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This article is going to be helpful for you if you are considering moving to Israel from any part of the world… or if you already live in Israel and you need some advice. I am going to be talking about what it is like living in Israel without speaking Hebrew in 2020.

Now me? I have been living in Israel for about 12 years, and my Hebrew is decent. I understand and speak about 80 percent of the language, but my reading and writing skills are utterly pitiful.

How am I able to survive???

Well, I am thriving! 🙂

It is completely possible to thrive in Israel with a mediocre level of Hebrew.

How???

Well, lucky for me (and you) most Israelis speak English. However, I want you to know where most of these Israelis are. It’s in the center of the country, and in the major cities.

For example: Tel Aviv and Jerusalem are the two cities that you will find the most people speaking English.

Note: If you are outside of the center of Israel, the percentages are going to go down on the number of people around you that know how to speak English, however the lowest they go is the 40% range.

And certainly, you are going to deal with government offices. Let’s talk about how that’s going to look for you.

One of the offices that you are going to need to deal with is the Misrad Hapnim.

M-i-s-r-a-d and H-a-p-n-i-m. Translated, The Ministry of Interior. Meaning, the immigration offices where you will handle getting a Visa, Israeli ID or Israeli Passport.

It’s an experience going in there, to say the least. You will want to be prepared with all the required documents. And I want you to know that inside of these offices they may or may not speak Hebrew.

So, how are you going to figure it out???

You will need to pre-meditate your plan.

My recommendation is to learn some valuable phrases that you are going to use with:

– Government Offices
– Doctors Offices
– Internet Companies
– Electric Companies
– Water Companies
– Etc.

You are going to be living in Israel without speaking Hebrew, but at least put the effort to know a few valuable phrases… You will be delighted you did.

Living in Israel Without Speaking Hebrew

Good News!  There are many many jobs in Israel that you can find that do not require you to speak Hebrew. You do not need to speak Hebrew to find a job in Israel… this is my assurance.

And I want you to know that you can even find a job even if your skills are distinctly limited. You can find a job in a kitchen, or as security, or any laborious jobs. Or, you could contemplate owning and operating your own business like I do.

Side Note:  One language that will benefit you to speak in Israel, represents the language of coders. JavaScript, C++, etc. Israel is the high-tech startup capital of the world.
Living in Israel Without Speaking Hebrew 2020

As a career counselor to recent immigrants to Israel, I find that many of my clients are surprised to see that many many people over here are not native Israelis. If so, they are second generation, and first generation immigrants. They have immigrated here from other countries, just like you want to!

All of the above being said, I want to set you up for success and tell you a little about how and where to acquire the Hebrew language.

  • If you are NOT in Israel and Don’t Speak Hebrew:

There’s a great few YouTube channels where you can learn how to communicate in Hebrew… if you want to. It’s free! Here is a link to the best i have found so far: https://www.youtube.com/user/HebrewPod101 

Studying Hebrew before you move to Israel will benefit you immensely. With the craziness going on in the world right now, you have no option but to pursue an online education. That being said, you can start learning Hebrew before you arrive here. You can start your education today. Right???

  • If you ARE in Israel and Don’t Speak Hebrew:

When I initially moved to Israel, I enjoyed the luxury of having a bit of money saved up. Therefore, upon arriving in Israel, I was able to sign up and go to a language school for learning Hebrew. And I went to what is called “Ulpan” It was not terribly expensive, and it was incredibly valuable.

Very Important!

Keep in mind that you will absorb a majority of the language outside of any sort of formal education environment… but rather around the streets of Israel. Nonetheless, reading and writing are crucial for your longevity so if you have money saved, sign up and go to school to learn the Hebrew language!

A Few Extra Tips for You:

  • Use Google Translate

If you search for anything about living in Israel or moving to Israel on the internet, most of the search results will come back in Hebrew (with a VERY limited amount of information in English). Moreover, you probably want to avoid depending on anybody to help you understand things online… so depend on Google.

Install the Google Chrome Language Translate extension to make your life easier. You will need to use it often if you don’t speak Hebrew.

  • Don’t Stress Out!

Once you start learning Hebrew, you will want to employ it.

What you will discover is that many Israelis will switch into English when they perceive you struggling in Hebrew. This happens in order to make life easier for everyone in the conversation, and to move faster along. Don’t stress out about it, but try not to speak English when this happens!

Continue to practice your skills and inform the other person in the conversation that you are trying to learn Hebrew. Keep pushing along until the Hebrew language becomes easier for you.

Last Words…

In conclusion, I am certain it is possible for you to fulfill your dreams while living in Israel without speaking Hebrew in 2020! In addition, you should never be afraid to follow your goals and dreams.

-Claude Massey Consulting, Always Be Growing…

Living in Israel Without Speaking Hebrew – תל אביב קואצ’ינג…

Hi, my name is Claude Lee Massey and thanks for reading the article above!  I wrote the article because I wanted to help you. 

You see, I’ve been living in Tel Aviv for 10+ years and I know it can be a struggle living here as a foreigner.  Finding a job, living a happy life, and developing great relationships… are not always easy to do.

I remember the day I arrived in Israel I had NO money – NO friends – and NO job.

So, how did I go from that point to becoming a life coach (קואצ’ינג לחיים) and career coach (אימון אישי לקריירה)?

Here is my story:

About seven years ago (and after 15+ years of soul-searching), I had a powerful self-realization that I was put here on this planet to teach and to share the knowledge I have.   

Moreover, after this powerful revelation hit me I began to feel a powerful inner calling.  A relentless voice inside of me saying, “I have to open my own consulting business”.

Therefore, with my 15+ years of experience in the field of sales and customer service I decided to open a sales training company.

At this point, I had a full time job working for a high-tech company so on my day off, I found an accountant.  Then I hired him and had him file the proper paperwork to open a sales training company with the government.

I never thought that I would open my own business in Israel… but I did! 

I decided to name my sales training company Sales Development Israel, and I began to use all of my spare time before work and after work creating training materials, and trying to acquire clients.

In addition, I was sending emails and cold calling companies in Tel Aviv, Herzliya, Ramat Gan, Jerusalem, Bat Yam, and Holon.

I was working like a maniac and doing everything in my power to generate momentum.  Great news is that I was able to find my first few clients!

However, something I immediately noticed was at the conclusion of my sales training workshops, two things would happen consistently happen: 

Firstly, I would receive feedback that my sales training workshops were providing massive value for the sales team.

This meant that the companies were happy with the service I provided… which was nice to know.

Secondly, one or two of the students in the courses would privately approach me.  These students would speak with me about their struggles not only in sales, but also in their lives.

Then one time, a female student offered to pay me for a one-on-one session outside of the office.  As a struggling entrepreneur, I accepted.  

She asked me to help her learn how to communicate more effectively, and to help her figure out a better career path.  We developed a plan, strategized, and executed. 

Another student, at another company, approached me and offered to pay me for my time to help prepare him for a job interview.  We developed a plan, strategized, and executed. 

Yes, he was planning to leave the sales job that he was at and yes, I helped him to do so.

Similarly, another student from another workshop, at another company, asked me to help them build their inner-confidence.  We developed a plan, strategized, and executed. 

This would happen again, and again…

Each of these wonderful people I began to work one-on-one with,  had their own unique challenge, and asked me for help.  Each time we developed a plan, strategized, and executed. 

They all knew that I was not certified or professionally trained, and still they would approach me, and offer to pay me for my time.

These first clients would call me their “Life Coach” or “Career Counselor“, and I was able to help them! 

At the conclusion of our 3 to 5 one-on-one sessions, they each had taken took massive steps forward towards the results they wanted.

Each time we developed a plan, strategized, and executed successfully! 

Eventually, enough people paid me to sit down with them, and called me their Career Counselor or Life Coach… that I began to call myself a “Career Counselor” and ”Life Coach”.

Most people set out to become a trained and certified life coach (קואצ’ר , אימון אישי) or career counselor before ever having a client. 

However, I never said I wanted to be a life coach (אימון אישי לחיים) or a career counselor… this interesting and fulfilling profession came to me, literally.

In conclusion, that is the super-short story of how I began life coaching (תל אביב קואצ’ינג לחיים) and career counseling in Tel Aviv Israel.

Furthermore, after all these years, I’m happy to say I have helped hundreds of people just like you!

 

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Life Coaching and Career Counseling For English Speakers in Israel

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This article was titled: Living in Israel Without Speaking Hebrew – תל אביב קואצ’ינג