Branches Have So Much to Offer

ESRA has numerous branches throughout the country, each with its own character and pet projects. Every branch offers a range of social and cultural activities as well as volunteering opportunities that benefit the wider community.

ESRA's mandate, from its very inception, was to provide interesting and varied activities, in the English language, for the benefit of olim from all parts of the English-speaking world.

This formula brings together new immigrants and old-timers who meet in a social environment. How many times have we heard the comment 'Wow! We have been living around the corner from each other and never met before!"

Over the years, as more people heard about the new venture, new branches were formed, each organizing its own social activities and creating a local center of activity. Each branch developed its own ideas according to its needs, such as a very popular discussion group in Ramat Hasharon, and a play-reading group in Herzliya, which was the forerunner of the Sharon Players.

As ESRA developed, the social and cultural scene continued to evolve. Local 'talent' was discovered. Members offered to give lectures on their expertise, or lead a discussion, or put together a music lovers' evening. All this brought English speakers together and created a social networking system, even before Facebook was invented. The budding Herzliya Chamber Orchestra concert-goers were treated to refreshments lovingly prepared and served by local ESRA members. What began as an ESRA mother and toddler group in Herzliya has led to lifetime friendships!

ESRA's "Steering Committee" (the Executive) set up at its inception, decides on policy and guides the branches. From the beginning it was realized that immigrants from the English-speaking countries had a lot to offer in the form of volunteering, so local connections were set up to facilitate matching volunteers with a suitable place where they felt comfortable, whether it was help for students practicing for their Oral English Bagrut, or reading to a blind person, or helping with 'Meals-on-Wheels'. In this way olim could feel they were directly contributing to their local community. This is still a vital part of ESRA's work, and a member of staff is devoted to developing contacts and matching new volunteers.

We welcome you to join a local branch:

Branches in Central Israel:

Givatayim / Ramat Gan
An active group, happy to welcome English speakers to its meetings. The branch's pet project is offering support to lone Israeli soldiers.
Chair: Honey Stollman | This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. | 054 456 8792

Herzliya
This branch organizes regular lectures with a wide range of interesting speakers. Meetings are held in private homes in the area.
Chair: Bess Hoffman | This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. | 09 957 6410

Kfar Saba / Hod Hasharon
Welcoming English speakers in the area to Open House lectures and much more. They also support the ESRA Vintage Shop.
Chair: Phyllis Bloch | This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. | 09 767 6926

Netanya
This active group runs education and community projects, offers volunteering opportunities, and welcomes English speakers to their Drop-in Center.
Chair: Barbara Kliner | This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. | 054 782 7385

Petach Tikvah
Organizing a variety of activities and a regular Crafts group, this branch operates a local kiosk for soldiers.
Chair: Miriam Crosbie | This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. | 054 888 5459

Raanana
A lively schedule of activities includes a Cinema Club, while volunteers run the Secondhand Book Shop and help man the Nearly New Shop.
Chair: Jack Copelovici | This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. | 052 262 7260

Ramat Aviv
Embracing a community of families, the Ramat Aviv branch brings together all generations through activities arranged jointly with the Tel Aviv municipality.
Chair: Terry Shlomo | This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. | 054 460 8420

Ramat Hasharon
The branch offers a range of activities including English Tutoring, and brings together Hebrew and English speakers in their Let's Talk meetings.
Chair: Lola Katz | This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. | 052 265 3847

Tel Aviv
The mainstay of this group's cultural activities is their well-known Art Lecture Series at the Tel Aviv Museum of Art and monthly lectures.
Chair: Patricia Mills | This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Branches in Northern Israel:

Five Towns
English speakers from Caesarea, Zichron, Binyamina, Hadera, and Pardes Hanna/Karkur enjoy a variety of activities.
Chair: Laurence Jacobs | This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. | 058 781 9819

Haifa
Enjoying a range of lectures at their meeting room and social activities in members' homes.
Chair: Melvyn Sandler
Vice-chair: Harry Hiller | This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. |054 744 6942, 050 825 1923

Jordan Valley / Tiberias
Regular meetings are held in Degania Bet and in private homes in the area, as well as trips and other activities in the area. Members also enjoy a regular Lunch Club in Tiberias.
Chair: Peta Singer | This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. | 054 255 7286

Karmiel / Misgav
A wide range of lectures and other activities attract English speakers from Karmiel and the surrounding Misgav area.
Chair: Frankie Cronin | This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. | 04 998 2871

North Coast / Nahariya
A wide range of activities and monthly get-togethers draws English speakers from Nahariya and the Western Galilee from Akko to Rosh Hanikra.
Chair: Dr. Gabriel Mayer | This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. | 050 709 5713

Yokneam
Aside from getting together for a monthly social brunch, this branch enjoys participating in the Five Towns activities.
Chair: Mimi Semuha | This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. | 052 564 2174

Branches in Southern Israel:

Bat Yam
Enjoying social and cultural activities together with the Rishon branch, this branch is poised to expand its local activities.
Chair: Janet Kiesari | This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. | 054 733 5055

Beer Sheva
This new and enthusiastic branch is focusing on developing education projects and enriching the lives of its community's English speakers.
Chair: Carole Rosenblatt | This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. | 054 803 5904

Eilat
A new and growing branch that loves socializing, going on trips and welcoming all newcomers to Eilat.
Chair: Hannah Berg | This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. |

Modiin
A busy schedule of events raises money for their Neve ESRA project, and volunteers run the Modiin ESRA Secondhand Book Shop.
Chair: Evelynne Cherny | This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. | 055 669 3744

Rehovot
Enjoying a new and modern venue offering various activities, the branch runs projects promoting involvement in the local community.
Chair: Sharon Levisohn | This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. | 052 332 2144

Rishon Lezion
Enjoying a new venue and an expanded range of activities, the branch is developing projects in partnership with other organizations.

Chair: Janet Kiesari | This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. | 054 733 5055