Hand out in a pinched formation
It could mean: Look what I have here
What it really means: Wait one second, hold on, shut up, I don't care, I'm busy, stand there a little longer and feel stupid, can't you see you idiot I am in the middle of something way more important than you which is this cell phone conversation with my friend about the amount of cous-cous I ate last night. AKA rega.

                                      Both hands in pinched formation
It could mean: Really rega
What it really means: I am speaking about something very specific.  Pay attention to these words coming out of my mouth.

                  Hand to side of the head followed by twist of the hand
It could mean:  I'm screwy
What it really means: You're screwy, I can't believe you are this stupid, what is wrong with you, I am an angry taxi driver who is sick of arguing with tourists who don't know how to argue and I want to rip you off and then get you out of my taxi as fast as possible.

​                                     Biting of lower lip and chin jut-out
It could mean: I feel a little bad about this situation that just happened to you.
What it really means: I don't feel bad for you at all. This is life.

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                          haking of head and muttering "why, why, why."
It could mean:  Why?
What it really means: It's pretty incredible what I just said, isn't it?

                                                  Hand over heart
It could mean: I feel so much love for you in this moment.
What it really means:  How could you offer so little money for my beautiful nargila. (which is real silver for this very very low price that I give you and only you since you are now my friend)  I have 17 children and a sick mother. You want to kill me?! You're breaking my heart.
What this really means:  You have no idea how to bargain.  Good luck with me sucker.

 

Hands clasped together in prayer formation and shaken forward 3 times
It could mean:  What I am saying is a prayer.
What it really means: Please let us stop being so Israeli for one second and reach an agreement.

The most important gesture:       rega = wait

Weather in Israel

Generally speaking, the weather in most of Israel is not extreme, so that the Israeli winter is at best what people from moderate zones would call "Autumn".

As for the Israeli summer, well - that's a different story... summer in Israel is HOT and in most of the country it is humid as well, so get ready, here we go:

December – January – February: Winter

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General weather Description: This is what Israelis call winter. That means temperatures of between 5-18 Degrees centigrade in Tel Aviv which are 41 to 65 Degrees Fahrenheit. It may get colder around the Jerusalem and Ramat Hagolan mountains to a level of 0 (34 Degrees Fahrenheit) Degrees centigrade at night.

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What to wear: a good fleece jacket will do the job. Those of you who are always cold, would want to bring a wool coat. If you are planning your stay for Tel Aviv, and plan on taking walks there - don’t forget to bring water resistant shoes because it gets very rainy there.

March - April – May: Spring

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General Weather Description: The nicest season of the year, with very comfortable weather throughout the country. In Tel Aviv and the central coast area the temperature is around 55-75 Fahrenheit or 15-25 Celsius.

In Jerusalem and the northern parts of Israel you can expect it to be a few degrees cooler. In the low places such as the Dead Sea, the southern part and Eilat it would be a few degrees warmer.

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What to Wear: On some of the days you may want a long t-shirt and light jacket, while on other days a short sleeve t-shirt will do. So, Bring a good range of generally light clothes.

June - July – August (and sometimes September): Summer​

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General Weather Description: Summer is hot in Israel! We usually speak of the heat in terms of temperature + humidity, not only temperature. It is especially hot during July-August.

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In Tel Aviv and the central coast area the temperature is between 75-100 Fahrenheit or 25-35 Celsius. However, the high humidity in this area makes it feel quite sticky. In Jerusalem and the northern parts of Israel you can expect it to be a few degrees cooler - but the humidity is not as bad.

In the low places, the southern part and Eilat it would be a few degrees warmer - but again it is very dry. In those areas, especially Eilat, the temperature can reach around 120 Fahrenheit or 45 Celsius.

 

What to Wear: Short, light, no sleeve, anything you can think of to cope with this mad summer. On certain days, the summer can be quite brutal… So get your sandals, shorts and T-shirts ready. Or better yet, just get your swimsuit out and head to the beach.

September - October – November: Automn

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General Weather Description: Some will argue and say that this is the nicest season of the year in Israel. This is a short transfer season and you can find quite a lot of nice days, or even warm ones. Mostly the temperatures are similar to the spring, only with somewhat cloudy skies.

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​Temperature in Tel Aviv is usually between 16 to 24 Degrees centigrade which are 61 to 75 Degrees Fahrenheit. Jerusalem and the Golan Heights are approx. 3 degrees centigrade colder (5.5 Degrees Fahrenheit), and Eilat is usually 3 degrees centigrade warmer.

 

What to Wear: Long sleeve shirts and a light Jacket will do the job.