Israel

So we’re off to Israel in a month and planning’s in full swing, so I decided to share some videos we’ve been watching while researching. We’ll (of course) be using Sheepy’s invaluable posts on Israel and Israeli culture to inform our itinerary, and the abundant assistance we’re receiving from friends of the faith who’ve made pilgrimages in the past.

To say I’m excited beyond belief would be criminal understatement, and not just because it’s been far too long since we’ve made significant travel plans. I make no bones about it. Or, rather, maybe I do: Israeli men, people. I’m not made of stone.

And you should maybe be forewarned that the videos below are gonna be pretty gay.

Cute ad from the Israel Ministry of Tourism:

Video: Go Israel!

And then there’s this excerpt from an Israeli soap opera, which cracked me up because… isn’t that the theme song from Futurama playing in the opening minutes? (Caution: bare bums and necking should you choose to go beyond that point).

Video: Amir and Harel

And then there’s Ivri Lider, the seriously cute and talented Israeli popstar who, against all advice, decided to come out earlier this decade. He’s more popular than ever, has covered Billie Holliday’s “The Man I Love”, Tim Buckley’s “Song to the Siren” and even — ugh — Katy Perry’s “I Kissed a Girl” (he at least gets irony points for that). His first crossover song, “Jessy*”, might not find its way to my iPod, but it’s sweet nonetheless:

Video: Ivri Lider, “Jessy*”

*I’m going with the spelling on Ivri’s website, not YouTube.