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When the summer months approach, many people in Florida consider traveling to new destinations like Israel. The weather gets warmer, and it’s the perfect time to go on vacation with friends or family. While planning your trip, it’s necessary to keep some things in mind that will make your experience as seamless as possible.
Israel Is a Very Different Place From the US or Canada
When you arrive in Israel, you will find that it is a very different place than the US or Canada. It is a small country with a population of about 9.44 million people in 2021, as per Statista. Most Israelis are Jews, and many live in areas where they have lived for generations, but many other cultures and religions are also represented.
Israel is not just a Jewish country. It has Arab citizens living there for generations and immigrants from all over the world who have come to Israel searching for religious freedom or economic opportunity.
Israel is a modern country with many things to do and see, but it is also a place where you can experience the ancient traditions of Jewish life. If you are interested in exploring both sides of this country, choose an experience that allows you to learn more about its culture and history while allowing you some free time to explore the city.
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Don’t Forget to Take a Masa Israeli Trip
Whether you’re a seasoned traveler or someone who has never left the comfort of their home state, Masa Israeli is a unique opportunity for Jews worldwide. With six days journey of the Masa Israeli program, you’ll get the opportunity to experience Israel in ways that are different from the tourist experience.
Masa offers study abroad programs for university students and young professionals worldwide. It also offers trips for adults and families and teenagers. The best part about these trips is that they allow you to learn about Israeli culture and history while immersing yourself in them simultaneously.
Masa Israel is currently offering a program for teens and young adults. This program allows participants to study Hebrew and other subjects at one of Masa’s partner schools in Tel Aviv and travel throughout Israel during their stay. According to World Population Review, around 6-8 million people worldwide speak Hebrew.
A unique aspect of this program is that it allows participants to live with a host family, which helps them connect more deeply with Israeli culture. Another great thing about the Masa Israel teen program is that it offers many different types of trips throughout the year. For example, you can choose from trips that focus on sports and fitness, art and music, or urban exploration.
The Israeli Culture is Very Relaxed and Laid Back
Israelis are in no rush to get things done, and it’s not uncommon for them to take their time. The culture here is very laid back and relaxed. However, it can make things like getting an appointment with a doctor or dentist difficult if you’re used to being rushed through the process at home.
According to Haaretz, there are 29,700 doctors currently providing their services in Israel, and you may find one that provides quicker services.
The culture is informal. People wear jeans, sandals, shorts, t-shirts, whatever they feel comfortable in. Of course, you’ll see people wearing all styles here, but don’t let this throw you off. Israelis are open-minded and friendly toward foreigners; their relaxed attitude often means they won’t mind if you dress differently than they do.
The people are very friendly and outgoing. Israelis tend to be social and enjoy meeting new people. You will often find that Israelis invite you into their homes or invite you out to a café or restaurant with them after your first meeting.
Tipping is Not Part of the Culture
Tipping is not part of the culture in Israel. It is a western trend that has not yet caught on, and many Israelis feel that it is insulting to be tipped. As a result, tipping is discouraged, and you will likely feel out of place if you tip someone in Israel.
If you feel generous and decide to give a gratuity, it’s important to know how much to tip your server or cab driver. If unsure of what amount would be appropriate, ask your hotel concierge for advice, as they will have experience with this issue. Otherwise, it’s best to avoid tipping altogether, as there shouldn’t be any expectation that you do so anyway.
If you are going to eat in Israel, expect the service to be slow. Servers do not work on commission, so they don’t usually care about how quickly they serve you. Instead, they will take their sweet time bringing you your food because there is no incentive for them to hurry up. If you find that this bothers you, ask for a manager and politely bring it to his attention if he is unaware of the issue.
Be Aware of the Laws Associated With Shabbat
Shabbat is the rest day for Jews. It begins on Friday sundown and ends on Saturday sunset. It’s a time for family, friends, and the community to come together for prayer services, meals, community activities, and more.
Be aware that some Israeli cities have laws in place about Shabbat observance. For example, Jerusalem is known to be less lenient in its enforcement of these laws than Tel Aviv. Beit Shemesh tends to be more lenient than other cities due to its large Orthodox population. Finally, Haifa has been known as one of the least strict cities regarding Shabbat observance.
Shabbat is not to be confused with the Jewish holiday of Passover. Passover lasts eight days and begins on the 15th day of Nisan in early April on the Gregorian calendar.
Weather in Israel Is Almost the Exact Opposite of Florida’s Sometimes
The weather is almost always unpredictable in Israel, with sudden storms appearing out of nowhere.
In Florida and other southern states, it’s common for the temperature to be either freezing or blazing hot at any given moment of the day or night. However, there are oceans surrounding Israel on three sides and mountains on its fourth side.
It means that temperatures will never reach record-breaking levels because they have nowhere else to go except down into those ocean depths or further up into those mountain peaks.
In addition, Florida has an average annual rainfall total of about 48 inches per year compared with only 30 inches per year for Jerusalem.
Be Prepared and Travel With An Open Mind and Heart
Traveling to Israel is a great way to expand your horizons and experience new things. Don’t be afraid to try new things, ask questions, make mistakes, or explore. You should welcome the opportunity for growth that traveling provides you with.
Traveling to Israel can be an exciting and rewarding experience. However, there are certain things you should keep in mind if you’re planning on going. One of the most important things is ensuring that your travel documents are in order and show no signs of tampering.
You also need to be open-minded while visiting this country because Israelis have a unique culture that may differ from what you’re used to at home.