Life in israel

Is Zionism still necessary? What it means to a generation born after Israel's founding

Once a movement for Jewish self-determination, Zionism has become a contested idea, even among the Jews it sought to unite

|ByCHANI KAPLAN
Worshipers pray at Jerusalem’s Western Wall, a symbol of the Jewish people’s centuries-old connection to Zion, long before it became a modern political movement.Premium
People holding up portraits of Israeli hostages still held in Gaza gather at Hostage Square in Tel Aviv in October 2025. PremiumPremium

Three years, three lives transformed: The personal journeys reshaped by October 7

Three people reflect on the moments, choices, and unexpected journeys that began with the trauma of October 7

|ByRACHEL FINK
Israelis have continued to work, study, and raise families, even as reminders of three years of war remain part of the landscape of everyday life.PremiumPremium

'We're just in survival mode': Three years on, Israelis find a new normal after Oct. 7

Israelis have learned to switch between war and ordinary life, but three years of uncertainty have left their mark

|ByCHANI KAPLAN
A partially torn poster of a hostage kidnapped in the deadly October 7 attack on Israel by the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas is seen at a public plaza in front of the Tel Aviv Museum of Art.

Farewell from the Report: reflecting on three years of upheaval - from the editor

On the third anniversary of October 7, Editor-in-Chief, Ruth Marks Eglash reflects on a year at The Jerusalem Report and bids readers farewell

|ByRUTH MARKS EGLASH

Enhancing quality of life in Israel one project at a time - opinion

JNF-USA has taken part in many projects that have improved the quality of life for Israelis.

APRIL 7, 2022ByROOKIE, HESHIE BILLET
A FIREFIGHTER douses flames in Yemin Orde, near Haifa, during the massive 2010 Carmel fire. Sophisticated firefighting equipment can dramatically reduce the amount of damage.

Israel Story podcast is back with a new season of off-beat tales

The show focuses on real life in Israel, not the Israel of tourism posters or news headlines, and tells fascinating stories that you would likely never hear if you did not tune in.

OCTOBER 28, 2021ByHANNAH BROWN
ISRAEL STORY'S Mishy Harmon with his staff.

Quality of Life Index: Kfar Saba leads, Jerusalem ranked worst

Kfar Saba, Ramat Gan and Rehovot led the quality of life index of large cities, while Jerusalem, Bat Yam and Ashdod were the lowest ranked large cities.

DECEMBER 29, 2020ByTZVI JOFFRE
Kfar Saba

Memories of serving in the Mishmar Ezrachi

Yehudit Collins and her husband Chaim joined the Civil Guard in 1979.

DECEMBER 17, 2020ByYEHUDIT COLLINS
Chaim and Yehudit Collins on duty with the Mishmar Ezrachi in 2003

Living your life with integrity every day

These days of the coronavirus are challenging all of us to think about what is most important in our lives.

JULY 29, 2020ByMAURICE J. ELIAS
A girl plays on the beach as Israel celebrates its Independence Day marking the 71st anniversary of the creation of the state, in Tel Aviv, Israel May 9, 2019

Life in the shadow of the coronavirus - analysis

It's better than a lockdown, but it is not a return to life before corona. Rather, it is life in the presence of corona.

MAY 4, 2020ByHERB KEINON
A cyclist takes a picture at the Barceloneta beach during the hours in which individual exercise is allowed outdoors, for the first time since the lockdown was announced, amid the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak, in Barcelona, Spain, May 2, 2020.

The planned residency tax reform – a potential blow to hi-tech relocations

It seems the Israeli Tax Authority has become fed up with the Israeli tax residency tests under the current law.

DECEMBER 15, 2019ByBOAZ FEINBERG, ROYI HEILIG
Calculating taxes

OUT THERE: Serendipity

Thirty-four years ago, after being in this country for about three years, I was off to the University of Illinois to study journalism.

JULY 25, 2018ByHERB KEINON
An illustration by Pepe Fainberg

Getting up on the wrong side of the bed

Sound advise on what to do on rough days.

MAY 3, 2018ByBATYA L. LUDMAN
A person in bed (Illustrative)

Survey: Israeli bus journeys take 20% longer since 2011

According to the survey, the level of satisfaction from public transportation services in Israel is among the lowest in Europe.

MARCH 19, 2018ByAMIRAM BARKAT/ GLOBES
An Egged bus in front of the Jerusalem Central Bus Station