The proliferation of local list serves has made the process of tracking down local knowledge easier than ever. Need a recommendation for a local handyman, a ride into town or a recommendation for which school to send your kids to? Ask "the list" and you'll typically get a bunch of answers to sort through.

When signing up to groups choose individual emails only for low traffic sites - otherwise the daily digest option (1 email with multiple messages inside) keeps your new messages at a more manageable level.

Below are some of the more popular lists - if you are able to add to them, please let me know - neilg@jafi.org

Tachlis - Venerable general Aliyah discussion group

Center of the country:

• Bet Shemesh and Ramat Beit Shemesh - see also www.shemesh.co.il
• Ramat Beit Shemesh - very active group with almost 2000 members
• Chashmonaim - cross the road from Modi'in - a favourite destination for Olim

• Modi'in - the City of the future has over 600 members on its list

Gush Etzion:

• Efrat - useful information but watch out for spam - close to 400 members
• Efrat housing - for people looking to rent / buy
• Elazar - 250 members
• Neve Daniel - a lovely location - nearly 300 members

Jerusalem:

• Janglo - THE resource for Jerusalem Anglos since 2001
• Bak'a - a short walk from Emek Refaim (also Talpiot, Arnona and Mekor Haim)
• Gilo - Gilo community in South Jerusalem - 400+ members
• Har Nof - religious Jerusalem community - 1400+ members
• Katamon - Jerusalem community - a favourite for English speaking Olim - 550+ members
• Nachlaot - Close to 400 members on this general list for a central Jerusalem community
• Neve Yaakov - religious community in North Jerusalem

North:

• Five towns - Binyamina, Zichron Yaakov, Caesarea, Pardes Chana - Karkur and Hadera - close to 600 members
• Haifa English speakers - a small group in Israel's largest port city

Sharon area:

• Hod Hasharon - close to 600 members
• Kfar Saba - close to 1000 members
• Netanya - coastal city with a strong, mainly more mature English speaking community - 900+ members
• New Ra'anana - covering Ra'anana, Kfar Saba, Herzliya, Netanya, Hod Hasharon and Ramat Hasharon - 2000+ members
• Ra'anana - the Sharon area community is a long time favourite for Olim - a very active group with 5000+ members
• Tel Mond - a small but growing community between and inland of Netanya and Ra'anana

South:

• Ashdod and Ashkelon - for those who like to look out at the Meditterenean
• Beer Sheva and the Negev - if you're interested in settling the Negev join 200+ others

Tel Aviv area:

• Petach Tikva - Tel Aviv suburb, 350 members
• Rehovot - home of the Weitzman Institute - 800+ members
• Taanglo - little brother of Janglo for the Tel Aviv area - 4700+ members 
• Yad Binyamin - has become a favourite over the last year with much construction - 300+ members