Israelis Vow to Escape Holiday Chaos Abroad Next Year

As Israelis prepare to celebrate Rosh Hashanah, a common sentiment emerges: a collective vow to travel abroad during the holidays next year to escape the familiar stresses. The author humorously describes the typical holiday experience, from the frantic preparations and the arrival of guests to the inevitable overeating and ensuing arguments.

The scene is set with the smells of cooking and cleaning, the pangs of guilt for non-hosts, and the ritualistic greetings. Guests arrive in waves, some early enough to claim beds, others later, facing the hostess's frustration over lukewarm main courses. The meal itself is a source of conflict, with some guests too full to eat and others ravenously consuming everything in sight, leading to indigestion and arguments.

Amidst the chaos, the promise for the new year solidifies: a trip abroad. This shared resolution transcends typical New Year's resolutions like eating less or exercising more. Israelis express a desire to avoid traffic jams, obligatory workplace celebrations, and the social pressures of holiday gatherings.

Whether it's a beach in Greece, a castle in the Loire Valley, or Prague, the destination matters less than the escape from the Israeli holiday routine. The article concludes with a couple fantasizing about next year's holiday, with the husband planning a lengthy trip abroad and the wife anticipating a less demanding hosting role at her sister's, all while dreaming of avoiding the holiday's typical tribulations.