Looking for friends and future travel companions in Bordeaux

Hi there,

I’m in Bordeaux—anyone have any short-term travel plans?

Hi there, I’d love to meet new people in Bordeaux to plan future trips to Japan, Israel, and the United States. I’d also like to find opportunities to practice Japanese and English, pick up some basics in Hebrew, and connect with interesting folks.

For Hebrew, if it’s just for a visit to Israel, English is more than enough and very widely spoken. French is also commonly used.

Otherwise, if you’re really keen, check out cultural associations in the city.

Hello, not in the short term, but maybe early next year in Japan or Israel since it seems more affordable and closer. Do you know these countries? Best regards

Hi, not in the short term, but maybe early next year in Japan or Israel since it seems more affordable and closer. Do you know these countries? Best regards

I don’t know Japan. I know Israel well.

Hi, is it easy to stay in Israel and work there as a foreigner? Is it complicated to find housing and make new connections? Are Israelis open-minded people? What are the key things to know and what should you avoid when you first arrive? I’m thinking about living there but wondering if it requires a big adjustment after always living in France. I know you can speak English, but Hebrew is a language I’d love to learn—I love its beauty and sound. Thanks a million for your reply.

Hello, is it easy to stay in Israel and work there as a foreigner? Is it complicated to find housing and make new connections? Are Israelis open-minded people? What are the key things to know, and what should you avoid when you arrive? I might like to live there but I wonder if it requires a big adjustment effort after living all my life in France. I know you can speak English, but Hebrew is a language I’d love to learn—I love its beauty and sound. Thanks a million for your reply.

Hi! As a visiting foreigner, it’s *very* difficult to work in Israel. Some employers hire people in irregular situations, but it’s pretty rare. To work there without a special contract (like with foreign private companies), you need to be an Israeli citizen. And to become an Israeli citizen, you have to be Jewish and make *Aliyah*. Plus, you need to speak Hebrew. So, moving there hoping to find work is tough. On top of that, there’s a 90-day annual limit for stays, and recently, you’ve had to fill out a document similar to the ESTA beforehand.

Are Israelis open-minded? They live their lives without worrying much about tourists or other visitors. It’s hard to break into their world, but if you do, you’re family. For housing, you’ll need a job, of course, and prices are pretty high—though it depends on the area. Life in Israel is expensive.

What to avoid when you arrive? First, you’ve got to actually get there. Security checks at departure or arrival are strict. If you only have a one-way ticket and no passport from the country, it’ll be complicated. Once you’re there, keep in mind that religion plays a big role. Everything’s closed on Saturdays—except the beaches. Just to give you an idea, the country has 7.5 million Jews, 25% of whom are religious, and within that 25%, 5-6% are ultra-Orthodox with *payot* (side curls). And those folks aren’t exactly known for being super friendly.

Moving to Israel from France? Even though many Jews make *Aliyah*, a lot of them end up leaving. Being born there (*Sabra*) gives you a clear advantage. Not having done military service is also a downside.

As for the language, if you want to settle in Israel, Hebrew is the way to go. English is spoken, but Hebrew is the norm. I’d say the language is beautiful when sung in synagogues, but in everyday life, it’s quite guttural and lacks poetic charm.

So, what’s the verdict?

I’d recommend spending about ten days there on vacation, but don’t stay too long in Tel Aviv. It’s a party city full of young people, and it might give you the wrong impression. You’ve got to explore deeper into the country to try to understand it. Nothing’s simple in Israel—life is expensive, the military is everywhere, and debates can get heated.

Otherwise, you could marry a Jewish person and convert to Judaism. But that’s not exactly a simple process. Or, dig into your family tree to see if you’ve got any Jewish roots. I know quite a few people who discovered their origins that way.

Best regards.

Thanks for all these details—I totally agree with you about Hebrew being a really beautiful liturgical language. It’s quite guttural if I can dare say so, but that’s what I find beautiful and moving about it. I don’t know any Israelis personally, though I’ve had a few interactions in the past. What struck me was their pretty blunt and direct way of speaking—maybe less hypocrisy than we’re used to, but I’m speaking cautiously since I don’t know the culture well. 25% practicing still leaves 75% who aren’t. Not all religious people are models of openness, but that doesn’t bother me too much. Anyway, thanks for the insights!