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Coming to Israel? Be a Mensch!

Writer: Suzanne Lieberman
Suzanne Lieberman
Oct 8
6 min read

I think I may have discovered the most comfortable bed in Israel.


I haven't slept in it myself, but I know a man who did. And apparently, once he got into it, there was very little chance of getting him out again.



Let me explain.


Over the summer and Sukkot, I had the pleasure of helping a lot of families enjoy their vacations in Israel. Some were first-time visitors, others had been here many times before. There were families with young children, teenagers, grandparents, and all the various combinations in between.


And, as always, there were stories.


Some funny. Some heartwarming. And a few that left me shaking my head.


But let's start with the bed.


You Get What You Pay For. Sometimes.


One family had decided to save some money on accommodation by renting an Airbnb for much of their stay.


A perfectly reasonable decision. After all, hotels in Israel aren't cheap, particularly over the high season, and when you're traveling as a family, the costs add up very quickly.


There was just one small problem.


The beds.


Or, more specifically, the fact that poor Dad apparently hadn't had a decent night's sleep for almost two weeks.


Now, I don't know exactly what was wrong with those beds. Perhaps the mattresses were too hard. Perhaps they were too soft. Perhaps Dad was simply dreaming of his own bed back home.


Whatever the reason, he wasn't sleeping.


Then the family headed north, where they had booked a couple of nights in a hotel.


And Dad discovered the mattress. In fact, when I asked how the hotel was, this was the response I received. I think the towels were the icing on the cake.



Apparently, getting him out of bed became something of a family project. Forget the sightseeing, the beautiful scenery, the attractions. Dad had found his little piece of heaven, and he wasn't moving.


I can just imagine the conversation.


"Dad, we're going out!"

"Have a lovely time."

"Dad, we're in the Galilee!"

"Wonderful. Send me pictures."


Of course, I'm exaggerating. A little.


But it does illustrate something I've said many times to people planning a trip to Israel.


Saving money is great. But make sure you know what you're saving it on.


There's absolutely nothing wrong with staying in an Airbnb. In fact, for some families, it's the perfect solution. More space, a kitchen, somewhere to do the laundry, and the freedom to come and go without worrying about hotel schedules.


But there's a difference between a bargain and good value.


And sometimes, after a long day of touring, a pool and a really comfortable bed is worth every shekel.


And Then There's the Other Side of the Story.


Now, this next one isn't quite so funny.


Imagine you're a tour guide.


You've been booked to take a family touring on a particular day. You've blocked that date in your diary, turned away other potential work, planned your route, and made arrangements.


Then, shortly before the tour, the family changes its mind.


Perhaps they're tired. Perhaps the children have had enough. Perhaps the weather isn't looking promising. Or perhaps they've simply decided they'd rather spend the day relaxing.


All perfectly understandable reasons to change your plans.


After all, it's your vacation.


But here's the thing.


It's also someone else's livelihood.


A tour guide isn't like a restaurant where you can decide not to order dessert.


When a guide commits to spending a day with your family, that day is effectively sold.

And if you cancel at the last minute, there's a good chance they won't be able to replace the booking.


Which is why cancellation fees exist.


Not because anyone is trying to be difficult. Not because they're looking to make money for doing nothing. But because a professional has reserved time specifically for you, often at the expense of accepting other work.


Most guides and activity providers are actually very reasonable about cancellations, provided they're given sufficient notice.


But when you cancel at the last minute, you shouldn't be surprised if there's a charge.


And you certainly shouldn't assume that because you didn't go on the tour, nobody deserves to be paid.


A Little Consideration Goes a Long Way.


I think sometimes, when we're on vacation, we forget that the people making our vacation happen aren't on vacation themselves.


The driver who collects you early in the morning.


The guide who spends hours planning a day that will work for three generations of your family.


The hotel staff (and trip planner!) working over Chol Hamoed while everyone else is enjoying themselves.


The restaurant trying to accommodate a large family that arrives hungry, tired, and perhaps a little less patient than usual.


They're all people.


And they're all trying to earn a living.


Now, don't misunderstand me. I'm not suggesting that visitors should accept poor service, pay unreasonable charges, or be afraid to speak up when something isn't right.


Quite the opposite.


When you're paying good money for a vacation, you have every right to expect the services you've been promised.


But expectations work both ways.


If you make a commitment, honor it. If something goes wrong, communicate. And if someone goes out of their way to help you, a little appreciation can make an enormous difference.


It's really not complicated.


It's Your Vacation. Enjoy It!


One of the things I love about my work is watching families discover Israel.


Seeing children experience places they've only heard about in school. Watching grandparents share memories with their grandchildren. Hearing from people who have visited Israel dozens of times but have just discovered somewhere completely new.


Yes, the roads are busy. Yes, the attractions are crowded. And yes, sometimes your carefully planned day doesn't go quite according to plan. But that's part of the experience.


Sometimes you need to be flexible.


Sometimes you need to spend a little more than you anticipated.


Sometimes you need to accept that you simply can't fit everything into one day.


And sometimes, apparently, you need to leave Dad in bed.


The important thing is to remember why you came in the first place.


To enjoy Israel. To spend time together. To make memories.


And hopefully, to leave the people you've met along the way with good memories of you, too.


So, What's the Moral of the Story?

I suppose there are two.


First, when planning your Israel vacation, think about value rather than simply price. The cheapest option isn't always the one that will make you happiest.


And second, remember that behind every booking, every tour, and every activity is a real person whose time and livelihood deserve respect.


Israel is an extraordinary country, and we're delighted when people come to visit.


Bring your family. Bring your enthusiasm. Bring your comfortable walking shoes.


And, if you're staying in an Airbnb, perhaps check the mattresses.


But most importantly?


Come to Israel. Have the time of your life. And be a mensch.


Because a little consideration costs absolutely nothing.


And unlike a good hotel mattress, it's something everyone can afford.


If you're planning an Israel trip and want help deciding where to invest your time, your budget and your energy, I'd love to help you create an itinerary that's right for your family. You can reach out via my contact form


More Thoughts on Meaningful Travel in Israel


 
 
 

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