What to teach new yeshiva bochur about living in Israel?

amother

OP ↓

Sun, Dec 08 2024, 9:27 pm

Hi,

My son (18) is just about to arrive in Israel for the first time to start a year in yeshiva (in J'lem). He is on the spectrum, but very high functioning and intelligent. He is probably slightly lacking in life skills, especially as he is about to be away from home for the first time (except for school camps).

We are coming from southern hemisphere so that is why we are arriving now, which means that any instructions/orientation given to the other boys he will miss out on. His father is flying with him and wil be there for a few weeks to get him settled in. He has a lot of close family in Israel which will help.

I have started making a list of things for my husband to show him, as sometimes what is obvious to us he just misses unless explicitly stated. Wondering if anyone else has been through this type of thing and can add anything?

I know not everything will go to plan and he will have to work out stuff on his own, which will be good for him, but especially with the current security situation I am a bit nervous (plus he is my oldest so never been through this before).

Cell phone plan already organised.

This is what I have thought of so far (in no particular order)

*Central bus station - where to get bus to different family and general layout, along with security protocol for getting inside.
*Bus lines in general, where different routes go and how to find where going
*Bus ticketing - how to recharge Rav Kav
*Which buses are mehadrin and where to sit
*General safety in Israel- unaccompanied packages, bomb shelters, general being aware of surroundings, what to do in event of air raid
* location of nearby shops (supermarket, markolet, barber, dry cleaners, post office etc)
*Kashrus
*Washing at yeshiva (or nearby laundromat if needed?)
*in shabbosim otherwise when to start planning each week (plus gift to bring hostess)

Thanks so much!!

Hashem_Yaazor

Sun, Dec 08 2024, 11:27 pm

Can his Yeshiva pair him with another bochur to take under his wing for a short while?

amother

↑ OP

Mon, Dec 09 2024, 3:53 am

Hashem_Yaazor wrote:

Can his Yeshiva pair him with another bochur to take under his wing for a short while?

Great idea, will ask.

He has lots of israeli cousins his age who will show him around but they are used to living here so what to explain might not be so obvious to them.

tichellady ↓

Mon, Dec 09 2024, 5:15 am

What to do if he is sick

Guest etiquette like offering to bring own sheets and clearing the table etc

↑ tichellady

Mon, Dec 09 2024, 5:17 am

Where to get money ( atm etc)

amother

Gray

Mon, Dec 09 2024, 5:59 am

Review roommate etiquette and how to be neat and respectful (particularly if he has his own room and if you have a maid.)
Money management and family expectations about spending
What to do in an emergency (lost wallet, lost passport, security concerns)
How to find help if he has a mental health issue.
Time management (learning vs. sleep, personal hygiene, eating proper meals, when to do laundry and change sheets. How to find downtime when day is so long and demanding (depending on Yeshiva.)

chouli

Today at 8:47 am

Hi,
Just saw your post. Which Yeshiva are you sending to? Do they have special capacities for kids on the spectrum?
Looking for a Yeshiva for my son who is also on the spectrum.
Thanks