Israel the Enigma
By Deena Levenstein
Israel has been in the news more than usual the last couple of months and yet it’s one of the five happiest countries in the world. How does that make any sense?
Israel has always been, and remains, a complicated place. But a lot of us Israelis often ask ourselves, how do we get across how normal day-to-day life actually is here?
“Despite a complex political situation that seems to live in the headlines of international media, everyday life is astonishingly normal… There is a thrumming, modern and future-forward element that takes many visitors by surprise,” Patricia Schultz wrote in her recent article on travel to Israel.
That’s the thing about Israel and her people which you need to experience first hand in order to get – many of us are working feverishly on setting the ground for the future of our dear little country. From innovative artists to hi tech entrepreneurs, we’re working on building, on fixing and on creating a beautiful society.
In Schultz’s article, Joe Yudin, founder and CEO of Touring Israel, makes the point vis a vis the booming local culture of wine and cuisine:
“I specifically see a huge change in culinary and wine tourism. Twenty years ago you really had to look hard for a great meal and a superb Israeli wine.”
Not so anymore, said Yudin. “There has been a huge upswing in quality restaurants and wineries as a result of Israelis returning home from long trips abroad and melding that experience with local, ancient traditions.”
Israel is an inspiring enigma which you’ll begin to understand, and definitely begin to fall in love with, once you start experiencing it for yourself.
Israel is waiting for you!
Author
Deena Levenstein
Deena Levenstein is a writer and social-cultural entrepreneur in Jerusalem. She creates and hosts events and runs "Things to do in Jerusalem," a Facebook group of handpicked cultural events in the city. In her spare time she blogs at http://deena.co/.
Subscribe to our newsletter
you may also like
-
Feast on a ruby red pomegranate this New Year
With Rosh Hashanah and the rest of the holiday season around the corner, it’s a sign that pomegranate season is upon…
September 11, 2017 -
What is Your Favorite Place to Take Tourists in Israel?
By Deena Levenstein Our guides take visitors all over the country, giving passionate, in depth descriptions every time. But, they must…
December 16, 2014 -
When it comes to Israel’s urban landscape, it’s all in the details
It’s been said that if you really want to see something, it’s all about looking at the details. That’s true of…
November 15, 2017 -
Tu B’Shvat – Glorious Trees
Happy is the man that hath not walked in the counsel of the wicked, nor stood in the way of sinners,…
January 31, 2018 -
Yom Hazikaron – For Those We Mourn & Celebrate
This juxtaposition of one of the saddest days in the year to one of the most joyous days is difficult for many and yet makes sense since the way to truly appreciate the amazing fact that we have a state is by looking back at those who made it possible, like Akiva Levy, the Holocaust survivor, and thousands of others.
April 22, 2015 -
Beautiful photos of pre-Sukkot in Me’ah She’arim Jerusalem
So much beauty to behold in Jerusalem’s famous ultra Orthodox neighborhood…
September 25, 2015 -
City of David – Of Kingdoms and Water – Part II
Entire kingdoms and stories are built around water sources. Where there’s water, there is potential for civilization. And so we headed down to see the Gihon Spring, the major water source in ancient Jerusalem, and hear how it was used and manipulated in order to win wars.
January 6, 2015 -
Israeli Films
The summer always brings the Jerusalem Film Festival, an annual event hosted by the Jerusalem Cinematheque, a beloved local art house…
August 3, 2017 -
Christmas – It’s the Most Wonderful Place in the World
Christmas is here and Israel is naturally one of the most spiritual places to be for the holiday that celebrates the birth of Jesus. Traveling through the Holy Land, from Bethlehem, to Jerusalem and up to Nazareth and the Galilee means walking in the footsteps of Jesus.
December 24, 2014
