Israel Is An Amazing Land Of Contrasts
Of all the nations of the world, Israel may have the most contrasts between various areas, cities, regions and peoples within it.
Amongst the contrasts, of course, is the distinction between tradition and modern and new, international and ethnic.
Even within individual cities, and sometimes within just a few blocks, these contrasts still exist.
The most international city in Israel is probably Tel Aviv.
Few people realize that Tel Aviv itself was only first developed in 1909, and that before that, the settled area was the ancient port city of Jaffa.
Jaffa abuts Tel Aviv, and visitors today can enjoy the sights and see the ancient relics and remnants, while strolling through the artistic shops that have located within the Old City.
While the Tel Aviv suburb of Ramat Gan houses the Israel Diamond Exchange, Ramat Gan's population is largely Orthodox Jewish.
Tel Aviv, in contrast, is modern in its acceptance of Jews of all religious traditions and persuasions, as well as Arabs, Druses, Christians, etc.
While many restaurants are kosher in Tel Aviv, there are many that are not.
However, the work week in Tel Aviv, like the rest of Israel, is Sunday through Thursday, as opposed to America's Monday through Friday work week.
Tel Aviv's port area has been developed as a "South Street Seaport"- type area, and is known as the Port of Tel Aviv.
The most popular and most of the most expensive hotels are located in a setting that many would see as reminiscent of Miami Beach (with Hebrew writing), with large deluxe hotels, and luxury amenities, close to many shops and restaurants, as well as the typical "tourist traps.
" Tel Aviv's Rothchild Street is a beautiful tree-lined area, with a large center area for strolling, walking and enjoying.
Here, there are many attractions and numerous restaurants and shops.
To the North, the city of Haifa has an active, working port, both commercial and naval.
In addition, Haifa houses the incredible Baha'i World Center and Baha'i Gardens.
Haifa has always had a mix of Jewish and AdChoices non Jews, living predominantly harmoniously together.
However, because of Haifa's proximity to certain hostile nations in close proximity across the water, they must be ever- vigilant of attacks from missiles, etc.
Where the major medical centers in Israel are the Hadassah University Hospital, medical school and dental schools in Jerusalem, and the Tel Aviv Medical Center and University in Tel Aviv, Haifa and much of this northern region is taken care of medically by a tremendously dedicated staff at Ramban Hospital.
The area near Ramban Hospital houses the hospital/ medical center, the Rappaport Medical School, and the relatively new Graduate School of Dentistry.
This center has been crucial in serving the health and medical needs, especially during the numerous outbreaks of hostilities.
It is important to realize that although Israel is only 52 years young, it has been engaged in six wars during its short existence.
Further to the north is the mystical city of Zevet (also known as Svet, siffet, Sfter, etc), one of the poorest regions of Israel socio-economically.
Zivet is the birthplace of Kabbalah and Jewish mysticism and spiritualism, and there are many incredible artists that remain in the Old City of Zivet.
With over 1.
2 million tourists annually, Zivet has more tourists per square mile than anywhere else in the nation.
Because of the proximity of the Golan Heights, this area has been severely devastated during several wars, and it is obvious why the Israelis feel so strongly that they cannot permit hostile enemies to occupy the Heights, for major security reasons.
It is obvious to the impartial observer that Israel must assure the citizens of the northern areas of the nation, that they will have comparable medical and dental attention as the major cities in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem.
Of course, Jerusalem has been claimed as the birthplace of Judaism, Greek Catholicism, Roman Catholicism, Muslim and Islamic faiths, etc.
There are incredible contrasts throughout the city between old and new, ethnic, etc.
Jerusalem attempts to maintain its identity by requiring a certain percentage of Jerusalem stone in its buildings, and several other measures, and in general, Jerusalem is more conservative than, for example Tel Aviv.
The Western Wall has four quarters, the Jewish quarter, the Catholic quarter, the Arab Quarter, and the Greek Catholic quarter, with each area having a completely different feel, and substantially different look and atmosphere.
No matter how many pictures, words, descriptions, etc.
are used to describe Israel, only when one visits can one experience what it feels like to be in Israel.
While there are stores and restaurants and other reminders of the rest of the world within Israel, there are distinctions that can only be seen in Israel, including architectural, archeological, historical, etc.
Israel is located within two contents, Asia and Africa, and there are influences of these two areas, as well as the Western World that can be seen and witnessed in Israel.
Amongst the contrasts, of course, is the distinction between tradition and modern and new, international and ethnic.
Even within individual cities, and sometimes within just a few blocks, these contrasts still exist.
The most international city in Israel is probably Tel Aviv.
Few people realize that Tel Aviv itself was only first developed in 1909, and that before that, the settled area was the ancient port city of Jaffa.
Jaffa abuts Tel Aviv, and visitors today can enjoy the sights and see the ancient relics and remnants, while strolling through the artistic shops that have located within the Old City.
While the Tel Aviv suburb of Ramat Gan houses the Israel Diamond Exchange, Ramat Gan's population is largely Orthodox Jewish.
Tel Aviv, in contrast, is modern in its acceptance of Jews of all religious traditions and persuasions, as well as Arabs, Druses, Christians, etc.
While many restaurants are kosher in Tel Aviv, there are many that are not.
However, the work week in Tel Aviv, like the rest of Israel, is Sunday through Thursday, as opposed to America's Monday through Friday work week.
Tel Aviv's port area has been developed as a "South Street Seaport"- type area, and is known as the Port of Tel Aviv.
The most popular and most of the most expensive hotels are located in a setting that many would see as reminiscent of Miami Beach (with Hebrew writing), with large deluxe hotels, and luxury amenities, close to many shops and restaurants, as well as the typical "tourist traps.
" Tel Aviv's Rothchild Street is a beautiful tree-lined area, with a large center area for strolling, walking and enjoying.
Here, there are many attractions and numerous restaurants and shops.
To the North, the city of Haifa has an active, working port, both commercial and naval.
In addition, Haifa houses the incredible Baha'i World Center and Baha'i Gardens.
Haifa has always had a mix of Jewish and AdChoices non Jews, living predominantly harmoniously together.
However, because of Haifa's proximity to certain hostile nations in close proximity across the water, they must be ever- vigilant of attacks from missiles, etc.
Where the major medical centers in Israel are the Hadassah University Hospital, medical school and dental schools in Jerusalem, and the Tel Aviv Medical Center and University in Tel Aviv, Haifa and much of this northern region is taken care of medically by a tremendously dedicated staff at Ramban Hospital.
The area near Ramban Hospital houses the hospital/ medical center, the Rappaport Medical School, and the relatively new Graduate School of Dentistry.
This center has been crucial in serving the health and medical needs, especially during the numerous outbreaks of hostilities.
It is important to realize that although Israel is only 52 years young, it has been engaged in six wars during its short existence.
Further to the north is the mystical city of Zevet (also known as Svet, siffet, Sfter, etc), one of the poorest regions of Israel socio-economically.
Zivet is the birthplace of Kabbalah and Jewish mysticism and spiritualism, and there are many incredible artists that remain in the Old City of Zivet.
With over 1.
2 million tourists annually, Zivet has more tourists per square mile than anywhere else in the nation.
Because of the proximity of the Golan Heights, this area has been severely devastated during several wars, and it is obvious why the Israelis feel so strongly that they cannot permit hostile enemies to occupy the Heights, for major security reasons.
It is obvious to the impartial observer that Israel must assure the citizens of the northern areas of the nation, that they will have comparable medical and dental attention as the major cities in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem.
Of course, Jerusalem has been claimed as the birthplace of Judaism, Greek Catholicism, Roman Catholicism, Muslim and Islamic faiths, etc.
There are incredible contrasts throughout the city between old and new, ethnic, etc.
Jerusalem attempts to maintain its identity by requiring a certain percentage of Jerusalem stone in its buildings, and several other measures, and in general, Jerusalem is more conservative than, for example Tel Aviv.
The Western Wall has four quarters, the Jewish quarter, the Catholic quarter, the Arab Quarter, and the Greek Catholic quarter, with each area having a completely different feel, and substantially different look and atmosphere.
No matter how many pictures, words, descriptions, etc.
are used to describe Israel, only when one visits can one experience what it feels like to be in Israel.
While there are stores and restaurants and other reminders of the rest of the world within Israel, there are distinctions that can only be seen in Israel, including architectural, archeological, historical, etc.
Israel is located within two contents, Asia and Africa, and there are influences of these two areas, as well as the Western World that can be seen and witnessed in Israel.
