Sorry!!

Hi everyone!

I have been incredibly busy. My life has really overwhelmed me these past couple of months and I must admit, I've been pretty bad about blogging. I do plan to get into a better routine soon, and figure out the best types of things to write about for all of us here. But in the meantime, I will just stick with my apology and a request -

If you have topics you want me to write about - things about living in Israel, food in Israel, shopping in Israel, money matters in Israel, etc - please let me know!

I will read every note and try my best to find the best way to bring you the content you want to see!

What's been so crazy, you ask?

We run a minyan in our home, and during "the chagim" it was SUPER intense, and took a lot of my time and energy.

But also, my family has just launched our new brick and mortar business, and it's really taken everything we've got to get to this stage. This was the product of many sleepless nights, working and working without a break!

I'm sure you want to know what it is. So I won't leave you hanging... at least not for too long!

I'll give you a hint - you'll find us in Tzfat!

Sorry for being mysterious, I'm so curious how many of you have figured out what our new project is! 

Anyhow, I'll come back soon and see if you decided to guess, and if you did - I'll let you know if you got it right!

Be back soon!
Ester

Free Resources for Small Business Owners in Israel

We all know it can be a real challenge to go solo and open a business, and olim especially can use all the helping hands we can get! 

Today, I'd like to highlight a few of the resources I know about that small business owners can use to hopefully get ahead.

I hope you find this list helpful!

-- Bank Leumi offers small business management courses in the following locations: Ra'anana, Ramat Aviv, Ashdod, Lod, and Afula. The course is 7 sessions, and is free of charge.
Sign up HERE

They also offer some digital classes (video series) - you can check it out HERE.

These classes are specifically for Israel, so may address some of the unique challenges small businesses in Israel may encounter.

-- The Israel Tax Authority runs Free Clinics for Atzma'im with income from self employment up to 60,000 NIS using Form 137, and other people who need to file a tax report using Form 1301

Find this help HERE:

Every Regional Tax Office (except Eilat and Tel Aviv - details below), between April 22, 2018 and June 14, 2018, Sunday - Thursday from 1pm - 6:30pm. Some offices may be closed on certain days of the week (Teverya is closed on Tuesdays, for example). I recommend calling before you go to verify they are open!

In Eilat, the clinic will be available only on Mondays and Wednesdays.

In Tel Aviv, there is a special Resource Center dedicated just to this service, and it will remain open until July 19, 2018. Find it at Rechov Shefa Tal 12, Tel Aviv.

-- The Jewish Agency (a.k.a. "The Sochnut") has Loan Funds for entrepreneurs if you meet certain criteria. [More Info]

-- Benefits for Small and Medium Business Owners, offered by the Ministry of the Economy - on the BIZנס site

-- Online (Video-based) Courses offered by the Israel Employment Services - for free! The videos are in Hebrew, and are actually a great way to improve your business Hebrew at the same time as learning something new!

-- If your business can travel, you need to know about the fairs at which you can set up shop! Find all the fairs here!

Please let me know if you know of other great resources - I'd be happy to expand this list!

If you're struggling to stay on top of life because you're not yet earning enough money, be sure to check out my Financial Assistance Series, and see if you may qualify for help you didn't know about!