First time in Israel?
Although Israel at times looks like America - McDonalds, Starbucks, English signs, etc. - it is a different place with a different culture. Israeli culture is closer to the Middle East and to Europe than it is to America.
It is very easy for a first time visitors to misunderstand what is going on - an unsettling event at the best of time - can be worse when you are in a strange country with a foreign language.
Here are some book recommendations that may better prepare you for your first time visit to Israel.
The books listed below are LINKED to AMAZON.COM. If you decide to purchase the book(s) from Amazon - VFI-USA get a small rebate that goes to support the organization.
The Israelis : Ordinary People in an Extraordinary Land by Donna Rosenthal, An excellent book on the lives of modern Israelis of all kinds. Reprint edition (February 1, 2005) - ISBN: 0743270355
Passport Israel: Your Pocket Guide to Israeli Business, Customs & Etiquette (Passport to the World), Donna Rosenthal ,Tom Watson (Illustrator), Barbara Szerlip(Editor), 1996, ISBN:1885073224
Culture Shock - Israel: A Guide to Customs and Etiquette, Dick Winter, 1992, ISBN:1558680888
Border Crossing: American Interactions with Israelis, Lucy Shahar and David Kurtz, 1995, ISBN: 1-877864-31
Hebrew is the national language of Israel. Most signs in Israel are in Hebrew, English and Arabic. Most Israelis associated with the tourism industry speak English. Although English is taught in Israeli schools - you can not assume that everyone will speak English.
Hebrew is a tough language for a tough people.
To help you with your encounter with Hebrew - here are some books that might help.
Hebrew in 10 Minutes a Day, Kristine K. Kershul, Daphna Donyets, 1998, ISBN:0944502253
Easy Hebrew Phrase Book: Over 770 Basic Phrases for Every Day Use, Menahem Listen Mansoor, 1995, ISBN:0486285561
Learn Hebrew Today: Alef-Bet for Adults, Howard I. Bogot, 1998, ISBN:0807404837
Internet Hebrew, Dictionaries and other Hebrew resources - http://www.jr.co.il/hotsites/j-hebrew.htm