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

Visitors staying over six months can open a bank account in Israel.

There are a few bank branches near the Institute. Two forms of ID are required to open an account; if you are an Israeli bring your teudat zehut.

We have a good relationship with the local branch of Hapoalim Bank. Click here for further information.

SIM Card

Local SIM Card

Local service providers offer plans starting from ~ 30 NIS a month.
You can buy a SIM card in a store or online;  Below you will find a list of service providers.

GolanTelecom has service in English. Dynamica and Bug stores sell their SIM cards; You can find both on the ground floor of Rehovot Mall.

Groceries

Groceries

Most of Rehovot's grocery stores and supermarkets only carry kosher products. They are closed on the Jewish Shabbat, (Friday afternoon until Saturday night).

The local market (Shuk) offers fresh produce, fish, meat, and spices at affordable prices.

 

  • 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

    Location

    2 Prof. Hillel Ve khanan Oppenheimer
Public Transportation

Public Transportation

Public transportation in Israel is reliable, safe, and inexpensive. An extensive bus and train network connects major cities and towns, allowing easy travel. The main forms of transportation include buses and trains. Additional transportation systems operate in Jerusalem, Haifa, and Tel Aviv metropolitan area. Rehovot central bus station is located on the ground floor of Rehovot Mall. The train station is a 5-10 minute walk from campus.

Payment methods

There are several payment methods applicable to all types of transportation; please note you cannot pay in cash. Students enjoy a discount of 33% or more. Payment methods include:

  • 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

    The train ride between Rehovot and Tel Aviv takes 30 minutes; A pedestrian gate on the north side of campus (near the David Lopatee Institute for Comparative Medicine) leads directly to the station. Bicycles are permitted on the trains. Check the website for further information. 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
  • Driving License

    Driving 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. You can apply for a two-hours free parking in Rehovot (blue and white curbs) with Pango/Cellopark if you meet the following criteria: You own a car, you have a city tax (Arnona) bill in your name, and you have a rental lease in your name. Apply here: Apply for free parking in Rehovot
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

Housing

The Weizmann Institute of Science operates over 500 housing units.  Here you will find information regarding maintaining your apartment, changing apartment type, departing from our housing and insuring the contents of your apartment.  In addition, when your eligibility for our housing ends, our team will assist you to locate and rent an off campus apartment in Rehovot.
Read more about Housing

Pregnancy

Knowing what to do when you are thinking about starting a family or discovering you are pregnant, can seem daunting, especially when you are in a different country, away from family and friends.
Read more about Pregnancy