For your convenience (and my own personal organization) I’m copying my Israel bucket list/goals/hopes etc. below. I will update it every time I complete a list item!
-Items in green have been completed.
-Items in purple are in process, but are not one and done items, therefore will never really be complete.
-Items in black are still to be completed.
Each week (or as they come to me), I will add more items to the bottom of the list. Feel free to reach out if you have a must-do item in Israel that hasnt made my list yet!
- Eat hummus in Jaffa
- Explore Neve Tsedek
- Eat sufganiyot at Hannukah
- Find the best local falafel
- Find the best local sabich
- Walk on the tayelet at sunset
- Play volleyball on the beach
- Learn matkot
- Run in the Tel Aviv Marathon
- Hike the entire Israel National Trail (6-8 weeks)
- Go camping on the beach
- Swim in the Jordan River
- Put a prayer in the Western Wall
- Order an ice coffee completely in Hebrew
- Try Malabi
- Barter with a stand owner at the shuk
- Fall in love with an Israeli man
- Learn how to make shakshuka
- Learn all the words to a mizrahit song
- Work for an Israeli company
- Complete Duolingo for Hebrew
- Spend a day exploring Rothschild Blvd.
- Walk from one side of Park Yarkon to the other
- Go in the Tel Aviv balloon
- Write down at least one thing per day that you are thankful for
- Eat at HaBasta (Shuk HaCarmel)
- Eat at HaHalutzim (Shuk Levintin)
- Watch a sunset from Hilton Hill
- Have a picnic in Park Yarkon
- Drink “The Gazoz” from Café Levinsky
- See a camel
- Have all my best friends visit Israel
- Visit a Kibbutz
- Visit a farm
- Do yoga on the beach
- Start a business venture
- Volunteer at a gan
- Run 5 races per year
- Try a new fruit
- Eat what’s in season
- Buy all fruits and veggies from the Shuk
- Buy art from an Israeli artist
- Find a synagogue that makes you feel at home
- Stay shomer Shabbat for a week
- Learn how to sup
- Go swimming in the Mediterranean at night
- Ask a stranger for directions in Hebrew
- Eat Baklava in Majdal Shams (Druze village near Golan Hieghts)
- Do one thing per day that helps you grow: and be conscious about it. Write it down.
- Reflect often. You can’t grow without looking back at what you were.
- Make a new tradition with a new friend
- Eat Shabbat dinner at an Israeli’s house
- Eat ice cream from Arte Gelateria
- Drink fresh made juice from the shuk
- Live in an apartment with a balcony. Grow plants and vegetables on said balcony.
- Eat a cream puff from Bakery TLV
- Become a dog walker
- Travel with an Israeli passport
- Go to the concert of an Israeli musician
- Eat a gouda sandwich from Shuk HaNamal
- Taste 10 different kinds of Israeli olives
- Take a weekend and relax in Eilat
- See the Iron Dome
- Watch the sunrise on the beach
- Float in the Dead Sea and cover yourself in mud
- Hike at Masada
- Go to a hot spring in Gan HaShlosha National Park
- Go biking in Rosh HaNikra and see the grottoes
- See the Bahai Gardens in Haifa
- Visit Ein Gedi
- Befriend a stranger at the gym
- Learn how to sail
- Hold my own in a conversation with a native Israeli in Hebrew
- See the flamingos that mysteriously live in the south of Israel
- Celebrate an Israeli holiday with all Israelis
- Attend an Israeli wedding
- Become a certified diver
- Work for a start-up in “Start-Up Nation”
- Go on at least five hikes listed on http://www.tiuli.com
- Try kenafe in Nazareth (thanks to reader Adel for this list item suggestion!)
- Visit the Timna Valley (thanks to reader Eran for this list item suggestion!)
- Hike at Nahal Yehudiah (thanks to reader Dan for this list item suggestion!)
- Visit the Freedom Farm Sanctuary
- Live on a Kibbutz
- Get my first Israeli pet!
- Cross off one thing on this list every single week
- Add one more thing to this list every single week
- Pray everyday because you are in the most holy and wonderful place on earth! You made it! Now go live every moment for all it’s worth!
