The difference in size between the US and Israel is what makes the culture in Israel so accessible. When I first had my taste of watching IDF soldiers hitchhike and entertained the possibility of volunteering for the service, what comforted me greatly, was how well these soldiers were integrated and that is attributed mainly to the size of the country.
Size is everything – not just geographical size but “mentality size” as you can see in the description of a revised chapter one for my memoir Silence. I’m finally nailing the motivations for serving in the IDF.
If you haven’t heard already, there’s a war going on in Israel and sirens are being heard all over the country. There are those who have to spend their lazy summer days in a bomb shelter and on the 15 second call of a siren – something many of us cannot relate as we haven’t gone through the experience.The closeness of the country is what makes it accessible.
From chapter one:
The contrast in size between the US and Israel which is the size of Rhode Island explains why soldiers here are a lot more culturally accessible than in the US. The only time I’ve actually seen soldiers in my youth was on Independence Day when they’d walk the streets of Manhattan and the closest I hear in terms of conversation (if we close enough to pass) was “yes ma’am” and “no ma’am.” Like most Americans my age, I’ve been influenced by Hollywood movies and the image of soldiers are glamourized. But I’m disappointed to only hear, just a few words of stilted conversation when I pass them along Fifth avenue in Midtown Manhattan. One look at you here and they know if you’re a foreigner or a native Israeli and somewhere along the line, you’ll feel awkward holding back because they’re chatty and talkative. Then you hear the clickity-clack of their M-16’s and Uzi’s and you’re shocked because you’ve never seen a gun so close in your life. They clack in sync with the soldiers’ and their movements especially as they high-five each other, laugh and jump in the air when greeting their fellow soldiers, and my first impression is …how very accessible are these soldiers!
How do you feel when it comes to accessing something that you originally thought was barred? What did YOU do to help grant better access – either physically or emotionally? Did it help to look at the situation from another perspective?
A book I’ve read over and over is “Exodus” by Leon Uris, which chronicles the birth of modern Israel. It seems so miraculous to me that such a tiny country, as you mention – like the state of Rhode Island – has been the center of so much contention and strife all throughout history… and yet it still survives, even thrives. There is a lot to say for such a land!
Great post. I look forward to reading more. Many of the EU countries have the same closeness .
You are absolutely right, Fred. This is what I miss about living in that part of the world – the accessibility.