Leaving for Israel

[Kinger]

I'll be leaving for Israel this coming Thursday. Going with a group of about 200 other high school students, we'll be there for 5 weeks, going all over the country, visiting imporant sites. Jerusalem, the Wailing Wall, Masada, the Dead Sea etc.

At some point we'll be staying on a Kibbutz for a few days, and then with an Israeli family. For the families, we have to bring a home hospitality gift.

Now I have a few ignorant sounding questions for anyone with answers, Israelis can most likely answer these the best.

1. What would be a good small gift I could bring from the states for an Israeli family?

2. Does Israel have anything like American Military surplus stores?

3. What's the nightlife like? I've been hearing things about Discos??? rofl

4. Do Israeli schools have summer vacation like American schools? Are they out right now?

5. Anything I should avoid/go out of my way to do/see?

[gilgoul]

I'll be leaving for Israel this coming Thursday. Going with a group of about 200 other high school students, we'll be there for 5 weeks, going all over the country, visiting imporant sites. Jerusalem, the Wailing Wall, Masada, the Dead Sea etc.

At some point we'll be staying on a Kibbutz for a few days, and then with an Israeli family. For the families, we have to bring a home hospitality gift.

Now I have a few ignorant sounding questions for anyone with answers, Israelis can most likely answer these the best.

1. What would be a good small gift I could bring from the states for an Israeli family?

2. Does Israel have anything like American Military surplus stores?

3. What's the nightlife like? I've been hearing things about Discos??? rofl

4. Do Israeli schools have summer vacation like American schools? Are they out right now?

5. Anything I should avoid/go out of my way to do/see?


Hi, I hope you`ll enjoy your stay here, so, for your questions :

1. Whatever you feel like, depends on your budget, everything is avaible here, but sometimes a little bit more expensive than in the states.

2. In six years here, I`m still looking for one that would offer SURPLUS, if you just want souvenirs and don`t care about the absolut authenticity of any equipement you might acquire (the clothing and equipement in use in tsahal are all marked with a צ and aren`t for sale legally), go to the centrel bus station in tel aviv, or in ben yehuda in Jerusalem, and you`ll find what you are looking for. the alternative is Rikushet shops, but they are really expensive.

3. It` s INCREADIBLE, especially in Tel Aviv, you just have to be over 18 to access most of the pubs, night clubs and other night life spots. Compared to London or Paris, Tel Aviv is way above.
Then, in more provincial towns, and notably in Kibbutsim, you`ll find the local "pub" usually open only during the week ends, and the area "disco", if you are in the north, give a try to the "Tranfer" in Ramat David, quite an experience.

4. Yup, and the small ones have been released in the streets a week ago.

5. STAY longer, go on a treck, visit, and PM me if you need any particular advice.

[Moledet]

1. They will like whatever you will bring. Whatever you bring to your relatives as gifts will be alright, though if they are religious you might want to avoid buying a statue.

2. Never searched for one.

3. Nightlife are real good in Tel Aviv and Hertzeliya and in some part of the summer in Eilat. Though you should notice that a lot of the clubs play Techno/Trans, commercial hip-hop and House (most club are divided to different sections that each play a different music). If you don't like this than you don't have much choices even though there are some alternative music clubs.

4. Yes, teens are on vacation since June 20th.

5. You shouldn't go out of your way but if you are in Hertzeliya visit Max Brener, it's a choclate restaurant and they have realy good stuff there.

Also, don't be naive. This is the Jews country but it's not Hertzel's dream, you will encounter some unpleasent people just avoid them. And in the beach don't leave your stuff without someone guarding them. You know, be as cautious as you are in America.

[IDFM203]

3. What's the nightlife like? I've been hearing things about Discos??? rofl
:lol:

Yes I think I get why you are laughing though this is not a disco "ala" what you are thinking about like in the States in the 70’s or like the movie Grease. No, simply in Israel a club can also be referred to as a discothèque.