By Esther Korson
One of the main contributors to the sense of well being and happiness in Israel is our love of communication. People here love to be together, talk together, eat together, sit in cafes and restaurants together, hike together travel together, visit together—the key word, as you can plainly see, is TOGETHER! It’s probably one of the main reasons that Israel invented the cell phone, and so many other communications devises—so that people can be reached anytime, anywhere! The streets of Israel and the restaurants and the malls are full of life and full of noise. Once, McDonald’s opened its first (and last) drive-through branch in Jerusalem. It only lasted for two weeks and I don’t think a single car ever ‘drove through’. No one here could ever imagine why people would want to eat in their cars—since the purpose of eating out was to be TOGETHER!
some years ago, during the communist days, I travelled to Poland and while there visited the city of Krakow. Polish friends showed me the old Jewish neighbourhood. They explained that due to anti-Semitism in Poland, almost all of the Jewish symbols had been removed from the buildings. But many of the streets still bore Jewish names. Our footsteps echoed through the empty streets, and finally all I could do was to sit down on a curb and cry my eyes out. It was the quiet that made me cry. Before the Jewish population in Poland had been killed, that old Jewish neighbourhood in Krakow would have been filled with life and noise and interactions. Polish people now live in the buildings there, but the streets are empty and quiet—and the contrast broke my heart.
Health always contributes to happiness, and in that department Israel has a lot going for it. First of all, for many months we are faced daily with bright blue skies and endless sunshine. Even in the middle of the rainy season, there is usually some sunshine each day! Plus, people here eat at a high level of nutrition. Food is a major part of Jewish life and we are blessed with an abundance of fresh fruits and vegetables in an amazing variety. This is a miracle in itself, since the soil and the lack of rain are not conducive to growth. But we have a promise from our awesome Father in Heaven—and as a result of His blessing, everything grows here beautifully! A walk through the open markets always puts a song of praise in my heart! The dairy products here are excellent as well. People eat a lot of fish and chicken, but not that much red meat, which also helps. And exercise is a part of life!
Another help towards health and happiness has to do with the culture itself, a part of the Mediterranean temperament! People say what they feel directly, and it helps a lot to know that people are being emotionally honest when they talk with you. Other cultures find this directness offensive, but here it is part of the sense of family that we all have. There is a ‘people pleasing’ culture in the States especially, and it is not easy to live with. People are also able to express anger—and then get over it! And—this is the one I like a lot—people smile and laugh all the time!
In this country, children and the elderly are treasured. For the elderly, they are usually treated with respect and they are seldom made to feel redundant or worthless. Shimon Peres, for example, is our President—and he is 90! There are always things to do here which help elderly people remain valued participants in Israeli life.
I ride public transportation in Israel, and I actually love it. It is really a slice of life! And every single time almost without exception, someone on the bus or train or light rail will offer me a seat if the bus is full. (The first time it happened it actually made me cry, because it meant that I was officially old; but don’t worry, no complaints anymore!!)
My granddaughters lived in England until two years ago (they are happily now in Jerusalem with my son and his wife). The first time that they came to visit me in Israel on their own, they travelled with El Al as ‘unaccompanied minors’. They were supposed to visit for two weeks, but they asked to extend their visit to five weeks. And at the end of five weeks, they said, “Cut the passports! We want to stay!” They could tell almost immediately that Israelis love children, and my oldest granddaughter, Gabriela, started writing a journal of all the kind things people did for them just because they were children. I’ll share one story with you just so you have an idea of what I’m talking about! There’s a small restaurant on King George Street called “Pinati’s”. As I told the girls, “It’s the Israeli version of ‘fast food’. The food arrives almost before you order it. People sit at communal tables, and they sing the orders in!” It is excellent Middle Eastern food, and the girls loved it! We went a few times during their visit, and they were always warmly greeted by name. When they returned the following summer for their visit, we once again went to “Pinati’s”. The minute we entered, the waiters said, “Gabriela and Michaela! Welcome! Are you going to have schnitzel again?” A year later! It really touched their hearts, and they received a similar welcome from the owner of their favourite stationary store. On their third visit to Israel, we agreed before they headed back to England that we would pray every night for them to be able to move to Israel—and within the year, God graciously answered our prayers!!!!
There are still a few more things to tell on Israel’s happiness index, so it looks like it will have to be continued in yet another blog. Next on the agenda, humour, faith, manners and a bit more about communication—and whatever else I can come up with between now and then! Have a HAPPY day!
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