Useful Israeli Resources, Apps, and Websites

Israel runs on digital services. Most bureaucracy, banking, job hunting, housing, and transport starts online. For new immigrants, the right websites save time, money, and stress.

Government resources

Gov.il

The main state services portal in Israel. It works like a local version of Gosuslugi.

Use it for:

  • border crossing information
  • state assistance and benefits
  • child and family allowances
  • pets
  • cars and real estate
  • address changes and registration details
  • appointments and many other government services

Ministry of Immigration and Absorption

This section is part of Gov.il and is one of the first resources a new oleh should use.

It helps with:

  • appointments at the Interior Ministry
  • appointments at the Absorption Ministry
  • practical steps after aliyah

The Jewish Agency for Israel

The Russian-language version of the Jewish Agency site gives practical guidance for future and new olim.

It covers:

  • programs for new immigrants
  • next steps after receiving an aliyah visa
  • free aliyah flights
  • key stages in the repatriation process

Banks and money transfers

The Israeli banking system is concentrated. The major banks are well known and widely used.

Hapoalim

One of the largest banks in Israel. It offers a full range of services, including private banking.

Leumi

One of the biggest banks in the country. It was founded in 1902, before the State of Israel existed.

Discount Bank

A bank with a strong focus on entrepreneurs and business clients. It serves both small and large businesses.

Mizrahi Tefahot

A bank known for digital service with a personal approach.

Bit

A popular money-transfer app for sending money by phone number between bank accounts in Israel.

Available on:

  • Google Play
  • App Store

Job search

LinkedIn

Used widely in Israel for networking and job hunting, especially in high-skill sectors, IT, and digital roles.

AllJobs

A major Israeli job aggregator. It collects vacancies from many sources and covers a wide range of industries.

Use it to search broadly, but do not rely on it alone if speed matters. New listings appear there after aggregation.

Drushim

A local equivalent of HeadHunter. Employers post vacancies, candidates upload CVs, and responses go directly to the employer’s representative.

It is free for job seekers.

Housing: rent and buy

Israela

A Russian-language service for new immigrants. It lists:

  • apartments for rent
  • long-term and short-term housing
  • properties for purchase
  • vacancies

Russian-language listings cover only a fraction of the market. In Israel, the widest choice is on Hebrew-language platforms.

Yad2

The main Hebrew-language marketplace for housing, goods, and services. It works like Avito.

You can use it to:

  • rent apartments long term
  • buy property
  • buy cars
  • find furniture and appliances
  • buy household goods and clothing
  • search for jobs

Nadlan

A real-estate service for buying and renting property in Israel. It has an active listing base and works free of charge, without paid subscriptions.

Learning Hebrew

Hebrew is necessary for daily life in Israel. Even basic reading and speaking skills make bureaucracy, work, and healthcare much easier.

Iris Mobile

A Hebrew-Russian and Russian-Hebrew dictionary created by Dr. Baruch Podolsky of Tel Aviv University.

Available on:

  • Google Play
  • App Store

Nemo

A personal language helper for Hebrew and Russian.

Features:

  • word and phrase translation
  • pronunciation by native speakers
  • useful for quick translation and everyday study

Available on:

  • Google Play
  • App Store

Write It! Hebrew

A handwriting training app for learning Hebrew letters and writing correctly.

Available on:

  • Google Play
  • App Store

Education

Kivunim

An Arabic- and Hebrew-language educational resource focused on higher education and career planning. It contains links to many education-related resources.

Midvak Yoram

A free career-guidance system that helps users choose a profession.

Healthcare

Kupot holim

Israel’s health system is built around the health funds:

  • Maccabi
  • Meuhedet
  • Clalit
  • Leumit

Each fund has its own website, services, clinics, and appointment system.

Ministry of Health

The official source for:

  • ministry news
  • regulations
  • health updates
  • prevention guidance
  • treatment information
  • rehabilitation after illness

Transport

Israel Railways

The official railway website provides:

  • route planning
  • current train schedules
  • ticket purchase and cancellation
  • railway information and articles

Practical setup for a new oleh

A normal move to Israel starts with a small set of tasks. Handle them early.

First-week priorities

  • book government appointments
  • open a bank account
  • choose a health fund
  • get a SIM card
  • set up a postal address
  • start Hebrew learning
  • register on job and housing platforms

Best combination for daily use

For most olim, the core set is:

  • Gov.il
  • Bit
  • Yad2
  • LinkedIn
  • Drushim
  • a health fund website
  • Israel Railways
  • one Hebrew learning app

Which platform to use for what

For bureaucracy

  • Gov.il
  • Ministry of Immigration and Absorption
  • The Jewish Agency for Israel

For banking

  • Hapoalim
  • Leumi
  • Discount Bank
  • Mizrahi Tefahot
  • Bit

For work

  • LinkedIn
  • AllJobs
  • Drushim

For housing

  • Yad2
  • Nadlan
  • Israela

For Hebrew

  • Iris Mobile
  • Nemo
  • Write It! Hebrew

For health

  • health fund websites
  • Ministry of Health

For travel

  • Israel Railways