Bridging the Cultural Gap in Israel

Most immigrants have often faced unnecessary problems such as discrimination and prejudice feelings from the natives because of their unique cultural backgrounds. With the growing focus on pride of heritage, it becomes increasingly more difficult to find one’s position in Israel.

A lot of Israelis feel overwhelmed and confused by the influx of olim. Olim likewise struggle with the cultural and language gap in Israel as well.  Israelis sometimes complain about the Olims inability to learn Hebrew or not being able to speak it well enough. A lot of them have this perception of Olim, especially from Western countries as being rich and spoiled.

Olim might find the Middle Eastern aggressive nature in Israelis to be frustrating to deal with on a daily basis.  They may also find Israeli mannerisms to be boorish, disrespectful, and uncouth. Some even claim that the climate and the location of the country are contributing factors to the “bad behaviors” that are prevalent in Israeli society.

As people and nations become more secure, they are better able to appreciate and accept the diversity of their heritage with increased exposed to differences, we also learn about our similarities; our cultural differences are the highlights.

Having the appreciation of individual differences between Israelis and olim is a stepping stone to bridging the cultural gap between Israelis and olim. This enables them to value differences rather than view them as something to make fun of, as students frequently do. The best way to understand others is to step into their shoes. Learning is more effective when the student has lived it, felt it, and experienced it.

Another way to overcome the culture barrier in Israel is by learning as much as possible about the country and culture before you move there. Many books are available on the accepted traditions and behavior for almost every country in the world. Read up on what is considered acceptable behavior and what isn't. Preparation now can prevent a serious misstep later.

Learning the language of the country you want to move to in advance can also be helpful. There are many resources available in book, CD, cassette tape and Internet versions to enable you to learn at least the basics of almost any language. If you have enough time before you leave, consider a college course or an adult education class at your local high school or community center.

Trying to make sense of the culture that you are immersed in can sometimes be exasperating to an oleh. Spend time unobtrusively studying people in your new country. Sit in the market square and observe the cultural interaction. Notice how the locals relate to each other in terms of their words, gestures and body language. Noticing these cultural cues will help you understand the accepted behavior in your new country. Be careful not to be intrusive or to stare, though, as it is considered rude in some countries.

Lastly, you should make the effort to fit in and integrate with the society you are currently living in. Even if you get things a bit wrong, your hosts will appreciate your effort to do things their way. Never object to something simply because it is done differently than it is in the country of your origin. Do not make fun of practices or customs in your new homeland -- that's just bad manners. Try new foods, visit popular sites and live like the locals do. Observe such things as traditional gender roles, attitudes toward time, personal space requirements and social taboos.