Newspapers carry weekly listings of events including tours, lectures, concerts, plays and social gatherings. There are exercise classes for all ages, Israeli dance groups, sports, and even a Scrabble club with branches in all the larger cities. The immigrant associations have seniors' groups and plan a large number of events for members, including lectures, trips and social activities. New members are warmly welcomed. In the beginning, quite a few retired immigrants spend their learning Hebrew at an ulpan , an intensive Hebrew course.
Many different programs are available.
The Association of Americans and Canadians in Israel sponsors a continuing education program held at institutions of higher education and on kibbutzim. Studies are open to all English speakers, and topics range from archeology to geography and politics. Courses commence six times a year. Further, almost all of the major universities allow non-degree candidates to audit regular courses or to enroll in special courses designed for continuing education. Many of these courses are in English.