Preliminary Information for Visiting Scientists and Postdoctoral Fellows

The Jacob Blaustein Institutes for Desert Research is a semi-autonomous part of BGU with a scientific staff of about 65 research scientists and 100 technical, administrative and maintenance staff. The institute is situated on the Sede Boqer campus, 50 km south of Beer Sheva. Which serves as home to several institutions, among them another university research institute, The Ben-Gurion Research Center, a residential high school, and a desert field school. The Institute has a small library on-campus which is connected with other libraries in Israel through the inter-library loan system.

The Jacob Blaustein Center for Scientific Cooperation (BCSC) is part of the Jacob Blaustein Institutes. It is the coordinating body for all aspects of international cooperation in which the Institute and members of its faculty are involved. The BCSC has an active role in fundraising, developing collaborative agreements with other academic and research institutions throughout the world and providing financial support for various activities of the institute.

Medical Coverage
You and your family members are required to be covered by health insurance throughout your entire stay at the BIDR. Even a single day-gap in the continuity of your insurance, might jeopardize your entire coverage. It is therefore imperative that you renew your health insurance before it expires. You can bring your own health insurance or buy it locally from the "Harel" insurance company (minimal, subsidized price) via the Hospitality Office upon your arrival at the BIDR.

"Harel" insurance
The present cost of the insurance policy is $1.00 per person per day. It covers medical treatment by the nurses and the doctor at the local clinic. The insurance becomes valid the minute the application form (sent by fax by the Hospitality Officer), reaches the insurance company. Within about ten days, you will receive a membership card that will entitle you to the benefits stated in the policy at all the listed health care facilities in the country. Whenever seeking medical treatment, please present your membership card or the receipt from the Hospitality Officer indicating that you have paid your insurance.

Other insurances
People arriving with health insurance from their countries will have to coordinate treatment and payment with the local clinic. They will be charged for the treatment and can be reimbursed later by their insurance company in accordance with the terms of their coverage.

Mashav students are automatically insured by the "Harel" company.

Israeli students will receive treatment at the local clinic according to the specific agreement between their HMO and Kopat-Cholim Klalit.

The Clinic
Medical treatment is provided by the local clinic (physician and nurses) according to the clinic's regulations (reception hours; emergency calls procedure). Medication is not included.
For appointments please call: 6532837

General clinic hours (nurse)
Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday - 8:00 - 12:00
Monday ,Wednesday and Friday - 8:00 - 12:00

Physician hours:
Monday and Wednesday - 17:00-19:00.

Visas
There are several categories of entrance/residence visas to Israel. The ones noted here relate to the BIDR.

• New Immigrant Visa (Oleh Hadash) - Granted to persons who wish to settle permanently in Israel, according to Israel's Law of Return.

• A-1 (Temporary Resident) - Granted for three years, after which time the holder must obtain permanent status. This visa is a potential immigrant visa, intended for persons planning to settle in Israel, and may be obtained through the offices of the Jewish Agency.

• A-2 (Student or Post-Doctoral Student) - granted for one academic year, and can be extended for an additional academic year according to the student's academic status. The visa is granted at the request of the Institution. (The forms needed for visa can be obtained from the Hospitality Officer of the Institute.)

• A-4 Accompanying family members of A-2 and B-1 visa holders, given only to children, husband or wife and does not permit to be employed in Israel.

• B-1 (Authorization for temporary employment) - Granted to persons possessing a signed contract with an Israeli employer. In our University, this visa is requested for visitors who have been officially invited by the Rector of the University, the Dean of one of the Faculties, or the head of one of the research institutes.

• B-2 (Tourist) - Granted to participants in short-term programs, such as conferences, Ulpan, academic meetings, etc. Valid up to three months, and can be extended every three months up to a maximum stay of 27 consecutive months.

If you are from a country that has diplomatic relations with Israel, you should come on a B-2 (Tourist) visa, which you can obtain at the port of entry. This visa may later need to be changed or renewed. The Hospitality officer at the Institutes will advise you about this.

Citizens of countries without diplomatic relations with Israel must apply in advance for a visa at the Israeli Consulate nearest to their home country.

Visa Extensions
Arrangements for extension of a visa should be requested at least a month before the visa is due to expire. In order to extend your visa, please present the following items to the Hospitality Officer:

• A valid passport
• A written attestation from your academic host describing your occupation and exact period of your stay.
• A recent photograph (passport size).
• A health insurance policy valid till the end of the requested extension period.
• The current fee for an entry visa is: 75 Israeli Shekels (NIS) or 145 NIS for the extension of a visa (one entry). For multiple entry, add another 145 NIS. Please note that these fees charged by the office of the Ministry of Interior may change without warning.

Important Remarks
A fine is levied by law if you fail to extend your visa before it expires. Check the visa in your passport to make sure the date of expiration does not put you in an illegal situation.

If you wish to leave the country for a short trip abroad, you should inform the Ministry of the Interior (via the Hospitality Officer) about your intention, so that your passport (and those of your family, if they are accompanying you) can be stamped with a re-entry permit - otherwise the original visa(s) may expire and you will not be allowed to enter the country again.

Arriving in Israel
Be ready to show your invitation letter from the Jacob Blaustein Center for Scientific Cooperation when going through airport security and customs. It may also be helpful to carry other forms of identification (driver's license, student card, etc.).

If arranged beforehand, the host unit may send a representative to the airport to fetch visiting scientists. Otherwise, it is best to take a taxi or bus (number 475) to the Central Bus Station (in Hebrew: Takhana Merkazit) in Tel-Aviv. From there take bus number 370 to Beer Sheva* (the journey takes a little under two hours). Alternatively, bus number 222 from the airport takes you to the Tel-Aviv train station (Arlozorov station). From there number 380 goes directly to Beersheva. In Beer Sheva you buy a second ticket. Ask for Midreshet Sede Boqer (Sede Boqer Campus), and take bus number 060 (platform 4). The journey takes about 50 minutes.

There are two bus stops for Sede Boqer, separated by a few kilometers. The first (if you are coming from Beer Sheva) is Kibbutz Sede Boqer. The one you want is the second: Midreshet Sede Boqer.

The last number 060 bus leaves Beer Sheva for Sede Boqer at approximately 22:00 hours on Sundays through Thursdays, at 16:00 hours on Fridays, and at 23:00 hours on Saturdays. Once a day there is a bus (number 391) that goes directly from the Central Bus Station in Tel-Aviv to Sede Boqer. It leaves Tel-Aviv at 14:45 on Sundays through Thursdays, and at 13:30 on Fridays.

These times are subject to change - so check again! Note that the Israeli weekend is Friday and Saturday. Some places (e.g., schools, but not universities) work Fridays, but only till about 1:00 pm.

Buses to Beer Sheva or Mitzpe Ramon, operate from early morning to late at night. The bus station is at the gate of the Midrasha. However, there is no public transportation from Friday afternoon to Saturday sunset and on most holidays. If you have an international student card you will receive a 10% reduction on the price of tickets.

If you arrive on Saturday, a holiday or late in the day, and public transportation is not available, it is best to arrange for overnight accommodations in the Tel-Aviv area, and try to contact your host by phone to his home (this is acceptable in Israel), if after office hours.

Things to bring with you
Sede Boqer is a small and isolated campus. Clothing is extremely informal. Entertainment is limited, and the library is rather limited as to the range of languages in which it provides books. You may well find it useful to bring with you a supply of reading matter.

Prices of electrical goods and the like tend to be high in Israel. Almost anything you send by mail to Sede Boqer will be subject to customs duty, so it is best to bring your possessions as accompanying luggage. The electric current in Israel is 220V, 50Hz.

Cars
Cars are extremely expensive in Israel. Insurance, which is compulsory, is also expensive. If you want to have the use of a car, you have three alternatives.

(1) IMPORTING A CAR. The car is only for the owner's use, will be registered in the passport at port of entry, cannot be sold in Israel, and has to be exported after six (6) months. No customs duties have to be paid for this initial period.

An extension to keep the car for the whole period of a visitor's stay may be applied for after the first six months, if the car complies with Israeli standards, has an engine of no more than 1600 cc and is not older than 4 years at the time of application for extension. At time of extension, customs duties and VAT charges have to be paid. If the car is exported within one year, 100% of these taxes will be returned in Shekels at time of exporting the car. If it is exported during the second year, 90% will be returned; within 27 months - 60%; within 30 months - 40% and within 33 months - 20%.

In special cases Customs Authorities may consider reviewing favorably visitor's request to pay the remaining taxes and sell the car after two years from the date of import, if the year of manufacture is less than 5 years prior to application, and if the car conforms to all regulations.

(2) BUYING A NEW CAR FROM A DEALER. Purchase price of the car, customs duties and VAT charges are to be paid (but no purchase tax). The car will be registered in the owner's passport. Cars sold in Israel comply with regulations and conditions as noted above. They can be sold in Israel after two years of ownership, against full payment of purchase tax and VAT charges.

The purchase must be made within three months of the date of entry to Israel. The purchaser must have a valid visa and a driving license valid in home country and in Israel.

Rules are subject to change, therefore visitors who consider bringing or buying a car should verify current regulations with the nearest Israeli Consulate.

Banks
There are no banking services at Sede Boqer campus. Visitors that come for longer periods are requested to open a bank account at one of the commercial banks in Beer Sheva.

If you receive a cheque from the University it is best to either deposit it in your local account or to cash it in Bank Hapoalim. The bank has a branch at the main campus in Beer Sheva. The phone number is: 6461584 (or 8584 from the BIDR)

Banking hours:
Univ. Branch in Beer Sheva
Sunday to Thursday (morning)- 08:30 to 13:00
Monday and Thursday (afternoon) - 16:00 to 18:30
Friday - 08:15 to 12:30

Housing
For day-to-day maintenance such as: ordering new gas cylinders, plumbing or electrical problems, etc. in the housing units, please contact the Hospitality officer (Shosh Zeroni or Maya Itzhaky Tel: Office 6596711/842 e-mail: shoshz@bgu.ac.il) or leave a message in the Hospitality's mailbox on the first floor of the Admin. Building. Working hours of the office: 7:00 till 15:00 Sunday to Thursday. Only in cases of an urgent problem concerning the housing facility that arises between 15:00-16:00, you can contact the Housekeeper (Alexey, 0546775529). Guests living at the guesthouse should call the person on call that is noted on the bulletin board there.

Payments
Payments to the Hospitality Administration should be done by checks. These include rent payments health insurance payments and the electricity bills. The rent rates are updated once or twice a year according to the Israeli combined-cost of living.

The minimum period of residency at the student's dorms is 2 months. Visitors that come for shorter periods than that will be accommodated at the Institute's guesthouse.

The rent and the electricity bills will be paid monthly by checks. These can be put in the Hospitality's mailbox or handed to the officer till the 15th of each month. At the beginning of your rent, you are also required to deposit a security payment (one month's rent). The deposit money will be returned to you at the end of your stay, if the housing unit has been left intact, clean and in good order. The deposit is also for insuring that people do not leave in the middle of their stay without a month's notice. Please prepare money for the deposit in advance according to a rough estimate of: 160$ for a single flat, 200$ for a couple and 270$ for a family (paid in 2 installments).

Laundry
You are welcome to use the Laundromats located at the new dorms and the caravan site. Students can buy tokens for the machines at the Students' Union. Visitors will be able to buy them from the Hospitality Officer during working hours, for the machine at the guesthouse.

International Telephone Calls
There are a few public telephones on campus, at the commercial center near the supermarket. They are operated by a magnetic card that can be purchased at the local post office branch or at the supermarket.

Supermarket
Food supplies can be purchased at the local supermarket, which is located at the commercial center. The nearby cafeteria serves hot and cold meals.

Supermarket operating hours:
Sunday to Thursday: - 08:00 to 19:00 Friday: - 08:00 to 14:00 Saturday and Holidays - Closed

NOTE: In Beer Sheva, many shops (not shopping centers) are closed everyday between 13:00 to 16:00.

Transportation
The bus stop is located next to the gate of the Midrasha. Buses to Beer Sheva or Mitzpe Ramon (no. 60) operate from early morning to late at night. However, there is no public transportation from Friday afternoon to Saturday sunset and on most holidays. For detailed information of the bus schedule see EGGED's web site or get an updated schedule at the central bus station in Beer Sheva. If you have an international student card you can receive a 10% reduction on the price of the tickets.

Post Office
The post office is situated in the commercial center. Outgoing private mail (after being stamped) should be deposited in the mailbox outside the post office. Reception hours for buying stamps or paying bills change frequently and therefore you are advised to check at the post office branch. Your mail will be delivered to the mailbox of the department, you are staying at. The mailboxes are located in the Administration Building of the BIDR. In order to assure that your mail reaches you safely, we kindly ask you to see to it that your name and the name of the department to which you belong is noted on the mail sent to you.

Recreational Opportunities
There are quite a few recreational opportunities available around the Sede Boqer campus. These include:

1. Hiking - The local area is very scenic. It is quite easy to hike to the springs located at various points in the Wadi Zin area. Remember to protect yourself sufficiently from the sun (sunscreen and hat) and carry with you an ample amount of water. Never hike alone to places you don't know, or leave for a hike without telling a friend about your route and schedule. Beware- our beautiful desert can be extremely demanding and dangerous even for the most experienced hiker!

   In addition, there are hikes organized by the local Field School. Notices of these trips are usually posted on the general notice board in the Administration Building of the BIDR or on the notice board / web site of the Students' Union.

2. Sports - There is a sports gymnasium located at the Sede Boqer campus as well as tennis and basketball courts. Ultimate Frisbee and Soccer games are also played. For more details turn to the Students' Union.

3. Swimming - An open-air swimming pool is available at the Sede Boqer campus. It is open for the summer season only. The timetable for swimming is posted on the notice boards at the beginning of the season. Resident students and visitors staying here for the swimming season can purchase a membership card to the pool via the Students Union. Single-entry tickets, can be purchased at the Field school office.

Weather Conditions
The Sede Boqer campus is at an altitude of 430 m above sea level. In summer (May-Sep.) it is hot and dry during the day, reaching on the average about 33oC, with occasional highs of 40oC (hat and sun glasses are required), and cool at night (about 15oC). The winter is rather cold, about 15oC during the day and 5oC at night. Rainfall is low, the annual average being approximately 90 mm, entirely in winter (Nov.-Feb.). It is suggested that you bring warm clothing for the winter months (coat, sweaters, socks, etc.) as most items in Israel are expensive. There is also an average of 210 nights on which heavy dew occurs.

Miscellaneous Information

1. You may care to bring tennis racket (and balls), bathing suit, radio, cassette players, supply of tapes, transformers, etc. The power source in Israel is 220 volts, 50 cycles.
2. If you wish to travel in Arab countries it is advisable not to have your passport stamped when you enter Israel, but to request the visa on a separate piece of paper.
3. Pay day is usually around the fifth of the month if you are receiving a stipend through the Center.
4. It is helpful to arrange for an international driver's license before your arrival at Sede Boqer.
5. Bicycles are an invaluable mode of transport, if you have one and can bring it easily, it would be an advantage. Mountain bikes with wide tires are the most suitable type.
6. The local area is very scenic, you may care to bring binoculars, camera and supply of film.
7. Estimated cost of food is about $ 300 per month per person.
8. Hebrew is the official language in Israel, but one can easily manage in English.
9. It is advisable to bring a few passport photographs for various purposes (our files, to extend visa, etc.).

Holidays
On Saturdays and holidays there is no public transportation and all shops are closed; some restaurants are open. The Jewish Sabbath, festivals and fast days commence on the preceding evening and terminate at the evening of the Saturday or last day of the festival. Caps and communal taxis (called "sherut') run in and between main towns, during holidays, but there is no service to Sede Boqer.

Please note that during Passover (see list below) bread and wheat products are not available.

All Jewish holidays begin at sundown and finish at sundown. During the holidays The Jacob Blaustein Institute and some or all public services are closed.

Most of Israel, including the universities, work a five day week, which in Israel means from Sunday through Thursday. Shops, entertainments and many service offices are open Friday until commencement of the Sabbath (after sundown).
Ask your supervisor for any further information regarding holidays.

Holidays in the year 2011 (the days on which the BIDR will be closed)
March 20, 2011 - Purim
April 19-25, 2011 - Pesach (Jewish festival of Passover)
May 10, 2011 - Independence Day
June 7-8, 2011 - Shavuot (Pentecost)
August 9, 2011 - Tisha Be Av
September 29-30, 2011 - Rosh Hashana (Israeli New Year)
October 8, 2011 - Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement)
October 13-20, 2011 - Succoth (Feast of Tabernacles)
December 25, 2011 - Chanukah (Festival of lights)