Israel in Perspective: Orientation Guide and Hebrew Cultural Orientation: Geography, History, Economy, Security, Religion, Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, Zionism, Jews and Arabs, Intifada, Gaza, Palestinians

These two unique guides produced by the Department of Defense provide comprehensive information about all aspects of life in Israel, with a special emphasis on geography, history, the economy, society, security and military matters, religion, traditions, urban and rural life, ethnic groups, crime, the environment, government, holidays, gender issues and much more.

CHAPTER 1: GEOGRAPHY * Geographic Divisions * Mediterranean Coastal Plain * Central and Northern Highlands * Jordan River Valley * Negev Desert * Topographic Features * Climate * Rivers and Bodies of Water * Jordan River * Sea of Galilee (Lake Kinneret and Lake Tiberias) * Dead Sea * Aquifers * Jerusalem * Tel Aviv-Yafo * Haifa * Beersheba (Be'er Sheva) * Ashdod * Environmental Concerns * Water Pollution * Air Pollution * CHAPTER 2: HISTORY * Zionism and Jewish Immigration * British Mandate * Tension over Jewish Immigration * White Papers of 1930 and 1939 * World War II * Israeli War of Independence (1948-1949) * Ben-Gurion Era (1948-1963) * The Suez War * Leading Up to War * Six-Day War * 1973 Yom Kippur War * Aftermath of the 1973 War * Rise of Likud * Lebanon War * The First Intifada * Gulf War and New Immigrants * Peace Progress * A Shift in the Political Landscape * Netanyahu Administration * Revival of the Peace Process * The Second Intifada * Leaving Gaza * Continued Conflict * Syrian Talks * Troubles in Gaza * CHAPTER 3: ECONOMY * Industry * Agriculture * Banking and Finance * Trade * Investment * Energy * Transportation * Standard of Living * CHAPTER 4: SOCIETY * Religious and Ethnic Groups * Jews * Arabs * Other groups * Languages * Hebrew * Yiddish * Judeo-Arabic * Modern Standard Arabic * Cuisine * Arts * Literature * Music * Traditional Dress * Folk Culture and Folklore * Sports and Recreation * Gender Issues * Status of Israeli Arab Women * CHAPTER 5: SECURITY * Military * Relations with Neighboring Countries * Egypt * Jordan * Syria * Lebanon * West Bank * Gaza Strip * Terrorist and Separatist Groups * Hamas * Al-Aqsa Martyrs' Brigade * Palestinian Islamic Jihad * Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine * Hezbollah * Issues Affecting Stability * Israeli Settlements * Refugees * Water Security * CHAPTER 1: PROFILE * CHAPTER 2: RELIGION * The Role of Religion in the Government * Religious and Secular Laws * Law of Return * Influence of Religion on Daily Life * Religion and Gender Relations * Buildings of Worship * Temple Mount (Mount Moriah) * Church of the Holy Sepulchre * Tombs * Behavior in Places of Worship * Religious Holidays and Events * Rosh Hashanah (Jewish New Year) * Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement) * Sukkot (Feast of Booths) * Chanukah (Festival of Lights) * Pesach (Passover) * Shavu'ot (Festival of Weeks) * CHAPTER 3: TRADITIONS * Nonreligious Holidays * Yom Hasho'a (Holocaust Remembrance Day) * Yom Hazikaron (Memorial Day) * Yom Ha'atsma'ut (Israeli Independence Day) * Jerusalem Day * Formulaic Codes of Politeness * Hospitality & Gift Giving * Eating Habits * Types of Food * Male and Female Interactions * Dress Codes * Children * Haredim * Dos and Don'ts * CHAPTER 4: URBAN LIFE * Healthcare * Education * Entertainment * Restaurants * Market Place * Transportation * Street Crime and Solicitations * CHAPTER 5: RURAL LIFE * Land Distribution * Rural Economy * Kibbutzim * Moshavim * Yishuvim Kehilatiim * Bedouin Land in the Negev * Gender Issues * Transportation * Highway 6 (Trans-Israel Highway) * Healthcare * Bedouins in Negev * Education * Kibbutz Schools * Arab Schools * Rural Life * Border Crossings and Checkpoints * Landmines * CHAPTER 6: FAMILY LIFE * Types of Households * Jewish * Arab * Status of Children, Young Adults, and the Elderly * Children * Young Adults * Elderly * Married Life, Birth, and Divorce * Arranged Marriages * Birth * Divorce * Family Social Events * Weddings * Ceremonies for Newborns * Naming Conventions * Birthdays * Bar Mitzvahs and Bat Mitzvahs * Funerals * Visiting the Gravesite