Research.Live.Enjoy

The Gershon Kekst International Office at the Weizmann Institute of Science will be your one-stop shop for all of your non-academic requirements during your visit here.  Whether it’s visas, health insurance, buying a train ticket or locating a dentist – our team will be glad to assist!

 

Before you arrive

All of the information you need to get organised before you arrive in Israel including visas, health insurance, housing and registering your children for childcare or school.

explore Before you arrive

After you arrive

Welcome to the Weizmann Institute! The information here will assist you with day-to day life in Israel, such as extending or changing your visa, using your health insurance, renting off campus, family life and more.

explore After you arrive

News & Events

Updates on events on campus, trips and events throughout Israel and news updates.
 

All news and events

Activities & Classes

There are many different clubs and lessons operating on campus - available for all internationals and their families, as well as for Israeli students and postdoctoral fellows.

Running

Every Sunday, Monday, Tuesday and Thursday at Edna and K.B. Weissman Building of Physical Sciences

Italian Group Lessons

Contact Rachele about hours

Every Sunday

Location: Zoom

Rehovot Rugby

Every Sunday and Wednesday

Location: Kibbutz Na'an or Rishon LeZion For those without a car, transportation can be organized.

Sound of Science Choir

Every Sunday

Location: On campus

Weizmann Ornithology

3rd Tue. of the month

Every Tuesday at Nella and Leon Benoziyo Building for Biological Sciences

Location: Room 591c, 5th floor

Football (soccer)

Every Tuesday

Location: Football pitch opposite the Recreation Center

Knitting group

Day & time may change, stay tuned via WhatsApp group

Every Tuesday at Charles Clore International House

Location: Lobby

Davkapella – Singing Group

Every Tuesday

Location: On campus, in Neve Metz

"Shuk" Fresh Market Products

Every Thursday at Meyer W. and Shirley Weisgal Recreation Center

Location: Parking lot opposite (best to arrive early)

Weizmann Board Game Nights

Facebook Group

Every Thursday at Maurice and Gabriela Goldschleger Life Sciences Library

Location: Second Tue. and last Thu. of the month

Christian Prayer Meetings

Every Thursday

Location: On campus

Frisbee

Every Friday and Saturday

Location: Opposite the Solar Tower

Cricket

Every Friday and Saturday

Location: In front of Hanadiv building

Weizmann Badminton Club

Every Friday

Location: 1st Floor Sun deck in Clore House

Volleyball

Summer 15:00-18:00
Winter 14:00-17:00

 

Every Friday

Location: Opposite the Solar Tower

Weizmann Institute Theater Ensemble (Hebrew)

Every Tuesday

Location: On campus

Acroyoga

Every Wednesday

Location: Lunenfeld International Club

Hebrew lessons - Level 3

Private Hebrew lessons in small groups

Location: On Zoom

Rehovot English Players

A weekly acting workshop focusing on basic acting skills, character development, improvisation, scene analysis, and more. Members vary in experience from zero to stage and TV commercials and include students and spouses from Weizmann. 

Every Sunday at Near Rehovot Mall

Weizmann Board Game Nights

Facebook Group

Every Tuesday at 0

Location: Second Tue. and last Thu. of the month

IO Chess Club

Every Tuesday at The Gershon Kekst International Office

Location: In the garden. Location may change, Join the WhatsApp group for updates.

Weizmann Meditation

Fill up the intake form before joining the practice. FREE of charge.

Every Monday at Charles Clore International House

Location: Students Club, floor 0

Weizmann Student Orchestra

Every Wednesday at Herman Mayer Campus Guesthouse. Maison de France

Tango - Advanced

Every Tuesday

Location: Neveh Matz Training Center

Tango - Beginners

Every Wednesday

Location: Neveh Matz Training Center

Tango - Intermediate

Every Thursday

Location: Neveh Matz Training Center

Flystick

Every Friday at Charles Clore International House

Flystick

Every Wednesday at Charles Clore International House

view FULL SCHEDULE

Stories from our visitors

Everyone’s experience at the Weizmann Institute is different - here you can read what some of our guests have said about their stay.

Dr. Debojit Paul

Postdoctoral
India

I spent 2.5 years as a Post-doc at Weizmann Institute of Science in the group of Prof. Assaf Gal, Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences. As a Scientist working on Biomineralization, to have had the opportunity to work with the pioneers in the field at Weizmann Institute was highly fulfilling. Apart from maintaining the necessary professionalism required to excel, the warmth and love among colleagues kept the environment friendly and relaxing.

A very important aspect of the institute lies in the non-academic sections, such as the International Office. The friendly and hospitable members at these offices and their prompt responses to any queries shield you from everything, even during the most challenging times. From visa to health insurance, everything is taken care of without any hassle. Additionally, the celebration of multicultural events fosters inclusivity and makes one feel at home. The trips and activities conducted throughout the year keep you engaged and offer a much-needed relaxation at the end of a busy week. In short, I can proudly say that I did not just grow as a scientist here but transformed into a much better version of myself.

 

Dr. Nisha Mehta

Postdoctoral
India

The level of support we receive at Weizmann is unparalleled and something we can't expect anywhere else in the world. The personalized support you offer creates a strong sense of connection and results in cherished memories that will last a lifetime.

Alena Neudert

Student
Germany

"I want to thank you - the whole team of the international office, for your endless help and efforts. You are making a huge difference for internationals in Israel and it really made my life there a lot easier and better - from meeting new people at the Holi Party when I just arrived to the workshop about cultural differences and countless events, trips, and helpful advice - you all did an amazing job and I always felt like I have a place to go to for any question. Thank you!"

Nina Oehlsen

Student
Germany

I had a great time these last 2 months as a visiting PhD student. Living in dorms on campus together with other students is a nice opportunity to meet new friends. My whole stay was well organized by the international office and I never had any problems. During my weekends, I traveled around the country that everyone visiting Weizmann should do, as it is a really fascinating and beautiful country! I hope to come back someday and encourage everyone to come here!

Olalekan Isola

Postdoctoral
Nigeria

I want to express my heartfelt gratitude to you, the Weizmann International Office, and the entire team. You guys have been nothing but compassionate and kind.
You have been of tremendous help and have made everything run smoothly for our family. You have cushioned the impact of being away from family.
I appreciate your kind heart, empathy, and willingness to go above and beyond to assist and ensure everything goes smoothly for us.
Everyone I have met keeps saying the same thing about the International Office! Sincere thanks to you and the team for your labor of love. I am eternally grateful.

Dr. Rohini-Ravindran Nair

Postdoctoral
India

I greatly appreciate and thank you all for the support heartily. I have learned a lot here. I was also amazed to see how an Institute can work to ease the stay of International students. Thank you again.

Dr. Carlos De la Cruz Mengual

Postdoctoral
Colombia

My quarantine at Samy Cohn ended on Monday, and I just wanted to send you just a few words of gratitude. You do an excellent job of making the lives of internationals at the Institute much easier. Thank you very much!

Dr. Sharada Govinda

Postdoctoral
Family
India

We reached home safely. I want to thank you for all your help, starting from before joining WIS, all the way until we left Israel. We have enjoyed all the activities organised by you and had a good time at WIS. Thank you!

Dr. Sharada Govinda

Postdoctoral
Family
India

We reached home safely. I want to thank you for all your help, starting from before joining WIS, all the way until we left Israel. We have enjoyed all the activities organised by you and had a good time at WIS. Thank you!

Lohit and Ankita Khera

Postdoctoral
Couple
India

Despite your overloaded schedule, your timely action saved Ankita a highly uncertain trip to India in these challenging times. Thank you and IO team from the bottom of our hearts for all the efforts you put for making our lives comfortable.

More power to you!!

Lohit and Ankita Khera

Postdoctoral
Couple
India

Despite your overloaded schedule, your timely action saved Ankita a highly uncertain trip to India in these challenging times. Thank you and IO team from the bottom of our hearts for all the efforts you put for making our lives comfortable.

More power to you!!

Dr. Charlotte Vogt

Visiting Scientist
Netherlands

I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart, for all of your efforts which go far beyond what anyone can expect from any normal scientific institute to their (visiting) scientists, to get me back into Israel. I'm happy to write this email to you safely and very happily from (bidud in) my apartment in Tel Aviv.
Last week, after a painful few days cancelling my dissertation event, and everything surrounding it, I wasn't able to enter Israel and got sent on a plane back to the Netherlands after flying to Israel upon hearing that the Consulate in the Netherlands had to close. Your help writing me a last minute letter and calling the border police at the time didn't get me in, but now, a week later I was able to get Consular approval greatly based on your help and am so happy to be back in the place that I call home.
Thank you, so much. I'm so grateful to you and to Weizmann, and feel very lucky to be connected to the Institute.

Dr. Quanfu He

Postdoctoral
Family
China

As the coronavirus swept in my hometown, Hubei, life there has been changed dramatically. This horrible situation will last longer, and no one knows when is the end. I cannot imagine to let my mother going back to China under such conditions, not even for a second.

I understand that it is tough to extend a tourist visa, not only because it is beyond the responsibility of anyone in the Institute, but also because of the national policies. I am grateful that the management team of the institute, the international office, and my department colleagues helped me without hesitation. My family appreciates the efforts of the institute. We are so grateful for this amazing end.

I have to say I am so lucky to join the Weizmann Institute of Science as a postdoc. I am proud to be part of it. This will become a wonderful experience in my life beyond research.

Dr. Quanfu He

Postdoctoral
Family
China

As the coronavirus swept in my hometown, Hubei, life there has been changed dramatically. This horrible situation will last longer, and no one knows when is the end. I cannot imagine to let my mother going back to China under such conditions, not even for a second.

I understand that it is tough to extend a tourist visa, not only because it is beyond the responsibility of anyone in the Institute, but also because of the national policies. I am grateful that the management team of the institute, the international office, and my department colleagues helped me without hesitation. My family appreciates the efforts of the institute. We are so grateful for this amazing end.

I have to say I am so lucky to join the Weizmann Institute of Science as a postdoc. I am proud to be part of it. This will become a wonderful experience in my life beyond research.

Harish Charan

Postdoctoral
India

I would like to express my thank you to the entire International Office (IO) team for their efforts and hard work that goes into the periodic arrangements of such events. It really let us take a break from our hectic and busy study schedule and relax a bit. Parallelly, it also offers us a chance to learn more and more about Jewish culture and traditions.

Dr Ana Martin-Lasanta

Postdoctoral
Spain

I am writing to thank you for the wonderful experience with the bikes. We borrowed the bikes from Weizmann last weekend and we had a great healthy and pleasant experience biking in Rehovot. We think that the Bike Share Program is a useful and attractive initiative from which a lot of students will benefit.

Jaeyoung Chun

Student
Family
Republic of Korea

I truly appreciate all your help from the beginning till the end. As I mentioned this to Rachel the other day, I’ve been to a couple of international offices in my life, but yours is the world best! You and your team treated my issues like they are actually yours, not like your task.  Once again, thank you so much for everything and I really hope to visit again!

I wish you and your family all the best.

Jaeyoung Chun

Student
Family
Republic of Korea

I truly appreciate all your help from the beginning till the end. As I mentioned this to Rachel the other day, I’ve been to a couple of international offices in my life, but yours is the world best! You and your team treated my issues like they are actually yours, not like your task.  Once again, thank you so much for everything and I really hope to visit again!

I wish you and your family all the best.

Prof. Ravit Golan Duncan

Visiting Scientist
Family
USA

Hope you guys recovered from the pool party, just wanted to say it rocked! The drumming thing was really a brilliant idea, kids loved it. This year the party was bitter-sweet for us because it marks the end of our stay. But next year it will mark the beginning of a fun summer at Weizmann. Thanks for organizing!

Prof. Ravit Golan Duncan

Visiting Scientist
Family
USA

Hope you guys recovered from the pool party, just wanted to say it rocked! The drumming thing was really a brilliant idea, kids loved it. This year the party was bitter-sweet for us because it marks the end of our stay. But next year it will mark the beginning of a fun summer at Weizmann. Thanks for organizing!

Prof. Paul Brumer

Visiting Scientist
Roel Buck Professor of Chemical Physics, University of Toronto, Canada

I am completing a two month stay as Visiting Professor here at the Weizmann Institute.  During this time, the Visiting Scientists Office under Ms. Dana Dvash has been enormously helpful with numerous issues that have arisen.  

I have been a frequent visitor to the Institute over the past 40 years, and, from my perspective, the Visiting Scientists office does an outstanding job of making our stay pleasant and productive.

Prof. Miriam Greenberg

Visiting Scientist
College of Liberal Arts & Sciences, Wayne State University, USA

Here is a big problem with yesterday’s trip:  YOU KEEP RAISING THE BAR!!!  I don’t know how you manage to keep organizing such wonderful excursions.  Yesterday was fascinating.  I had no idea that 60% of Negev agriculture is irrigated by Shafdan water. And filtration through the sand - what a terrific idea!  Great trip!

I can’t wait for Avshalom Cave. (I’ve never been to a cave)!

Dr. Manish Vasoya

Postdoctoral
India

Thanks a lot for everything you have assisted. We had a very great time over here, enjoyed a lot with great events - thanks a lot for that (especially Aileen), with science - I found the Weizmann one of the great scientific campus. I am hoping that I will get more chances to come again and again to this place.

more Testimonials

Life by Weizmann

A little glimpse of life at the Weizmann Institute. 

Our Team

The Gershon Kekst International Office team extends warm greetings to you from the Weizmann Institute of Science in Rehovot!

Aileen Halbershtat

Head of International Office Branch

Send email to Halbershtat Aileen aileen.halbershtat@weizmann.ac.il

Ingrid Lehrer

International Office Coordinator

Send email to Lehrer Ingrid ingrid.lehrer@weizmann.ac.il

Hadar Alper

International Office Coordinator

Send email to Alper Hadar hadar.alper@weizmann.ac.il
MEET THE WHOLE TEAM