Improving the World... One Interaction At A Time.
A Performers Guide to Cultural Interactions
By William Draven
As an actor at a major motion picture studio, and theme park in Hollywood, as well as a magician I frequently get the opportunity to entertain for from all over the world. A year ago or so a document was released within our entertainment department that outlined different countries, and some good information you can use to create meaningful, lasting encounters with their people.
I immediately saw the advantage of this information for the magician community because what are we if not entertainers? We can use just about any tool at our disposal to help create that one magic moment with our audience that can make it even that much more memorable. So I got permission to share the information with you. Of course this project will take some time to post up, so I'll be updating this based upon two factors. The first being how well received, and appreciated it is from you the community, and the second how relevant the community feels this information is as applied to their lives. That is to say if not encouraged, I won't keep it up. Otherwise, I'll post new threads titled: "Improving The World: {country name}" that that specific file relates to.
Without any further delay, I bring you our next country: Israel
Country: Israel
Continental Location: Middle East
What They Call Themselves: Israeli
Primary Language: Hebrew
Secondary Language: Arabic
Prominent Cities: Tel Aviv [capital], Haifa, Jerusalem, Bethlehem.
Famous/ Historical Sites: The Ruins of the Second Temple & Western Wall (referred to as the “Wailing Wall”) and the Dome of the Rock, Jerusalem; The Dead Sea.
Currency: Israeli New Shekel
Starter Phrases:
Hello & Goodbye: Shalom (Sha-LOAM)
Welcome: Baruch haba (Bah-ROOCHK huh-BAH)
Thank you: Rav todot (rov toe-DOTE)
You’re Welcome: Eyn davar (INE dah-VAR)
Congratulations: Mazal Tov (MAH-zul TOFF)
Cultural Notes:
Prominent People/ Celebrities: Jesus of Nazareth; Natalie Portman (Oscar nominated actress “Black Swan”); Shimon Peres (President incumbent); Benjamin Netanyahu (Prime Minister); Itzhak Perlman (Violinist).
-The Israeli date of Independence is May 14, 1948.
-Most of the Christian Bible takes place here.
-The Dead Sea is a popular tourist attraction. The salt content is high enough that anyone can float in it. The mud is considered a therapeutic cure-all. At 1,385 ft. below sea level it is the lowest elevation on the Earth’s surface on dry land.
-Tel Aviv is a major holiday destination which compares to Miami for its Mediterranean beaches, hotels, and nightlife.
-The Western Wall, also known as the Wailing Wall, is the only remaining portion of the 2nd Temple in Jerusalem. It was destroyed in the First Century AD.
-You can recognize Hasidic Jews by their style of dress. Most women wear skirts (usually a dark cloth or denim) that pass their ankles. The men will wear black suits & ties with a white shirt and a head covering, sometimes a large-brimmed black hat or a yarmulke (pronounced YAH-mah-kuh), a small round skull cap. During particular holidays, many Jews will observe these sartorial requirements.
-Major Jewish holidays are Passover (March or April/ celebrates the Israelites freedom from Egypt), Chanukah (December/ Festival of Light), Yom Kippur (September/ Day of Atonement), Rosh Hashanah (September/ New Year).
-Traditionally Jewish people eat “kosher” food that has been prepared following dietary laws set forth in the Torah. Hebrew National Hot Dogs are both delicious and kosher!
-Many Jews who emigrated from Europe speak Yiddish. Common Yiddish words we use include: Kvetch, spiel, chutzpah, bagel, kosher, meshuggener, schlep, tchotchke, and tuchus.
-A large population of Muslims and a small Christian minority also live in Israel. Keep in mind, not all Israelis are Jews.
What To Avoid:
Conflict with Middle Eastern countries, although currently at peace with Kingdom of Jordan.
A Performers Guide to Cultural Interactions
By William Draven
As an actor at a major motion picture studio, and theme park in Hollywood, as well as a magician I frequently get the opportunity to entertain for from all over the world. A year ago or so a document was released within our entertainment department that outlined different countries, and some good information you can use to create meaningful, lasting encounters with their people.
I immediately saw the advantage of this information for the magician community because what are we if not entertainers? We can use just about any tool at our disposal to help create that one magic moment with our audience that can make it even that much more memorable. So I got permission to share the information with you. Of course this project will take some time to post up, so I'll be updating this based upon two factors. The first being how well received, and appreciated it is from you the community, and the second how relevant the community feels this information is as applied to their lives. That is to say if not encouraged, I won't keep it up. Otherwise, I'll post new threads titled: "Improving The World: {country name}" that that specific file relates to.
Without any further delay, I bring you our next country: Israel
Country: Israel
Continental Location: Middle East
What They Call Themselves: Israeli
Primary Language: Hebrew
Secondary Language: Arabic
Prominent Cities: Tel Aviv [capital], Haifa, Jerusalem, Bethlehem.
Famous/ Historical Sites: The Ruins of the Second Temple & Western Wall (referred to as the “Wailing Wall”) and the Dome of the Rock, Jerusalem; The Dead Sea.
Currency: Israeli New Shekel
Starter Phrases:
Hello & Goodbye: Shalom (Sha-LOAM)
Welcome: Baruch haba (Bah-ROOCHK huh-BAH)
Thank you: Rav todot (rov toe-DOTE)
You’re Welcome: Eyn davar (INE dah-VAR)
Congratulations: Mazal Tov (MAH-zul TOFF)
Cultural Notes:
Prominent People/ Celebrities: Jesus of Nazareth; Natalie Portman (Oscar nominated actress “Black Swan”); Shimon Peres (President incumbent); Benjamin Netanyahu (Prime Minister); Itzhak Perlman (Violinist).
-The Israeli date of Independence is May 14, 1948.
-Most of the Christian Bible takes place here.
-The Dead Sea is a popular tourist attraction. The salt content is high enough that anyone can float in it. The mud is considered a therapeutic cure-all. At 1,385 ft. below sea level it is the lowest elevation on the Earth’s surface on dry land.
-Tel Aviv is a major holiday destination which compares to Miami for its Mediterranean beaches, hotels, and nightlife.
-The Western Wall, also known as the Wailing Wall, is the only remaining portion of the 2nd Temple in Jerusalem. It was destroyed in the First Century AD.
-You can recognize Hasidic Jews by their style of dress. Most women wear skirts (usually a dark cloth or denim) that pass their ankles. The men will wear black suits & ties with a white shirt and a head covering, sometimes a large-brimmed black hat or a yarmulke (pronounced YAH-mah-kuh), a small round skull cap. During particular holidays, many Jews will observe these sartorial requirements.
-Major Jewish holidays are Passover (March or April/ celebrates the Israelites freedom from Egypt), Chanukah (December/ Festival of Light), Yom Kippur (September/ Day of Atonement), Rosh Hashanah (September/ New Year).
-Traditionally Jewish people eat “kosher” food that has been prepared following dietary laws set forth in the Torah. Hebrew National Hot Dogs are both delicious and kosher!
-Many Jews who emigrated from Europe speak Yiddish. Common Yiddish words we use include: Kvetch, spiel, chutzpah, bagel, kosher, meshuggener, schlep, tchotchke, and tuchus.
-A large population of Muslims and a small Christian minority also live in Israel. Keep in mind, not all Israelis are Jews.
What To Avoid:
Conflict with Middle Eastern countries, although currently at peace with Kingdom of Jordan.
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