I am doing all the reading I can about her culture because I’m totally afraid of inserting my foot in my mouth. I don’t want to say or do something that will offend her. I want to treat her like I do any other woman, with respect. She is so different than any other woman that I have dated. I want to make sure I show her a good time. Can you give me any helpful Jewish dating advice?
You need to avoid two things: religion and politics. I’m not saying you should be religiously ignorant, I think it’s great you are studying her culture. What I’m saying is don’t think that she’s all about what you read about her culture and don’t think that she’s all about religion. Let her take the lead with religion. If she talks about it, go for it, but don’t you constantly be bringing it up. Just focus on showing her a great time.
The second subject you need to avoid is politics. Among Israelis politics is a real area of dispute to the point of violence occasionally. Israelis are very sensitive to politics. If you meet her family and her dad tries to lure you into a political discussion (as Israeli fathers often do in order to feel you out), side step. Dodge and weave.
The worst thing you can do is to grab a Jewish joke from the Internet. You can’t even crack an innocent joke with most Israelis. Also, don’t mention the word Arab.
Now younger people are less into politics and less sensitive in this area but watch out for her parents.
Usually you want to ask a lot of general questions to keep a fun and light conversation.
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be yourself ………………just be yourself
Be careful with taking her out to eat. The last thing you want is to find out she can’t eat anything on the menu if you take her out to eat! Talk about what food she can and can’t eat BEFORE you take her to a restaurant.
I don’t think there allowed to eat pork or some kind of meat.
I think you need to ask her. Everyone looks at religion differently and something that she might be bothered by won't bother someone else who is also Jewish. Just explain that you're worried about doing something offensive and ask if there's anything you can avoid. Stress the fact that you want to respect her and so, if you do something that bothers her, she'll know that you didn't do it on purpose and she can tell you do you know next time.
As for foods, that’s only if she keeps kosher. Being Jewish doesn't automatically mean that you don't eat non-kosher foods.
Just be nice.
If you find yourself sharing food from the same plate and using your fingers, always use the right hand because the left hand, in most cultures, is considered for personal use, like wiping and cleaning yourself (yuck!).
Women in Israel aren't second classed citizens, treat as an equal, and don't argue about the idea of Jesus or Mohammad, actually avoid mentioning.
Do ask her – she may be orthodox or thoroughly liberal – I have Jewish friends and they each do their own parts of keeping kosher – one even lives with a Christmas tree and eats prawns outside the house not inside – so you really have to ask.
That’s really nice anyway I would love it if someone asked me what I would find offensive.
Try something very unusual ask her! Letting her know that you care about it is going to impress her more that trying to do by yourself and making a mistake.
just be very respectful, and if she observes Shabbat (Sabbath), there are certain requirements and observances that they follow on that day (which is something like starting friday at sundown lasting until saturday sundown- their days actually start in the evening, and they observe Saturday as their holy day of rest, if im not mistaken). A couple of days before their Shabbat, they say Shabbat Shalom, (shuh-BAHT shuh-LOME) Shalom meaning 'peace', so basically, sort of like saying, have a peaceful Sabbath, or a good Sabbath. She would be surprised you said that. Ahava means love, Ani Ahoev Autach means i love you,,, i think the easiest thing to avoid culture clashes, is to explain to her your concerns about unknowingly doing anything offensive and hope that communication can flow freely between you in that area, she will be understanding and very appreciative of that. oh yeah, when conversing with one another in Middle Eastern culture, they generally hold eye contact with each other much longer and more intensely than we do in America. It is unsettling and a bit uncomfortable if youre not used to it, but its just a matter of difference in culture. our tendencies to avert our gaze every few seconds is kind of viewed as sort of untrustworthy (?is that the word im looking for?)…
i think its awesome you are so respectful and making an effort to be open-minded. Good luck!
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i used to babysit for a Hebrew family from Israel, and my ex bf's fam are into jewish/ israel culture