B'lev Shalem

24/06/2025

We are getting an increasing number of reports of Israeli Facebook groups being targeted and shut down with no notice.

To ensure can stay in touch, and so that we can reconnect in a new group if needed, please take a moment to sign up for our newsletter!

10/04/2025

26/03/2025

Employers of caregivers, please take note: as of April 1, 2025 minimum wage in Israel will increase from ILS 5880.02 to 6247.67 per month. The wage increase applies to work in April, paid by May 9, 2025.

If you employ a full-time foreign caregiver, this means:

➡️ As of April 1, your caregiver's "base salary" can be no less than ILS 6,247/month

➡️ Payment for work on Rest Day (Shabbat) or Chag (Holy Day) can be no less than ILS 426.35

➡️ The increase affects calculation of various social benefits paid at the end of employment, including payment for accrued, unused vacation, pension and severance.

➡️ If you are taking permitted deductions for medical insurance, Bituach Leumi, housing and "other expenses", you may deduct the same amount from the adjusted "base salary" amount (check the regulations for details).

➡️ If you are paying additional "pocket money" of ILS 100 per week (i.e., an average of ILS 433 per month) that amount is generally deemed "wages" paid as a salary advance, in which case you may already be paying the new minimum amount. It is likely that your caregiver will ask for a wage increase to reflect the minimum wage increase, but the decision is at your discretion.

For clarifications and clarifications, consult with your tagid.

09/04/2024

📣Employers of foreign caregivers, please take note:

👉 As of April 1, 2024, the minimum wage in Israel has increased from ILS 5572/month to ILS 5,880 per month. The change goes into effect for salary paid in May for work in April.

👉 The wage increase is relevant for payments for for work on rest days and holidays, and also payment of accrued, unused vacation, all of which are calculated according to the caregiver's base salary.

The new rates for caregivers earning minimum wage are:

Base salary (before permitted deductions) ➡️ ILS 5,880
Payment for Work on Rest Day ➡️ ILS 401
Payment for Work on Holiday (Chag) ➡️ ILS 401
Payment for Accrued/Unused Vacation Day ➡️ ILS 235

👉 Bituach Leumi payments for the first quarter of 2024 are due by April 20. You will find more information about Bituach Leumi contributions here: https://www.btl.gov.il/English%20Homepage/Benefits/LongTerm%20Care/moneyinsteadofservice/Pages/Obligationtopay.aspx

For information relating to the employment of foreign caregivers in Israel and other issues relating to aging in Israel, visit us at www.blevshalem.com

Click here to join our Sandwich Generation Israel Facebook group, a thriving community of family caregivers of aging loved ones in Israel!

👇👇👇
https://www.facebook.com/groups/SandwichGenIsrael

11/01/2024

In an effort to ease the burden on people struggling to find legal foreign caregivers, the Population and Immigration Authority announced yesterday wartime measures regarding employment of foreign caregivers.

Until at least April 2024, the Authority will not take measures against foreign caregivers whose work visas have expired provided:

1️⃣ The employer has submitted a request for a Humanitarian Visa for the caregiver.
2️⃣ The request was rejected by a decision dated between 7/10/23 and 30/4/24
3️⃣ At the time of submitting the request, the caregiver has been in Israel less than 13 years.
4️⃣ There are no unusual circumstances or complaints about the caregiver.

Note: The request for the Humanitarian Visa will be rejected it doesn't meet the the application requirements, but must be submitted nonetheless.

For the official announcement: https://www.gov.il/he/departments/policies/non_enforcement_nursing?fbclid=IwAR05_yQSXYGbwoF-X_m213VMRMVa0331xkv2hEilXhmcY22aimJUi2P_8G8

For more information on Humanitarian Visas: https://www.gov.il/.../extending_licenses_nursing...

02/01/2024

Like all employees in Israel, foreign caregivers are entitled to take off 9 paid holidays per year, according to either the calendar of their home country or Israel's national holidays.

If the caregiver works on their designated holiday (rather than take it off), and the holiday does not fall on their day of rest, they are entitled to payment at the same rate as work on their weekly day of rest.

For guidance and a list of holidays in 2024, click the link below 👇👇👇
https://blevshalem.com/does-your-loved-one-employ-a-foreign-caregiver-heres-how-holidays-work/

26/12/2023

In these difficult days, those of us in the "sandwich generation" in Israel are juggling more than we ever thought possible.

You are not alone! Our Sandwich Generation Israel Facebook group is your resource in English for everything related to caring for an aging loved one in Israel. From information on employing foreign caregivers to tips on managing dementia, recommendations for geriatricians, guidance on Bituach Leumi, assistance with navigating senior Aliyah, and so much more, we've got you covered.

More importantly, Sandwich Generation Israel is a safe and supportive community. Its a space to openly share share challenges and concerns, seek guidance, or simply find a sympathetic ear.

Join us today by clicking the link below 👇👇👇
https://www.facebook.com/groups/SandwichGenIsrael

Together, we are stronger.

21/11/2023

In the wake of the October 7th war and a resurgence of antisemitism around the world, we are fielding a massive uptick in inquiries from people seeking to bring elderly parents on Aliyah.

Here are the answers to some frequently asked questions:

𝗪𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗺𝘆 𝗳𝗮𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝗯𝗲 𝗲𝗹𝗶𝗴𝗶𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗺𝗲𝗱𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗰𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗿𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝗮𝘄𝗮𝘆?
Yes. Provided that he is a first-time Oleh, your parent can be registered in one of Israel's four health funds ("Kupat Holim") immediately upon arrival in Israel.

𝗠𝘆 𝗺𝗼𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝗻𝗲𝗲𝗱𝘀 𝗳𝘂𝗹𝗹-𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗲 𝗰𝗮𝗿𝗲, 𝘄𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝘀𝗵𝗲 𝗯𝗲 𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗵𝗶𝗿𝗲 𝗮 𝗹𝗶𝘃𝗲-𝗶𝗻 𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗲𝗶𝗴𝗻 𝗰𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗴𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗿?
Like all Israeli citizens, new Olim may apply to the Ministry of Population and Immigration for a permit to employ a live-in foreign caregiver as long as s/he lives in the community (i.e., at home or in a sheltered living facility known as "diyur moogan") and is dependent on assistance in his/her activities of daily living or ongoing supervision. The application can only be submitted once your parent has a teudat zehut card (Israeli identity card), and jumping through the bureaucratic hoops can take some time, so you will need to have an interim plan of care in place until everything can be set up.

𝗪𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗺𝘆 𝗽𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀 𝗯𝗲 𝗲𝗹𝗶𝗴𝗶𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗕𝗶𝘁𝘂𝗮𝗰𝗵 𝗟𝗲𝘂𝗺𝗶 𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗿𝘀?
Like all Israeli citizens, new Olim may be eligible for Bituach Leumi's long-term care benefit which can be applied towards services or a cash benefit to subsidize part of the vost of full-time caregivewr. Eligibility for the benefit is a two-prong test of dependency and income.

𝗡𝗲𝗲𝗱 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗶𝗻𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻?
Click here to view a recording of our popular webinar on Brining an Elderly Parent on Aliyah:
https://blevshalem.com/are-you-planning-aliyah-for-an-elderly-loved-one/

𝗟𝗼𝗼𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗽𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘇𝗲𝗱 𝗴𝘂𝗶𝗱𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲?
B'lev Shalem offers a premium Aliyah and Returning Citizen service for seniors, providing expert, personalized guidance on all aspects of senior Aliyah, from pre-Aliyah planning to post-Aliyah care coordination and advocacy.

For more information visit us at
https://blevshalem.com/aliyah-services-seniors/
B'lev Shalem Care Management for Seniors in Israel

Are you planning Aliyah for an elderly loved one? Israel is a wonderful place for seniors, but setting everything up can be complex and overwhelming. Careful thinking and advance care […]

16/11/2023

A heartfelt piece published in The Times of Israel navigating the delicate journey of caring for aging parents - an experience filled with invaluable lessons and profound insights.

https://m.jpost.com/opinion/article-760323

Those of us being entreated to care for the elderly understand precious little of life as they experience it.

14/11/2023

As we enter the second month of the war in Israel, let's honor the remarkable resilience of the "Sandwich Generation" in Israel. These family caregivers are balancing the needs of their children, workplaces, communities, and elderly loved ones amidst the emotional stress, concerns over safety, disruptions in caregiving, difficulty accessing healthcare, and social isolation caused by the conflict.

Remember, you are not alone in this journey. Here are some practical tips to enhance your elderly loved one's quality of life during times of conflict:

1. 🏡 Make their living space cozy and accessible, with proper lighting and familiar items.

2. 🍎 Pay attention to their diet and include nutrient-rich foods. Simple, home-cooked meals can make a big difference.

3. 📚 Engage them in activities like reading, puzzles, or learning something new to keep their minds active.

4. 🚶‍♀️Encourage light physical activities suited to their abilities, such as stretches or short walks.

5. 📅 Create a daily routine with regular meal times, activities, and rest periods to provide a sense of security.

6. 🎨 Encourage creative expression if they enjoy it, whether it's painting, crafting, or listening to music.

7. 💻 Provide opportunities for social interaction, even if it's virtual. Regular conversations with friends and family can combat feelings of isolation.

8. 💊 Keep a clear record of medications and their schedules. Ensure they are taking medications as prescribed and stay in close communication with their healthcare providers.

9. 🌳 If possible, spend time outdoors, whether it's a stroll in the garden or enjoying fresh air on the patio.

10. 👐 Regularly express your care and appreciation. Small gestures and quality time can make a big difference.

Share your own tips and experiences and let's support each other and our elderly loved ones.
Because together, we are stronger! 💙