Travel Destinations / Israel

Israel is located in the southwestern part of Asia. The country of Israel is surrounded by four South Asian countries - Lebanon on the north, Syria and Jordan on the east and the south west is bordered by Egypt.

The geography of Israel offers a wide range of variety and is divided into three main regions - the coastal plain, the mountain region and the Jordan Valley Rift. The western strip of the country is known as the coastal Plain that stretches from Rosh ha-Nikra to the Sinai Peninsula in the north and south respectively. The coastal plains include two of the main cities of Israel - Tel Aviv and Haifa.

The mountain region stretches from Lebanon to the Eilat Bay in the south. The region includes the Galilee in the north and the hills of Samaria and the Negev highlands. The third region is the Jordon Valley Rift which was caused by seismic activity in the country. A part of the Afro-Syrian rift, the Jordon valley Rift stretches from the Syrian-Turkish border to the Zambezi River in Africa. River Jordan also flows through this region which also includes the two lakes of the country - the Sea of Galilee and the Dead Sea.

History of Israel dates back to the Hebrew Bible. According to the first chapter of the Bible, Jacob (one of the patriarchs of the country) is rechristened Israel after wrestling with an angel of God. Thereon the nation fathered by Jacob was called "The Children of Israel" or the "Israelites". Therefore after attaining Independent Status the country was named the State of Israel in 1948.

Culture:

Of the approximately 7.59 million Israelis in 2010, about 76% were counted as Jewish, though some of those are not considered Jewish under Orthodox Jewish law. Since 1989, nearly a million immigrants from the former Soviet Union have arrived in Israel, making this the largest wave of immigration since independence. In addition, an estimated 105,000 members of the Ethiopian Jewish community have immigrated to Israel, 14,000 of them during the dramatic May 1991 Operation Solomon airlift; 32.9% of Israelis were born outside of Israel.

The three broad Jewish groupings are the Ashkenazim, or Jews who trace their ancestry to western, central, and eastern Europe; the Sephardim, who trace their origin to Spain, Portugal, southern Europe, and North Africa; and Eastern or Oriental Jews, who descend from ancient communities in Islamic lands. Of the non-Jewish population, about 68% are Muslims, about 9% are Christian, and about 7% are Druze

A review of the fifty years of any country can reflect on the cultural history of any state or country. More so in the case of Israel, where the last fifty years have been marked by a series of calamitous events which have had an effect on the cultural character of this South Asian Country of Israel.

The location of the country has also affected the culture of Israel. The country forms point of amalgamation for three continents - Asia, Europe and Africa. This strategic location of Israel allows the country to derive cultural association from all the three continents. And with a large amount of population coming from all the three continents, Israel has derived a rich cultural diversity. Arts and Crafts in Israel are widely supported by the government of Israel. Local artisans are given special provisions by the government. The country has a number of galleries and museums where the work of artisans is displayed. Art lovers in Israel will not be disappointed by the arrangement made by the government. For cities who do not have permanent exhibit sites, temporary sites are made for the art lovers.

Music of Israel is very versatile and is a combination of western and eastern music. It includes a wide variety of Asian and Arab pop and Hassidic songs. While talking about music in Israel it is unlikely not to mention the Israeli Philharmonic Orchestra. The Orchestra forms a major crux of the musical scene in Israel. Established in 1936, the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra is the national orchestra of the country. The famous musical composer Zubin Mehta, is a well renowned figure and the orchestra under his guidance perform in concerts throughout the country and abroad.

Another cultural aspect is the theater in Israel which consists of large number of small and large groups of different genres. The first theater professionals in the country were immigrants from Europe and Russia. These immigrants found the Middle-Eastern culture that maintained a dialogue with innovative modern theatrical thinking. One of the most famous theatrical groups in the country is the Ha-Bima Theatre group that originated in Russia. Today, it is considered as the national theater company of Israel. The group presents classical and contemporary plays. The other noted theater groups are the Ha-Kameri Theater Group, Tsavta in Tel Aviv, Gesher, Haifa Theater and the Yaffo Arab-Jewish Theater.

Religion is very much a part of the lives of Jews and therefore Israelites are subject to strict etiquettes. Few of the etiquettes in Israel are strict and have to be followed by the citizens. Among the Jews handshakes are a standard mode of greeting therefore if you meet a strict follower of the Jewish tradition then you might be greeted by a handshake in Israel. Across the country of Israel, hospitality is a medium of demonstrating wealth and power. Therefore expect a lavish spread of food while visiting a friend for dinner in the country. One of the most important customs for women in the country one should remember that the knees and elbows must be covered and that they should wear high collard clothes.

The Cuisine of Israel is been influenced by the ethnic communities which constitute the population of Israel. The religious based dietary laws of Kashrut play a determining factor in the cooking and eating habits of the country. Meat and Bread constitute the daily cuisines of the country while fish has also become an integral part of informal dining in the country due to its proximity with the Mediterranean Sea

Languages

Hebrew, Arabic. English and Russian widely spoken

Religion(s)

Judaism, Islam, and Christianity

Transport:

Israel is not a very large country, and there are many modes of transportation that people can take. Buses are of course the most popular, and can be availed of both for local transport, and for traveling between cities. Most intercity buses as well as local service in the larger cities of Israel are run by the Egged Bus Company. In Tel Aviv and its suburban areas, the Dan Bus Company provides most of the local and intercity Israel Bus Services. In Be’er Sheva, and Nazareth, the Israel Bus Services are provided by local companies. The Metrodan Company operates public bus services in these cities.

Car hire:

The roads and highways of Israel are extremely modern, and well-maintained, making traveling on roads a wonderful experience. In fact, the roads are numbered and marked for the benefit of the drivers. The East-west roads are oddly numbered, and north-south roads are evenly numbered. Most international car rental companies, namely Hertz, Avis, Budget and Sixt, as well as leading Israeli companies, for instance Eldan, and Traffic, offer cars for Israel Car Hire.

Money:

Currency: New Israeli Shekel (NIS)
For the foreign travelers currency can be exchanged at the International Airport, banks, or licensed exchange agencies in the major cities of Israel. A passport is required while exchanging and the rates could vary from city to city.

Health Requirements:

The following vaccines may be recommended for your travel to the Middle East. Discuss your travel plans and personal health with a health-care provider to determine which vaccines you will need.

Hepatitis A or immune globulin (IG). Transmission of hepatitis A virus can occur through direct person-to-person contact; through exposure to contaminated water, ice, or shellfish harvested in contaminated water; or from fruits, vegetables, or other foods that are eaten uncooked and that were contaminated during harvesting or subsequent handling.
Hepatitis B, especially if you might be exposed to blood or body fluids (for example, health-care workers), have sexual contact with the local population, or be exposed through medical treatment. Hepatitis B vaccine is now recommended for all infants and for children ages 11–12 years who did not receive the series as infants.
Rabies, pre-exposure vaccination, if you might have extensive unprotected outdoor exposure in rural areas, such as might occur during camping, hiking, or bicycling, or engaging in certain occupational activities.
Typhoid vaccine. Typhoid fever can be contracted through contaminated drinking water or food, or by eating food or drinking beverages that have been handled by a person who is infected. Large outbreaks are most often related to fecal contamination of water supplies or foods sold by street vendors Risk is greater if you are visiting developing countries in this region.
As needed, booster doses for tetanus-diphtheria, measles, and a one-time dose of polio vaccine for adults.

Required Vaccinations

Meningococcal vaccine is required for pilgrims to Mecca for the annual Hajj. However, CDC currently recommends the vaccine for all travelers to Mecca, including those traveling for the Umra. (For more information, please see Saudi Arabia Hajj Requirements.)

Yellow Fever
There is no risk for yellow fever in the Middle East. A certificate of yellow fever vaccination may be required for entry into certain of these countries if you are coming from countries in South America or sub-Saharan Africa.

The Israeli seasons are different from those in the United States and western Europe. Basically there are two seasons: winter (late Oct to mid-Mar), which is cool to cold and when the rains occur; and summer (Apr-Oct), which is warm to hot and virtually rain-free. Winter in Israel starts with showers in October and continues through periodic heavy rainfalls from November to March. Swimming is out in the Mediterranean during this time, except during occasional heat waves, although at times you can swim in Eilat and The Dead Sea in the winter. The Israeli winter doesn't normally involve snow, except for Mount Hermon on the Golan Heights. There could be occasional flurries in Jerusalem and the Upper Galilee (and the chance of a heavier snowfall two or three times a decade in Jerusalem). Jerusalem even had a .6m (2-ft.) snowfall in 1920, and two huge storms in the 1990s, so anything is possible. Luckily, even the biggest snowfall melts away in a few days. Tel Aviv and the coast don't get snow -- people from those areas rush to Jerusalem to see it when it occurs.

During February and the beginning of March, the entire country seems to turn green from the winter rains, and wildflower displays in the Galilee and the Golan regions are truly spectacular. By late March, the flowers and the green will have faded. In the months that follow, the heat gathers intensity, reaching its peak in July and August, when the only relatively cool spots are Jerusalem (at night) and the high mountains around Safed. The landscape is dry and parched by May, but by September temperatures fall off a bit.

Israel also experiences hot, dry desert winds at the beginning and end of the summer, although a hamsin can occur anytime from March to November. These southern and eastern winds are named after the Arabic word for 50, since the wind was traditionally believed to blow for 50 days a year. Thankfully, it doesn't. A hamsin (or sharav) heat wave means you must cut back on rushing around: Plan to be in air-conditioned museums, in the shadowy depths of a bazaar, or in the water during midday, and make sure you add to your water intake. Also, be sure to wear a hat and slather on sunscreen.

In winter, cold rain systems move in from the north. Because they are prevented from continuing south by the constant tropical highs over Africa, these storms can stall over Israel for days until they rain themselves out. Lots of warm socks, layered clothes (including a fleece liner), and a good raincoat and portable umbrella are what you need if you visit in winter. If you find a few days of your trip hampered by constant rain, your reward will be the chance to visit pine forests near Jerusalem and in the Galilee as fragrant and misty as those of the Pacific Northwest. In late winter, you'll see the countryside carpeted with wildflowers and a rare, fragile veil of greenery.

Advice for a Rainy Day -- There are very few storm drains in Israel, so streets become minirivers whenever it rains. Sturdy, rubber-soled shoes are a necessity. In Jerusalem and in areas of Old Tiberias, Jaffa, and Safed, the picturesque stone pavements and staircases become lethally slippery when wet. Walk on them as if they were covered with sheets of ice, and use railings provided on steep staircase passageways. Always check with tourist information offices or the Society for Protection of Nature before hiking in the desert in winter. The sun may be shining in the desert, but rain up in Jerusalem flows into the wadis (canyons) leading down to The Dead Sea and can build up into walls of water and boulders that sweep everything (including unwary tourists) away.