Hula Valley with Mt. Hermon in the distance.
Steve Ornstein: The Uniqueness of Israel: A Tapestry of Wonder and Resilience
Israel is a land that defies the ordinary—a tiny nation, no larger than New Jersey, that bursts with life, history, and innovation in ways that captivate the heart and soul. What makes Israel truly unique? It’s a vibrant mosaic of ancient roots and modern marvels, a place where every corner tells a story of resilience, diversity, and hope.
Imagine standing on the sunlit shores of Tel Aviv, where the Mediterranean Sea sparkles like a jewel and the energy of a bustling, creative city hums around you. Just a short drive away, you can walk the ancient stones of Jerusalem, where the air feels thick with the prayers of millennia—Jewish, Christian, and Muslim voices blending in a harmony that’s rare anywhere else on Earth. This juxtaposition of the cutting-edge and the timeless is one of Israel’s most enchanting qualities. Where else can you sip a latte at a high-tech café in the morning and touch the walls of a 3,000-year-old city by afternoon?
Israel’s people are its heartbeat, and they’re unlike any other. A melting pot of cultures—Jews from Ethiopia, Russia, Morocco, and beyond, alongside Arab Israelis, Druze, and Bedouins—creates a society that’s as diverse as it is united. You’ll hear Hebrew, Arabic, Russian, and Yiddish in the markets, where vendors offer falafel, fresh olives, and sweet dates with a smile. This diversity isn’t just a statistic; it’s a living, breathing celebration of humanity. In the Israeli Defense Forces, soldiers from every background stand shoulder to shoulder, protecting each other like family—a unity that shines even brighter in tough times.
Then there’s the innovation—oh, the innovation! Israel, often called the “Startup Nation,” punches far above its weight. This is the country that gave the world drip irrigation, turning deserts into blooming fields of strawberries and sunflowers. It’s where Waze was born, helping millions navigate life’s twists and turns, and where medical breakthroughs like the tiny PillCam save lives daily. For a nation surrounded by challenges, Israel doesn’t just survive—it thrives, dreaming up solutions that light up the world.
Nature lovers, take note: Israel’s landscapes are a breathtaking surprise. Hike the lush Golan Heights, where waterfalls tumble into hidden pools, or float effortlessly in the Dead Sea, the lowest point on Earth, where the mineral-rich waters cradle you like a warm embrace. In the Negev Desert, the night sky explodes with stars, a reminder of how vast and beautiful this small land can feel.
But perhaps Israel’s greatest uniqueness is its spirit. This is a place that sanctifies life with a passion that’s palpable. When a soldier returns home—like Gilad Schalit did after years in captivity—the nation erupts in joy, proving that every single life matters. Festivals like Hanukkah light up the streets with hope, while Independence Day barbecues fill the air with laughter and grilled goodness. Even in tough times, Israelis find ways to dance, to create, to live with an optimism that’s downright infectious.
Israel isn’t perfect—no place is—but its imperfections only add to its charm. It’s a nation that’s been reborn against all odds, a testament to what happens when determination meets dreams. To visit Israel, or to learn about it, is to witness a miracle in motion—a land where the past whispers wisdom, the present pulses with energy, and the future beckons with promise. There’s simply no place like it, and that’s what makes Israel so wonderfully, uniquely extraordinary.
