Product Description
Children of Perestroika in Israel explores the absorption processes of adolescents from the former Soviet Union into Israeli society. The writers examine the phenomenon from a personal perspective, dealing with values, self confidence, achievement motivation, and the ability to cope with the situation; from a family perspective, discussing family structure and functioning. They present a societal perspective, viewing public opinion toward new immigrants, educational policies, and acceptance of the new immigrants by the Israeli youth. Finally, they assess the outcomes of integration through academic achievements, social functioning and acquisition of values. They found that the adjustment of the immigrants of the nineties has been quite different from the last wave of immigrants from the Soviet Union in the seventies. The previous immigrants assimilated quickly since immigration was perceived as a family move rooted in Zionist ideology and clear-cut, coherent values. The children of Perestroika have not functioned nearly as well in school, somewhat due to the policies and strategies of Israel in meeting the changed needs of these immigrants. Also, less accepting attitudes among the immigrants and the Israelis has made it more difficult for the needs of the children to be accommodated. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (5)

lovely and real
I loved this book and keep it available to share with young friends.
Grossman masterfully achieves directness and realism without heavy-handedness, with the juxtaposition of yellow bomb equipment and sunny summer drinks, Jewish Israel's blue and Arab Israel's green.
The author's reflection of Israel's reality resonated very much with my own experience there.
A helpful introduction to a diverse culture whose usual media image is only blood and fear.

Positive & clear-eyed
This book uses a simple but effective framework of colors to introduce elements of life in Israel. The writer acknowledges the role that Israel plays in other religions, but her approach is firmly rooted in a Jewish milieu.

Colors of Israel is a good addition to any child's library, and is particularly suitable for Jewish children.

The Colors of Israel is a Beautiful Tapestry
TheColors of Israel is the first book in the Colors of the World series I have read and as a teacher, I am now ready to recommend this book and the series to my students.Although I am quite knowledgable about Israel(I lived there for 12 years),I was quite pleasantly surprised by the type of information Ms.Grossman chose to include. This is not your usual superficial blue and white,Hava Nagilah description of life in Israel. Rather,Ms Grossman offers a realistic tapestry,accessible to children,of everyday life in the always colorful,yet incredibly complex,Holy Land. I was struck by the creativity of the choices of where each color can be found,from the pink of the raspberry drink to the black of the Dead Sea mud to the green of a door leading to an Arab home. A child reading this book surely will understand the uniqueness of Israel and hopefully will be curious enough to want to learn even more. This book gives me hope-it presents Israel as a vibrant,interesting,fun country with a diverse population. Yes, a child reading this learns about the reality(yellow is for the robot that blows up suspicious objects)but the reality also includes the other colors of everyday life and yes, that everyday life includes different types of Jews,Arabs, and Christians.I recommend this book to anyone who wants a child to learn about the wonder of the most special place in the world,Israel.

Good intro/ recommended
I must have read a different book than the previous reviewer, who seems to find something anti-Israel under every rock. As one who visits friends and family in Israel each year and closely follows the news, I found this book to be quite good. Further, my kids, who speak Hebrew, like it and it's helped prepare them for an upcoming family visit to Israel. Moslems and Christians and Jews, like myself, believe different things. But we all do share a passion for the sacred Land of Israel. I have strong, strong positive feelings about the Jewish claim. I always look for good ways to explain to kids this very complex situation. I think this book is a good one. I recommend fellow educators look at it for themselves and decide. I'll buy it, and won't be afraid of explaining to my kids that even though some people do mean things to our relatives in Israel, that our job is to defend ourselves while not hating them.

Misleading
The tone of this book is set on the first page, with a map showing "Israeli-controlled territory," and a statement that both Islam and Christianity have claims to Israel.The second page follows this theme with a statement that Muslims believe that their prophet rose to heaven from Jerusalem.The next section of text discusses Arab wedding ceremonies and other Arab cultural institutions.Two pages later is a statement about terrorism in Israel, which in its entirety is the following: "Different national groups disagree about who should be living in Israel.Some people, called terrorists, believe that frightening citizens is a way to bring about change. ... Most people want to stop terrorism."No word about who these terrorists are -- are they Israelis?The next page is about B'nai Akiva, whose purpose, we are told, is to "discuss Israeli values," such as bringing more immigrants to Israel "and the settling of land."Full of code words, this book is a bad choice.Much better books are "A Ticket to Israel," by Marcia Gresko, and "Enchantment of the World: Israel," by Martin and Stephen Hintz. ... Read more

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Arab entrepreneurs in Israel form part of a traditional, yet peripheral, ethnic minority attempting to integrate into Israel's larger economy. This study, based on extensive fieldwork, focuses on the obstacles that these Arab entrepreneurs and new industrialists must overcome in their development towards industrialization. The research exposes a highly flexible entrepreneurial culture making use of a limited set of opportunities and resources. The work makes a strong contribution to comparative cross-cultural research and theoretical formulations on issues of ethnic entrepreneurship. ... Read more

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On the open landscape of Israel and the West Bank, where pine and cypress forests grow alongside olive groves, tree planting has become symbolic of conflicting claims to the land.Palestinians cultivate olive groves as a vital agricultural resource, while the Israeli government has made restoration of mixed-growth forests a national priority.Although both sides plant for a variety of purposes, both have used tree planting to assert their presence on--and claim to--disputed land.

Shaul Ephraim Cohen has conducted an unprecedented study of planting in the region and the control of land it signifies.In The Politics of Planting, he provides historical background and examines both the politics behind Israel's afforestation policy its consequences.Focusing on the open land surrounding Jerusalem and four Palestinian villages outside the city, this study offers a new perspective on the conflict over land use in a region where planting has become a political tool.For the valuable data it presents--collected from field work, previously unpublished documents, and interviews--and the insight it provides into this political struggle, this will be an important book for anyone studying the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. ... Read more

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A fascinating look at the countries that are headline news, covering their history, geography and politics ... Read more

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Exploring the evolution of Israel's ethnic landscapes, this interdisciplinary volume makes a contribution to the analysis of Israeli society by introducing space, territory and place into the discussion of ethnic relations. The book focuses especially on the social and geographical marginalization of groups such as Palestinian and bedouin Arabs, oriental Jews, and recent Ethiopian migrants, examining their persistent challenges to the state. ... Read more

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Countries in Our World focuses on the countries that shape and influence our modern world. Each book examines physical features, daily life, industry, media, leisure and much more. Each title in Countries in our World is a mine of useful information ideal for school and project work. ... Read more

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Territorial borders, identity borders, and many other kinds of social and cultural borders are constantly questioned in the Israel-Palestine debate. In Reapproaching Borders, a new generation of scholars explore the concept of borders and how they are imagined and actualized in this deeply contested land. ... Read more

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Israel and the Holy Land is an up-date- guide to the history-laden lands of the Biblel. Concise,readbble and authoratative, it presents a whealth of information to aid the tourist and delight the armchair travelor. Illustrated with hundreds of full color photograph, paintgs, maps! ... Read more

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This book is suitable for ages 9 to 10 years. "Israel the Land" is a sensitive exploration of the land and people that make up modern Israel. More than 20 new colour images portray the country and its changing boundaries. This revised edition also explores how the increased use of water from the Jordan River for irrigating Israel's crops, has changed the Dead Sea. The topics include: the hills and deserts in Israel; how food is grown and the land made fruitful in the desert; protecting the land; Ancient cities and Jerusalem; and sacred city to three major religions. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Great introduction to Israel
As a teacher who will be teaching about Israel to 4th-6th graders, I found this book to be a wonderful introduction to entice my students about Israel. It is written in concise, simple language making it easy to understand and the photos are breathtaking. ... Read more

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This book focuses on how globalization is impacting contemporary Israel. It is a concise and originally argued introduction to Israel, but the author, Uri Ram, is careful to frame his analysis in a broader discussion of Israeli history and broader social currents. Focusing in particular on two defining – and conflicting – contemporary trends; one toward advanced liberal democracy with a cosmopolitan edge, and the other toward ethno-religious traditionalism and rejection of the secularism associated with market driven globalization. The cosmopolitan, high-tech driven city of Tel Aviv represents the former trend, and Jerusalem – a city increasingly dominated by orthodox Jews – represents the latter. Using Benjamin Barber's Jihad versus McWorld thesis to good effect, Ram's book will stand as an ideal introduction to contemporary Israel and its place in the world.

Customer Reviews (1)

A Fascinating book
The book deals with the pervasive impacts of the globalization at the Israeli society. It is a sharp and detailed account of the multiple implications of the globalization process that transformed socio-economic and cultural values in Israeli society.
It draws a clear picture of several aspects related to the deep crisis of identity faced by the third generation of Israelis. It helps to understand how Israel became a divided society struggling between the democratic and Jewish facets of the State, with dramatic implications not only to Israeli politics, but also to the Israeli-Arab conflict as a whole.
It is highly recommended for anyone interested in better understanding the different voices that shape Israeli discourse at the present time.
... Read more

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Israel's Southern Landscapes is the first comprehensive, English language travel guide devoted entirely to the Negev, Israel's extraordinary southern region. There are over 300 pages describing of all of the major and lesser-known sites along the Western Negev (along the Mediterranean coast), the Northern Negev (Beer Sheba and environs), the Negev Highlands, the Arava (from the Dead Sea, with it spas and mineral baths, south to Eilat), and Eilat, the Red Sea port city with its luxury hotels, underwater observatory, and world-renowned coral reefs. The book contains over 50 magnificent photographs, most in full color, as well as a large-scale color map of the region in a separate, zippered pouch.

Israel's Southern Landscapes presents detailed information on each tour and site, and relates them to their Biblical and historical references and importance. Special features include: a dictionary and a glossary, a guide to youth hostels and field schools in the region, and an index to hiking tours. Based on articles written by Aviva Bar-Am (a native of Minneapolis) as travel correspondent for the Jerusalem Post, Israel's only English language daily newspaper, and on the expertise of long time tour guide and historian, Chicago-born Yisrael Shalem, Israel's Southern Landscapes makes an attractive and valuable gift for anyone with an interest in Israel, and is a "hip-pocket", backpack, and glove compartment essential for anyone planning a visit to Israel and the Holy Land! ... Read more

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The importance of religion, school, work, and the family to Jews, Muslims, and Bedouin are explained using lively photos and text. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

israel the people
the information is very helpful in teaching disabled children because of the pictures in the book. ... Read more

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This book presents various approaches to the resolution of the severe water resource issues of the Middle East, with particular emphasis on the Israeli-Palestinian water conflicts. The authors include leading Palestinian and Israeli water experts who have worked together on joint research projects aimed at building up mutual understanding and respect. The studies consider the various approaches that could be used to improve cooperation and solve the problems arising from conflicting interests.

Customer Reviews (1)

The Stuff of Life
"Water is the stuff of life" as someone once said, and this book discusses the role of water in the Middle East- always an area of contention. This book is a series of papers presented at the 2nd Israeli-Palestinian International Conference on Water for Life. This is a rare example of Israeli-Palestinian cooperation and working in harmony on mutual problems. Areas of discussion are the geopolitical water problems of the region; the Jordan River and the Dead Sea; water trade and water markets; water importation; conflict resolution and co-operation; international water law; water resources management; the impact of climate change on the region; waste and wastewater technology in the Middle East.
This book has a number of graphs, charts and maps that show the data on water extraction, resources and usage. This kind of data is often difficult to find for this region, and is a welcome addition to this book.
This book is recommened for anyone interested in the water issues of the Middle East, or the Israel-Palestinian conflicts. As water resources become more scarce, it is encouraging to see the cooperation between these diverse populations to handle a common need. ... Read more

Product Description
Text and illustrations present detailed information on the geography, history and government, economy, people, cultural life and society of traditional and modern Israel. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Concerned teacher/mother
I bought this book, first of all, because I wanted a thorough overview of the land of Israel with a helping of generous pictures to complement a study on the country.I was very disappointed to discover that the book very boldly eliminates the NAME OF JESUS.They make it very clear that His name will not be mentioned throughout the ENTIRE book. How can you write a book on Israel and blantantly remove the name of Jesus?That is the sole purpose I purchased the book, to compliment a study we were doing on the country of Israel and the main reason was to teach the life of JESUS!I found it odd and very disturbing to say the least. The book sounded great but was very pricey, and in my opinion, not worth a penny.The pictures were OK but I immediately returned it upon seeing the removal of the name of Jesus in the first couple of pages of the introduction.I did not want a biased reading of Israel, just the truth.Without the life of Jesus (even in some small way) the book was useless so I returned it!My Bible Atlas and Handbook are much more educational. ... Read more

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Product Description
The best guide to Israel, completely updated

Great walks in Jerusalem, cosmopolitan Tel Aviv, historic Jaffa, and Haifa
Great shopping--jewelry, religious items, fashions, and more
Where to hear classical music, jazz, blues, and rock

Where to stay and eat, no matter what your budget

Modern tower hotels, historic hostelries, seaside resorts and spas, and relaxing kibbutz guest houses
Chic street cafés, seaside bistros, and plain and fancy spots for Middle Eastern, French, Italian, and Asian fare

Fresh, thorough, practical--from writers you can trust

Costs, hours, descriptions, and tips by the thousands
All reviews based on visits by savvy writer-residents

33 pages of maps, vacation itineraries, and more

Important Contacts A to Z; Smart Travel Tips; Fodor's Choice; What's Where; Pleasures & Pastimes; festivals; New & Noteworthy; complete index. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Recent Gide to Israel
We visited Israel for 15 days in December 2006 and had a wonderful time.In all honesty, I prefered the Frommers Guide to Israel better. It is more candid and it told us about terrific restaurants and hotels.I also preferred the descriptions of the important sites to see.

A Good Place to Start
We took a trip to Israel and, before we left, we bought a copy of Fodor's Israel. It was an excellent resource. Even though we had a relative making reservations for us in Jerusalem, the guide was a lifesaver when we headedto Eilat. ... Read more