Conference taveng::bagels

278.0. "Impressions of my visit to Eretz Yisroel" by ROMNEY::GOLD (Jack E. Gold, MRO3) Wed Mar 04 1987 17:06

    Having just returned from Eretz Yisroel, I thought I would give
    a few of my impressions.
    
    
    The country is beautiful!
    
    The people are warm and friendly.
    
    We saw no "trouble" while we were there, despite the cautions of
    all my (non-Jewish) co_workers and friends about going to Israel
    with all the trouble they are having from terrorists and such.
    
    Digital-Israel has a beautiful facility, and is expanding at a very
    large rate of speed (doubling within two years is what I heard).
    
    Israel is paradise for children (we took our three, and they had
    a wonderful time).
    
    Communications were no problem since nearly everyone speaks at least
    a little English (that and my poor Yiddish got us through all
    situations easily).
    
    If it is your first time definately take a tour (to show you where
    you should go next time you come and have some time). We had been
    before, so we rented a car for half the time we were there. Although
    the gas was expensive (over $2.00 per gallon), the rental fee, if
    arranged in the states before you go over is not all that bad.
    Driving is definately a great way to see the country (we put on
    about 1000 miles in one week).
    
    The public transportation (Egged bus) is superb. They go everywhere,
    are easy to take, are inexpensive, and run on time!
    
    We hit Natanya (a sea resort and diamond trade center where we stayed
    with some relatives), Jerusalem (old city, Yad Vashem, Israel museum,
    shrine of the book, Kinneset), Tel Aviv (Bet Hatefutsoth museum
    of the Diaspora at Tel aviv University), Haifa, the Kinneret area
    around Tiberias and the Golan Heights (including a hot springs resort
    area with an alligator farm, which was captured from the Syrians,
    called Hamat Gader), Rehovot (again to visit
    relatives), the Dead Sea area (Masada and Ein Gedi), Eilat (where the
    beaches are beatiful and where Scandinavians come this time of year and
    sunbathe topless, for all of us who appreciate that sort of chauvanist
    thing), and Beer Sheva (to see the Bedouin market). 
    
    The drivers in Israel are terrible, but driving in Boston is good
    training for coping with them.
    
    
    
    All in all, our trip was wonderful, and the two weeks we spent there
    was not long enough. I would urge anyone who has not made the trip
    to go if at all possible. We have guidebooks, etc., and would be
    happy to help. 
    
    These are my brief impressions. Anyone else like to comment.
    
    Jack

Two points, please:

o	You mentioned Yiddush.  Did you mean Hebrew ?  Or do many
	people actually speak Yiddush there, like the "old country"
	language ?  (if so, pardon my dumkopf versteht!)

o	Yes, we might be going there this summer.  Where are you
	located ?  (We're in Newton/Maynard, Ma.)  I might
	indeed be interested in borrowing your guidebooks, or ordering
	my own copies.  THanks.

/Eric

    re 1
    
    - I mean Yiddish, not Hebrew. Yes, many Jews from pre-war Europe
    live in Israel, and still speak it today. They have also taught
    some of there children a litttle, though by no means all of them.
    I spoke Yiddish mostly with the older generation. Also, the very
    religious speak Yiddish as their native toungue. It has something
    to do with their view that Hebrew is too holy a language for every
    day use, if I understand correctly. This is especially true of the
    Hassidim. Go to Brooklyn and hear the Yiddish.
    
    _ I am located in Marlborough.

    Come to Jamaica, see our cool mountains.

    Oy!  Come to Broolyn and hear our Yiddish?