About EMA Care

Medical Care during the Holidays can be tricky in Israel especially if you do not speak Hebrew. During the holidays, many medical offices and hospitals are operating on Shabbat mode. Shabbat mode means that personnel is cut to minimum staffing, many clinics are not operational, and routine, non-emergency health services are not provided. Shabbat mode effects hospitals, emergency rooms, urgent care centers, pharmacies, clinics, and private medical offices. Medical offices have fewer operational hours (or none), so they are typically overbooked the limited hours they are open. Don’t forget that Medical Care during the Holidays includes the eve of holidays! The...

Over the years, we've been approached by people who've asked us about different kinds of diets and food plans. Intermittent fasting has become very popular over the last few years. It is a method of dieting that restricts the amount of time you are allowed to eat. The diet doesn't limit what you eat but when you eat.  Intermittent Fasting has many advantages: There are many different "plans" to choose from, and you can customize your dieting plan. Some people choose 8:16 (eating for 16 and fasting for 8), 16:8, 20:24, etc. It helps you develop healthy habits - specifically the habit of snacking....

 Telemedicine is a great option for caring for geriatric populations in Israel. This is especially true during the Covid-19 pandemic. Over the years, we’ve had many clients who care for their older, dependent parents. Take our clients, the A family. Mrs. A has been caring for her elderly, frail father for many years.  With no other family in Israel, it is up to her to manage the medical appointments, the full-time aide, the basic care (food, hygiene), and any emergencies.  This responsibility is an honor for her to have, and she does it well… but it has prevented her from having...

In April 2021, after a long year with a strict non-entry policy, the Israeli government decided to allow visitors to enter Israel under certain circumstances. The Israeli government was reluctant about opening its borders. Therefore, they haven't made the process easy. The government has very strict rules on who is and isn't allowed to enter Israel. Here is a list of people who can and cannot enter Israel:   Israeli citizens Israeli citizens (both vaccinated and unvaccinated) with a valid Israeli travel document (passport or travel document) can fly to Israel without prior approval. Unvaccinated Israeli citizens must quarantine for 10...

The following article was published in the English addition of Hamodia. Written by Joel Rebibo

What will be the 'new normal' for Israel's gap year programs? According to EMA Care, an estimated 80% of programs will close down permanently if they are not able to reopen in the fall. By TZVI JOFFRE   JUNE 4, 2020 11:58   STUDENTS AT Yeshivat Migdal HaTorah return to in-person classes shortly after Yom Ha’atzma’ut.(photo credit: YESHIVA MIGDAL HATORAH) Spending a gap year after high school at a yeshiva or seminary in Israel has become a tradition for many Jews around the world in the past few decades, but as the coronavirus outbreak continues to affect both Israel and global Jewish communities, the nature of that tradition may...

Dr. Eliana Aaron spoke on World Mizrachi on the recent Coronavirus outbreak.  Click here to learn more Response from World Mizrachi: Just reaching out to thank you for the talk you gave today. The feedback has been tremendous! May you continue to have the strength to inspire the Jewish People and the entire world at this challenging time! May your efforts merit you and your family's continued good health and happiness. World Mizrachi Representative

The COVID-19 outbreak is a stressful time for people. Under current regulations, individuals are not allowed to leave their homes unless essentially necessary. Fear and anxiety about the disease can be overwhelming and cause strong emotions in adults and children. Everyone reacts differently to stressful situations. Those who are more vulnerable are: Older people and people with chronic diseasesChildren and teensWorkers helping with the response to COVID-19, like healthcare workers, or first respondersPeople who currently have an underlying mental health condition Common signs of stress during a disease outbreak include: Fear and worry about your health and the health of your...

  With the spread of COVID-19 throughout the globe, people are looking for the best ways to protect themselves and their families. Between masks and avoiding air travel, there are any number of tips floating around the internet that may not actually be as useful as they seem. So, what are the best ways to keep your family healthy? And which online tips have merit, and which do not? Wash Your Hands This one sounds obvious, but when breaking it down it actually becomes a little more complicated than it seems. It turns out that most people do not adhere to...

Throughout history, Jews have always lived in close communities. It has long been a defining characteristic of Judaism. The synagogue is the center of the Jewish community, people gather together to pray, as well as for communal gatherings. Since the recent Covid-19 outbreak, people have been advised to not be in gatherings of more than 100 people. In Israel, this has been lowered to 10 people! This includes Bar/Bat Mitzvahs, funerals, weddings, and even prayer. For many this is devastating.   Rabbinical councils are urging members of Jewish communities to protect themselves. They are limiting access to prayers in synagogues to 20...

Do the N-95 masks help?  Do masks work? This is a question that many people have asked us in the past few weeks. The COVID-19 (Coronavirus) was discovered in China in December of 2019. It is widespread in Asia, especially in China and Japan, to see people walking around wearing surgical masks to prevent the inhalation of pathogens and pollution. Surgical masks aren’t effective against COVID-19 (Coronavirus). The N-95 mask has been recommended for medical professionals providing direct care because they are thicker than a surgical mask. Still, neither Schaffner nor the CDC (Centres for Disease Prevention and Control) recommends public...

Over the past few weeks, the media has exploded with news on the Covid-19/ Novel Coronavirus. There have been many reports of outbreaks in 73 countries worldwide (as of February 29, 2020). Many more people have been panicking about the possibility of getting infected. During the peak of seasonal flu season in the Northern hemisphere, this outbreak has occurred, making identifying Covid-19 vs. flu very challenging as they share the same symptoms. So far, the new coronavirus (Covid-19) has led to more than 79,000 cases and 2800 deaths in China and more than 7000 cases, and 150 deaths worldwide. The overall...

We would all like to hope that our children will behave responsibly throughout their year in Israel. However, it is important to educate your children on alcohol consumption, especially with Purim coming soon. The day after Purim, people who overindulge in drinking will feel the effects. Hangovers are awful.  What happens when a person knows he/she will be drinking? Are there ways to prevent a hangover? What are hangover remedies? A hangover is defined as disagreeable physical effects following a disproportionate amount of drinking. Symptoms may include headache, nausea, vomiting, and difficulty concentrating. It can take 8-24 hours for symptoms to...

As seen in many photos from China and Asia, many ordinary people have been wearing masks when outdoors to prevent catching the coronavirus. In the photo – some people are getting creative due to mask shortages in specific Asian countries. Is wearing face masks effective against coronavirus?  Most people do not know when masks are effective, when they are a waste, and how to manage if you need a mask to prevent illness. Basic rules of mask-wearing for Novel Coronavirus from the World Health Organization: People with suspected Novel Coronavirus should wear a medical-grade mask if possible and have as much...

With all of the news surrounding the Novel Coronavirus the past few weeks, many people are scared to travel and possibly expose themselves to the new, dangerous virus. Israel has gone to many lengths to prevent the disease from spreading in Israel.  These actions aim to prevent the virus from spreading and allow people to feel safe in Israel. The Novel Coronavirus is a new kind of virus that started spreading in China. Coronaviruses are a large family of common viruses in many different species of animals, including camels, cattle, cats, and bats. Coronavirus is a type of virus responsible for...

Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), which include Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, affect as many as 1.4 million Americans, most of who are diagnosed before age 30. Crohn’s disease causes the immune system to attack healthy tissue in the gastrointestinal tract, causing inflammation. It is a life-long condition that can be treated but not cured.  Therefore, Crohn’s Disease can significantly affect patients’ quality of life and may have a high financial burden.   Ashkenazi Jews are at significantly higher risk for the disorder, and research is being conducted to understand what causes the illness and how it is connected to the Ashkenazi gene. ...

Allergy-free baked goods Every Jew dreams of vacationing in Israel with their family and friends. When you go on vacation, you want to have a stress-free vacation, and not have to worry about having any medical problems or allergic reactions. Sadly, Israel is very bad with labeling products for allergens, especially since all of the spices are processed in the same machine as nuts and sesame. Until now, allergy-free baked goods were simply a dream in Israel. Unless you take precautions, Israel may not be a great place to visit if you have food allergies.  Depending on what you are allergic...

The Health Ministry released a report on Tuesday (24/12/19) showing a decrease of 1.5% in citizens getting flu shots. According to the Ynet news site report from Saturday, some 1.8 million people have been vaccinated so far this season in Israel, as the country’s four healthcare organizations are estimated to have just 150,000 vaccines remaining.  The shortage of flu vaccines is because last year, Israel health clinics had to throw away many flu vaccines, and this year, the production of flu vaccines started later than last year. This has resulted in a huge shortage of flu vaccines. Israel is expecting more...

Traveling to the east or southeast  Traveling after serving in the army is very common amongst Israelis. They usually travel to eastern countries such as India, Thailand, Vietnam, and the Philippines. These countries are third-world countries that have different diseases than Israel and lower the quality of healthcare. Due to the climate and local hygiene standards, the risks of illness are generally higher than in more developed parts of the world.  Therefore, it is essential to be prepared and make sure you have updated standard vaccines. Recommended vaccines Typhoid – this is a very infectious disease that is spread through water...

Eating Disorders 10 million people in the U.S. have an eating disorder.  It is the third most common and chronic illness in the U.S.  More women than men suffer from this illness, and while the numbers are climbing in the Jewish population, the exact number of Jewish people with eating disorders is unknown. Most people know about two eating disorders:  anorexia and bulimia.  Not known to most people, the most common eating disorder is actually EDNOS –  or “Eating Disorder Not Otherwise Specified.”  Here is a short description of the three: Anorexia- A disorder in which an individual refuses to maintain...

Ingrown toenails occur when your nails' edges or corners grow into the skin next to the nail. Your big toe is most likely to get an ingrown toenail, but any toenail or even fingernail can be affected. This condition is prevalent among people with sweaty feet, like teenagers and students, particularly those who wear fitted closed shoes for long periods of time. An ingrown toenail's causes include cutting your toenails incorrectly, particularly nails with jagged edges when you have irregular toenails when you drop something heavy on your toe. Sometimes, there can be a genetic predisposition to this condition. An ingrown...

  Have you ever traveled to a new place and experienced constipation? Over the past few years, we have had many gap year students complain about constipation – usually within the first 2 months of being in the country. We had a vegetarian student who was eating only tofu- no vegetables, fruits, and definitely not a balanced diet.  Another student was eating only potato chips and soda because they were too tired to cook or even go out at the end of the long day.  This student ended up gaining weight and developing skin problems! Constipation refers to bowel movements that...

Donating Blood Donating blood is an amazing thing. According to the Red Cross, one donation of blood can save three lives. Blood donation is safe for healthy adults. There’s no risk of contracting the disease. New, sterile equipment is used for each donor. Donating blood helps people who go through disasters or emergencies, loss of blood during surgery. It can also help women who have at-risk pregnancies. It’s not only the blood receiver that benefits from a blood donation. Donator has many benefits, as well. In order to donate blood, one must go through a health checkup. This test checks blood...

Sties among students A sty is a red lump near the edge of the eyelid that accumulates bacteria in your oil gland. Sties can cause pain or itchy feeling around the eye, swollen eyelids, eye pus or tearing, and redness around the eye. Sties are extremely contagious, especially among students who dorm together. Eye sties can be caused by viruses, bacteria, and/or allergies. Leaving makeup on overnight, rubbing your eye excessively, and trying to extend the life of old contact lenses may cause bacteria to accumulate around the oil glands around your eye. Once you have a sty, if you don't...

A new treatment for celiac: Celiac disease is an immune disease in which people can't eat gluten because it will damage their small intestine. About 1 in 100 people suffer from Celiac disease (1% of the world). The only way to avoid inflammation is to be on a strict gluten-free diet. Gluten is a protein found in wheat, barley, and rye. Therefore, people who suffer from Celiac can’t eat foods such as bread, pasta, cookies, or any food that contains gluten. In Israel, there are laws regarding labeling food for gluten. There are sections in supermarkets that are gluten free and...

The Flu Shot Myths and Guidance for Dorms Influenza or “flu” is a dangerous, highly contagious virus that can cause high fevers, fatigue, achy muscles, chills, sweats, and headaches. The last flu season (2018-2019) was the longest in 21 years. According to the CDC, millions of people were hospitalized, and 61,000 people died in the US alone. To avoid this debilitating illness, we recommend getting the flu shot. The flu shot is a vaccine with weakened antibodies that stimulate normal immunity processes and protect people from the flu. The formulation changes every year and is different in the Northern and Southern...

Fasting in Israel It’s hard to recall a Yom Kippur in Israel that did not include hearing someone fainting from dehydration.  Fasting in Israel can be a different experience from fasting in other countries. Even though this year Yom Kippur falls late on October 9th, and we hope for cooler weather, the dry, hot weather in Israel puts fasters at a higher risk of dehydration. Preparing for Yom Kippur a few days in advance is a sure way to fast safely on this High Holiday. When a person fasts, everyday behavior results in a loss of fluid that is not being...

Vaping is a common trend among college students and young adults. 34% of college students use E-cigarettes.  Smoking and vaping are a social habit with poor health consequences. Most people have a preconceived notion that vaping, or E-cigarettes are safer than regular cigarettes. This is false. Vaping is a relatively new trend, therefore there isn’t a lot of information about the negative side effects that it can have. Vaping is very popular because it is (slightly) healthier than cigarettes, and you can choose whatever flavor you want. The smoke from vaping doesn’t have a smell, therefore you can vape inside a...

One of EMA Care's amazing students, Aliya Markowitz,  has been written up in the AZ Jewish Post.  EMA Care is helping Aliya this year, as she studies in Israel and manages Crohns Disease. The Markowitz Family is looking for someone to take Aliya's medication in May 2020.  Are you planning a trip to Israel in May?  Please be in touch with EMA Care. Read here what it's like to prepare for a year in Israel when you have a chronic illness.  We at EMA Care always say our students and their parents are the most dedicated people we know!   

Dr. Eliana Aaron contributed to the international epidemiological reporting system for proMed -,mail. ProMED-mail is a program of theInternational Society for Infectious Diseases http://www.isid.org. An Israeli expert panel sub-committee recommended vaccinating children withMMR at age 1 and age 2 years to provide an additional booster to thisvulnerable age-group. Children ages 1 to 4 years remain the most affected bythe measles epidemic.Routine vaccinations of 6-year-olds will continue in school-based clinics.This is in light of an ongoing epidemic in Israel affecting primarilyultra-orthodox Jewish populations and sporadic communities of anti-vaxxers.This epidemic has spread to other ultra-orthodox communitiesinternationally.The recommendation is that the Ministry of Health has nobudget...

Early in the summer, and there have already been numerous drownings and near-drownings of (mostly) children and babies in Israel. Children drown in pools, at beaches, and even in buckets of water. Adults usually drown because of poor judgment – jumping into rapids or going deep into the sea without swimming skills. “Near drownings” oftentimes cause irreversible brain damage due to prolonged lack of oxygen. Contrary to popular belief and Hollywood imaginations, drowning is almost always a silent process. If someone can call for help and wave their arms, they may be in trouble, but they are not drowning. Dangers of...

EMA Care staff are not only health care case managers.  EMA Care also cares for hundreds of students through our EMA Care clinics.  Our talented, experienced nurses travel to different programs throughout Israel. Our campus based clinics diagnose students with everything from stomach viruses, dermatological issues, strep throat, to broken limbs and dehydration.  Our nurses write referrals to specialists and blood lab work.  If you are interested in your school having EMA Care clinics, contact EMA Care today. This Purim, EMA Care received the best gifts from our EMA CareClinics.    

For the Winter of 2019, EMA Care sent out the following guidelines to over 30 Israeli programs, seminaries and, yeshivas that are catering to gap year students from outside Israel.  Dorm life is prone to the spread of illness.  The fact is there is an 80% reduction of disease when people follow these guidelines for proper hygiene. “The Common Cold” and “Stomach bugs” are VERY popular in the winter time. Here are some ways to prevent spreading the “joy” to others and to protect yourselves:WASH YOUR HANDS WITH SOAP AND WATER!! before and after every mealafter every bathroom useafter every tissue...

In recent weeks there has been a surge of West Nile Virus in Israel. A few hundred people have been infected, and several people (elderly or immunocompromised) have died in recent weeks. West Nile Virus is a virus spread by mosquitoes that have fed off of infected birds. The incubation period is 5-21 days on average. The virus peak activity, according to the Israel Ministry of Health, is from mid-August to mid-October. According to the CDC, 80% of people infected have no noticeable symptoms. West Nile Virus's symptoms for the remaining 20% of infected individuals are usually mild flu-like symptoms, including...

Participating in a research team from Yale University (alma mater), Dr. Eliana Aaron, The Max Stern Yezreel Valley College, and Rambam Medical Center meet to discuss their palliative care research project in Israel. The goal of palliative care is to improve the quality of life for both the person suffering from life-limiting illnesses and their family.  Dr. Eliana Aaron looks forward to the team moving forward in bringing excellent palliative care to Israel.   July 2018

When people are overwhelmed dealing with their own health or the healthcare of another, stress is inevitable. Many of our clients report tension headaches, insomnia, high blood pressure, difficulty making decisions, and fatigue. Some even report developing their own medical problems!EMA Care works hard to alleviate your stress. Our professional staff has extensive knowledge of medical issues plus the workings of the Israeli healthcare system. This powerful combination will take the stress out of healthcare for you and your loved ones. EMA Care now offers new affordable service packages. This includes more flexible, customized intakes, more options for health care management,...

 Most tourists are frightened of a medical emergency occurring while they are traveling far from home.The good news is the frequency of tourists requiring medical care while traveling is low. Tourists requiring medical treatment: Outpatient treatment ​ ​ 1 per 1,000 trips​ ​Hospital admission​ ​1 per 2,000 trips​ Medical evacuation ​1 per...

That’s Life with Miriam L. Wallach – March 17, 2016 - NSN Enter some description here... https://nachumsegal.com/thats-life-with-miriam-l-wallach-march-17-2016/

Until now, allergy free baked goods were simply a dream in Israel.   Unless you take precautions, Israel may not be a great place to visit if you have food allergies.  Depending on what you are allergic to, finding allergy-free baked goods may be especially problematic.  The prevalence of sesame, eggs, and tree nuts in foods such as cakes, cookies, breads, burekas, and pastries is common.  Even if the product does not contain sesame or nuts, there is a very high probability the product had been mixed and/or baked with utensils that have been used with these common allergens.  Going into any...

If you are a student with food allergies and living in a dorm, you must take precautions to assure you live in a safe environment.  It’s very important to realize that people who don’t have any exposure to anaphylactic allergies often don’t understand how dangerous they can be. For example, an allergy sufferer meets his roommate for the first time, he says I am allergic to peanuts. The roommate enjoys peanut butter and he says he will be very careful whenever he eats peanut butter in the room. “The peanut butter won’t go anywhere. How dangerous can it be?”. This is...

What we can all learn from Hillary Clinton’s coughing spell? Cough hygiene - The Jerusalem Post For most illnesses, staying about a meter away from someone sick will keep you in the safe zone. https://www.jpost.com/Opinion/What-we-can-all-learn-from-Hillary-Clintons-coughing-spell-Cough-hygiene-468261

Poised for change: Nursing gets new leader - The Jerusalem Post The stars are aligned in favor of Israeli nurses, and Goldberg will lead the way towards a brighter future for nurses and healthcare in Israel. https://www.jpost.com/Opinion/Poised-for-change-Nursing-gets-new-leader-459480

Any person with food allergies traveling to a foreign country knows how dangerous it can be. If your child with allergies is arriving in Israel for a summer program or in the fall for a yearlong program, it’s time to take action NOW. The lack of knowledge of the local language, local cuisine, and local customs can be frustrating and life threatening.  EMA Care provides a customized allergy card (in Hebrew) to our clients with food allergies. EMA Care’s allergy cards include: Customized Allergy Information about your childKnowledge of Israeli food products as it pertains to your child’s allergiesDirections on how...

People with gluten-free diets often struggle with traveling and touring, as their diets can be challenging. Good news:  Israel is becoming more aware of the need for gluten free food. In this article, EMA Care gives guidance to gluten-free eating in Israel. Celiac disease is an autoimmune disorder in which gluten damages the small intestine.   The number of people diagnosed with the disease is 1 out of 133, or a little under 1% of the USA’s population.  HOWEVER, it is estimated that 83% of the people with celiac are misdiagnosed or undiagnosed!!  Research shows celiac disease is also on the rise in young adults...

Integration of advanced practice providers into the Israeli healthcare system | Israel Journal of Health Policy Research | Full Text Many countries around the world have integrated various types of Advanced Practice Providers (APPs) into their healthcare systems. The main motivating factors for recognizing and developing APPs worldwide include phys...

She gets it. Nurse Practioner, Dr. Eliana Aaron, gets it. Actually, someone has to because diaspora-based parents are concerned about their children in Israel. Who wouldn't be? Many of us, have received anxious phone calls from friend's overseas thinking about yanking their child away from their gap year in Israel. "Do you think things will settle ...

Eliana Marcus Aaron writes, "I was pleased to hear about Inbar ("Cultivating medical leaders," Health & Science, September 27), a joint project of MAOZ and the Health Ministry aimed at developing a new generation of medical leadership in Israel.While I wholeheartedly agree that medical leadership here, and often in other developed countries, is...

 Don't let a medical event destroy your vacation. We can help! Did you or a family member have a medical emergency while visiting Israel? Do you need help with your medical emergency in Israel? Are you alone in the hospital and struggling to communicate with doctors and make medical decisions?  Emergency Health Care Coordination in Israel is stressful, especially for those who are not native Hebrew speakers or are unfamiliar with the medical culture in Israel. Contact EMA Care, and one of our representatives will provide you with complete health support - right now.   We are your medical advocates for emergency health care in Israel...

The forgotten wounded? - The Jerusalem Post Rehabilitation is not “sexy” medicine like its sister specialty, geriatrics – one unfortunate reason why it remains unpopular among medical and nursing students. https://www.jpost.com/Opinion/The-forgotten-wounded-408273