Israel Basics
What is the capital city of Israel?
Jerusalem
Which Jewish holiday is most associated with fried foods?
Hanukkah
What city sits next to the Kinneret, also known as the Sea of Galilee?
Tiberius
True or False: Israel is located in Europe
False — Israel is in the Middle East
What does “yalla” (יאללה) mean?
Let’s go / hurry up / come on
What direction do people read and write Hebrew in Israel?
Right to Left
What is Israel's most common street food?
Falafel or Shawarma
Which city in Israel is famous for its beaches and nightlife?
Tel Aviv
True or False: Falafel is made from meat
False — Falafel is made from chickpeas
What does “balagan” (בלאגן) mean?
Mess / chaos
What is the name of the symbol in the center of the Israeli flag, and how many points does it have?
Magen David
What makes Israeli salad different from many other salads?
It is chopped very finely
What city is located high in the mountains in northern Israel and is one of the country’s oldest cities?
Tzefat
True or False: The Dead Sea is full of fish
False — The Dead Sea is too salty for fish to live in it
What does “stam” (סתם) mean in slang?
Just kidding / for no reason / randomly
What sea is Israel next to?
The Mediterranean Sea
What ingredient is used to make tahini, a common sauce in Israeli food?
Sesame seeds
What northern Israeli city is built on a mountain and overlooks the sea
Haifa
True or False: All Israelis speak only Hebrew
False — Many also speak Arabic, English, and other languages
What does “yofi” (יופי) mean in slang?
Nice / great
What is the name of Israel’s international airport?
Ben Gurion Airport
What is the most popular tradition for Israeli's on Yom Ha'azmaut?
Mangal (having barbecue's with family and friends)
What city is located in the desert and known as a popular vacation spot near the Red Sea?
Eilat
True or False: The name “Dead Sea” means the water is dangerous to touch
False — It’s called the Dead Sea because living things like fish can’t survive in it, but people can still go in it safely
What does “chaval al hazman” (חבל על הזמן) mean?
Amazing / so good (literally “a waste of time,” but slang = the opposite)