I Needed A Better Answer Than: "Duh?"

Today I went to the Bituach Le'umi, National Insurance-unemployment office. I thought I had brought everything in, but a letter arrived requesting my last four pay slips.

Today was the day; I got there very easily. It was one of those miraculous, Gift from G-d, rides which I picked up even before getting to the bus stop, and it just happened to be going a few minutes' walk from my destination.

Getting into the building was also quick and easy; second time is less traumatic.

No wait, and I went in to give the clerk the photocopies. She read through quickly, and then:

"What's this special private contract?"
"Duh? Haven't a clue."
"Then, why do they have that large payment?"
"Oh, you said chozeh ishi-private contract. Yes, I was a teacher, and I taught the kids in a special program, effes sheva, zero seven. And yes, they made me sign a special contract every year, because the money came from a special department."
"OK"

Whew, that was close. And yes, everything I said was true. I just forgot the offialleeze.

It Didn't Even Hurt

NO, I'm not talking about a medical procedure. I'm talking about signing up for unemployment insurance.

I checked in on the internet, and I did have time, though I needed to go the the Bituach Le'umi, Israel's National Insurance office to make sure I'm covered by my "Sick Fund." I've been unemployed since September 1st. Do the counting quietly to yourself, please.

At the end of September, pushed by daughter #1, who knows about these things from work, I signed up in the "looking for work department," "to get in the system." She told me that then I'm covered from September. At that point I hadn't yet received all the things/forms etc I needed from my previous job.

Time flies, and suddenly, I realized that I ought take the next step. So, as I previously posted, the "goyisherebbitzen" and I cased the joint yesterday.

So this morning, armed with my files, I refound the place, went through security, got on line, had time to sit and crochet and finally met a clerk. He was nice and patient; he told me to fill out some forms I've had since September and then see him without taking a new number. Isn't that nice of him?

So I did, but some forms didn't make sense and my not have been relevant to my status. I only filled out what made sense. Then he told me to sign and said that my sick fun dues would be paid and I'd get some mail. I thanked him and told him how pleasant he was. He gave me a peculiar look. Maybe he's not used to good manners.