(The analysis of cultural differences contained below is based on my doctoral thesis, available at the Hebrew University library and other places). Last night, a 16-year old boy shared with me some insights from his recent experience of switching to an all-American school in Israel. "Our classes are conducted all in English," he said, "but that wasn't the best part. When kids wanted to talk, they raised their hands first! Now that was surprising!" As if to say, in his entire repertoire of experiences in Israeli classrooms, he has never seen kids systematically raising their hands to talk. His comment underscores the depth of cultural differences between Americans and Israelis. The Israeli culture of discourse, full of constant interruption, heavy gesticulating, and unsmiling, un-nuanced interactions, can be quite jarring to many Anglo immigrants (though those of hailing us from New York perhaps shouldn't rush to judge.)