Just had a long spiritual/religious conversation with someone. When it was over, I realized it was the first time I have had it from the secular side of the conversation.

@Absinthe It is an interesting position to find oneself, I agree.

@Surasanji So at a certain age it is necessary to learn Hebrew. Not so much that you could have or understand a conversation. But so that you can read and speak the words on a page aloud, without necessarily knowing what they mean or translate them. ::sigh::

Around the same time, my middle school had all the teachers. So we in 6th grade had to take 5 languages through the year (5-6 weeks of each) Spansh, Latin, German, Russian, and French.

Just enough to make an "informed" decision on what you would like to study for 4 years of HS.

@Absinthe Yeah, that is the expectation for folks doing that whole sunday school sort of thing. You learn the basics, go to your bar/bat mitzvah and read a story you are only passingly familiar with.

The whole concept comes from the requirement of adults being able to read- but you need to read your native/local language. The language you use everyday, not necessarily Hebrew. However, Jews are a sentimental bunch and cling to those sorts of things.,

@Surasanji I can read the shit out of some Hebrew, vowels or not. But again, I only understand a handful of words, some for worship and some like "Sheket y'ladeem" basically telling me to shut up :)

@Absinthe I can get around. Most of my work has been overnight and in English here. I can have simple conversations, get groceries- just the basics.

Everyone in Tel Aviv speaks English, so, I've been extra lazy.

@Surasanji So what is the meaning of "Tel Aviv / Jerusalem" we keep getting hit with tourism commercials (Lots of pretty girls drinking orange juice in minidresses. Is it a political thing to say "Tel Aviv / Jerusalem" or are they sister cities or something?

@Absinthe It's only like an hour trip from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem and they're two focal points of Israel in a stark dichotomy with one another. Jerusalem and Tel Aviv are feel like they're on two totally different planets.

@Surasanji but are they tourism buddies or something? Weren't they controversy answers to the capitol question?

@Absinthe Jerusalem is the capital of Israel, it just isn't universally accepted or acknowledged as such. All the government functions of the local government happen there, so the facts on the ground are that Jerusalem is the capital.

Anyone who comes to Israel lands in Tel Aviv. Most people start here on their vacations- go to a museum, or go to the beaches.

Honestly, I don't know many tourists who don't visit the three 'Major' cities of Israel- Tel Aviv, Haifa, and Jerusalem.