florida posted. “Please complete our form at http://FloridaDisaster.org/Israel and share it with anyone who may need assistance"
UPDATE12.10 U.S. Government to Assist U.S. Citizens in Departing Israel https://www.state.gov/u-s-government-to-assist-u-s-citizens-in-departing-israel/
Info we have for now from other country (10.10.23)
UPDATE16.10 An alternative for the ones who don't have a rescue flights
There is a nice initiative from The Shai Fund to rescue people in real need of evacuation. As of Saturday evening (14.10), I inquired about this form below to be true and trustworthy, as there are many personal details to be filled.
This below is the answer of one of the representatives. To further inquiries, call this number 0508571986 (the name is Charmaine).
Shalom Valentina
We are trying to help people in Israel that need to leave given the circumstances.
At this time we are assisting the most vulnerable and those evacuated from the southern and northern communities. As we raise the funds to assist people we hope to put on more flights.
Currently we have flights to:
TLV - Nashville, TN, USA: Wednesday Oct 18, departing at 00:45 from Ben Gurion. You will need to arrive at the airport by 8pm on Tuesday 17th of October (private charter).
TLV to Athens: Monday Oct 16, Departing at 8:55am. You will need to arrive at the airport on Monday morning by 5am to check in for this flight on Israir.
Airport situation
On the left: people at the check in room in Ben Gurion airport in the afternoon of 10.10.2023
Check the status of your flights from the table here AND your company, as things can change and are extremely unpredictable -->
On the left: central contact of the Ben Gurion Airport
Keep updated with the news:
We heard there are rescue flights from different nations. National citizens have the precedence, but there might be room for other nationalities. Please let us know if there are any updates about this!
UPDATE16.10
In the Ben Gurion Airport website, a pop up notifies that the operations and the flights are working as scheduled
UPDATE: traveling with pets
Here you can find information about traveling with pets from ElAl company
Info you want to add or pinpoint
Contact Valentina or Bhavana to update the list of info we have here
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