The Israeli Story
1948 - 2025
Here's a story.
An Israeli story. A true one. One that hasn't been told yet.
It has no beginning and no end, just short chapters presenting Israeli-ness as it is – without academic or literary analysis. Without embellishing or demeaning. Simply to give you an idea.
So, what's here?
A curated selection of Israeli snapshots – those that were, and still are, with us. Each one presents itself, who or what it is. It also offers insights, at its own discretion, and sometimes even a tiny bit of history… just a little.
What's included in this selection?
Expressions, concepts, figures, situations – all part of the fascinating mosaic that makes up what we call "The Israeli Story." This is an extraordinary documentation written by Israelis who have been here throughout the state's existence. They are divided into a wide variety of communities and sectors, religions and groups, they speak different languages, and lead different lifestyles. But what unites them all is the collective Israeli consciousness.
Those who haven't been here won't understand.
That's why we're here. To tell the Israeli story and to reveal it as it has never been revealed before. To distill the essence and what makes Israelis unique from all other peoples on the globe.
Here are a few examples:
The chapters of this story are written every Independence Day – when we celebrate another birthday for the state that was established in 1948.
This is a good time to look in the mirror and peek into the archives, to see the Israel that was and still is, from its establishment to this very day, and to share with you what we see.
This story – it's multi-purpose and open to the general public. It's meant for those who want to understand what's happening here today and for those who will want, one day, to understand what happened here at the beginning of the third millennium and a little before.
And it has other possible uses, for example:
An entrance exam for converts and anyone seeking Israeli citizenship;
students of Hebrew or Judaism and researchers in academic institutions around the world;
a pop quiz for students in history and geography classes;
preparation for trivia show auditions on the internet or television;
Grandpa's tedious ramblings to his grandchildren.
On second thought, there are even more potential users:
New immigrants who want to integrate quickly into Israeli society;
Undercover spies who need to know what's happening in Israel;
Israelis on relocation who haven't been here in a long time and miss home;
Tourists on a week-long trip who will only manage to visit Jerusalem and Tel Aviv;
Aliens from Mars who landed here and want to know who's against whom.