{"id":1177,"date":"2014-02-24T17:14:54","date_gmt":"2014-02-24T17:14:54","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.thejerusalemgiftshop.com\/israelnews\/?p=1177"},"modified":"2014-02-27T20:34:39","modified_gmt":"2014-02-27T20:34:39","slug":"more-happiness-in-israel","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.thejerusalemgiftshop.com\/israelnews\/more-happiness-in-israel\/","title":{"rendered":"More Happiness in Israel"},"content":{"rendered":"

By Esther Korson<\/p>\n

One of the main contributors to the sense of well being and happiness in Israel<\/a> 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\u2014the key word, as you can plainly see, is TOGETHER! It\u2019s probably one of the main reasons that Israel invented the cell phone, and so many other communications devises\u2014so 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\u2019s opened its first (and last) drive-through branch in Jerusalem.\u00a0 It only lasted for two weeks and I don\u2019t think a single car ever \u2018drove through\u2019.\u00a0 No one here could ever imagine why people would want to eat in their cars\u2014since the purpose of eating out was to be TOGETHER!<\/strong><\/p>\n

some years ago, during the communist days, I travelled to Poland and while there visited the city of Krakow.\u00a0 Polish friends showed me the old Jewish neighbourhood.\u00a0 They explained that due to anti-Semitism in Poland, almost all of the Jewish symbols had been removed from the buildings.\u00a0 But many of the streets still bore Jewish names.\u00a0 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.\u00a0 It was the quiet that made me cry.\u00a0 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.\u00a0 Polish people now live in the buildings there, but the streets are empty and quiet\u2014and the contrast broke my heart.<\/p>\n

\"Enjoy<\/a>

Lady at Jerusalem Supermarket – Her badge says ‘Enjoy Your Age’<\/p><\/div>\n

Health always contributes to happiness, and in that department Israel has a lot going for it.\u00a0 First of all, for many months we are faced daily with bright blue skies and endless sunshine.\u00a0 Even in the middle of the rainy season, there is usually some sunshine each day!\u00a0 Plus, people here eat at a high level of nutrition.\u00a0 Food is a major part of Jewish life and we are blessed with an abundance of fresh fruits and vegetables in an amazing variety.\u00a0 This is a miracle in itself, since the soil and the lack of rain are not conducive to growth.\u00a0 But we have a promise from our awesome Father in Heaven\u2014and as a result of His blessing, everything grows here beautifully!\u00a0 A walk through the open markets always puts a song of praise in my heart!\u00a0 The dairy products here are excellent as well.\u00a0 People eat a lot of fish and chicken, but not that much red meat, which also helps. And exercise is a part of life!<\/p>\n

Another help towards health and happiness has to do with the culture itself, a part of the Mediterranean temperament!\u00a0 People say what they feel directly, and it helps a lot to know that people are being emotionally honest when they talk with you.\u00a0 Other cultures find this directness offensive, but here it is part of the sense of family that we all have.\u00a0 There is a \u2018people pleasing\u2019 culture in the States especially, and it is not easy to live with. People are also able to express anger\u2014and then get over it! And\u2014this is the one I like a lot\u2014people smile and laugh all the time!<\/p>\n

In this country, children and the elderly are treasured.\u00a0 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\u2014and he is 90!\u00a0 There are always things to do here which help elderly people remain valued participants in Israeli life.<\/p>\n

I ride public transportation in Israel, and I actually love it.\u00a0 It is really a slice of life!\u00a0 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.\u00a0 (The first time it happened it actually made me cry, because it meant that I was officially old; but don\u2019t worry, no complaints anymore!!)<\/p>\n

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