The Source of Israel’s Happiness
The Source of Israel’s Happiness
July 20, 2015
Jewish Link of New Jersey — The Better Life Index, also known as the Happiness Report, was recently released by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, rating the highest life satisfaction scores of 36 countries.
The fact that Israel is ranked fifth on the list, behind Denmark, Iceland, Switzerland and Finland, has mystified many people.
How can a country that has existed in a constant state of war since its inception be so happy?
One reason, suggested by Prof. Joshua Lipsitz, of BGU’s Department of Psychology, is that most Israelis are more interconnected than citizens of other other countries. They know each other and are concerned about each other’s welfare.
Thus, the sense of loneliness and alienation that people living in large population centers often experience is less common in Israel.
While you may sometimes prefer to be left alone than to answer to multiple Yiddishe Mamas intruding on their goings-on, the general feeling of being connected to others is a source of happiness and contentment for many Israelis.
Read more on the Jewish Link of New Jersey website >>
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