Rehovot City

Rehovot, founded in 1890 by Polish and Yemenite immigrants, is located in the center of the country. It has a population of over 130,000 and is well known for its scientific academic institutions – the Weizmann Institute of Science and the Hebrew University Faculty of Agriculture.

Rehovot is about an hour from Jerusalem by car, around 30-45 minutes drive from Tel Aviv and less by train. Immigrants from all over the world, including North America, the former Soviet Union, Yemen, Ethiopia and Morocco, make the city an interesting and lively place to live. The city has (by Israeli standards) a large English-speaking population.

The city is home to sports teams and a vibrant arts and culture scene that includes theater, art and music.
Credit to photo: Guy Shmueli, Rehovot City

Banks

Banks

If you will be in Israel for more than 6 months, you may wish to open a bank account.

There are many different banks in Israel and many of them have branches within easy access of the Institute. Please note that in all cases, 2 forms of ID are required and if you have an Israeli ID, you must bring it with you.  We have an excellent relationship with Bank Hapoalim in Rehovot and you can find info. about their accounts here.

SIM Card

How to get a local SIM Card

There are many local service providers in Israel, some of them offering cheap plans starting from approximately 30 shekels a month, depending on the type of plan you are looking for.
Disclaimer: the information given here does not constitute the endorsement or recommendation of any of the service providers. It is your responsibility to verify and investigate plans, providers and services.

Some of the providers offer customer service in person (may be difficult to find an English speaker though), others online, mainly in Hebrew and some in English. Feel free to use Google Translate when checking plans in Hebrew websites.

You can order SIM cards online.

Cards ordered online are delivered by the Israel Postal Company within a few days.

Below you will find a partial list of service providers:

Groceries

Groceries

Rehovot has a variety of supermarkets and grocery stores, many of which only carry kosher products. Kosher establishments are closed on the Jewish Sabbat, (they close on Friday afternoon and reopen Saturday night). Kosher foods are those foods that conform to the Jewish dietary regulations, and therefore you will not find pork or seafood in a kosher shop or restaurant. In addition, there is a local market (“shuk”) in the center of town. Prices can vary enormously.

Rehovot Market “Shuk”

Fresh produce, fish, meat, herbs and spices at some of the best prices available.

Online delivery services

Wolt

 

  • Rehovot Market

    Kosher

    opening hours

    Sun-Thu: 7:00-19:00 Fri: 5:00-16:00 Sat: Closed

    Location

    Bilu street
  • Yochananof

    Kosher

    opening hours

    Sun-Thurs: 7:00-21:00 Fri: 7:00-14:00

    Location

    19 Ahad Ha'Am St
  • Shufersal Sheli

    Kosher

    opening hours

    Sun-Wed: 7:00-21:00 Thurs: 7:00-22:00 Fri: 7:00-14:00

    Location

    183 Herzl St
  • Tiv Taam

    Not Kosher

    opening hours

    Every day 9:00-22:00
Public Transportation

Public Transportation

“Rav Kav”

A rechargeable fare card, called “Rav Kav”, can be purchased for travel on buses and trains at different rates.

An anonymous card may be purchased for a fee of 5 NIS, then loaded with a single ride, daily or weekly pass, but not a monthly pass. It cannot hold discounts (senior citizen, disability, etc.) and has no protection against loss or theft. This card is recommended for short term visits.

A personal Rav Kav holds a 33% student discount and can be charged with a monthly pass (Hofshi Hodshi), weekly and daily passes as well as a single fare. In case of loss, your charged value is insured.  

Both cards can be purchased at Rehovot Central Bus Station, or online. For a student discount you will have to present/upload a proof of enrolment, a student card, and your passport. You can recharge or renew your Rav-Kav online or in the Hopon App. 

Moovit 

App for Android or iPhone that provides city and inter-city route options and times that includes all bus lines. The app also offers bike routes and carpooling options.

  • Buses

    Buses are one of the most common forms of public transportation offering a convenient, reasonably priced means of travel to nearly every destination in the country. Several bus companies operate in Israel, the largest of which is Egged. Smoking is not permitted on buses. EGGED
  • Israel Railways

    Israel Railways is the state-owned rail company responsible for all intercity and commuter rail travel in Israel. The rail system includes over 69 stations, almost all of which are accessible, have vending machines and parking available. Bicycles are permitted on the trains in designated coaches Sun-Thurs 9:00-15:00 and 19:00-6:00. Folding bicycles are allowed at all times. Smoking is not permitted on the trains. The train ride between Rehovot and Tel Aviv takes 30 minutes, and there is a gate to access the station directly from campus. ISRAEL RAILWAYS
  • Monit Sherut

    "Monit Sherut” is a shared taxi service which operates along fixed routes. The payment is in cash and the price is either equal to or only slightly higher than the ordinary bus fare. These taxies also run on “Shabat” and holidays, when buses and trains are unavailable. They stop at the bus stops near the main gate of the Institute and at other points along Herzl Street.
  • Taxis

    All authorized taxis in Israel have a yellow sign on the roof and “Taxi” written on the side of the car. We recommend ensuring that the meter is activated for journeys. GETT - A useful app for ordering a taxi from anywhere in the country and is available for Android and iPhone. GETT
  • Drivers License

    Driver's License

    It is possible to drive using a valid international driving license for a period of only 12 months from the date of your first entry to Israel – after that, you are required to convert your license to an Israeli one. About The Procedure
Car Rental

Car Rental

There are a number of different car rental chains in Israel. The minimum age to rent a car is age 18, and you must have held a valid driving license for at least 12 months. You may drive in Israel with a foreign or international driver's license for one year; thereafter, a local license is required. How to convert your International License.

Israeli drivers may be more hasty than what you’re used to – they often drive more quickly and make more sudden movements. As a result, it is advised to pay close attention to your surroundings, in particular when changing lanes or getting on and off highways.

Before renting a car, check that your credit card company covers insurance in Israel, because many credit card companies do not include insurance in Israel.

List of car rental agencies at Ben Gurion airport.

  • Parking

    Parking

    Blue and white sidewalk marks mean paid parking (more below). It is illegal to park along red and white, yellow and red, or black and white markings. Paid parking areas sometimes have ticket dispensers. Most people pay for parking in blue-white parking areas using an app, either Pango or Cellopark. Both are available on Google Play or the iStore. Pango Cellopark
Places Of Worship

Places of Worship

Catholics

Mass is held most weeks at the Rehovot Catholic St. Therese of the Child Jesus Chapel, located at 10 Yaakov St (at the corner of Herzl). Mass by the Filipino Chaplaincy (Father David Neuhaus) is held in English on Saturdays at 19:00, and mass by the Indian Chaplaincy (Father Tojy Jose) is held in Malayalam on the last Saturday of every month at 15:00.

 

St. Therese of the Child Jesus Chapel
10 Yaakov St (corner Herzl)
 

Contact person: Maribel 054 8003635
Father Tojy Jose OFM – 054 3079316
Father David Neuhaus SJ – 054 7822843

 

Orthodox Judaism

The Jacob Berman Community Center is a modern Orthodox synagogue with a strong English-speaking community. The synagogue provides daily services, classes, hospitality to visitors, support for members and the wider community in need and outreach. 

Jacob Berman Community Center
HaGara St

Contact: online form

Masoreti (Israeli Conservative Judaism)

The Edat Shalom Emmanuel synagogue is an egalitarian, pluralistic community. It provides services on Shabbat and holidays, classes, bar/bat mitzvah preparation, a hall for celebrations and the Masoreti youth movement, Noam, for grades 3-12.

Edat Shalom Emmanuel Synagogue
6 Tova and Tuvia Miller St

Office Tel:  08 9469180

Office manager: Hanita Samuel adatshalom1@gmail.com
Rabbi: Rabbi Mikie Goldstein ravmikie@gmail.com

More Information you may need

After arrival

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.

Read more about After arrival

Family Life

If you are arriving with children, you will want to know what educational opportunities are available for them in Rehovot. Children normally attend the kindergarten or elementary school in their neighborhoods, while older children may travel by bus to their middle or high schools.

Read more about Family Life