Origin of Galaxies 2003-04 Home Letter Participants Reading Material Program Social Activity General Info Restaurants

General Information



Visa to Israel:
Citizens of the European Union, North America and Japan do not need an entry visa: their passport will be stamped upon entry with a tourist visa. Citizens of most East European, Latin American and Asian countries need an entry visa. Please ask us for an official letter of invitation by the School by fax, and present it at the local Israeli consulate as soon as possible. Upon arrival in Ben Gurion airport, it may be useful to have available a letter of invitation (an e-mail would do), to present to the security people upon request.

Transportation to Jerusalem:
Ben Gurion airport (Tel Aviv airport) is between Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, about 15 minutes ride from Tel-Aviv and 40 minutes to Jerusalem. An effective way to get to Jerusalem is by a shared door-to-door limo service, called Nesher Shuttle to Jerusalem. It operates 24 hours a day, and can be easily found on the right as one exits the arrivals terminal. It costs a fixed price of 40 shekel (or $10). Alternatively, one can take a taxi to Jerusalem, immediately to the right of the Nesher station, which would cost about $40. Either way, ask the driver to be dropped off either at your designated accommodation, the Park Plaza Hotel, 2 Vilnai Street. If you wish to get to the Institute first, ask to be dropped at the pedestrian gate of the Safra - Givat Ram campus of the Hebrew University.

The Institute for Advanced Studies:
The School activities will be held at the Institute for Advanced Studies (IAS), on the Edmund Safra Campus at Givat Ram of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem (the university have several campuses, including the largest campus on Mount Scopus -- don't get confused). The Institute is in Feldman building, the third building on the right from the main pedestrian gate, about 100 meters from the gate. If you arrive with a taxi, ask to be dropped off at the main pedestrian gate. The main phone of the IAS is +972-(0)2-6584884, active 8 to 4 during Sunday to Thursday.

Accommodation:
Most participants are housed at the Park Plaza Hotel, about 10 minutes walk from the campus' pedestrian gate and west gate, 2 Vilnai Street, Tel: 972-(0)2-6582222, Fax: 972-(0)2-6582211. The lecturers are housed in Mishkenot Sha'ananim.

Registration:
on Monday, December 29, 2003, before the lectures start at 08:00-09:00, and during the breaks, in the lobby of the Institute. Payments of registration fees should be made either in cash or by personal or traveller's check (we unfortunatelly cannot accept credit cards).

Posters:
As you will see in a letter soon to be sent by the school directors, the participants are encouraged to present posters with their research results. Please indicate by email to the school whether you intend to present a poster. The poster should be no bigger than width x height = 68 x 87 cm (27.2" x 34.8"). Postdocs and Advanced students will be invited to deliver a very short oral presentation. Please write to us in case you wish to deliver such a talk.

Reception:
The participants are coordially invited to an opening reception, on Monday, December 29, at 19:00, in the lobby of the IAS. It will include refreshments and greetings by the school organizers and the IAS director.

Full-Time Attendance:
The lectures will start at on Monday, December 29, 2003, at 09:00. The school will end on Thursday, January 8, 2004, at 18:00. Full-time attendance is required, including the first and last lecture.

Weather:
Jerusalem is about 800 meters (2640 feet) above sea level, at geographic latitude 31 47' N and longitude 35 13'ŽE; The temperatures in late December / early January are: average high 12 C (53 F) and average low 5 C (41 F), with the record high 22 C (72 F) and the record low -2 C (28 F). There is 64% chance for rain, 5% for snow, and much hope for sunny days.

Tours:
Included in the social program are a half-day tour of Jerusalem, and a full-day tour to the Dead Sea -- Massada and Ein-Gedi. The temperatures in the Dead-Sea can be pretty high even in the winter, so please be prepared with a hat, sunglasses, sun-protection cream, and a swimsuit!

Meals:
Breakfast will be available at the hotel.
Lunch will be provided during school days in Belgium House (``Beit Belgia" in Hebrew), the faculty club in the Givat Ram campus, a few minute walk from the IAS building.
Coffee, tea and cookies will be provided at the IAS during the breaks.
The evening activities will include an opening reception, a New-Year party, and a school dinner, as specified in the program. Otherwise, a list of restaurants in town can be found under Restaurants, or in other guide pages. An effort will be made to coordinate dinners in town involving students and lecturers, as part of the informal interaction that will be strongly encouraged.

Computer Connections:
A few computer terminals will be available.