Israeli culture — blend of 4000-year-old Jewish tradition and 75-year-old modern state. Revived Hebrew, religious freedom, innovation.
Language
Hebrew — only language revived after almost 2000 years dead. Eliezer Ben-Yehuda (1858-1922). Arabic also official language. Russian (1 million immigrants), English, Amharic, Yiddish.
Judaism
Judaism — religion and culture. Religious-Haredi (12%), Religious-National (15%), Traditional (35%), Secular (38%). Shabbat — paralyzes country from Friday night to Saturday night.
Literature and Music
S.Y. Agnon — Nobel Prize in Literature 1966. Amos Oz, David Grossman, Etgar Keret. Naomi Shemer — Jerusalem of Gold. King House (Yardena Arazi). Israeli electronica — Infected Mushroom, Astrix.
Cuisine
Hummus, falafel, sabich, shakshuka, bourekas, malawach. Jewish-Ashkenazi, Sephardic, Mizrahi, Arab influences. Mahane Yehuda Market Jerusalem, Carmel Market Tel Aviv.
Traditions
Rosh Hashanah (apple in honey), Yom Kippur (fast), Sukkot, Hanukkah (menorah), Pesach (seder), Shavuot. Bar/Bat Mitzvah — 13/12 years. Brit Milah on 8th day.
Technology
Start-Up Nation. Tel Aviv global tech hub. Google, Intel, Microsoft, Amazon R&D centers. Founded: Waze, Mobileye, Wix, Check Point. Highest startup density per capita in the world.
Modern Culture
Jerusalem Film Festival, Tel Aviv Opera, Israel Philharmonic (Zubin Mehta). Yad Vashem — Holocaust memorial. Cameri Theater. Cycling in Tel Aviv.