Teaching people about Israel? Running out of facts to share? Forget the falafel and start-ups: here are a couple facts about everyday Israel that some people might not know.
1. Israel doesn’t have a constitution.
Israel’s core document is not a constitution. Rather, Israel uses a series of Basic Laws (and, to an extent, its Declaration of Independence) as the ruling voice for Israeli law.
2. Not every city has the same laws regarding Shabbat and holidays.
For example, in Jerusalem, shops are closed and no public transportation runs. In Tel Aviv, though, buses still run (as of a couple weeks ago!) and many restaurants and stores remain open.
3. Jerusalem is more than just the Old City.
Jerusalem is home to incredible holy sites of the three Abrahamic religions and there is plenty of history within its walls. However, Jerusalem is also home to restaurants and bars on Ben Yehuda Street, the bustling shops of Shuk Machane Yehuda, countless museums, and the concerts at First Station.
4. The New Israeli Shekel has partial shekels!
Much like US cents, the New Israeli Shekel (NIS) has half-shekel coins and 1/10 shekel coins (called agorot). They're about as useful as pennies, nickels, and dimes. (Aka. they're not.)
5. Israel is sacred to more religions than just the Abrahamic ones.
Haifa, a city in the north of Israel, is home to the Bahai Gardens, the largest center for the Bahai faith and one of the most-visited tourist attractions in Israel.
Share these facts wherever you go! Use them in programs, share them online, or just use them in casual conversation (I would...). Tell the world about what Israel has to offer!
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