Retirees
Retiring to Zichron Yaakov
Zichron has an active English-speaking 55+ community: the council's KEF Club meets most Monday mornings, and Social Services has social workers assigned to seniors by neighbourhood. Cultural life includes Elma's concert season, Ramat HaNadiv events and films with English subtitles at Mall Zichron.
Retirees
Start here
7 steps, in the order most people take them.
- 1
Join the KEF Club
Free social and cultural club for English speakers aged 55+, meeting at least twice a month, mostly on Monday mornings 10:00-12:00 at 4 HaNadiv St; notices by email and an admin-only WhatsApp group.
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Social Services for seniors
Social workers for seniors are assigned by area (04-6291859). Kehila Tomechet, a supportive-community scheme of about NIS 140 a month, adds an emergency button and home help services.
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Arnona discount
Seniors are entitled to a discount on the first part of their home (the council English page says 100 m2; ask the arnona office on 04-6297111).
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Hatzav at Zamarin
The Zamarin community centre runs Hatzav ("young at heart"), with activities, trips and lectures, mostly in Hebrew.
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Free bridge and computer help
Free bridge for residents on Sunday, Monday, Wednesday and Thursday 17:00-19:00 at the former Yavetz building, 100 HaMeyasdim St.
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Films and concerts
The council says seniors with a Senior Citizen card pay NIS 10 at the Planet cinema on Tuesdays, and Elma often has senior discounts.
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Ramat HaNadiv for less
Parking at Ramat HaNadiv costs NIS 10 for seniors and registered local residents instead of NIS 30.
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Guides
Read next
- Your first week in Zichron Yaakov: what to do, in what orderThe first-week list for new olim in Zichron Yaakov: the council offices, the olim team, the 106 hotline, emergency numbers, English groups and where Hebrew classes really are.
- Health funds and health care in Zichron YaakovWhich kupot have clinics in Zichron Yaakov, English-speaking doctors, blood tests, pharmacies open on Shabbat, and where to go at night and on weekends.
- Shabbat and shuls in Zichron YaakovOhel Yaakov, Moed, Ve'Ahavta and the neighbourhood shuls, English Torah classes, candle-lighting times, the mikvaot, and what I could and could not confirm about the eruv.
Good to know
Some KEF Club members volunteer as tour guides at the First Aliyah Museum, according to the council seniors page.
Community groups
Where people talk
- Five Towns Israel email groupOther · Volunteer administrator (community-run)
- KEF Club (English speakers 55+): WhatsApp and email bulletinsWhatsApp · KEF Club, sponsored by the council's Department of Social Services and the Ministry of Aliyah and Integration
- KEF ConnectionsWhatsApp · ZY English Community (listed by the council olim team)
- ZY English Community: EmergenciesWhatsApp · ZY English Community (listed by the council olim team)
- ZY English Community: Local Volunteer OpportunitiesWhatsApp · ZY English Community (listed by the council olim team)
- ZY English Community: New Olim 55+WhatsApp · ZY English Community (listed by the council olim team)
Source
- Zichron Yaakov Local Council (opens in a new tab)
- Zichron Yaakov Local Council (opens in a new tab)
- Zichron Yaakov Local Council (opens in a new tab)
- ramat-hanadiv.org.il (opens in a new tab)
This page was written for Zichron Yaakov from the sources above.
