Jewdoo Economics
The Israeli economic system belies common sense. So far as I can tell, on average, wages are about half of what they might be in the States. Yet, many things cost twice as much— certainly, anything imported. Electronics, fuel and [...]
The streets of Tel Aviv
The streets of Tel Aviv– the birthplace of Ilan Ramon– are unusually quiet today. People talk in hushed tones. The weather is warm and bright, but feels overcast. Addendum: I wrote the preceding from a Dizeingoff Center Internet cafe. Afterwards, [...]
Smokers ’r us
Among America’s most successful cultural exports must be the tobacco habit. By my reckoning, smokers are about a quarter of the population in Israel. (My guesstimate was right on the money — see the articles below.) Movies feature an intermission [...]
Security
With my Americanized eyes, I pick up on the oddities of daily Israeli life that have become the norm for most residents. The drivers here make the French look like the Germans in terms of patience and respect for other [...]
Elections-a-go-go
Tuesday was the Israeli national pastime known as Knesset Elections. It’s a holiday, to make voting more convenient. In a country of only 4.7 million voters, in such turbulent times, one would expect nearly everyone to vote. This year, however, [...]