DebbieWinks – Debbie’s Blog from Israel # 2

image.png

DebbieWinks — Blog #2 — February 21, 2023

 

Shalom again to all of you in Vancouver and beyond….
As I wrote in my last blog, I would share with you next the tips of surviving the aggravating labyrinth of bureaucracy.
Thank you Yossilinks readers and beyond for your many affirming comments and a special thank you to dear Shira who wrote me, not to let the bureaucrats get you down!
On November 10th two days after we landed in Israel , we drove in the pouring rain to the office of the Ministry of Absorption in Hadera.
Our first bureaucrat was the nicest guy Alan from Argentina, a handsome 30 something old with wide rim round glasses along with a wide rim smile! He told us that after the bombing of the JCC in Argentina where his father’s best friend was killed his family immigrated to Israel. Alan was very obliging and informative. It felt so heartwarming to receive our returning citizen booklet/ID.
This was the first of many more meetings……
Fast forward to February 14th, Yossi’s Gregorian birthday (the date that we first met at Tel Aviv University a mere 40 years ago) we had yet another meeting with the bureaucrats!
We had rushed out of the door worried to be late for meetings that we usually have to wait for anyways. Luckily, we got a parking spot right near the “Bituach Leumi” building in Hadera. Upon entering the building there was the usual huddle of people waiting impatiently to get in pushing, complaining, and squabbling. One must show the attendant at the entrance on your phone the text message confirming your meeting date/time. After which you must pass a security check like the one, we get at the airport where you are suspected of smuggling in cocaine or weapons of destruction. Understandably, this is a necessary procedure in a country on guard 24/7 to protect its citizens.
Taking a number as you pass security is the first step of many. Your ID number is the one-way ticket to get you in and out. The meeting must be scheduled with the global APP ‘My Visit’ which all Israeli ministries have introduced.
As we approached our area of waiting, Moran clad in modest attire, a clerk who we had met and befriended us on our previous visit spotted us and hugged me and then asked me how I was. Yossi declared that it was his birthday and Moran blessed him.
Our waiting time was minimal this lucky time perhaps in honor of Yossi’s bday!

TIP#1
Always say ‘Boker Tov’ ‘Good morning’ and greet the bureaucrat with a smile regardless of what side of the bed that you or the clerk got up on!

TIP #2
Always come organized with your file of papers inside the priceless inexpensive paper protectors!

TIP #3
Do not take NO for an answer and ask more questions to probe and protect your rights that you probably don’t know about since they have not told you them all!!!
There is an appeal process for the NO’s and you can appeal and get the YES you are looking for but you need to endure and persevere.

TIP#4
Know Hebrew or go with someone who knows Hebrew to help you understand and decode the overwhelming amount of information you are given or not given!
(Recommendation: Take an ulpan as soon as you can or learn with Debbie Hebrew on Zoom!)
Upon returning to our nearby car, we found a piece of paper on our windshield. And…YES, you guessed it! It was a parking ticket for 250 shekels that is comparable to $100 Canadian dollars. (UCHH a Hebrew version of UGHH!)
Of course, Yossi was exasperated and questioned the logic of the administering of this ticket. We had indeed parked along the blue and white marked curb which allows you to park legally using the Pango parking pay application.
However…. we had failed to look up at the sign above that designated this area for police parking only.

TIP #5
Look up!
Look down!
Look all around!
Perhaps pray TOO…to the Almighty!

Luckily there is an appeal system for everything, and Yossi intends to appeal the ticket in a democratic way!!
Yours sincerely from the beloved, heated and bureaucratic country of Israel,

DebbieWinks!!!!
AKA Debbie Havusha

4 Comments

  1. Love reading your blog Debbie! I can just picture it as you describe things!!! Maybe we will run into you guys in Jerusalem some time over the next 6 weeks!

  2. Dear Debbie,
    I love your blogs, dear friend. The honesty, sense of humour and perspective, not taking oneself too seriously, compassion for foibles on all sides – essential and rare equipment in our world.
    יישר כח and much love,
    Lydia

  3. Loving your blogs. Reminds me of the 4 1/2 years I spent on a Moshav in the Galil. I think that the most important thing is to keep one’s sense of humor. Of course, you do speak the language!!!!