Making friends in Israel can be one of the most rewarding aspects of living in or visiting this vibrant country. Whether you’re a new immigrant (oleh), expat, student, or visitor, building meaningful connections requires understanding Israeli culture and knowing where to find like-minded people. This comprehensive guide provides specific organizations, websites, and practical strategies to help you build lasting friendships.
Understanding Israeli Social Culture
The Israeli Mindset
Israeli society is characterized by what locals call “dugri” culture – a direct, honest communication style that can initially seem abrupt but reflects genuine care and interest. As one blogger noted, “To socialize in Hebrew you don’t have to actually KNOW Hebrew; you just have to be open to HEARING it. The first time I went out with my Hebrew-speaking friends, they made an effort to speak English, out of politeness to me. I asked them to please feel comfortable speaking Hebrew around me, because even if I’m occasionally left out of the conversation, I will eventually improve.”
Hospitality and Friendship Depth
Israelis are famously hospitable, and unlike many Western countries where friendships become more superficial with age, “in Israel I have found just the opposite: as friends marry and have children, day-to-day connection becomes even MORE important — not less. We continue to visit each other’s homes on random weekdays; we have coffee and watch those inexplicably popular Israeli ‘reality TV’ shows; we keep a fully stocked snack drawer in our home, just in case of unexpected guests.”
Cultural Diversity Advantage
Israel is a melting pot of cultures, with a significant number of immigrants from all over the world. This diversity can work to your advantage as an expat, as you’re likely to meet people from various backgrounds and cultures, making the social environment rich and varied.
Digital and Social Media Resources
Essential Facebook Groups
Facebook has become a crucial tool for social integration in Israel. Social media groups are helping new immigrants navigate life in Israel, with the Keep Olim in Israel group growing to thousands of members within days of its creation. Here are key groups to join:
General Immigrant Groups
- Keep Olim in Israel - Founded by LiAmi Lawrence, this group supports immigrants facing challenges with integration
- Foreigners in Israel & Friends - A welcoming community for non-Israelis living in the country
- Expats in Israel - General networking for international residents
City-Specific Groups
For those wanting to live in the North of Israel, join the “Secret Haifa” group which “offers places to mingle, schmooze, look for apartments, ask questions, get recommendations and help around Haifa and area.”
- Secret Tel Aviv - Tel Aviv’s largest English-speaking community
- Secret Haifa - Northern Israel networking and social connections
- Secret Herzliya - “A space for all Herzliyans to share their experiences and questions, meet new people, and learn about some of the Secrets of this awesome city”
- Secret Jerusalem - Capital city connections and events
Professional Groups
For career-minded individuals, check out “ImaKadima: Working & Career-Minded Moms in Israel” which has “over 11 thousand users, and every day we hear of group members who have pushed themselves further, advocated for better conditions or recognized their own achievements.”
Special Populations
For non-Jewish immigrants, there’s “Helping Non-Jewish survive life in the Holy Land! This group is designed for people, who come to live in Israel as immigrants, partners, wives, expats or tourists.”
Apps and Online Platforms
Dating and Friendship Apps: Apps like Bumble BFF or Tinder can be used not just for dating but also for finding friends. These apps allow you to connect with people who are also looking to expand their social networks.
Meetup Platforms:
- Meetup.com - Extensive network of interest-based groups throughout Israel
- Secret Tel Aviv (secrettelaviv.com) - Israel’s largest English speaking community with comprehensive event listings
Professional Networking Organizations
Business and Tech Networks
Jerusalem Business Networking Forum (JBNF) The JBNF promotes business networking among primarily English speaking professionals in business, high tech and investment fields in Jerusalem. They have over 2000 members and report that “members have made $25 million of deals between themselves through networking and found over 150 people jobs.”
English Speaking Networking (ESN) ESN Jerusalem offers “an incredible opportunity to network with business owners and grow your network,” with regular events for English-speaking professionals.
Industry-Specific Meetups Professional networking groups include GEN Israel, Startup Grind Tel Aviv, Mind the Product, and Application Security Meetups, with membership ranging from 2,500 to nearly 5,000 professionals.
Language Learning and Cultural Integration
Hebrew Language Programs
Ulpan Classes Intensive Hebrew language programs are among the best places to meet both fellow immigrants and helpful Israelis. Many immigrants find that “most of his friends from ulpan” become their closest social connections.
Language Exchange Events Tel Aviv Cool Language Exchange hosts events where “local Israelis practice English/Spanish/Russian and help all participants with Hebrew, immigrants practice their Hebrew and help others practice foreign languages, and tourists meet locals.” The groups typically include Russian, English, Hebrew, Spanish, German and French speakers.
Educational Opportunities
Further your education through “language classes, workshops and courses that interest you, ranging from cooking classes that teach Israeli cuisine to tech workshops, prevalent in Israel’s startup scene” and “university programs” which are “melting pots of cultures and a hotbed for new interactions.”
Volunteer Organizations
Volunteering offers excellent opportunities to meet like-minded people while contributing to Israeli society. There are hundreds of volunteer opportunities in Israel and volunteering is an excellent way for new immigrants to integrate and immerse themselves into the community and culture while meeting Israelis from all backgrounds.
Major Volunteer Organizations
ESRA (English Speaking Residents Association) ESRA is “Israel’s largest English speaking community network, committed to successful integration of olim, and bridging equity gaps in Israeli society. We provide services and activities, suited to all ages and stages of the aliya process, including personal support, networking activities, volunteering opportunities, social and cultural events, and special interest groups.”
Yad Sarah Yad Sarah welcomes “men and women from all walks of life, young and old, rich and poor, from every religious and ethnic background” who volunteer “whether for two hours a week, or on a daily basis.” The organization provides “ongoing training, guidance and a feeling of belonging to one big, warm family” along with “special social and cultural activities for volunteers.”
Volunteers for Israel (VFI) VFI’s mission is to connect Americans to Israel through volunteer service by partnering with Israeli organizations that enable volunteers to work side-by-side with Israelis. Programs include working with IDF soldiers, archaeological digs, and community rebuilding projects.
Local Volunteer Opportunities
Tel Aviv-Specific Organizations: Tel Aviv offers numerous volunteer opportunities including the Arab-Jewish Community Center in Jaffa serving “more than 3,000 Jewish, Muslim and Christian members,” Save a Child’s Heart which “save[s] the life of a child with a heartdefect from a developing country” every 29 hours, and The African Refugee Development Center founded by “African asylum seekers and Israeli citizens.”
Interest-Based Communities
Sports and Recreation
Fitness and Sports Groups Popular sports communities include “The Israel Climbers Club,” “Ultimate Frisbee” groups playing “every Saturday in Tel Aviv at HaYarkon park,” “Critical Mass Tel Aviv” monthly cyclist meetups, and “Tel Aviv Co-Ed Football and Beer Club” meeting “every Saturday at Charles Clore Park.”
Adventure Activities For adventure enthusiasts, join “Tel Aviv Derby Girls – Roller Derby Israel” or “The Longboard Girls Crew Israel – A diverse group of riders from different corners of the globe who want to build a community and encourage girls of all levels to grab a board.”
Arts and Culture
Creative Communities Tel Aviv’s cultural scene includes “Israel Writers Studio” offering “ongoing classes, one-day workshops, one-on-one mentoring and a writers community,” and “The Tel Aviv Folk Club” which “has been meeting regularly, twice each month since 1987” presenting “four gigs of live folk music” with “a very close-knit, warm and friendly community.”
Women’s Groups Female-focused communities include “Women in Digital – Women in Digital Israel” supporting “Women in their digital careers through networking, lectures, workshops, courses, mentoring and employment opportunities,” “She Codes” for women interested in “programming, technology and entrepreneurship,” and “School of Shine” which “hosts unique events and offers proven tools to help women infuse more positive habits into their daily lives.”
Established Anglo Communities
Regional Organizations
Association of Americans and Canadians in Israel (AACI) A well-established organization providing legal advice, social events, and integration support for North American immigrants.
H.O.B. (British Immigrants’ Association) H.O.B. “is a voluntary organisation established in the early 1950s” that helps “British immigrants from the UK and Ireland and further their integration by providing social, educational and cultural activities at branches throughout the country.” They organize “monthly breakfasts in a café in Tel Aviv; wine- and food-tasting evenings; music evenings; poetry, literature and film evenings; lectures; quizzes and barbeques” along with “National events such as the Annual Convention/AGM, a Chol Hamoed Succot event, an annual supper quiz and a Yom Ha’atzmaut day trip.”
Religious Communities
Hadassah-Israel Hadassah-Israel is “a volunteer, Zionist, non-partisan women’s organization with chapters and groups all over the country” that “works toward improving the quality of life in Israel in regards to health, education, new-immigrant absorption, women’s status and children at risk.” They provide “Annual conferences, health study days, and national meetings” offering “stimulating topics and social interaction with members throughout the country.”
City-Specific Social Scenes
Tel Aviv
Beach and Café Culture Tel Aviv offers the most cosmopolitan social environment in Israel, with extensive beach clubs, café culture, and nightlife. The city attracts a large international community and maintains an active English-speaking social scene.
Tech and Startup Community As Israel’s tech capital, Tel Aviv hosts numerous startup events, tech meetups, and professional networking opportunities that attract both locals and internationals.
Jerusalem
Academic and Cultural Environment Jerusalem’s social scene centers around its universities, cultural institutions, and diverse religious communities. The city offers a more varied demographic with numerous study groups, cultural events, and religious community activities.
Haifa
Mixed Community Atmosphere Haifa offers a unique environment with its “Secret Haifa” community and “Haifisha” which provides “regular updates about upcoming public events and community life for English speakers.” The city’s mixed Arab-Jewish population creates distinctive cultural opportunities.
Smaller Cities and Communities
Anglo-Concentrated Areas Cities like Ra’anana, Modi’in, Beit Shemesh, and Efrat have established English-speaking communities with regular social events, community centers, and family-friendly activities.
Age-Specific Strategies
Young Professionals (20s-30s)
University and Study Programs International study programs, exchange students, and local universities provide natural social environments for young people.
Nightlife and Social Events Tel Aviv’s extensive bar and club scene, Jerusalem’s café culture, and organized social events cater to younger demographics.
Families with Children
School and Parent Networks Parent-teacher associations, playground connections, and children’s activity groups provide natural meeting opportunities for families.
Family-Oriented Organizations Many communities organize family-friendly events, children’s programs, and parent support groups.
50+ and Retirees
Senior Community Programs Established communities offer senior centers, cultural groups, travel clubs, and continuing education programs specifically designed for older adults.
Practical Implementation Strategies
First Steps for New Arrivals
- Join Relevant Facebook Groups: Start with city-specific and general immigrant groups
- Attend Meetup Events: Choose activities based on your interests and professional background
- Enroll in Hebrew Classes: Ulpan provides both language skills and social connections
- Find Volunteer Opportunities: Select organizations aligned with your values and interests
- Connect with Established Organizations: Join professional or cultural associations relevant to your background
Building Meaningful Connections
Be Patient and Persistent Building Israeli friendships requires patience: “Half the fun of aliya (immigration to Israel) is that you get to go to school again, learn to read, dream about what you want to be ‘when you grow up,’ and, of course, you get to make new friends.”
Embrace Cultural Differences Accept the directness of Israeli communication, show genuine interest in Israeli culture and current events, and be open to different social rhythms and expectations.
Reciprocate Hospitality Israelis value home hospitality. Invite people for Shabbat dinners, casual gatherings, and holiday celebrations once you’re settled.
Overcoming Common Challenges
Language Barriers Don’t let limited Hebrew prevent social engagement. Many Israelis speak English, and showing effort to learn Hebrew demonstrates respect and commitment.
Cultural Integration Learn about Israeli holidays, traditions, and social customs. Understanding references to shared experiences like military service helps in conversations.
Geographic Considerations Consider proximity when choosing activities and groups. Israeli social life often revolves around neighborhood communities and local connections.
Long-Term Friendship Maintenance
Sustaining Relationships
Regular Contact Maintain consistent communication through social media, phone calls, and regular meetups.
Participate in Life Events Attend weddings, bar/bat mitzvahs, and other significant celebrations. These events are central to Israeli social life.
Group Dynamics Israeli friendships often involve group socializing. Participate in group activities and welcome integration into existing friend circles.
**Seasonal and Holiday Partici