Immigrating to Israel is a huge step — and like any major move, it comes with its fair share of surprises.
While many “olim hadashim” (immigrants) arrive with strong emotional ties to Israel, they soon realize that visiting the country and living in it are two very different experiences. Culture shock is real — but it’s also manageable. Here are some of the most common cultural surprises that new immigrants may face in Israel, and some tips on how to navigate them with humour and a bit of Israeli chutzpah.
Brutally Honest Communication
Israelis are famously direct and loud, sometimes uncomfortably so. In public spaces and even work environments, you might overhear end‑to‑end personal phone conversations. Many immigrants describe endless yelling, even in service roles, as a surprising culture shock.
To cope, remember that this attitude is culture and not personal. Noise‑cancelling headphones is an essential part of your survival kit in public transit and open spaces.
The Chaos of Everyday Life
Expect logistical chaos: lines with no real order, drivers honking, delays and shortcuts everywhere. In buses, people shove to board; traffic rules are more guidelines than a binding law. Expat forums often complain about cutting in lines, though this behaviour is commonly frowned upon.
Children Are Everywhere
In Israel it is common to find kids at meetings, wandering restaurants and even giving critiques on meals. When encountering noisy toddlers at dinners or offices, just assume it’s normal, since kids are simply woven into life here.
Security Checks Everywhere
Bag inspections are a routine procedure at malls, cafes, cultural venues, universities, train station and practically everywhere. It might feel intrusive at first, but it is a reflection of Israel’s safety-first mindset due to the security situation. Security checks have long become part of daily life, so you must accept it, unzip your bag and smile.
Everyone Helps – Even a Stranger
In moments of urgency, Israelis step up and help. If you lost a wallet, people will run it back to you. If someone is short at a register, strangers pick up the remainder. So, don’t automatically assume people are rude, as many draw a sharp line between blunt speech and genuine kindness.
Challenging Housing & Job Market
Living costs are very high, especially in cities such as Tel Aviv and Jerusalem. Job markets offer lower salaries compared to OECD peers, and foreign degrees may not automatically get recognized.
Prepare a realistic budget, consider mid‑size cities or suburbs. Explore programs like Gvahim or Hebrew career ulpan to help adapt qualifications and meet local employers, and check government or local government subsidies for new olim.
Sacred Weekends – Shabbat and Holidays
On Friday evenings, Saturdays and Jewish holidays, public transport mostly halts, shops close in religious and city rhythms change dramatically. For example, in Jerusalem even cars are forbidden in religious neighbourhoods, while in Tel Aviv some service taxies still operate.
Plan errands ahead, embrace the slower tempo, join Shabbat dinners or community events—you might find the downtime refreshing.
Final Tips for New Olim:
Learn Hebrew in an ulpan—not just words, but culture.
Join local support groups that pair immigrants with natives through shared dinner, language learning and other activities.
Network for work via aliyah organizations like Gvahim or Masa.
Budget smartly — the cost of living is high, and housing even higher.
Embrace the good moments—kindness of strangers, festive holiday energy, the warmth of communal life.
