Getting to the Hospital
If a woman is taken to the hospital by MADA (Magen David Adom) ambulance, Bituach Leumi will cover the transport if she is hospitalized or gives birth within 3 days. Otherwise she will be required to pay for the service.
On Shabbos
Several taxi companies in Jerusalem employ non-Jewish drivers. Check out this option in advance.
Tip
Many neighborhoods have options available for transportation to the hospital on Shabbos. Speak to a local Rav or a labor coach to learn more.
Note
Using a kosher cell phone on Shabbos may incur a high fee.
Maternity Ward Visiting Hours
Shaare Zedek
7:00 am – 4:00 pm – husband plus one adult visitor; 4:30 pm – 8:30 pm
Hadassah Har Tzofim
8:00 am – 10:00 pm – husband only; 9:30 am – 11:30 pm, 3:30 pm – 5:00 pm, 7:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Hadassah Ein Kerem
8:00 am –10:00 pm – husband only; 9:30 am –11:30 am, 3:30 pm – 5:00 pm, 7:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Leaving the Hospital
Before discharge, the hospital will provide the following documents:
- Teudat shichrur – Two sets of discharge papers, one for the mother and one for the baby. The mother’s, which include the medical records of the birth and hospital stay, will be needed for her postpartum checkup and Tipat Chalav as well as for beit hachlama. The baby’s papers contain a record of the baby’s stay and will be needed for Tipat Chalav and for foreigners who need to register for kupat cholim. See here for more information on birth legalities.
- Pinkas Chisunim – Vaccination record for the baby, if any immunizations were received. This is a booklet and should be brought to all Tipat Chalav appointments. Save the booklet for future use!
- Hodaa al leidah chai ‒ A temporary birth certificate. This must be exchanged for an official Israeli birth certificate from The Population Authority (Misrad Hapnim) whether or not the baby is Israeli.
Tip
Hospitals often give vouchers for a free night in beit hachlamah, but they might not offer it unless one requests it before leaving.
Beit Hachlamah
Beit hachlamah means “convalescent home.” Women in Israel commonly spend time in a beit hachlamah after birth. It offers mothers a chance to rest and recuperate while trained staff care for their babies. The woman’s kupot cholim may fully or partially cover a number of days in a beit hachlamah, depending on her level of insurance, how long she has been a member, and how many children she has. Ask your kupat cholim for details.
The following are the most popular batei hachlamah:
- Telzstone: Hagra 24, Telzstone – 02-533-1010
- Em V’Yeled: Avnei Nezer 10, Bnei Brak – 03-617-2222
- Hadassah Baby: Ein Kerem Hospital – 02-560-8555
- Bikurim: Rechov Haneviim 25, near Geulah – 02-671-5551
