Heading off to seminary in Israel for the year? You’ve never packed for this long of a time and it can be overwhelming. What do the girls actually wear? This guide will help!
This is a list written by seminary students of a Bais Yaakov-type of seminary in Israel. As moms we’re familiar with the “We have nothing to wear” refrain and we thought the girls were very generous when listing what is a “must have.” After explaining that laundry is only done every third week, however, the list starts to make a bit more sense. -The BCP Team
UPDATED SUMMER 2024 by returning seminary students + FREE EXCEL/ GOOGLE SHEETS PACKING LIST!
Though this list can be used as a guide, it’s always best to speak to a former student of the seminary your daughter will be attending to verify what the girls in that specific seminary actually do wear. This list is as extensive as it gets and is very generous in listing the quantity of clothing. You do not need to buy everything; you can use many things that you already have in your closet (sneakers, shoes, basics, t-shirts…) and this lists very generously the amounts of clothing. If you plan on doing laundry once a week (vs. every second or third week), you can cut the list significantly. Most girls have trouble getting to laundry machines often or are simply lazy to do it weekly.
Also note: Storage space is usually limited!
By starting now, you can shop slowly, starting to look out for the products you want and get things on sale.
You can download the packing list here. However please read the invaluable notes below for more detaild info about each item and or category. You can also find a much more expansive and detailed excel document below.
UNIFORM SKIRTS:
In the majority of Israel seminaries, the uniform is a dark skirt paired with a blue shirt (most Bais Yaakov type seminaries). Always confirm with former students.
Many seminaries request navy skirts, but the girls all seem to wear black anyway.
If you went / are currently in a high school that wears navy or black pleated skirts (long and short) those skirts can be used. Most girls wear long pleated skirts. You can pack a shorter one for trips (use an older one; it’s not necessary to buy one special for this reason) Some suggest getting one skirt a size bigger.
- 4-5 uniform skirts
UNIFORM SHIRTS:
The majority of the time the girls wear sweaters or t-shirts over their button-down shirts. They wear t-shirts more often than sweaters because it’s quite hot many of the months and they don’t like to wear a plain shirt. This is also the reason why most girls wear collars, dickies, or uni-shells under the t-shirts or sweaters. If your daughter does not want to wear something over her button-down, she would need more shirts and less sweaters/t-shirts. (Editor’s Note: as moms, this sounds like a lot, but the girls wrote this much so we’re going to leave it in)
- 2 full shirts with collars
- 3-4 uni shells or sleeveless shirts
- 5 dickies from Ali or from Amazon cut down any shirt (for hot days)
- White blouse or dickie for Rosh Chodesh
- 8 sweaters / sweatshirts (no hood) + 10 t-shirts
THESE ARE SOME OF THE ONES THAT WE LOVE: - Quince has a great selection with different styles to choose from.
- This black sweatshirt is a favorite.
- This basic knit sweater is a good staple. Wash it inside out so it doesn’t pimple quickly.
- This ribbed pullover is really one size fits all.
- This crewneck t-shirt is perfect for over the uniform dickie.
- This t-shirt from Rhythm is thicker and better quality than the Gap with a nice fit. The ribbed and solid are both good.
EXTRA TOPS: - Polo shirt or any shirt with collar for trip days. (size up for the one linked) (We like this polo and this polo, too.)
- Shirt for tearing kriah (for first day)
SHABBOS:
- 2-3 nicer outfits for Yom Tov or Simchas. The rest of the Shabbos clothing should be skirts and tops that can be easily washed (not dry clean). They like comfortable outfits/sweaters with simple black Shabbos skirts. Seminary girls go away every Shabbos so they should be easy to pack. There can be some winter and some summer outfits, but best if some is transitional clothing that works for all year round and in-between weather.
- 4-5 winter outfits
- 4-5 summer outfits
ADDITIONAL CLOTHING:
- 4/5 winter sweaters for Motzei Shabbos, not tight-fitting
- 4/5 summer tops + more if you stay for Pesach
- Keep Chol Hamoed in mind. You really don’t need much clothing aside from uniforms and Shabbos clothing.
BASICS:
(Editor’s note: Again, there’s a lot on the list. Laundry isn’t done often and things keep getting lost.)
- 6-7 PJs (keep in mind the temperature shifts… it gets very hot and very cold)
- Leggings and exercise t-shirts (including ones that can be worn outside like this Under Armour top)
- Tank tops (if you like to wear a layer under clothing)
- 2-3 slinky skirts (Monte Carlo skirts are a favorite)
- Shells
- 25 pairs of underwear
- 6-8 bras
- 8 black tights (if you don’t wear socks, get more tights and less socks)
- 20-25 pairs black socks (they wear these under long skirts)
- 5 pairs short socks (for night)
- 10-12 nude stockings (you can buy more of most brands in Israel)
- 2 slips
- Sweatshirts/hoodie
- Rain jacket/windbreakerwomen
- Jacket with hood
- Winter coat with hood (All outerwear should be waterproof as it rains a lot)
- Bathing suit /coverup
- Baseball Cap (some tour guides don’t let you join without a cap)
- Bag/Purse – most girls use a small crossbody bag
- Fuzzy bathrobe/towel bathrobe are really good to have to throw on after shower
SHOES:
Shoes get ruined fast because you do a lot of walking
- Loafers or sneaker shoes for every day
- Shabbos shoes
- Lace up sneakers for trips
- Flip flops/waterproof slides or Natives for shower
- Rain booties (do not need full boots)
- Cozy slippers to walk around dorm
ODDS AND ENDS:
- Overnight bag -a small wheelie/carry-on works (make sure it’s big enough to fit several changes of clothing)
- Siddur/Tehillim
- School supplies (bring with some paper/notebook and pen so you don’t have to run out the first day). Otherwise, buy in Israel. It’s best NOT to bring along American looseleafs because you’ll have to use American paper and it’s not available.
- Seforim (usually you buy it from the school/former students)
- Water Canteen for trips (buy in Israel)
- Hanging shoe hanger (find out what the rooms look like and if it’s better to hang the shoes)
- Lenses/Lens solution
- Makeup/Makeup remover
- Any specific face creams/sunscreen you use
- Linen, Blanket, Pillow and Towels
- Most people buy pillow and blanket from former students or directly from Blanket Express. You can also buy linen and towels but most bring their own.
- RH and Yom Kippur Machzor
- Gifts: If you plan on going often to family (an aunt, brother…) , sometimes it’s easier to take care of these in advance if they won’t take up a lot of space.
- Journal if you want to keep one during the year
- Laundry Bags (2 so you can wash the bag and use the other)
- Photos/Collages/Family Photos
- A throw blanket if you don’t like people sitting on your bed
- Brush/Hair Accessories
- Blow dryer/Iron – Note the voltage is different – bring a converter
- Camera (Canon has some great refurbished ones)
- An alarm clock is not necessary/most use their phone
IMPORTANT: Bring along thin hangers and tiered skirt hangers due to limited closet space.
TOILETRIES:
While you might like the familiarity of the hair products you’re used to, don’t stock up at home. You can buy many of the same brands in Israel, and these are formulated for use with the harder Israeli water. Also, if you’re used to using 2-in-1 shampoo and conditioner or skipping conditioner altogether, that probably won’t work in Israel. The harder water will leave your hair feeling much more coarse and dry, so make sure to condition every time you wash.
All toiletries are sold in Israel, but it may not be the particular brand you like (like pads). Bring along things you are particular about, and buy the rest in Israel. Things that are small and easy to pack (i.e. nail scissor), buy in the U.S. (we removed the line about q-tips)
Cell phone plan – most schools specify where to buy a phone. See school rules.
EXTRAS THAT MIGHT BE APPRECIATED:
- Kosher Lamp (buy in Israel for the right plug)
- Earplugs and/or eye mask
- Dry shampoo
- Melatonin
- Seasonal Allergy medication/drops/spray
- toothbrush covers
- wrinkle release spray
- fabric refreshing spray
- dryer sheets (very important and not sold in all local Israeli grocery stores)
- laundry bags with backpack straps
- power cubes/strips (Israeli style)
- disposable shower caps (also good for packing shoes)
- noise canceling headphones or earbuds
- art supplies or any other compact hobby supplies
- planner/calendar
- lay-flat travel backpack
We have an amazing google sheets / excel seminary packing list for you to use and check off what you already have and then later what you packed- (Thank you Rivkie I.) Feel free to customize the list and delete or add items. In order to edit it and make it your own, you will need to ‘make a copy’ and save it!
Click here for the seminary packing list.
Click here for the PDF Packing List Download.
Have a daughter or relative going away to seminary? See this great post too!
Have a son going away to yeshiva? See this post!
There are most definitely q-tips in Israel they sell them in any grocery store
I think the girls like the American brand of q tips
This list is fabulous! Thanks so much for posting! We will definitely be referring to this !!
Can we please have a list for bochurim going to Yeshiva out of town or to eretz yisroel
Coming soon!
They even have the American brand of qtips in Israel in 2021!!!
Yes!! I’m osher ad, and same price like America!
Really helpful to include a small roll of scotch tape in the suitcase, so girls can put up their pictures right away when they unpack. Makes you feel much more at home!
I was a bit surprised by this list….
There were a few things that seemed a bit out of control.
6-8 bras!?!?!?!, 25 pairs of underwear?!?!?! 6-7 pairs of pj’s?!?!?!
There ARE washing machines in seminary!!!!
I spoke to someone who works in a seminary and she said all this does is
create irresponsible people. If girls have so much more then they need they don’t take care
of their stuff. She said at the end of the year there are tons of unclaimed stuff left in the laundry room .
If a girl has 12 pairs of underwear she can do laundry every other week and be ok!!!
Maybe it’s time to help our girls grow up!
Happy packing!
Some sems only do laundry 1 in 2 weeks
Soshi- I had the same reaction- 25 pairs of underwear and socks?? That’s insane! Teach your daughters to do laundry every couple of days and even if she goes a week without doing it- you only need 7 pairs of socks!
I don’t know about you but for us socks tend to walk away. I came to seminary in Israel with nothing and ended up having to replenish the basics throughout my year. I could’ve saved a lot of money if I had more of XYZ… I don’t think in this case it’s all or nothing.
I only brought 12 pairs of underwear to sem and it was seriously annoying. That means you need to do laundry every 10 days…cuz you don’t want to be on your last pair. Doing laundry is a hassle in sem, even in the sem where I went to where we had a nice amount of machines. It’s a whole ordeal, between waiting for the person before you to finish their load, to shlepping your heavy laundry bag up a couple of flights of stairs, to switching your load, waiting for your dryer load to end…I’m single and do my own laundry at home, and it is so much easier than in sem. Buying a couple of more of the basics won’t break the bank and will make your daughter’s laundry experience in sem much easier.
thanks so much! really helpful!
This list is too excessive. It’s normal to do laundry once a week and don’t forget the baggage limit. If you take so much you’ll have to pay for the extra suitcase.
I just came back from sem and in the seminary I was in there were not enough washing machines. There were always lines and some girls had to borrow socks from friends because they did not have enough and they couldn’t get a machine right away. If your daughter is ok with borrowing in case she runs out then buy less but lots of girls are particular (especially with undergarments… ugh!) Hatzlocha! Sem is the best place on earth!
Can anyone recommend a link for a duffel bag to pack in for seminary
Look on the website Pack For Camp, there’s also a Pack For Seminary…. You can find the big duffels that are also used to pack for camp. Keep in mind the size limits of the airport. Hatzlacha!
Thank you for recommending to bring so many pairs of socks and underwear. They really do get lost. Some girls didn’t have enough and they had to get more sent up. Every time I did laundry I had a single sock with no match it’s the one thing you should bring a lot of.
Hi, just curios Were the drawings made with AI?
Yes
They actually stopped selling the qtip company qtips over here!!!
Yes, I live in E”Y now and there are actually no good qtips here! I’ve been looking high and low. The Israeli ones are made of toothpick material wood and crack easily.
They just restocked them in OA!
I have no problem with them
As someone who just came back from seminary, There were only 4 machines for over 140 girls. Bring as much as possible. There was always one machine that wasn’t working and besides for the fact that girls didn’t take their stuff out of the machine. As a seminary girl avoid doing laundry as much as possible.
This list is fantastic!
Another really helpful thing: A sleep sack
https://amzn.to/44wB2gw
Super cheap, and rolls up tiny. Awesome for when seminary takes the girls away for shabbos or on a trip overnight and officially you don’t need your own linen but then you show up, see the bed, and wish you had your own linen.
As a mother sending my first daughter to seminary, I really appreciate this list and everything Between Carpools posts. Thank you for always sharing very helpful content!
Hi
Whcih creditcard\bank account is good for the seminary girls with no international fees?
Capital one has credit cards with no fees and all the airline credit cards (I have American, delta and British airways) that I have also have no fees. I have a Citibank citigold account which also has no fees for any atm which is amazing, but I think they might have raised the minimum you need in the bank to a very high number. Because of this my kids did not need to change money they could just withdraw from the atm. I highly recommend it. When my kids were in Israel it was $25,000 but I think it’s more now. Check capital one bank they might not have fees. I know I asked chase and they told me all their accounts have fees.
I definitely did not send 25 pairs of underwear and socks but I assume that my kids occasionally did their laundry at family. They also were able to buy black socks in Israel.
charles shwab is amazing for everyone overseas but especially under 18 yr olds
Just curios are there laundry mats in Israel?
Great post
Amazing list – thank you
Can someone please name the shop to buy the sem skirts please. Im from London and we cant get them here.
hi i’m going to sem is a winter coat recomended?
Yes!!!!
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Just came back from seminary and just wanted to let everyone know ISRAEL IS NOT A THIRD WORLD COUNTRY! i was warned they wouldnt have the brands i was used to so i literally. brought alone enough to last me 1\2 year planning to hopefully send the rest. But, I found everything there in the american brands i use – even Q tips and pads! The only thing I didnt find was I use Aveeno Facewash but they have Neutregena at any pharmacy. Osher Ad is the place to shop! The one thing that was a little different was the regular Dove deoderant didnt have the same strenth as the american one but its much cheaper!!!! So just keep spraying!