What Not to Bring to Israel: Save Space, Stress Less
This guest post was written exclusively for Pack for Israel by Ariella Taragin, the founder of Ready.Set.Sem, a platform dedicated to helping students prepare for their gap year in Israel with confidence and clarity.
Packing for your year in Israel can feel overwhelming — you're getting ready for the adventure of a lifetime, and of course, you want to be prepared for everything. But trust us: there are some things you definitely don’t need to bring. Whether you're heading to seminary and yeshiva, here’s your go-to guide on what to leave out of your suitcase.
1. Hair Tools That Don’t Work in Israel
Unless your hot tools are dual voltage, leave them behind. Plugging in your curling iron or blow dryer from the U.S. can fry your appliance and blow the fuse. Better to buy one in Israel, or get one that’s tried and true. (P.S. Israeli humidity is its own beast — your straightener might be fighting a losing battle anyway.)
2. A Year’s Worth of Toiletries
Yes, you'll want your favorites — but they aren't made for Israeli water. Here, the water is “harder”, so your toiletries need to be formulated accordingly. But, you’ll find your favorite brands like Dove, Pantene, and so many more! So unless you have a specific skincare item (think prescribed items and super specific items), just wait and buy them in Israel.
3. Too Much Clothing
There’s no need to overpack, because you’ll probably end up wearing the same few things on repeat. Plus, Israel has some pretty great clothing, so you’ll want to make sure you have room for that in your dorm, and on the way back too.
4. An Entire Pharmacy
Bring the basics: Advil, allergy meds, and whatever you personally need (if you have serious food allergies, make sure you’ve your essentials). But don’t go overboard with American medicine. Israeli pharmacies are fully stocked, so you’ll be okay. But, they don’t sell things by the hundred here, so be warned.
5. Things You Think You Might Need
If you’re packing something “just in case,” chances are… you won’t need it. That extra shabbos outfit, the sweater you probably won’t wear, that bulky travel pillow — it’s better to be practical. You’ll be living in a dorm with limited space, so it’s better to skip it.
6. Expensive Jewelry
It’s easy to lose things in shared dorm rooms or on tiyulim. Stick to a few simple pieces you actually wear, or pick out a few inexpensive pieces online to bring along. Leave expensive or sentimental items at home — it’s not worth the stress.
7. Tons of American Snacks
While it's tempting to stuff your suitcase with protein bars, snack bags, and more — Israeli snacks are amazing, and part of the fun is trying new things. You’ll adapt, and someone can always bring you a quick restock, and you might end up liking the Israeli snacks more!
8. Linens, Towels, and More
Yes, you could bring these from home, but honestly, it’s just not worth the hassle. Save space and weight, and have these delivered to your dorm ahead of time. The first night, you’ll just need to open your package, instead of rushing to unpack! Plus, the items you can order are high quality, and sized for Israeli beds, so this is truly the way to go!
Packing smart doesn’t mean under packing — it means prioritizing. Focus on the essentials, bring the things that make you feel at home, and remember: Israel isn’t another planet. You can buy almost anything here!
Got questions? DM us on Instagram @ready.set.sem — we're happy to help!
About the Author
Ariella Taragin is the founder of Ready.Set.Sem, a platform dedicated to helping students prepare for their gap year in Israel with confidence and clarity. Ariella, along with her team, support both students and parents through packing tips, cultural insights, and practical guidance—ensuring they’re fully ready for the year ahead.
Follow us on instagram at @ready.set.sem and @ready.set.yeshiva
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