>>(if you are able and willing, could you share your ‘clothing situation’ in Israel?…ie how much to have, to store away, what you had to buy extra once you moved, what is unnecessary to have etc.)<<
We moved here and brought only what we could take along in our suitcases, so this definitely minimized the amount of everything we brought, clothing included. If you’re bringing a lift, you have more flexibility.
We brought clothes for everyone for about the first year – I didn’t want to have to start shopping as soon as I got here. (Though I ended up less than two weeks after arriving needing to buy uniform clothing.) I didn’t feel everyone needed an extensive wardrobe – a few skirts/pants per child, a few tops for basic daily wear. Some dress clothes. What I made sure to bring more of were items that are significantly more expensive here, and not easily purchased used.
Those items included: shoes – very, very expensive here, and if I could have I would have brought more (I just didn’t have any more allowed luggage weight); underwear and socks – again, very expensive and the quality doesn’t match what you can buy from Hanes or whatever other company.
Coats – We brought a coat for each person, and in this area I’ve debated with myself if it was the best use of our space. Although we’re in the north, we’re actually in a pleasantly temperate area. Reminds me kind of Seattle. So it really hasn’t gotten very cold yet – I’ve worn my coat a handful of times. It might have been a better idea if we had brought our warm lined raincoats; it hasn’t rained much this year, but when it did, I was desperately sorry to have warm coats when what was much more important was being waterproof. However, once I bought umbrellas for every family member, this internal debate disappeared since we now have a way to be dry and warm.
If we hadn’t brought coats and had needed them, buying them new would have been an expensive proposition. (I was able to find a used coat for dd11, whose new coat I got right before we left somehow didn’t make it here, and paid just ten shekels for it. It’s a decent coat and I’m glad to have been able to find it, but it’s nowhere near as nice as the one I had gotten her.) But at least here in Karmiel, you don’t need a heavy down ski parka – that’s way overkill.
Boots – I gave away all of our boots, except for the littles. Again, this was due to space restrictions, not because I didn’t think boots would be useful. I’ve been very glad to have boots for the littles, since they have a fifteen minute walk to school and their sneakers would be soaked on rainy days by the time they got there. It would be nice for the rest of us, but since it hasn’t been very rainy yet, it’s easier to say that boots are somewhat a luxury here. But if you can bring them, it’s definitely worth it – even if it’s not raining, they keep your feet toasty when you’re inside. I kind of regret not bringing them, but again, I didn’t give them away because I wanted to, but because I had to be ruthless about making choices to stay within our luggage allowance.
Some parts of Israel are much colder than others. In Tzfat (Safed), just a forty minute drive, it’s noticeably colder than here. Jerusalem is much colder as well. But wherever you live, I think that layers are a very, very good idea. Often the outside temperatures aren’t low, but inside it’s freezing. It’s happened almost every day last week that inside our apartment I’m sitting in the afternoon with a light fleece blanket over me, and if I go outside, it’s sunny and warm, and all I need is a light sweater or sweatshirt on top of a long sleeved shirt! That’s because the buildings are made of stone and generally not well insulated – so they keep you nice and chilly, which is good if you run hot. Which I don’t.
Knowing this in advance, I tried to pack thermals or long sleeved solid shirts for all of us that could be worn under other clothing, warm fleece sweatshirts that could fit under a coat, and then a coat. Almost all of the older kids wear layers and sweatshirts on top of their uniform shirts while in school; the little kids are either moving around a lot more or their classrooms are kept warmer, because they don’t more than two layers. Our teenage girls have the longest walk to school and have yet to wear a winter coat to stay warm on the way, but are the most heavily layered when inside.
The only clothing items that I brought to store away were little kids shoes. I had a lot of clothing in storage that I had bought on sale, and donated almost all of this. But the exception were shoes for the littles; I brought most of the shoes I had in sizes 9 – 13 because I knew I’d use them even if it didn’t fit someone right now, and they were small enough that I could still keep to my limit of one suitcase of clothing per person.
I hope to build up my clothing storage again, since I was able to save significant amounts of money by ‘shopping in the attic’, rather than needing to go out to stores every time someone needed something. Some used clothing has come my way, and some of this is now in storage for when it fits someone it’s currently too big for.
For those of you who have made an overseas move (wherever it may have been!), is this similar to what your approach was? What did you feel was most important, and what did you think ended up being a waste of space? What recommendations would you have for someone moving to Israel?
Avivah
Aviva,
I live in Israel as well. I disagree with you about the shoes being super expensive. I just bought myself Reebok sneakers for the same price they would have been sold for in the US.. Also, unless you are buying pay less the shoes here are quite decently priced. I paid maybe 150 shekel maximum for boys shabbos shoes and 130 for girls shabbos shoes. The only reason why I had to buy my daughter new shabbos shoes after buying it for yom tov is because she abuses the shoes.. Maybe it’s because I lived near Boro Park where the shoes are prices super duper expensive that the prices over here don’t seem overly expensive at all.
Also,for coats I saw kids coats between 50-100 shekel. The only reason why I didn’t buy was because they didn’t have my son’s size.
Honestly, I think that shopping in Israel just takes more skill and creativity. You can find exactly what you want for the price you need if you work hard enough at it.
This is very encouraging, Ita! I haven’t been here long enough to develop lots of sources for creative shopping, and would love if you would share your sources for shoes. (I’m It’s true that I paid low prices in the US for shoes, but I actually wasn’t comparing the prices I paid, but was assuming about $30 – 40 per pair of shoes, on the high end for an average pair of shoes that will last (not name brand).
I agree with Ita about the shoes. They’re not super expensive unless you wear a size 12 like I do, and then you need to buy 400 shekel shoes… been there, done that.
I bought my boys nice shoes- leather, good looking- for 50 shekel a pair in geula. If you’re ever in Jerusalem, I’d be happy to give you directions.
I’ve heard about a fifty shekel place for shoes in Geula – I’d love directions! I was in J-m a few weeks ago and walking down Malchei Yisroel, and wondering which store it was. Do they only have shoes for small children? Eight of the eleven of us wear adult sizes, and though I have so far only been window shopping for adult shoes, even the inexpensive prices are high for the low quality that I’m seeing (eg 100 shekels for ladies shoes are like cheapo $10 shoes from Walmart, not decent $30 shoes).
Maybe I’m a little spoiled because I’ve generally bought good quality shoes at thrift stores ($60 – 100 new), and good shoes are something that matter to me – after six kids, my arches fell and I had a lot of foot pain until I started wearing good quality shoes.
They just opened Payless in Israel. Payless quality (not terrible, not trash, but not high end either) and the shoes are relatively decently priced…
http://www.chaschanit.com/2011/11/cheap-childrens-shoes-in-jerusalem.html
Here’s where I posted on how to get to the cheap shoe store. Its only kids shoes as far as I know though, but I haven’t looked until what size they have.
Basically, Malachi 2, on the same block as Zisalek ice cream store. The store is called Marty, and you want that exact one as there are 3 stores with the same name and only that one has the 50 shekel shoes.
The cheap shoes are down stairs.
http://www.chaschanit.com/2011/11/cheap-childrens-shoes-in-jerusalem.html
The shoe store is called Marty, its on Malachi 2, right near the ice cream store Zisalek (which is on malchei yisrael). There are 3 marty’s, only this one is cheap. I have no clue until what size they carry, sorry…
They opened Payless here- prices aren’t so bad, and the quality is better than the cheapo junky israeli shoes.
You don’t have a problem with used shoes? My kids complained of foot pain until I got them new shoes from marty instead of hand me down shoes or cheapo quality shoes.
Thank you for the details on the shoe store!
Nope, I have no problem with used shoes, not for any of our family members. I’ve always gotten excellent shoes in excellent condition; I can see how shoes that are very worn down to the shape of the original wearer’s foot would be an issue – is that what you were getting? The cheapo shoes don’t come close to fitting the way the high quality used shoes fit.
Aviva, if you know people who travel back and forth to Israel from America regularly, you can ask them to bring some cheaper American stuff for you and your family. This is very commonly done among American/Canadian/South African/English olim in Israel.
I used to live in RBS, so I know. In addition in RBS, there is a special sale of clothing donated by either American or English sources that are sold regularly at the RBS Matnas for cheap, like 5 nis or 10 nis each, and are used for fund raising by L’Maan Achai. I shopped there quite a bit during recess while in ulpan.
Shoes are very expensive. I did not have a car, so I walk everywhere or take the bus and taxi. My 250 nis shoes only lasted for 6 months. I never bought myself such expensive shoes in USA.
I also find snoods hard to get in Israel. I had them brought in for me from the States after ordering from a US seamstress. Today, I make my own garments and snoods for everyone in my family.
With Hashem’s help, you will find all you need while in Israel.
Aviva,
I was going to ask you if you or your daughters sew. I also didn’t bring my sewing machines over when I was in the Lnad. I’m no longer in Israel, and I have started a sewing project to promote modesty among Jewish women.
If you like, I can give you a generous discount and sew for your daughters. Please email me for further information.
If you need anything from the States, let me know.