Philadelphia draws Israelis for practical reasons: strong universities and hospitals, a growing biotech sector, and housing that costs well below New York or Boston. Amtrak reaches Manhattan in about an hour and a half, so East Coast work and family visits stay within easy reach. The region also has one of the oldest Jewish communities in the country. Congregation Mikveh Israel dates to 1740, and the Weitzman National Museum of American Jewish History stands on Independence Mall.
This guide covers where to live, how to handle the first month and how to keep two sets of paperwork in order.
Where Israeli Families Tend to Settle
Visit at different times of day before signing a lease.
- Lower Merion and the Main Line. Merion Station, Bala Cynwyd, Wynnewood and Narberth have well-regarded public schools, synagogues across the denominations, and kosher shops. SEPTA’s Paoli/Thorndale line runs to Center City. Expect higher rents and home prices.
- Center City. Rittenhouse Square, Society Hill and Washington Square West suit couples and students who want to walk to work. Rowhouse apartments are common, and many have no parking.
- Northeast Philadelphia. Bustleton and Somerton are more affordable and have a large Russian-speaking community, which helps many Israelis who grew up speaking Russian.
- Elkins Park and Melrose Park. These close-in suburbs north of the city have an established Jewish presence and easy rail access.
- Cherry Hill, New Jersey. Just across the Delaware River, it offers larger houses and an active Jewish community. New Jersey has its own taxes and licensing.
Your First Month in Pennsylvania
American bureaucracy runs on proof of address, so your lease is the document that unlocks most of the list. A workable order:
- Social Security number. Apply if your visa or status allows it.
- Bank account. Bring your passport, visa documents and lease. Credit history does not transfer from Israel, so a secured credit card is a common way to start building one.
- Driver’s license. Pennsylvania expects new residents to switch to a state license within 60 days. Holders of Israeli licenses should plan on taking the knowledge and road tests, and should check current PennDOT rules first.
- Health insurance. Coverage usually comes through an employer. Without one, compare plans on Pennie, the state marketplace, as soon as you arrive.
- School enrollment. Public school placement depends on your address. Districts generally ask for proof of residence, a birth certificate and immunization records, so bring vaccination records translated into English.
Schools and Community Life
Public school quality varies widely from block to block in the city, and it often drives the decision to move to the suburbs. Families looking for Jewish day schools usually start with Barrack Hebrew Academy in Bryn Mawr and Perelman Jewish Day School.
Parents who want their kids to keep up their Hebrew should plan for it early. Hebrew reading and writing fade quickly once English takes over at school, so regular practice at home and contact with other Israeli families matter. The Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia is a good first contact for programs, schools and congregations, and local synagogues often know who else has just arrived.
Keeping Your Israeli Paperwork in Order
Moving abroad does not end your obligations to Israeli institutions, and small problems are easier to fix before a trip home brings them to light. Four items deserve attention early:
- Passport. Israeli citizens must enter and leave Israel on an Israeli document, so check its expiration date well before you book flights.
- Children born in the US. A child of an Israeli citizen needs to be registered before receiving an Israeli document.
- IDF status. Service, deferment and exemption rules all depend on your personal situation, and it pays to confirm your status before visiting Israel.
- Bituach Leumi. Living abroad can change your residency status with the National Insurance Institute, and unpaid balances can quietly build up.
The Consulate General of Israel on John F. Kennedy Boulevard serves the Mid-Atlantic region and handles many of these matters. Check its website for current hours and booking rules, and try to request an appointment well ahead of any deadline.
If you would rather hand off the forms and follow-up, there are private options. Concierge service for Israelis in the USA is one to look at: Assist Israel works with clients in Hebrew, Russian and English on passport renewal, child registration, IDF status, Bituach Leumi matters and document legalization.
Practical Tips Before You Sign a Lease
- Scan everything. Keep digital copies of passports, teudat zehut, birth and marriage certificates and school records.
- Plan your taxes. Moving between Israel and the US creates questions in both systems. An accountant who works with both is worth finding before your first filing season.
- Test the commute. Ride SEPTA at rush hour or drive the route on a weekday morning before you commit.
Philadelphia tends to reward people who settle into one neighborhood and get to know it. Sort out the paperwork early, and you can spend your first year on the better parts of the move: new friends, a local bakery and a city full of history within walking distance.
