Culture of Israel

Israeli Culture

Israel is home to beloved religious sites, archaeological gems, and awe-inspiring natural wonders. Travelers flock to Israel to explore Nazareth and Jerusalem, float in the Dead Sea, and the Mediterranean city of Tel Aviv. Israel contains a collectivist society in which the group, especially the family, is value more than its individual members. Israelis enjoy sharing life with their family and friends and are quick to offer help to those in need. Israelis are generally dedicated to their culture and state.

Host an Israeli student in the U.S.

Family Dynamic

Family is at the core of Israeli life. The number of children per family varies greatly depending on the family’s level of religiosity. Secular Jews may have around two children, Modern Orthodox Jews may have around four to seven children, and ultra-Orthodox Jews may eight to twelve children. In most Israeli families, both parents work.

Parents focus a large part of their lives on raising their children. As a result, Israeli children tend to receive a lot of attention and focus. Family ties remain strong, even as children become adults. After graduating high school, most children leave home to serve their mandatory army service. Some may return home and live with parents while attending university.

Teenage Life in Israel

Soccer, basketball, and volleyball are the most popular sports in Israel. Other popular sports include handball, boxing, wrestling, judo, karate, tennis, swimming, and matkot (paddleball), a mix of tennis and table tennis played on the beach. Israeli teenagers enjoy going to movies, concerts, and shows. They may also go to cafés, restaurants, bars, and clubs. Hiking and camping are popular activities during the spring and summer, as well as yoga classes.

Holidays in Israel

The month of Tishrei (September–October) begins with Rosh Hashanah (New Year), followed by Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement) on the 10th of Tishrei; the weeklong festival of Sukkot (Feast of Tabernacles) begins on the 15th. Chanukah (Festival of Lights) is celebrated around December.

The holiday of Purim is in the Jewish month of Adar (at the end of the winter). Pesach (Passover) takes place in the spring, six months after Sukkot, and Holocaust Day is commemorated 13 days later. Other important days include Memorial Day (between April 14 and May 14), Independence Day (between April 15 and May 15), and Shavu’ot, or Pentecost (between May 15 and June 14). Tisha B’Av is the most widely observed fasting holiday.

Official Language

Hebrew is Israel’s official language.

Communication Styles

Israelis favor a direct communication style. Indirectness in Israel may be misconstrued or misunderstood entirely. Conversation in Israel is often passionate, loud, and expressive, with people freely sharing their opinions. While conversations may sound heated, this is not necessarily a sign of real conflict. People in Israel tend to believe it is better to express one’s feelings rather than repressing them. Personal space is generally smaller, as people feel comfortable standing closely together while speaking.

Israeli Diet

Popular dishes include hummus (chickpea spread), kebab (meat and vegetables on a skewer), falafel (fried balls of crushed chickpeas, oil, and spices), shawarma (spit-roasted meat and salad inside pita bread), burékas (savory pastries with fillings such as potato, cheese, or spinach), ptitim (an Israeli toasted pasta shaped like rice or little balls), and Russian borscht (beet soup). Vegetable salad is usually eaten daily. Fruit shakes and iced coffee are popular summertime drinks. A popular winter dessert is krembo, a chocolate-covered creamy marshmallow with a cookie base.

Israel

Ancient religious sites and natural wonders