The Jacob Blaustein Institutes for Desert Research (BIDR) is a semi-autonomous part of BGU with a scientific staff of about 90 research scientists and 60 technical, administrative and maintenance staff. The institute is situated on the Sede Boqer campus, 50 km south of Beer Sheva. Which serves as home to several institutions, among them another university research institute, The Ben-Gurion Research Center, a residential high school, and a desert field school. The Institute has a small library on-campus which is connected with other libraries in Israel through the inter-library loan system.
The Jacob Blaustein Center for Scientific Cooperation (BCSC) is part of the Jacob Blaustein Institutes. It is the coordinating body for all aspects of international cooperation in which the Institutes and members of its faculty are involved. The BCSC has an active role in fundraising, developing collaborative agreements with other academic and research institutions throughout the world and providing financial support for various activities of the institutes.
Health Insurance Every guest, visitor, professor or student, as well as accompanying family members and dependents, associated with BGU must be covered by a comprehensive private health insurance policy for the period of their stay in Israel.
We have found that students and guests are satisfied with insurance arranged through a local insurance agent working with BGU
(Mr. Amos Gilboa, Harel-Yedidim Insurance Agency)
Phone: 972-3-6386216
Fax: 972-3-6874534
e-mail:
mali@yedidim.co.il Harel-Yedidim offers also insurance for the length of one consecutive year called "Prestige". "Prestige" Forms
Please note: Having health insurance is mandatory in order to apply for a Visa!
Harel-Yedidim Medical Policy Insurance (for visitors and students) is valid only in Israel. People, covered by Harel-Yedidim, who wish to travel outside Israel, will need to sign a "Blue-White Travel Policy".
You and your family members are required to be covered by health insurance throughout your entire stay at the BIDR. Even a single day-cap in the continuity of your insurance, might jeopardize your entire coverage. It is therefore imperative that you renew your health insurance before it expires. You can bring your own health insurance or buy it locally from the "Harel" insurance company (minimal, subsidized price) via the Hospitality Office upon your arrival at the BIDR.
"Harel" insurance The cost of the insurance policy is currently $1.70 per person per day. It covers medical treatment by the nurses and the doctor at the local clinic. The insurance becomes valid the minute the application form (sent by fax by the Hospitality Officer), reaches the insurance company. Within about ten days, you will receive a membership card that will entitle you to the benefits stated in the policy at all the listed health care facilities in the country. Whenever seeking medical treatment, please present your membership card or the receipt from the Hospitality Officer indicating that you have paid your insurance.
Other insurances People arriving with health insurance from their countries will have to coordinate treatment and payment with the local clinic. They will be charged for the treatment and can be reimbursed later by their insurance company in accordance with the terms of their coverage.
The Clinic Medical Treatment is provided by the local clinic (physician and nurses) according to the clinic's regulations (reception hours: emergency calls procedure) Medication is not included. For appointments please call: 6532837.
Physician Hours: Monday and Wednesday - 17:00-20:00.
Visas To all nationalities:
Anyone entering Israel needs a passport valid at least six months from the intended date of entering Israel.
Please Note:
Anyone traveling to Israel as a tourist must travel with a round-trip ticket.
A fine is levied by law if you fail to extend or change your visa before it expires. Check the visa stamp in your passport to make sure the date of expiration does not put you in an illegal situation.
All issues related to visas and health insurance (associated with BIDR guests) should be dealt through the Hospitality Unit.
A-2 (Student or Post-Doctoral Student) Valid for one academic year. Can be extended for the period of a student's studies up to one additional academic year. This visa is granted as per request of the institution. (This will probably be your kind of visa for the period of your stay at BGU).
Please note:
Any student who wants to study in Israel must obtain A2 visa (Student visa) from the Israeli embassy/consulate in the country of his residence. To obtain a student visa you must supply the Israeli embassy consulate with your acceptance letter to BGU, fill out the relevant forms, passport size photo and fee. Any student who will enter Israel with a B2 visa (tourist visa) will not be allowed to change his visa to a student visa in Israel and will be forced to exit Israel, return to his home country and obtain the student visa.
Holders of A-2 Visa are NOT allowed to work in Israel! A-2 (Invitation) Valid for one academic year. Can be extended for the period of a student's studies up to one additional academic year. This visa is granted as per request of the institution. (This will probably be your kind of visa for the period of your stay at BIDR/BGU).
Holders of A-2 Visa are NOT allowed to work in Israel!
A-4 (Authorization for couples and their children, A2 visa holders). Granted only to children, husband or wife of trainees, guests and visitors.
Holders of A-4 Visa are NOT allowed to work in Israel!
A-4 (Invitation) Granted only to children, husband or wife of trainees, guests and visitors.
Holders of A-4 Visa are NOT allowed to work in Israel!
B-1 (Authorization to work temporarily) Issued to persons possessing a signed contract with an Israeli employer. At BIDR/BGU, this visa is requested for guests and visitors who have been officially invited by the Rector of the University, the Dean of one of the Faculties, or the head of one of the research institutes. Valid up to 12 months with the possibility to be extended up to 63 months. This kind of visa is to be arranged prior to your coming to Israel by your host.
The decision to grant a temporary permit rests with the Ministry of the Interior. Please note that it takes several months for this visa to be authorized by Israeli authorities!
B-2 (Tourist and Accompanying family members, B1 visa holders) Issued for a short period of time or as an authorization to enter in Israel.
Issued (before arrival or upon arrival at the airport, depending on nationality) to visiting scientists and to accompanying persons.
Granted to participants in short-term programs such as conferences, Ulpan (Hebrew school), academic meetings, etc.
Holders of B-2 Visa are NOT allowed to work in Israel!
Visa, How to obtain? A2 Visa: A written attestation from your inviting academic staff member describing the scope of your studies and the exact length of your stay. (Internal form to be filled-in by your inviting academic staff member.)
A recent photograph (passport size).
A health insurance policy valid up to the end of the requested period.
180 NIS Note: fees may change without notice.
A valid passport.
Fill in the appropriate official form for your visa.
A2 Visa Invitation:
A written attestation from your inviting academic staff member describing the scope of your studies and the exact length of your stay. (Internal form to be filled-in by your inviting academic staff member.)
A recent photograph (passport size).
A health insurance policy valid up to the end of the requested period.
180 NIS Note: fees may change without notice.
Copy of two main pages of passport.
Fill in the appropriate official form for your visa.
A4 Visa:
A written attestation from your relative's inviting academic staff member, attesting the exact length of your stay. (Internal form to be filled-in in by your relative's inviting academic staff member.)
Fill in the external official form for your visa.
A copy of your husband's or wife's A-2 visa.
A copy of your Certificate of Marriage.
A recent photograph (passport size).
A health insurance policy valid up to the end of the requested period.
180 NIS Note: fees may change without notice.
A valid passport.
B1 up to 3 months:
A written attestation from your inviting academic staff member describing your occupation and the exact period of your work. (Internal form to be filled-in by the academic host/employer).
External official form (filled-out by the Foreign Citizen and signed by inviting academic staff member) for your B-1 visa.
A copy of the two first pages of your valid passport.
180 Israeli Shekels (NIS) Note: fees may change without notice.
Your B-1 authorization will arrive to the Israeli representation in your country (Please be patient!).
A comprehensive health insurance policy valid up to the end of the requested working period.
Important Remarks
If you wish to leave the country for a short trip abroad, you should inform the Ministry of the Interior (via the Hospitality Officer) about your intention, so that your passport (and those of your family, if they are accompanying you) can be stamped with a re-entry permit - otherwise the original visa(s) may expire and you will not be allowed to enter the country again.
Visa Extensions
Arrangements for extension of a visa should be requested at least a month before the visa is due to expire. In order to extend your visa, please present the following items to the Hospitality Officer:
A valid passport
A written attestation from your academic host describing your occupation and exact period of your stay.
A recent photograph (passport size).
A health insurance policy valid till the end of the requested extension period.
The current fee for an entry visa is: 75 Israeli Shekels (NIS) or 145 NIS for the extension of a visa (one entry). For multiple entry, add another 145 NIS. Please note that these fees charged by the office of the Ministry of Interior may change without warning.
Transportation
International Arrival:
The nearest airport is Ben-Gurion Airport (near Tel-Aviv, and coded TLV) in Israel. The airport is situated about 2 hours' drive north of the Sede Boqer campus.
If you are flying El Al to Israel be prepared for a great deal of additional security from the airline employees, and occasionally to have to submit to a search of your belongings. Be sure to arrive at the airport with plenty of time to spare.
Make sure you have all your paperwork lined up before you prepare to pass through customs. In contrast to its reputation, Israel is actually a safe country, but that's because Israelis take national security very seriously; please answer all the officials' questions honestly and concisely.
Local Transportation from the airport/Tel-Aviv to Sede Boqer campus:
Depending on the time of arrival, several modes of transportation are available from the airport, either through Beer Sheva (by bus, train or taxi) or directly to Sede Boqer (via taxi).
By Bus to Beer Sheva/ Sede Boqer:
Those arriving at the airport anytime other than between Friday afternoon and Saturday evening (the local Weekend), can take bus number 475 from the airport to the Central Bus Station (in Hebrew: Takhana Merkazit) in Tel-Aviv.
From there take bus number 370 to Beer Sheva. Alternatively, bus number 222 from the airport takes you to the Tel-Aviv train station (Arlozorov station). From there number 380 goes directly to Beersheva. Either way, the journey takes 2-2.5 hours.
Once a day there is a bus (number 391) that goes directly from the Central Bus Station in Tel-Aviv to Sede Boqer. It leaves Tel-Aviv at 14:45 on Sundays through Thursdays, and at 13:30 on Fridays.
By Train to Beer Sheva:
Train transportation is available to Beer Sheva.
The Israel Railway site is: http://www.rail.co.il/EN/Pages/Homepage.aspx
There is usually 1 train an hour (usually leaving Tel-Aviv Merkaz station a few minutes after the hour) and the journey takes about 1 hour and 40 minutes. You need to get off at the second (and last) Beer Sheva station: Beer-Sheva Merkaz, and NOT at the Ben-Gurion University station.
By Bus from Beer Sheva to the Sede Boqer campus:
In Beer Sheva central bus station, take bus number 60 or 64 (Metropolitan buses), asking for Midreshet Ben Gurion (this is where the Sede Boqer Campus is located). The journey takes about 50 minutes.
Please make sure to get off at the "Midrasha" and not at the kibbutz "Sede Boqer" station, which is 5 km. north of campus.
The No. 60 or 64 local buses operate at a rate of about a bus per hour.
The last number 64 bus leaves Beer Sheva for Sede Boqer at approximately 22:15 hours on Sundays through Thursdays, at 16:45 hours on Fridays, and from 22:10 hours on Saturdays.
These times are subject to change - so check again! Note that the Israeli weekend is Friday and Saturday. Some places (e.g., schools, but not universities) work Fridays, but only till about 1:00 pm.
Buses to Beer Sheva or Mitzpe Ramon, operate from early morning to late at night. The bus station is at the gate of the Midrasha. However, there is no public transportation from Friday afternoon to Saturday sunset and on most holidays. If you have an international student card you will receive a 10% reduction on the price of tickets.
If you arrive on Saturday, a holiday or late in the day, and public transportation is not available, it is best to arrange for overnight accommodations in the Tel-Aviv area, and try to contact your host by phone to his home (this is acceptable in Israel), if after office hours.
By Taxi to Sede Boqer campus:
You can take a taxi directly to Sde Boker (for about 150$). Please confirm price before departing the airport to avoid any misunderstandings.
Things to bring with you
Sede Boqer is a small and isolated campus. Clothing is extremely informal. Entertainment is limited, and the library is rather limited as to the range of languages in which it provides books. You may well find it useful to bring with you a supply of reading matter.
Prices of electrical goods and the like tend to be high in Israel. Almost anything you send by mail to Sede Boqer will be subject to customs duty, so it is best to bring your possessions as accompanying luggage. The electric current in Israel is 220V, 50Hz.
Banks
There are no banking services at Sede Boqer Campus. Visitors that come for longer periods are requested to open a bank account at one of the commercial banks in Beer Sheva.
If you receive a cheque from the University it is best to either deposit it in your local account or to cash it in Bank Hapoalim, one of Israel's major banks. The bank has a full branch office on the main BGU campus in Beer Sheva. The phone number is: 6461584.
Banking hours:
Univ. Branch in Beer Sheva
Sunday to Thursday (morning) - 08:30 to 13:00
Monday and Thursday (afternoon)- 16:00 to 18:30
As these hours change from time to time, please check the hours posted at the entrance to the bank.
This branch office has two ATM's at your service: One near the main entrance and the other in the basement of the Student Center, next to the Academon shop.
Some Advice:
Avoid changing foreign currency on the black market.
Avoid keeping large amounts of money in your pockets, automatic tellers are available almost everywhere for NIS withdrawals.
Deposit cash and Travelers Checks in a bank when you arrive in Israel.
All non-residents and newly arrived BIDR guests and visitors are allowed to open foreign currency accounts. Funds are generally withdrawn and converted into Shekels only when needed, thereby maintaining their original value.
Housing
For day-to-day maintenance such as: ordering new gas cylinders or electrical problems, etc. in the housing units, please contact the Hospitality Officer (Mr. Yoav Cohen, Tel: 6596711/842, e-mail yoava@bgu.ac.il). Working hours of the office: 8:00 till 16:00 Sunday to Thursday. Guests living at the guesthouse should call the person on call that is noted on the bulletin board there.
Laundry
You are welcome to use the Laundromats located at the new dorms and the caravan site. Postdoctoral fellows can buy tokens for the machines at the Students' Union. Visitors will be able to buy them from the Hospitality Officer during working hours, for the machine at the guesthouse.
Supermarket
Food supplies can be purchased at the local supermarket, which is located at the commercial center.
Supermarket operating hours:
Sunday to Thursday: 08:00 to 19:00
Friday: 08:00 to 14:00
Saturday and Holidays: Closed
NOTE: In Beer Sheva, many shops (not shopping centers) are closed everyday between 13:00 to 16:00.
Recreational Opportunities
There are quite a few recreational opportunities available around the Sede Boqer campus. These include: -
Hiking - The local area is very scenic. It is quite easy to hike to the springs located at various points in the Wadi Zin area. Remember to protect yourself sufficiently from the midday sun (sunscreen and hat) and heat and carry with you an ample amount of water. Never hike alone to places you don't know, or leave for a hike without telling a friend bout your route and schedule. Beware- or beautiful desert can be extremely demanding and dangerous even for the most experienced hiker!
Sports - There is a sports gymnasium located on the Sede Boqer campus as well as tennis and basketball courts. For more details turn to the Students' Union.
Swimming - An open-air swimming pool is available at the Sede Boqer campus. It is open for the summer season only. The timetable for swimming is posted on the notice boards at the beginning of the season. Resident students and visitors staying here for the swimming season can purchase a membership card to the pool via the finance office of the village.
Weather Conditions
The Sede Boqer campus is at an altitude of 430 m above sea level. In summer (May-Sep.) it is hot and dry during the day, reaching on the average about 33oC, with occasional highs of 40oC (hat and sun glasses are required), and cool at night (about 15oC). The winter is rather cold, about 15oC during the day and 5oC at night. Rainfall is low, the annual average being approximately 90 mm, entirely in winter (Nov.-Feb.). It is suggested that you bring warm clothing for the winter months (coat, sweaters, socks, etc.) as most items in Israel are expensive. There is also an average of 210 nights on which heavy dew occurs.
Miscellaneous Information
You may care to bring tennis racket (and balls), bathing suit, radio, cassette players, supply of tapes, transformers, etc. The power source in Israel is 220 volts, 50 cycles.
If you wish to travel in Arab countries it is advisable not to have your passport stamped when you enter Israel, but to request the visa on a separate piece of paper.
Pay day is usually around the fifth of the month if you are receiving a stipend through the Center.
It is helpful to arrange for an international driver's license before your arrival at Sede Boqer.
Bicycles are an invaluable mode of transport, if you have one and can bring it easily, it would be an advantage. Mountain bikes with wide tires are the most suitable type.
The local area is very scenic, you may care to bring binoculars, camera and supply of film.
Estimated cost of food is about $ 300 per month per person.
Hebrew is the official language in Israel, but one can easily manage in English.
It is advisable to bring a few passport photographs for various purposes (our files, to extend visa, etc.).
Holidays
On Saturdays and holidays there is no public transportation and all shops are closed; some restaurants are open. The Jewish Sabbath, festivals and fast days commence on the preceding evening and terminate at the evening of the Saturday or last day of the festival. Caps and communal taxis (called "sherut') run in and between main towns, during holidays, but there is no service to Sede Boqer.
Please note that during Passover (see list below) bread and wheat products are not available.
All Jewish holidays begin at sundown and finish at sundown. During the holidays The Jacob Blaustein Institutes and some or all public services are closed.
Most of Israel, including the universities, work a five day week, which in Israel means from Sunday through Thursday. Shops, entertainments and many service offices are open Friday until commencement of the Sabbath (after sundown).
Ask your supervisor for any further information regarding holidays.
Holidays in the year 2015-2016 (the days on which the BIDR will be closed)
July 26, 2015 - Tisha Be Av
September 14-15, 2015 - Rosh Hashana (Israeli New Year)
September 23, 2014 - Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement)
September 28-30, October 01-05 2015 - Succoth (Feast of Tabernacles)
December 13, 2015 - Chanukah (Festival of lights)
March 23-24, 2016 - Purim
April 24-29, 2016 - Pesach (Jewish festival of Passover)
May 12, 2016 - Independence Day
June 12, 2016 - Shavuot (Pentecost)
August 14, 2016 - Tisha Be Av
October 02-04, 2016 - Rosh Hashana (Israeli New Year)
October 12, 2016 - Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement)
October 17- 24, 2016 - Succoth (Feast of Tabernacles)
