After living my whole life in Israel, where I thought of myself as just a person—an Israeli among Israelis, but just a human like everyone else—I was suddenly confronted with a question on the U.S. immigration form that stopped me in my tracks: Race. [Shahar Masori]
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Israel, Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, Shahar Masori, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USAThe news in Israel was dominated by a handful of personalities who became household names. These were not just journalists but figures of authority, often blurring the lines between reporting, politics, and activism. [Shahar Masori]
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Israel, News Media, Opinion, Shahar Masori, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USAFrom a young age, there is an emphasis on critical thinking and debate, perhaps reflecting Israel’s diverse society and its focus on security and civic responsibility. The famous Israeli chutzpah starts in the classroom, where students are encouraged to question, challenge, and engage in lively discussions with their teachers. [Shahar Masori]
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Israel, Science, Medicine, & Education, Shahar Masori, Staff and Bylined ContributorsGrowing up, my religious world consisted of traditional Judaism. Israel was the holy land of the Jewish people, a fact that seemed as unchangeable as the hills themselves. But my understanding of this began to shift during a visit to Jerusalem when I was just six years old. [Shahar Masori]
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Israel, Jewish Religion, Shahar Masori, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USAThose early years in Israel, from preschool through my early teens, were shaped by a unique blend of independence, community, and a deep connection to our surroundings. The rhythm of our days was set by the school bell and the hum of local life—a far cry from the structured, often insulated, childhoods I would observe later while raising my own kids in the United States. [Shahar Masori]
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Israel, Lifestyles, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, Shahar Masori, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Food, USAMy early 20s in Florentin, a neighborhood in south Tel Aviv near Jaffa, were truly magical. I was part of a local band, living in the bohemian heart of the city, feeling carefree and immersed in the moment. We were a generation connected by shared experiences, yet separated by the vast cultural currents flowing through our lives. Most of us were fresh out of the IDF, eager to enjoy the freedom we had fought for. [Shahar Masori]
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Israel, Lifestyles, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, Shahar Masori, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USASongs like “Stairway to Heaven” and “Dust in the Wind” opened me up to a much greater world and introduced me to the power of lyrics, offering a wider outlook on life. For instance, the first time I heard the lyric from Kansas, “Same old song, just a drop of water in an endless sea, all we do, crumbles to the ground, though we refuse to see,” I was struck by its beauty and depth. [Shahar Masori]
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Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, Shahar Masori, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USAIsrael and the United States have different democratic structures, yet both face the danger of authoritarianism. [Shahar Masori]
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Israel, Opinion, Shahar Masori, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USAabout leadership, resilience, and the importance of unity. The military in Israel is existential. Surrounded by countries that are often hostile, our military is essential for our survival. This creates a society that is always alert and deeply connected through shared experiences of service. In contrast, military service in the United States is voluntary, unless there’s a mandatory draft due to war. [Shahar Masori]
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Israel, Shahar Masori, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USAThe U.S. benefits from a large domestic market, which allows startups to scale more easily within the country before expanding internationally. In contrast, Israel’s small domestic market forces startups to think globally from day one, often seeking international partnerships and markets to grow. [Shahar Masori]
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Business & Finance, Israel, Lifestyles, San Diego County, Shahar Masori, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Technology, USAMy father would bring the chickens home, where the real work began. He would meticulously defeather, clean, and cut the chickens, ensuring they were ready for my mother’s culinary expertise. [Shahar Masori]
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Israel, Shahar Masori, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Food, USAOne of the most striking differences between American and Israeli communication is the approach to politeness and directness. Americans are generally known for their politeness and often indirect communication style. They use euphemisms, hedge their statements, and tend to avoid direct confrontation. This is rooted in a cultural preference for maintaining harmony and avoiding offense. For example, an American might say, “That’s an interesting idea,” even if they disagree, to soften the blow. [Shahar Masori]
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Israel, Lifestyles, Shahar Masori, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Food, USAI remember countless instances when passengers would arrive at the gate a solid hour before boarding, itineraries in hand and a sense of urgency and exhaustion plastered on their faces. In contrast, my Israeli passengers had a different vibe. Israelis have a more relaxed relationship with time. (Shahar Masori)
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International, Israel, Lifestyles, Shahar Masori, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Food, USAIn Israel, Shabbat is more than just a religious observance; it is a national rhythm that influences the entire country. The word “Shabbat” itself stems from the Hebrew root “shin-bet-tav,” which means to cease or to rest. For Israelis, Shabbat is a time to “sit” and relax, to pause the hectic pace of life and find peace. [Shahar Masori]
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Israel, Jewish Religion, Shahar Masori, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Food, USA