Oh, Israeli men. I could write you a love letter the length of the Dead Sea Scrolls. You’re charming and handsome, Jewish and cool, tan regardless of the season… I’d give you five stars on Yelp and recommend you to a friend. If you’re wondering what makes dating Israeli men so exciting, you have to learn what they’re like and understand what’s most important to them.
Unique Characteristics of Modern Israeli Men
Israeli men have long been considered some of the most attractive in the Middle East, but with the expansion of Jewish peoples throughout the world, the modern Jewish man is more culturally diverse than ever before. However, they still tend to hold the traditional values that Jewish women seek when looking for a loving and devoted partner, which is why many have joined an Israeli dating site like Jdate to find Israeli single men who check all their boxes.
Thanks to the country’s invitation for Jews around the world to immigrate to this cultural homeland, dating in Israel has never been more unique, with backgrounds, lifestyles, and faiths attributed from all over the world. This is sure to make dating each man different from the next, which should provide you with ample choices when determining what is most important to you in a relationship.
Israeli men can be especially distinct in their character, often exuding an assertive and direct approach to communication while holding a strong commitment and reverence for their families. Their passionate attitudes make them strong family men with a knack for nurturing those they mentor, and their required military service not only shows their allegiance to the nation and its people but also sculpts their discipline and refines integrity, much like it does for Israeli women. While your experience of dating Israeli men will most certainly differ depending on the individual, you can be sure they’ll all have the same adoration for the nation we all call home.
Israeli Dating Culture
The dating scene in Israel is especially unique due to the well-known concept of “Chutzpah,” which essentially means that Israeli singles are not afraid to be up-front and almost too forward whilst interacting in their first encounters, stating their intentions and honest opinions without hesitation. This can make the opening stages of dating in Israel even more nuanced, but it also shows how seriously people take it from the beginning. Stating your intentions while being open and clear through your communication will prevent any awkward missteps or early fallout if your match knows you’re being authentic.
It’s also important to acknowledge the cultural diversity in values Israelis may have in their upbringing, meaning that coming from different Jewish branches, such as Orthodox and Reformed, may present interesting challenges for a young couple, but there’s also a lot that they still have in common. Casual dating is still a norm, and meeting over your favorite traditional meals while discussing the likes and differences of your adolescence, then expanding into how you’d like to see your future goals achieved and what that may look like with a partner is an ideal way to assess compatibility early on.
Dating Tips for Non-Israeli Partners
For those who aren’t Israeli natives, or perhaps are a native of Israel but not inherently Jewish, it does not mean Israeli single men aren’t open to dating you! In fact, many choose to branch out from their traditional backgrounds by searching for partners through online dating platforms like Jdate. This Israel dating site allows you to search for Israeli single men of all cultural variations, and because you will both input your targeted preferences into our personality and matchmaking algorithm, you will only be paired with those who share similar interests and intentions. However, you’ll have to keep in mind that if you are more lenient, you’re expected to be respectful and open about your respective culture, just as they are supposed to be of yours.
Researching more about Israeli culture and its values can be extremely helpful, as can learning Hebrew. These will show that you’re both curious and excited to embrace their lifestyle while even opening up the potential for stronger bonds built on traditional customs. Whether you ultimately decide to convert to Judaism or not, having open communication with a prospective partner over these more serious personal desires will be instrumental in the navigation of an exhilarating new cross-cultural relationship.
Long-Term Relationships with Israeli Men
Many Israeli men are not interested in the immature games associated with frivolous dating, and more focus is often geared towards making intentional steps in pursuit of their ideal life partner. However, though many people strive to achieve long-term commitment when dating in Israel, the reality is that you’ll need to take constructive steps in the early stages to make sure the person you’re seeing has a similar outlook for the future.
Being purposeful about your relationship with an Israeli single man will allow you to get out of the initial stages with confidence, and once clear communication is established about which needs are essential and which wants are negotiable, you can pursue a deeper investigation into the traits and values the man in question displays. Assessment of a match can take time, but self-evaluation also needs to take place in order to ensure your personal expectations are being met.
Bonding over certain shared traditions while accepting and embracing new ones will provide an open gateway to being included and respected within his circles, and this mutual learning process for both parties will determine if the compatibility is evident. If your feelings wane over time, you’re still doing the right thing by raising concerns or kindly requesting the relationship come to a close. After all, being honest and trusting your heart’s instinct will allow you to make informed decisions based on their behavior in relation to your requirements, and you should always keep your best interests in mind first.
Ladies and gents, if you’re an American considering taking the Sabra plunge, here are ten reasons you should get off your tuches and go text him some emojis already.
1. He’s Frickin’ Great-Looking
Where are your ancestors from? Russia? Me too. Newsflash: gene diversity makes you beautiful (I’m looking at you, Rashida Jones), and Israeli guys are the product of some serious Ashkenazi-Mizrahi-Sephardi mixing that makes them both exotic and symmetrical. SHALOM.
2. He Isn’t Easily Rattled
He backpacked around the world for a year; he grew up surrounded by very aggressive, very direct women; and he protected his country from scary terrorist organizations. He’ll keep his cool and help you see the big picture when you’re freaking out over the little things (the cockroach in the shower, the terrible traffic, the too-spicy Thai food). Perspective is everything.
3. He’s Well-Trained
He’s super considerate. He notices and appreciates when you cook for him, asks for seconds, and then does the dishes. He takes care of you. He has a demanding and doting mother and four sisters who all adore him, who taught him how to be loving… and how to follow directions.
4. He’s Into Relationships
Israeli women don’t put up with crap – men hitting it and quitting it included. So guys learn to appreciate relationships early on. He’s way less commitment-phobic than your average American Joe, and he’ll wow you with the relationship skills he picked up from his previous serious relationships. Toda, Yael and Tamar!
5. You Can Escape Winter Together
Everyone’s freezing their butts off, but you’re spending Christmas break with his family in Ramat Gan. After a few days of hummus and sunshine and his mother’s cooking, you’ll forget what frostbite feels like.
6. He’s Ridiculously Affectionate
Israeli culture is warm and familiar and super touchy. These guys are not afraid of hugging, kissing, snuggling, you name it. Get ready to feel the love, and kiss those chaste pecks goodbye. Thankfully, these boys were never told to “leave room for Jesus.”
7. He’ll Introduce You To Great Music & Food
He’ll open the door to a whole new culture that sounds great and tastes delicious. Your life will be so much better once you’ve been introduced to Arik Einstein, shakshuka, Idan Raichel, sabich, bamba, and the whole genre of Mizrahi music (Eyal Golan will forever change your dance party expectations for the better).
8. He’s Like A Real-Life James Bond
(But circumcised!) You know how much badass, Jason Bourne-esque stuff he did in the army? You know how many codes he decoded, how many secret missions he went on, how many terrorist plots he intercepted in Lebanon at the last second? That’s right, you don’t. Because that stuff is top-secret, so if he told you, he’d have to kill you. But he was definitely disabling bombs while you were sleeping through class.
9. He’s Always Late
Just like you! In Israel, no one has time to worry about being on time. You’ll both show up 15-20 minutes late, and your relationship will be blissfully guilt-free, except for when you’re eating bacon.
10. He’ll Speak Hebrew To You In Bed
Dirty talk – and normal talk – in the sack can be awkward. The pressure of word choice alone can render anyone speechless. Enter: Sexy Foreign Language You Do Not Speak or Understand. He can say whatever and it will sound romantic and mysterious no matter what. For all you know, he’s waxing poetic about eggplant – IT DOES NOT MATTER. IT WILL SOUND AMAZING. Everyone wins!
If you’re not convinced that Israeli guys are worth a chance, no worries – that just leaves more for the rest of us!
Jdate Guest Contributor is a contributor to JDATE. See more of Jdate Guest Contributor's articles here.
