Israel 201

Israel is in the news a lot, and almost always for the same things: conflict, elections, or the occasional start-up that sells for a billion
dollars.

In Israel 201, Joel Chasnoff and Benji Lovitt pull back the curtain and show you the people, places, and phenomena that make the country truly unique, and that can happen “only in Israel.” From Yom Kippur bike sales to Jerusalem’s cat conundrum, shomer Shabbos car insurance to LGBTQ combat soldiers in the IDF, this is the Israel you
haven’t heard about.

Based on the authors’ own experiences living in Israel a combined twenty-five years and interviews with Israeli A-listers like Fauda cocreator Avi Issacharoff, Olympian Yael Arad, and others, Israel 201 is a behind-the-scenes look at the magic, mystery, and chaos of one of the most fascinating, and misunderstood, countries on earth.

Joel Chasnoff is a stand-up comedian and author of multiple books, including the comedic memoir The 188th Crybaby Brigade, about his service in the Israel Defense Forces, and Essential Tennis, which he cowrote with coach Ian Westermann. To date, he’s performed comedy at more than a thousand Jewish fundraisers and social events in ten countries. A Chicago native, Joel now lives in Ra’anana, Israel. Video clips, tour info, and more at
Benji Lovitt grew up in Dallas, Texas, and immigrated to Israel in 2006. For the past fifteen years, he’s performed stand-up comedy and delivered cultural presentations about Israel for audiences in North America, Israel, Europe, South Africa, and Australia. His unique comedic perspective on Israeli society and Israelis has led him to be an oft-featured guest on Israeli TV and radio and in media outlets including USA Today, BBC Radio, Time Magazine, and The Atlantic. More on Benji at