Culture Smart! Israel marks the nation's 70th year of independence in a concise cultural guide that enables readers to get to the heart of this diverse, dynamic and paradoxical country and enable you to make the most of your visit. Independent since 1948, this edition provides important insights into the complexities of Israeli society so that you will know what to expect and how to behave in different circumstances, avoid misunderstandings and form good relations both socially and in business. While Israel is a modern and largely secular country, it is one steeped in biblical history and in which religion still plays an active role in public life. In seventy years it has grown from a sparsely populated strip of land into a vigorous democracy and regional superpower. Often called the Startup Nation, Israel is a world leader in a number of Hi-tech industries. Its democratic institutions, despite a political and social polarization in recent years, are among the most enlightened in the world. This pocket guide will help readers understand the country and its people beyond the headlines, ensuring for greater understanding and a far more valuable travelling experience, whatever the reason for visiting.

Though decidedly modern and largely secular, Israel is a country steeped in biblical history and in which religion and tradition continue to play an active role in public life. In seventy five years it has grown from a sparsely populated strip of land into a vigorous democracy and regional superpower. Its fight for survival has had a profound impact on the Israeli psyche; every family has been touched by war, and this has palpably sharpened people' s zest for life. Often called the Startup Nation, it is a world leader in a number of hi-tech industries, and its democratic institutions, despite increased polarization in recent years, distinguishes the country from its surrounding region. Culture Smart! Israel is a concise cultural guide that helps readers get to the heart of this diverse, dynamic, and paradoxical country. Thoroughly revised and updated, this new edition takes you beyond the headlines and gives you the tools you need to make the most of your visit to this beautiful and complex country.

Not only are well known history and politics re-counted but the author also describes the average Israeli and why they are what they are today.

Though decidedly modern and largely secular, Israel is a country steeped in biblical history and in which religion and tradition continue to play an active role in public life. In seventy five years it has grown from a sparsely populated strip of land into a vigorous democracy and regional superpower. Its fight for survival has had a profound impact on the Israeli psyche; every family has been touched by war, and this has palpably sharpened people's zest for life. Often called the Startup Nation, it is a world leader in a number of hi-tech industries, and its democratic institutions, despite increased polarization in recent years, distinguishes the country from its surrounding region. Culture Smart! Israel is a concise cultural guide that helps readers get to the heart of this diverse, dynamic, and paradoxical country. Thoroughly revised and updated, this new edition takes you beyond the headlines and gives you the tools you need to make the most of your visit to this beautiful and complex country.

What the world can learn from Israel's meteoric economic success. Start-Up Nation addresses the trillion dollar question: How is it that Israel -- a country of 7.1 million, only 60 years old, surrounded by enemies, in a constant state of war since its founding, with no natural resources-- produces more start-up companies than large, peaceful, and stable nations like Japan, China, India, Korea, Canada and the UK? With the savvy of foreign policy insiders, Senor and Singer examine the lessons of the country's adversity-driven culture, which flattens hierarchy and elevates informality-- all backed up by government policies focused on innovation. In a world where economies as diverse as Ireland, Singapore and Dubai have tried to re-create the "Israel effect", there are entrepreneurial lessons well worth noting. As America reboots its own economy and can-do spirit, there's never been a better time to look at this remarkable and resilient nation for some impressive, surprising clues.

Bulding Effective Busness Relationship with Osraelis.

With contributions from 30 leading media scholars, this collection provides a comprehensive overview of the main methodologies of critical media studies. Chapters address various methods of textual analysis, as well as reception studies, policy, production studies, and contextual, multi-method approaches, like intertextuality and cultural geography. Film and television are at the heart of the collection, which also addresses emergent technologies and new research tools in such areas as software studies, gaming, and digital humanities. Each chapter includes an intellectual history of a particular method or approach, a discussion of why and how it was used to study a particular medium or media, relevant examples of influential work in the area, and an in-depth review of a case study drawn from the author's own research. Together, the chapters in this collection give media critics a complete toolbox of essential critical media studies methodologies.

A NEW YORK TIMES BOOK REVIEW EDITORS' CHOICE A SAN FRANCISCO CHRONICLE BESTSELLER In AD 70, when the Second Temple was destroyed, a handful of visionaries saved Judaism by reinventing it, taking what had been a national religion and turning it into an idea. Whenever a Jew studied—wherever he was—he would be in the holy city, and his faith preserved. But in our own time, Zionists have turned the book back into a temple, and unlike an idea, a temple can be destroyed. With exuberance, humor, and real scholarship, Rich Cohen's Israel is Real offers "a serious attempt by a gifted storyteller to enliven and elucidate Jewish religious, cultural, and political history . . . A powerful narrative" (Los Angeles Times).

After years of diplomatic isolation Syria is emerging from the cold. Its government is a key Middle Eastern player, and will be a major element of any possible comprehensive Middle Eastern peace deal. To visit Syria is to become acquainted with one of the most rewarding destinations in the Middle East. Its historic attractions are stunning, and the Syrians are proud and gracious hosts; you can expect to be treated like a person and not just a tourist. Of course, there are always thorns with the roses: Syria's economy is inefficient, and its youth are frustrated; the strong-man political system that has held the country together does not encourage public intellectual life, but nor does it prevent young Syrians from debating with passion in private. The Syrian sense of tradition has preserved some of the bad along with the good, and society remains highly patriarchal. Despite such drawbacks, this is a country that's rich not only in resources, but also, and especially, in its people. American author Sarah Standish looks at Syria's long history and its present-day political realities. She describes the many subgroups that make up the population as well as what unites all Syrians. She offers practical tips for traveling and on what to expect when conducting business. You'll learn how people communicate with each other, and how you can communicate with them. The Syrians will never stop surprising you: get to know a few, and they will turn the stereotypes inside out several times over.