Israel 201: Your Next-Level Guide to the Magic, Mystery, and Chaos of Life in the Holy Land

"Fantastic! Precisely the kind of Israel education we all need. Israel 201 helps you understand the real Israel, in all her complexity and beauty."
Mayim Bialik

Think you know Israel? Think again.

National Jewish Book Award winner and Amazon bestseller, Israel 201 takes readers beyond the headlines to explore the people, culture, humor, contradictions, and everyday realities that make Israel unlike any other country in the world.

Written by acclaimed comedians and longtime Israeli residents Joel Chasnoff and Benji Lovitt, this entertaining and insightful guide answers the questions visitors rarely think to ask. and explains the uniquely Israeli logic behind the answers. Why do children ride bicycles on Yom Kippur? Why are Israelis so famously direct? How can ancient traditions coexist with cutting-edge innovation? And what do stray cats, stand-up comedy, the IDF, and Shabbat have in common?

Blending sharp humor with thoughtful cultural insight, the authors explore religion, politics, history, language, food, military service, family life, and the quirks that define modern Israeli society. Whether you're visiting Israel for the first time, already know the country well, or simply want to understand it beyond the news, Israel 201 offers an engaging, nuanced, and often laugh-out-loud perspective.

Part travel companion, part cultural guide, and part comedy, Israel 201 is essential reading for anyone who wants to understand the Israel you didn't know you didn't know.

Joel Chasnoff is a stand-up comedian and author of multiple books, including the comedic memoir The 188th Crybaby Brigade, about his service in the Israel Defense Forces, and Essential Tennis, which he cowrote with coach Ian Westermann. To date, he’s performed comedy at more than a thousand Jewish fundraisers and social events in ten countries. A Chicago native, Joel now lives in Ra’anana, Israel. Video clips, tour info, and more at www.joelchasnoff.com.

Benji Lovitt grew up in Dallas, Texas, and immigrated to Israel in 2006. For the past fifteen years, he’s performed stand-up comedy and delivered cultural presentations about Israel for audiences in North America, Israel, Europe, South Africa, and Australia. His unique comedic perspective on Israeli society and Israelis has led him to be an oft-featured guest on Israeli TV and radio and in media outlets including USA Today, BBC Radio, Time Magazine, and The Atlantic. More on Benji at www.benjilovitt.com.