Lessons from a Decade in Israel
There are some major differences between life in Israel and abroad, but there are some strange minor ones as well.
After much groveling, nudging emails, alongside sample essays and multiple references, I finally sit down to write a guest post for my husband’s beloved blog, Sababoosh.
Why did I persist? As an olah nearing 10 happy years of residence in Israel, I felt obligated to share the wisdom I have accumulated oh so painfully over the years.
I recall my first trip to Israel in 9th grade, back in 2006, and the profound confusion it bred. It worsened as I came to live for a year in Jerusalem in 2009-10, and then deepend further when I moved back in the summer of 2015 for good. So for all of those planning to visit or thinking of moving their lives to this wonderful place I call home, I wanted to set a few things straight.
I’ll share them in chronological fashion as they revealed themselves to me.
1) Tiny elevators
The first time I entered an Israeli elevator, I insisted that my dad was heading towards a closet and not an elevator. Imagine the dumbfounded look on my face as he opened the door and a light popped on from above with a few thick plastic buttons listing the floors. Was it safe? Could a person weighing more than 30 pounds alight? I can only say to my prior self- yes and yes. Jake and I currently live in what is considered to be a fancy building from 1966, developed for the management of the respected contracting company, Solel Boneh. We have been blessed with two such elevators. And I have fit in there with at least three other adults.
2) Duvet covers
I arrived in Israel for a year of “learning” after high school (Read: first time in life with no academic consequences/record or parental supervision). My lovely aunt who already resided there bought me sheets and blankets. As I began to make my bed, I noticed only two sheets: a fitted one for the mattress and a duvet cover. Where was the top sheet? I continued to search in stores only to discover Israel’s tendency for this pairing. Upon reflection, duvet covers seem a bit more hygienic and efficient to clean than the rare dry cleaning of a blanket.
3) Sponga
This was and remains foreign to me. Just this practice highlighted to me the value of travel. You see, we all think our way of doing things is normal and rational when in fact there are many ways to achieve the same goal- and maybe others have found a superior method! Sponga is the Israeli method for cleaning the floor. In America, we take a mop- a disgusting bundle of thick cotton strings attached to the end of a wooden pole. This we dunk into a bucket of water with cleaning product and plop onto the floor, swirling it around on the floor and then dropping it again in the water bucket, squeezing it out and plopping it back on the floor. The water becomes progressively darker and dirtier, yet we continue to use it to moisten the floor. Gross.
Israelis have another method. They fill a bucket with water and cleaning product and pour it directly on the floor. The giant puddle is then pushed and guided along the floor towards a drain on the other side of the room using a squeegee attached to the end of a wooden pole. As the water gets pushed, it gets dirtier and then empties in the drains hidden in the floorboards throughout the apartment. Somehow this feels cleaner to me. The jury is out.
4) Heavy lunch, light dinner
I remember the deep confusion upon receiving my daily schedule- a 2.5 hour break for lunch and yet 1 hour for dinner? And why is there meat every lunch? It took me years to realize that the American diet differs from the Mediterranean one in claiming which meal is the dominant of the two. Americans tend to have a salad, pasta, or a sandwich and continue through. Dinner? Meat and potatoes! The Mediterranean diet instead serves the meat and potatoes in the middle of the day and has a light supper. It's not surprising the development for the need of a daily siesta. It turns out that this is the healthier option as we digest it while awake and leads to less weight gain.
5) Separate toilet from sink:
Bathrooms are divided into two: one room with a lone toilet. Another room has a shower and sink. Confusing? Confusing. Again, once overcoming the never ending question, whyyyyyy, I came to recognise its wisdom. Why should a toilet user dominate all of the bathroom resources? Indeed, Jake can brush his teeth or shower while I do my business. Much more efficient.
6) Apartments are naked
I remember penning down my expected financial needs when I made aliyah, expecting rent, utilities, food, and so on. My mom said, you’ll have to factor in a fridge, oven, and so forth. In my arrogant, know-it-all tone, I corrected my mom, “No, Ema. Those come with the apartment.” No! They don’t! When you move into an apartment, it is naked- no fridge, no stove, no oven. Buildings don’t have laundry units. And closets are bought- they aren't built into the walls. So if you plan on moving here, budget for all of the above. Thankfully the second hand market is pretty reasonable.
7) Meals are rituals
Americans have a bizarre attitude towards food. We eat take out, we eat while we walk, while we work, and we’re all fat. Israel, on the other hand, finds meal time to be sacred. Although I have worked in various busy departments in the hospital- no matter where or how, we always went down to eat lunch in the staff cafeteria. Firstly, most American hospitals don’t provide free food for its workers. In Israel, it's a given. Secondly, there's some sort of shame involved amongst American doctors in taking a break to focus solely on eating. You must take bites of snacks while typing or running between patients. In Israel, we go down in full teams and sit and eat a full meal. Even if it's rushed (fifteen minutes), it’s non-negotiable. Lunch is lunch, You can’t skip it. Full points for Israel here.
Well there you have it!
Seven random tidbits of experience I’ve accumulated over the years and am passing on to you, my devoted readers.
Thank you, Jake for the opportunity, and hope some of you join me/us soon in this wonderful wacky world of Israel.
Song of the Week
שדות
Suh-doet
Fields
Narkis has a powerful voice that powers songs filled with religious lyrics. She finds a nice balance between pop and rock and never fails to elicit the feelings
Slang of the Week
חלושס
Chuh-loo-shiss
Out of it - a cute way to say weak (חלש / Chuh-lawsh)
Welcoming our new intern, Sarina Amar!
Sarina is in Israel on the Onward program and she will be focusing on marketing and brand strategy. She spends most of her time relaxing and getting lost in books. She has been to Israel many times in the past to visit family, but this is the first time she’s been outside of Shuk HaCarmel while here in Tel Aviv. She is only here for the summer, but she has fallen even more in love with Israel. She attends Kennesaw State University studying public relations and sports & entertainment marketing. Sarina hopes her Hebrew skills improve and loves immersing herself in the local culture.
Favorite Israeli Singer: Neta Barzilai
Favorite Israeli food: Malawach
Favorite Israeli Artist: Noa Goffer
Thank you for reading our weekly post. I hope you enjoy and get excited about our upcoming podcast episode release. Wishing you a Shabbat shalom and good weekend!
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