personal › Beachcomber

Michal Aharonson, Gador Beach, December 2024

"Now, after the evacuation of the 7th of October war, I am preparing to return home, both mentally and practically. The return does not stress me. I need to start thinking about the future, when living alone in my apartment will become difficult. I prefer to make these decisions from my home rather than from a place I do not belong to. I am excited to get back to doing the things I love. I plan to take a tour guide course for my enjoyment, without intending to work in the field, and next month, I am going on a trek in Laos. But more than anything, I am excited to wake up in the morning and sit with a cup of coffee, gazing at the view."

Michal Chen Amir, Givat Ha'alyia Beach, September 2024

"My dog Luna has a lot of energy, and was always running away, so I looked for a dog-friendly beach where she could have more freedom. I visited many beaches, but there is something magical about this one. A community has formed here through the dogs. Often, we learn the dogs' names before we even know the owners' names. Now, it's a daily tradition—I wake up almost every day at five, organize the dogs, and head to the beach. My kids are grown, so most of my time is spent with the dogs, filling my home with joy. I am never alone—there is always someone there who is happy to see me."

Michael Katznelson, Michmoret Beach, January 2023

"On the first night of the First Lebanon War, a 10-year-old boy fired an RPG at us. The rocket exploded centimeters away from me on the asphalt road. My face was completely sprayed, like a black mask, and in those seconds, I knew I was also saying goodbye to my leg. At that moment, I realized my life was about to change. Many people fall into darkness and give up on themselves in those situations, but my inner strength brought me back to the light, to the game of life. In the hospital, I was in a life-threatening condition, but I decided the injury would not hold me back in life—that I was going to soar."

Meir Peri, Ha'Sira Beach (Habonim), July 2024

“On October 6th, we celebrated my eldest son Yuval's engagement to his girlfriend, and that evening, Tomer, my younger son, headed to the Nova party with friends. 8 AM on Saturday, I woke up to a phone call from Tomer: "Dad, come and rescue me! We're hiding in the trenches. There are gunshots above us." I quickly got dressed, took my weapon, and drove at high speed to the location he sent me. I'm not a combatant, but when your child is in danger, you become one automatically. We crammed everyone into the car and drove home. Rescuing him from the Nova party scared me less than worrying about Tomer and Yuval during reserve duty periods that came after.”

Maya Oshri, Hatzuk Beach, June 2023

"When I was 5 years old, walking back from kindergarten, I found myself in a situation that is the nightmare of all parents. A stranger started talking to me and convinced me to get into his car. He took me to an area with agricultural fields, and tried to do what he wanted to do with me. I managed to escape to an agricultural school nearby, shouting for them to call my mom. I processed this story for the stage. On the evening we presented the pieces, my mom was in the audience, and didn’t know what she was about to see. I was afraid to confront her with it. At the end of the piece, I ran to hug her, and she said it was good that I presented the story—for both of us."

May, Liraz, Shirel & Nili, The Arcs Beach, Caesarea, February 2023

"I had one very strange incident while volunteering in the MDA. On the tablet in the ambulance, there was suddenly a call about a stroke, and the address was my building. I immediately recognized my neighbor's name, who lives in the apartment right across from mine. I quickly called my dad, who was at home, and told him to go to the neighbor quickly until we arrived. We immediately evacuated him to Ichilov Hospital for catheterization. I was glad that I was there to help him." May

Luda Kobpack, North Acco Beach, July 2023

"I grew up in a village in Moldova. It was the best way to grow up, in a rural bubble surrounded by vineyards, books, heroes, and ideals. At the age of 18, I traveled to visit a friend who lived in Ukraine. I was a village girl visiting a big city for the first time. There, I met my first husband. It was love at first sight. Our daughter was born when I was 22—I was so young. My husband passed away suddenly when our baby was 4 months old. I was so naive; I didn't even see the signs that he was a drug addict. It was a tragedy."

Karina Litbanenko, Neot Beach, Kiryat Haim, February 2022

"My mom raised me to be an independent person from a young age. It's something characteristic of people from Ukraine. She used to send me to kindergarten with bread and small cheeses, like spreadable ones, and a disposable knife, while the other children got pre-made sandwiches. The kindergarten teacher was shocked by this. Most kids my age still don’t live alone, and certainly don’t rent apartments starting from the age of 20. On the other hand, some kids get married at 20. But maybe that’s dependency and not independence."

Jon & Patricia, Gold Beach, Caesarea, August 2023

"Look around here; half of the swimmers are Arabs, and everything is beautiful and joyful. In South Africa, the beaches were exclusively for white people, and everything was separated. We couldn’t stand the situation there any longer, so we moved to Israel.” John “In South Africa, we had a maid—it was simply the norm for white families, wealthy or not. In Israel, when we started to do the housework ourselves, we hardly knew how to use a broom. This is no joke—the first time I had to take out the trash, I threw up.” Patricia

Jason Saban, Be'er Sheva Beach, Ashdod, January 2023

"I go to the beach often to think about life and make phone calls. I’ve just finished wishing Happy New Year to all my friends and family in France. I also make many phone calls to clients from here—the office is in Tel Aviv, but I only go there once a week for meetings. The beach has become my office; my brain works better here. I love the quiet of Ashdod. In Paris, your head feels like it's going to explode—you step outside and are surrounded by hundreds of people in every direction."

Irit Tzuk Kubachi, Turtle Nesting Farm, Betzet Beach, August 2022

"Rosh Pina is a wonderful place, but it’s missing two things: the sea and sunsets, because we’re at the foot of the mountain. So, when I come here, I fill that void, and at the same time, I do something good—helping sea turtles, which are endangered creatures. People say you should fulfill your dreams, and today I feel like I’m living the dream and doing what I want."

Hadar, Rotem & Tamar, Gador Beach, May 2022

"In our community, boys are raised with the expectation of joining combat units, but most women do national service, so I looked for something that would feel meaningful to me. Thats how I got to 'Hashomer Hachadash'- an organization that helps farmers across the country with guarding and agricultural work. I feel like I am in the military, because farmers and soldiers share a similar role—to protect the country's land. Much of the agriculture is near the country's borders, such as in the Gaza envelope, where the only thing that separates the settlements from Gaza is agriculture.” Rotem

Galina Svingen, Sela Beach, Bat-yam, November 2022

"No one wants to fight in a war they don't even understand the reasons for. It's essentially a civil war between two nations that don't have a dispute. No one dares to deliver bad news to Putin, so he continues to live in a bubble. All Russians know the country is run by a dictator with corrupt bureaucrats, but until the mobilization, it didn't affect daily life. People tend to turn a blind eye to reality and focus only on small comforts until reality crashes down on them—like in 1941, when they tried to maintain normal life on the eve of the Nazi invasion of Russia. Right now, we're all waiting for peace so we can once again think about life moving forward."

Eleanora, Ilana & Nadia, Givat Aliya Beach, Tel-Aviv, February 2022

"The film festival I manage takes place once a year in Kansk, Siberia. Kansk is a small town in the Krasnoyarsk region. The founders of the festival accidentally discovered Kansk online because in Russian, its name is pronounced the same as 'Cannes,' the famous film festival located in France. This is how it was chosen to host the festival. The festival usually takes place in August, but this year, due to COVID-related delays, it was held in January. It was minus 27 degrees Celsius there. Yet, people still came. Meanwhile, here it's 18 degrees Celsius, and the beach is empty." Nadia

Eitan, Rotem & May, Gaash Beach, August 2024

"My father taught me how to fish from the moment I could stand and hold a fishing rod, around the age of two or three. I used to wait eagerly for my dad to return from work so we could go down to the sea to fish. It was a hobby that connected me deeply to my father and created a special chemistry between us. I am continuing the tradition with my daughters. I have always loved the tranquility of fishing—the calmness that comes from casting the line and waiting patiently. It’s not for everyone." Eitan

Dimitri & Anna, Pigeon Mound Beach, Rishon Letziyon, February 2023

Anna: " Dimitri and I studied economics. I didn’t enjoy it, so after completing my degree, I went on to study floral design. I studied for two years to earn a diploma and another two years to become a 'master florist.' We learned how to create works of art, not just simple round bouquets. There are many international floral design competitions, and numerous 'land art' festivals. In land art, you work outdoors, using materials from your surroundings: soil, rocks, branches, and plants. You create sculptures and installations that remain on site until they naturally decay. It’s incredibly fun." Dmitry: "Much more than economics."

Deborah, Merav & Zehava, Metzukey-Yam Beach, June 2022

"It would have been easier to say that Merav is my daughter, rather than my sister, but she likes to tell people the truth. Merav and I share the same father. I call her my 'bonus child.' I have three children: Noah, Aviva, and Zehava. When Aviva was 16, her best friend Kayla left home, and since then, I’ve been raising her. She’s my second 'bonus child." Deborah

Danny Yitzhak, Rock Beach, Bat-Yam, August 2023

"About twenty years ago, I met on the beach an elderly man who was solving cryptic crosswords, and he taught me how to solve them. His wife was suffering from multiple sclerosis, and he needed help caring for her at their home in Bat Yam. I was happy to help, voluntarily. Later, when he became ill, I took care of him too. That experience changed my life. After the elderly man passed away, he left me part of his inheritance. With this money, I was able to fulfill my dream, to buy a house right on the seafront."

Dan & Nate (Natan), The Surfers Beach, Bat-Yam, March 2022

"I met Nate a few years ago at a birthday party in Jerusalem. A mutual friend of ours had always said we should meet, and by chance, we ran into each other at a small house party. We hit it off right away—we're both skaters and create music. We cemented the friendship a month later when we met for a session of skateboarding, graffiti, and music—they go hand in hand. Since then, we've been experiencing, creating, and improving together. We became true friends- brothers from another mother." Dan

Beth & Anat, Palmachim Beach, August 2024

"Every week, Anat and I come to the beach, even now during the war. Anat is more adventurous than me, and I follow her lead. She insists we get here before sunrise, while it’s still dark. She allows me to connect with nature, find peace, and process things together—whether personal or philosophical." Beth "With Beth, I can be silent, not just talk, which creates a way to truly be together. Each time, we focus on something else—the shells, the pebbles, or the birds. That heron you see here, we’ve known it for years, and it knows us too. We meditate here, merge with the beach, and return cleansed." Anat

Ami & Judith, Beit Yanai Beach, October 2024

"16 years ago, I discovered I had a tumor. Even before the biopsy results, I went to a health retreat, and attended a lecture about Ann Wigmore. She was one of the pioneers of raw food and veganism, and healed herself twice from cancer through her diet and healthy lifestyle. As soon as I received the positive biopsy results, I adopted Wigmore's methods. I was under medical observation, without any medication, and by the end of the year, the biopsy showed I was completely clear." Judith "After we retired, we had more time for vegan activism. We decided to dedicate most of our time to ensuring the continued existence of the planet for future generations." Ami

Ariela Almaro, Gador Beach, January 2023

"We moved to Ein Hayam to be close to the sea. We built two housing units attached to the house to cover the mortgage. We have excellent relationships with the tenants—like that of parents and children. When I grow old, it will be the tenants who will take care of me. One of them, David, has been with me for seven years. He had childhood trauma from the sea, and has been afraid of going in since. I carried him on my back, slowly, into the water until he regained the confidence to swim, and now, at the age of thirty, he even does free diving."

Avigail Zakai, Argaman Beach, Netanya, September 2023

"As a child, I always wanted to become religious, but didn’t succeed. When my daughter was 15, I noticed she was becoming more religious. It hurt me that she was alone in this, so I followed her, as if God was trying to guide me back to religion. My daughter was my rabbi in this process. Since I became religious, I am no longer afraid of life because I have someone to rely on. Life is not easy, but when you serve God with joy, He gives back to you, and I feel this all the time."

Yossef Azar, Beit Yanai Beach, February 2022

"At 18, I went to my first outdoor trance parties, and it was quite fun, but there were also many super uncool aspects. People harm themselves through improper substance use and become wildly scary, rude, and violent. When people let loose, it can go in many directions, and it greatly depends on the guidance provided by the event producers. I try to preserve the pleasant and safe feeling we experience in nature, even for events of 600 people. The goal is for people to open up, dare, and undergo a deep process together, without the need for substances."

Yasmin Chiadri, Shakmuna Beach, August 2024

"In the first months of the war, I felt the mutual fear between Arabs and Jews. In my work with Jewish colleagues, everyone was afraid to talk about the war. In the dining room, I sat with Jewish friends and said that we are not politicians, we are friends, practically family, and what is happening is not our fault. That eased the tension, and we went back to working together in a normal atmosphere. We shouldn’t operate under the influence of politicians, and the fear we get from the media. I believe that in everything in life, you can get a second chance—except for death. I want to turn the world into my dance floor."

Yarden Talia & Inbar, Gaash Beach, September 2022

“The philosopher Francis Bacon wrote a metaphor about different approaches to science, and it’s just as accurate when it comes to art. He described the ‘ant’ that only gathers materials from the outside and builds with them; the ‘spider’ that produces solely with materials it creates within itself; and the ‘bee’ that collects from the outside and transforms it into something new. I got a bee tattoo on my leg, along with a butterfly that symbolizes transformation.” Yarden

Amit Amir, Olga Beach, July 2024

"I’ve always been surrounded by animals. In the army, a reservist came across two mallard ducklings, a type of duck, and I decided with my commander to raise them. We designated an unused room for them, set up a tub with water, and brought them chicken feed from the moshav. When I was looking for a cat, I wanted a specific breed, a 'Maine Coon,' and through Facebook, I found someone giving away Tush. This breed is very intelligent, so now I’m trying to train him to go outside the house. For now, I carry him, but I’m getting him accustomed to walking with the leash."

Alex & Yelena, Be'er-Sheva Beach, Ashdod, November 2024

"The openness of Israeli society creates a sense of security more than anything else. Once there’s mutual trust, relationships between people become simpler. For example, when we arrived in Ashdod and wanted to enroll Kira in kindergarten, we needed to bring documents to the kindergarten teacher. We were worried because we didn’t have the documents yet. The teacher laughed and said that if we trusted her with our daughter, how could she not trust us to bring some documents? we were shocked—this would never happen in Russia." Alex

Yonatan Azran, The Separate Beach, Akko, February 2020

"Being a truck driver wasn’t a job I planned to do for life, just a temporary one, but in the end, I connected with it. I’ve learned to stay calm on the road. When I’m behind the wheel, I enter ‘the zone,’ and if someone cuts me off or curses me, I just stick to my own thing and drive as calmly and cautiously as possible. It’s not worth ruining your health by getting angry while driving. What difference does it make if you get home half an hour earlier or later?"

Agam & Anna, Palmachim Beach, March 2022

“All my life, I’ve had questions about the purpose of my existence, and after completing my military service, I began exploring it in a concrete way—not just theoretically. I thought my journey would lead me to Japan, to Zen, but instead I ended up in India, where I was treated by a renowned bone healer for several good months. At some point, I realized that there’s no need to go all the way to Japan to experience life. Life exists even in a traffic jam in Ramat Gan, and not only in a monastery where all I have in mind is Buddha.” Agam

Yaniv Turgeman, Palmachim Beach, June 2023

“After returning from Costa Rica, I was invited to cook at Kibbutz Palmachim for a birthday event for my future partner, who grew up here. I fell in love both with her and the place. It’s always such a joy to return to the kibbutz, the sea, and the tranquillity this place offers. Every morning here starts with black coffee and a short swim in the sea, which recharges me with energy for the rest of the day. When the kids come here, they immediately take off their shoes and walk around barefoot, just like true kibbutzniks.”

Nehurai & Avivit, The French Holiday Village Beach, Ashkelon, Aogust 2022

"We have been good friends since childhood, we grew up together on the same street in the Neve Dekalim neighborhood. Back then, it was at the edge of the city with orchards behind. Me, Nehorai, and his little brother used to play outside together all the time. Every summer, all summer long, we were at the beach, day after day." Avivit "Many people ask us, 'What, aren't you a couple?', but we don't care how people see us. And sometimes, instead of explaining, we just answer 'yes'." Nehorai

Natasha Michaelova, Sharon Beach, Herzeliya, July 2022

"Three years ago, I left my daughter with my father in Belarus and came to Israel with my mother to help support the family. I am here on a work visa. I have not visited Belarus since I arrived because I will lose my work permit if I leave Israel. It's difficult not to see my daughter for three years. She is already 14 years old, and I watch her grow up through the phone."

Rachel & Inbar, Givat Haaliya Beach, Tel-Aviv, February 2023

"Twice we had a Temple, but the reality was a lot of hatred among people. There is a verse, 'And they shall make Me a sanctuary, and I will dwell among them.' That means it's beautiful that David built a physical house for God, but first and foremost, we need God to dwell within us." Rachel "In Jewish studies, I learned that 'influence' is considered masculine and 'receptivity' feminine, and we all have both. For example, the womb surrounds and contains, which is considered a feminine trait, but, when necessary, it contracts and pushes out, a trait associated with masculinity." Inbar

Nissan Ilgin, Zukei Yam Beach, June 2024

"After the war broke out, I traveled several times to play music for soldiers and wounded in hospitals, which filled me with a feeling of unity and closeness to the people of Israel. I felt that all of Israel is one united tribe, and within all the chaos, I feel that my mission in this life is music. I'm trying to accept that and to release as much of my content to the world as possible."

Nir Gafurov, Betzet Beach, April 2022

"When I was a child, I played football and was good at it. At 13, I was invited to an assessment in Spain, But I didn't fly. I had a fear of flights and my father didn't push me to go for it. In ninth grade, I took a break from football. There were several teams interested in me that contacted my father during this time, but he didn't tell me anything about it. That's how I stopped playing. I feel like it was a dream of mine and now I lost that opportunity."

Roi, Noam & Nadav, Palmachim Beach, March 2022

"I grew up in the far north in a kibbutz. it felt isolated, but it was a wonderful childhood with a sense of freedom and independence. We often think about how to pass on some of those feelings to Nadav. It’s not easy in the modern world, but there are also advantages—he is exposed to much more than we were. We are looking for a balance between exposure and disconnection—we don't let him be in front of screens, and go on walks with him." Noam

Roi Kadosh, Electricity Beach, Ashdod, March 2023

"In my youth, I had the option to go in a criminal direction or a normative one, equally, but at that age, the criminal element was more attractive—luxury cars, respect, and trips abroad. I started working with my uncle. I was sent to collect money from people who owed him, and if we needed to do things unpleasantly, then we did. There's a dark side within every person. If he doesn’t nurture and develop his confidence, he can quickly drift to that side."

Reut & Yaara, Tzukey-Yam Beach, December 2024

"As the sea is my doctor, movement is my nurse. My body has always been thirsty for movement, to test its boundaries. Now I treat many Nova victims and injured soldiers with movement. The body remembers emotions, and sometimes it’s enough just to move it to release the pain." Reut

Yael & Meir, Gaash Beach, April 2023

"I grew up in a secular home, but I was always drawn to spirituality. It all came together for me in agricultural work, when I realized that all the complex systems in the soil couldn't exist without some higher power that unites this reality. The thought that there is a King in the world responsible for what happens, and not me, is a relief." Meir

Snir Golan, Achziv Beach, July 2020

"Photography is not just my profession, it's my love. I try to photograph for myself as much as possible, to calm my soul from all the madness, especially now during covid, when there are no events. I come to this beach at least three times a year, and each time I see something different - the reflections, the colors. The camera centers me and allows me to see what's in front of my eyes differently."

Shmuel Avrahami, Shikmona Beach, November 2022

"Seven years ago, I was diagnosed with cancer, so I decided to make the most of my life. I understood that the way to cope is to look for the beautiful things in life - to love and accept everything. I wasn't always like this, I was critical and angry. But until something serious happens, you're just plowing the same furrow, back and forth, until one day the plow breaks and you have to stop and think about how to fix it."

Shanti Om Danino , Jaffa-Bat Yam Border Beach, September 2024

"When I came back from India I was in a state of happiness, but unbalanced, without ground. My family and friends were very worried about my mental health because of that. During this time, I met a special woman named Hedva. When I came to her house, she opened the door, looked into my eyes, and said, 'Baby, you have arrived home!' I visited her every day. For my husband, she was just a weird old lady, but for me, she was the only one who understood what I was going through and accepted me as I was."

Gozal & Amnon, Zuk Beach, June 2022

"It was arranged for my mother to be my father's wife back in Iraq, but she didn't have an immigration certificate. Her father, who was very wealthy, bribed the son-in-law of King Abdullah of Jordan with a sum equivalent to half a villa, to smuggle her into Israel. That's how my mother arrived in Israel in '47 to be with my father, in the trunk of King Abdullah's car." Gozal "My grandmother was Einstein's cousin. In '35 she dreamt that Hitler was slaughtering the Jews, and thanks to the dream, they left Germany for Israel and were spared." Amnon

Martin & Rotem, Dog Beach, Tel-Aviv, June 2022

"My grandmother, Josefa, converted to Judaism to marry my grandfather. Grandma didn't particularly like Jews or religion, but she converted for love so that Grandpa could stay in touch with his family. When I was young, I would go to her house every weekend with my cousin. She would tell me about the trips she took with her friends all over the world. I inherited my wanderlust from her. After Grandma passed away, I tattooed her name on my arm in Hebrew. We were really good friends." Martin

Michal & Efrat, Palmachim Beach, May 2020

"In Watsu, we see the ancient connection to water that lies within us. The therapist gently rocks the patient in their arms, like a baby, which allows the patient to let go of everything. Entering the water takes us to primary places in our soul and body. Everyone who enters the water emerges as something different." Efrat

Misha Kraiberokov, Zikim Beach, May 2022

"I moved to Jerusalem to be closer to Judaism, where I got a job at the King David Hotel. I lived in a cheap apartment, but I didn't get along with my roommate, and he threw all my belongings out onto the street. I moved to live in a tent in the park near the hotel. In the mornings, I would go to the hotel, shower in the employee showers, eat, and start working. I lived this way for eight months. Now I also live in a tent close to the beach.”

Naomi Zimra, Trumpeldor Beach, May 2020

"The day before I enlisted to the army, I came to say goodbye to the sea for a while. I remember what I wrote when I returned from the beach: 'Sometimes I am very angry and the sea is calm, sometimes I am calm, and it is stormy and angry as if it needs to vent all its frustrations on me until I almost drown. Sometimes the sea is just dead and it suits me, because I also want to die for a second, in order to come back to life again'.”

Shaike [Jesaiah], Kineret & Uri Achziv Beach, July 2023

"Once, I sat here on the rocks at night, and saw an elderly man sitting alone, eating falafel. I told him, 'Hello, friend, I have a table and chair here on the beach, come sit and eat like a human.' He told me he'd had a fight with his wife and had come to the beach to get some fresh air. From that moment, we became friends. One day, he just disappeared. I came from Ashkelon to Nahariya to look for him. When I arrived at his house, they told me he had died of grief. He was 60 years old." Shaike

Naama & Shahar, Neurim Beach, July 2023

"At home, I worried that maybe I was too sensitive with the kids, that I was looking into everything too much. When I arrived at the Anthroposophical 'Ofek' school, it was like reaching paradise. Suddenly I discovered that this is also the message in anthroposophy, and I felt that I was right to follow my heart." Naama

Naor & Ron, Rosh Hanikra Beach, August 2022

“We got into diving a year ago, and now we go down to the sea every day after work to relax. Every diving session is an amazing experience. Recently I did a diving weekend in Eilat, and on the first day, I met an octopus. It's an insanely intelligent animal. On the second day, it understood that I didn't come to eat it, and it just climbed onto my hand and dived with me.” Ron

Nitzan & Merav, Neve Yam Beach, October 2022

"Most of my work as a student deals with my mother's death. Through my personal story, I try to connect to the feelings we all have of separation, memory, and forgetfulness. In one of my collages, you see me as a six-year-old girl, reaching up towards my mother, but her head is cut out of the picture. Sometimes I change the memories to what I would have liked them to be, or emphasize how my memories have blurred or been erased. Through photography, I got to know my mother better." Merav

Adam Levi, Trumpeldor beach, Tel-Aviv, May 2020

“One of the problems in a kibbutz, like within families, is that you get put into a specific role very early on and it's hard to change that perception later. I was the 'good kid' of the kibbutz. My brother, who lives in Tel Aviv, said, 'Come to the city and here you will be a complete stranger’. So, two years after my release from the army, I moved here. I really love the city—sitting in the cafes and on the benches in Chen Boulevard. I won’t go back to the kibbutz.”

Noor Zalaan, Dado Beach, Haifa, December 2022

“I was heavily influenced by Vivian Maier. Her photographs capture the beauty and uniqueness in everyone and every situation. When I’m walking around Tel Aviv, taking pictures, everyone sees me through a racist perspective: A religious Arab woman. It makes my photography political, whether I like it or not.”

Menachem, Niko & Avigdor, Sea Palace Beach, Bat Yam, October 2022

“I’m a 5th Dan, which is the highest rank in Shotokan karate. Since I became a pensioner, I practice two hours a day, every day. When I meet up with my friends who aren’t part of the karate world, I’m the only one who doesn’t groan when they get up from a chair. “ Niko

Momo (Shlomo) Ben Chelouche, Nirvana Beach, Haifa, February 2023

“Five years ago, my wife Miriam got diagnosed with cancer. I took care of her until the very end. She would often wake up at night from anxiety, I’d make her coffee and we would sit up smoking, sometimes right through until morning. She died just over a month ago, and Now I’m trying to enjoy whatever time I have left. I own a house nearby, but most of the time I live in my caravan, next to the sea. The peace and quiet here is priceless.”

Gugy (Gur) Yirmiyahu, Charles Clore Beach, Tel Aviv, January 2023

“I’m a politician in the broadest sense – I influence through social interaction. Humanity is like one being – if I’m happy, others around me will be happy; if I respect the environment, so will others. It sounds like a hippie cliché, but it’s just as true as the opposite: the need for Capitalism to be divisive. The theme of my bar, Gugy’s Public House, is the Unicorn, the nemesis of Capitalism. It symbolises freedom, love and magic – the opposite of the modern world in which man has become a robot.”

Avi & Dorit, Betzet beach, October 2022

“Like Avi, I also suffer from post-trauma. Seven years ago, my ex-husband tried to murder me. He beat me over the head with a hammer. I had to be kept on life-support, and it was a miracle I survived. The best therapy for me is coming to see Avi when he’s on the beach with his tent. I never miss a chance. It’s not so much the sea as being around Avi, and his kindness.” Dorit

Arsen, Yanna, Yegor, Sonya & Nick, The Dog Beach, Tel Aviv, April 2022

“I grew up in a place called Tyumen, in Siberia. I was different, I don’t look Slavic and was the only person with dark hair at school. I had to put up with bullying from classmates and even from the teachers. They couldn’t deal with my surname, Lieberman, and the fact that I’m Jewish. People can be cruel.” Yanna

Asia & Misha, Nof Yam beach, Herzliya, March 2023

“When the war broke out in Ukraine a year ago, we decided to leave Russia and immigrate to Israel. We want to raise our child in a free place where she won't be taught at school that she must love the leader. We are aware of the judicial overhaul happening in Israel right now, but I don't think it will be like in Russia.” Asia

Angelina & Luba, Palmachim beach, September 2022

“The pictures aren’t meant to be provocative, or to turn someone on, they’re meant to show our personality, our beauty. It’s nice to get positive reactions on Instagram, to feel like you’re in the celeb world, and if somebody writes something we don’t like, we just block them.” Angelina

Amos & Rina, Ashkelon beach, March 2022

"I can't explain it, but from the moment I retired, something changed in me. I always used to feel cold, but now I don’t. I go into the sea even when it's cold and rainy.” Rina

Amit & Hanan, Palmachim beach, November 2022

"I live in Amidar, the same neighbourhood I grew up in. I’m surrounded by a lot of the friends who grew up with me, and our kids are friends with each other as well. Birthdays are a hundred people. If my car gets stuck, I make a call, and ten friends are ready to come and help me out. It's great. You can always choose to be alone. That's why we come here, for a bit of quiet." Hanan

Alon Sochilin, Zikim beach, May 2022

“During the military operation in Gaza of May last year, my girlfriend and I decided, ‘That’s it, this time it’s gone too far!’, and we moved to Eilat, far from the missiles. But my whole life I’ve lived near the Gaza Border, and you become indifferent to the dangers, so we came back after a fortnight and last September we moved to Kibbutz Kfar Aza.” (A year later, Alon survived the Hamas massacre of October 7th 2023. Many of his friends were murdered or kidnapped).

Sasha (Alexandra) Ketarnchuk, Blue Bay beach, Netanya, January 2023

"On February 24th last year, I woke up to the sound of the first missiles that fell on Kyiv. My father went straight to volunteer to fight against the Russians, even though he had no training as a soldier. My mother left for Germany, and I boarded a plane to Israel. For the first month I lived alone in a rented apartment in Ramat Gan and just cried. I had no family and friends, and there was always terrible news about the war."

Akram & Hitam, Zikim beach, April 2023

"For ten years now, I’ve been fishing here, far from the public beach and really close to the Gaza border. Sometimes I even sleep here. There’s a military post here, the soldiers know me, and sometimes, at night, they shine light on the water to help me. The sea has no faith. Right now it's calm, but in an hour it might turn and become rough. It’s in God's hands.” Akram

Yuval Levi, Charles Clore Beach, Tel Aviv, November 2021

“I’m a sex columnist, but my subject isn’t really about sex, but love, and how we are prepared to overcome so many obstacles to get there. I suffer from anxiety, and the best remedy is to be in the here and now, and not stuck inside my head. On the beach all my senses are alive, and that helps me to feel connected, and I have no doubt that sex helps in a similar way.”

Luba Sheiner, Galei Galil Beach, Nahariya February 2022

“We moved to Tel Aviv and divorced soon after. I was completely alone, but I didn’t want to return to the Ukraine. At that time there was terrible poverty there and I didn’t want to feel like I’d failed in Israel. I grew up with Communism. We were told what to do, so we never learned to be independent. I had no idea how to find work and an apartment.”

Michael Rishoni, Be’er Sheva Beach, Ashdod February 2022

“I’ve been working for 25 years on a Hebrew-English Dictionary - over 10,000 pages piled on six chairs and constantly growing. There's at least another 20 years’ work left, so I might not be alive to finish it. I’m not worried. When Jacob, the second Grimm brother, died in 1863 he was only up to F in their monumental dictionary, the Deutsches Wörterbuch. It took scholars 100 years more to complete.”

Itay ‘Houston’ Hadar, Metzukey Dragot Beach, Dead Sea, November 2021

“I grew up in the Jesse Cohen neighbourhood. Violence was the norm. Mum beat and abused me and Dad was an alcoholic. When I was 11 I had a fight with another kid and nearly killed him. Thank God he survived. I knew I couldn’t carry on like that.” (Itay was murdered by Hamas terrorists at the Psyduck Music Festival massacre on October 7th 2023)

Ido & Shaun, Metzukei Dragot Beach, Dead Sea, September 2020

Gal Rozner, Poleg Beach January 2022

“Aside from the ability to defend myself, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu gave me many other tools for life in general. In my first competition at 14 I thought I would take my opponents apart, but I got my ass kicked and lost in the first round. My trainer taught me that there are no losses – either you win, or you learn. It’s true. I’ve learnt more from the losses than the wins.”

Eyal Golan, Ga’ash Beach, January 2022

“The understanding that we’re on a flat earth encased by a firmament and that there is a creator gives life meaning and harmony. You’re listening to intuition instead of authority. My wife won’t accept my views. She’s a neuropsychologist. I try not to talk about it with her.”

Ofri & Yehuda, Achziv Beach, January 2022

“I’d be happy to have eight children, like my parents, but I know Ofri feels differently. I believe that God will provide.”

Amir Asadi, Achziv Beach, December 2021

“I like my life. Sunday to Thursday, 9 to 5, I work as a partner in my father’s finance and tax returns company. When work finishes on Thursday evening, I take a girlfriend with me in the GMC and go travelling until Sunday morning.”

Nadine Amiel, Shave Zion Beach, January 2022

“During self-isolation my husband Shlomi began reading a lot about Wellbeing, Bio-hacking and discovered ‘The Iceman’, Wim Hof. Hof’s method involves getting into freezing water, breathing with a special technique, then into a sauna and back again. Shlomi made a cold tub from an industrial freezer, we bought a sauna, and 2-3 times a week we break the ice and practice Hof’s method.”

Roi & Tal, Palmachim Beach, December 2021

“I studied Sound Engineering at the Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts. I thought my English was good until I got there. I didn’t understand a thing. A friend from London helped me with the language and how to hold a conversation in England. Israelis carry on for hours about the same subject, but Brits freely associate and jump from subject to subject.” Roi

Revi, Blue Beach, Rishon LeZion December 2021

“When I returned to Israel from Russia, I went to the Contact Improvisation Convention. It was my first experience with that world of movement and touch. It saved a lot of people from their loneliness during Corona and helped keep them sane…I believe that the best medicine is intimacy and physical contact between people.”

Sela Beach Veterans, December 2021

“My son, his wife and their 3 kids have lived with me for 14 years. He’s 43 and works at Ikea, but he can’t afford rent. I worked 20 years in special ed, now I’m a nanny for a family with 3 kids. I get home from work, then I start a second ‘shift’ with my grandchildren. It’s ok, I think. Keeps me healthy.” Michal

Tamar Levinson, Gador Beach November 2021

“Dad died when I was seven. We were on holiday in Neot Smadar and one evening dad drove home to Jerusalem to take care of some work. Just at that time there was a burglar in the house, and when dad walked in the burglar shot him. I don’t have much to say about the event – it’s what defined who I am.”

Sofia & Milana, Betzet Beach, January 2022

Eldan, Yanai & Mikey, Poleg Beach, November 2021

“Perhaps I shouldn’t be saying this for your column, but the bottom line is that the size of the fish you catch does matter.” Eldan

Noam & Netanel, Nitzanim Beach, October 2021

“My sister’s neighbour had identical twin girls my age, beautiful as angels, but one wicked and the other kind. I fell in love with the kind one, but I was a weird Haredi kid and she paid me no attention. Back at the Yeshiva I wrote a love song for her and stupidly showed it to another student who snitched on me to the Rabbi. The Rabbi scolded me. I didn’t get it. ‘What could be more beautiful?’, I said. He ordered me to pack and leave, and so began my wanderings.” Netanel

Daniella Nassee, Metzukey Yam Beach, October 2021

“I was at an Ashram in Australia. At one of the evening meditations there was a woman that danced naked. I stood up to the guru and told him it was creating antagonism among the participants. He responded by exposing himself to me and yelling ‘Don’t you see this as an expression of beauty?’. I decided it was time to split.”

The Belabitski Family, Yud-Alef Beach, Ashdod October 2021

“After Elyana was diagnosed with Autism, we switched kindergarten five times, school twice and then she was moved to home schooling, permanently. Outdoors, she touched and smelled everything she saw. In winter she didn’t want to dress up warm and eventually stopped going outdoors altogether. The available medication in Belarus was no help. We emigrated to Israel in the hope that they could help our daughter.” Elyona

Nili Romano, Tel Baruch Beach, October 2021

“Dad was a customs broker. I would help him in his office in the old port. On my way to the office Shuki the sailor stared at me. I said, ‘Careful you don’t become cross eyed!’. Later on, we began to date. Dad wouldn’t let me marry a sailor but said I could decide for myself when I finish army service. I finished the army and married Shuki.”

Edna and Fez, Ha’Tzuk Beach South, October 2021

“Ten years ago, I stopped farming and became a pensioner. Now I get up at 2am every morning, without an alarm clock, collect 400 newspapers from the distributor and deliver them in Ramat Aviv on foot, 6km every day. I know the entry codes on the intercom of every building. By 5:30 I’m on the beach with my friends.” Fez

Mousa Abu Hassan, Rosh Hanikra Beach Reserve, September 2021

“Since the massive oil leak in February, I’ve been in charge of ten workers on the beach, cleaning up the tar. It’s tough, filthy work. We work on the dried tar with hammers and chisels, but you can’t do much with wet tar and it’s also poisonous. The sea keeps bringing up more tar, as quick as we can clean it. “

Tali and Iman, Givat Ha’Aliya Beach, December 2021

“Iman is an Arab and I’m Jewish, but there’s no real difference between us. Even the riots in May didn’t affect our relationship. We both talk about the same things.” Tali

Yuli Smolianski, Metzuda Beach, Ashdod, September 2021

“Long-distance running prepared me for the marathon of being a mother. My training routine was replaced by the routine of taking Liad to the nursery, making sure he had three meals a day and earning a living. But when he says to me “mummy” it’s like winning ten races.”

Teva Colomb, Gaash Beach, August 2021

“Mine was not a conventional childhood. My parents sold things that they bought in India at festivals all over Europe. I was born on the last day of the Paleo Festival in Switzerland. We travelled constantly and I never went to kindergarten. It was chaotic, but those were happy times as we were always together.”

Friends from Shapira High School in Netanya, Neurim Beach, August 2021

“During lockdown our house replaced school. Computer and mouse replaced my exercise book and pencil. The novelty was fun, but it won’t replace school in the long run. It’s hard to have discussions on Zoom so you just go straight to the point. It takes away the beauty of learning.” Hadar

Yossi & Shmuel Yisrael, Palmachim Beach, July 2021

“For 30 years I worked in a good job, responsible for the robotics at a tap factory. I was worried about becoming a pensioner, being at home and doing nothing. I simply wasn’t ready for it. But then the old manager was replaced with an arrogant young man, which ironically did me a favour - I was now ready to go. Fishing with Yossi has really helped with the transition.” Shmuel

Shiran & Or, Sironit Beach, Netanya, July 2021

“It’s actually quite fitting to be at the beach for the fast of Tisha B'Av. The sea is much more than sport – it’s a place for quiet seclusion and for prayer to the Creator. I work in a refuge for women and by the sea I have a chance to process the traumatic stories the women bring with them and create a divide between there and my family.”

Maria Taube, Ashkelon National Park Beach, June 2021

“I’m having a break from taking care of Sarah, my eldest sister. She’s 102. My aunt died aged 33. Sarah was her eldest daughter. According to Jewish tradition, my aunt’s husband remarried with her younger sister, and aged 25 she began raising all four of her sister’s children. After 13 years she gave birth to me and I was named Maria, after my deceased aunt.”

Yedidya Lashker, Neveh Yam Beach, May 2021

“I left God behind in 11th Grade. I had lots of questions about his existence, but the rabbis had no real answers. I became aware of science and realised we didn’t need God to explain the world we live in. I flew to India, bought a motorbike, and crossed the length of the country. For weeks I didn’t see a single other white person – well, actually one, but he was an albino Indian.”

Mula & Yonatan Jember, Student Beach, Haifa, June 2021

“Dad wakes every day before his alarm goes off at 5am. He works for the burial society at Haifa Cemetery. He physically digs the graves, working close to the earth like he did back in Ethiopia. He comes home from work with a smile on his face. Mum’s a cleaner at Rambam Hospital, and she’s also happy with her work.” Yonatan

Sigalit Aharoni, ‘Jerusalem’ Beach, Tel Aviv, May 2021

“Six years ago, I decided to leave the world of hi-tech after 30 years as a financial director, and devote myself full-time to art. For the first year I found myself apologising to people who asked what I was doing, as if I hadn’t found something serious to do with my life. It took time before I felt comfortable defining myself as an ‘Artist’.”

Ofir Azulai, Neveh Yam Beach, May 2021

“For my bar mitzva, my mother, God rest her soul, bought me a surfboard. I heard dad whispering to her something about their bank account becoming seriously overdrawn. So, if we are going deep Freud with this, I’d say that since then I’ve been trying to justify mum buying me that surfboard.”

Zion, Yael & Keshet Bublil-Kelner, Tel Baruch Beach, May 2021

“I gave birth to Keshet when I was 55. I’m still breast-feeding him. There’s a dissonance between my age and my body’s biology at the moment. There’s a great happiness but it’s mixed with sadness when I think how old I’ll be when he grows up, and how I look compared to his friends’ mothers. But there’s advantages – most of my friends are struggling with their children moving out.” Yael

Michal & Daniel, Palmachim Beach, March 2020

"We're supposed to be getting married in July, but we will have to see what happens with the Corona pandemic. We have family all over the world - Australia, Japan, America. It's a depressing situation." Michal "It's all OK, wedding or not, I'm staying with Michal forever." Daniel

Nimrod, Rotem and Skipper, Neurim Beach, April 2021

“I became a dog trainer because of Skipper. He was two years old when I adopted him, and would attack everything – people, cats, cars, bicycles. Instead of taking him to a trainer I become one myself. Today Skipper is a good dog 90% of the time, but some problems were already too deeply rooted.” Nimrod

Zohar Gal, Gador Beach, April 2021

“My first therapy dog was ‘Lovely’, and she lived up to her name – a four-legged angel. I still miss her. I used to work with her in a kindergarten for children with CP. One of the children would walk with his walking frame tied to Lovely and shout to me, “Look Zohar! I’m running.” He was barely moving but with Lovely he felt he was running. It was a beautiful moment.”

Ariana & Yuda, Hilton Beach Tel Aviv, March 2021

“I didn’t know my mother until I was 18. I prefer not to talk about it. It was hard for me to accept her after so many years and how I grew up as a result. She’s Russian, and my father Arab. They met at college in Russia, fell in love and later came to live in Israel, where I was born. My mother’s hair really is blond.” Ariana

Childhood friends from Shoham, Achziv Beach, March 2021

“These are our last moments together before we start army service. It’s sad. A few years ago, we saw the movie ‘Tag’. It’s based on a true story of friends that have been playing tag since high school, once a year, during March, until they begin to get married. We’ve adopted the idea in order to stay in touch. It’s fair to say that there’s more romance between us than with our girlfriends.” Eyal

Eli Elgrabli, Betzet Beach, March 2021

“Since last month’s oil leak I’ve been cleaning tar from the beach. I ended up with headaches and lung problems, but it’s not tar fumes that have made me hoarse. I haven’t stopped crying since Gingie died last week. He cycled the world, fell down a mountain in India and ends up getting run over by a bus near his home. My belief in God has gone.”

Omer & Tal, Palmachim Beach, March 2021

“Recently, we both separated from our girlfriends. Corona has been a real test for relationships – you’re at home most of the time, there’s nowhere to go, and that can push couples to breaking point. Now I’m living with my parents. It’s nice to be home, comforting. There’s nothing like the warmth and love of your parents.” Omer

Bar Tenenbaum, Bet Yanai Beach, February 2021

“I tend to work until I crash. I was working full time at the farm with Yael, as well as doing my master’s degree and I completely fell apart. It triggered an episode of Post Trauma and I’ve been having flashbacks from the 2014 Gaza War, where I was a Combat Medic. This probably led to my recent separation from Yael, but we’re still really close friends.”

Limor Hochman, Metzukey Dragot Beach, Dead Sea, December 2020

“I’ve always wanted to live outside of the city, in the desert. On my leg I’ve got a tattoo of three camels. I have a problem with being closed in. I need to be able to see the horizon.”

Haya & Shosh, Bat Yam - Yafo Border Beach, December 2020

“I was with my second husband for 10 years, but then he started to have financial trouble with his business, or he was gambling - I didn’t want to know. One day he drove to Eilat and there, in a hotel bedroom, committed suicide. I’m not looking for a relationship anymore. I enjoy my freedom, though Haya is constantly trying to fix me up with a date.” Shosh

Naje El Assam, Zikim Beach, December 2020

"We're 11 siblings. Another 7 from my father's second wife. In my generation it's uncommon to have more than one wife - it's hard enough to support one family, let alone two. I think you should have less children so you can afford to educate them. I graduated high school and dreamt of studying Computer Engineering. The college wanted 18,000 Shekels. Where was I going to get that from?"

Noya Melamed, Sidni Ali Beach, December 2020

"I use Buugeng to meditate. Technique alone isn't sufficient- you need to be 100% focussed. The second your thoughts start to wander, the motion falls apart."

Dina Hasidov, Shave Zion Beach, February 2020

"I believe that you can ask things from the universe, and the universe will answer you. For me, the sea is one of the elements of the universe. It's full of energy and powers. I regularly go down to the beach, to think and talk with the sea."

Tali Abramov, Kiryat Haim Beach, November 2020

"For two years I've been a care worker with a 96 year old man. A love story. His brain is degenerating, but our hearts connect. We chat, sing and when he has the strength, we even dance a bit. Occasionally, he recalls some mischief from his childhood, or a rude Yiddish song. He also likes playing "This Little Piggy". Together, we become little children. Of course, there's the dark side to his dementia. He can sit for hours counting his hands."

Uri Gozlan with his grandson Ori, Neve Yam Beach, November 2020

"We were eleven siblings. You see, dad was religious. After the eleventh child, mum started to use contraception. She didn't tell our dad."

Vita Tyutikova, Zukei Yam, October 2020

"There's still a stigma surrounding Pole Dance, but it's a legitimate sport that began in India as a form of acrobatics for men, 800 years before it found its way into strip clubs in the '80s."

Sharon Lidan & Madonna, Sidni Ali Beach, September 2020

"Mum was beautiful. She modelled when she was young. She died 15 years ago, when she was only 46... I wanted to die with her. She was everything to me. I sold up- the pizzeria, my horses. I didn't want anything. I reached rock bottom, but slowly, slowly, began to build myself again from scratch."

Shirley Shek, Gador Beach, September 2020

"In 2015 I started losing my hair. The doctor said it was Apolecia. The house filled with my hair, alongside my dog's hair. In a fortnight, all of my hair had vanished, including my eyebrows and lashes. During this time I saw a young girl crossing the road. She was bald, but she walked like an aristocrat, with her head held high. Seeing her helped me to accept and live with my new identity."

Cecilia with daughter Mikki and granddaughter, Noam, Yamit Beach, Kiryat Yam, August 2020

"I have lived half my life in Israel but have never really felt a sense of belonging. I come from a very different culture. In Bolivia people don't shout constantly at each other and the children don't say 'I can't be bothered!'. What keeps me here is my girls. Mikki says that the best thing I've done is to bring them to live here. That's a comforting thought." Cecilia

Jeni & Maya Sure, Ashdod Citadel Beach, August 2020

"Five years ago I discovered I had breast cancer, and just in time. For a year I had radiation, surgery, chemo...the whole package. It was a turning point in my life. I decided I didn't want to spend another 15 years sitting in an office and am now beginning work as a NLP therapist." Jeni

Grandma Edna Hasson with the families of her son Amos, and her daughter, Mazzy. Rosh Hanikra, July 2020

"After my first wife died of cancer 17 years ago, I needed help raising our kids and hired Sharin from the Philippines as a nanny. Five years later I married Sharin and we have had two sons together." Amos

Giovanni Mann, Metzukei Dragot Beach, Dead Sea,

"I found myself homeless and penniless - everybody's nightmare. That's the moment I really started to live my life. I stopped chasing the material dream that we get fed - a house, car and a family, and I started to live my own dream - a communal life in nature. I got on a motorbike and began to live like a nomad."

Ilanit & Lenny, Lagoon Beach, Netanya, July 2020

"My first experience in Nudism was in a nudist sauna in Germany. At first I was paranoid, but after a couple of times I began to feel a sense of freedom. It's got nothing to do with sexuality - the body is the most natural thing there is. The exposure really makes you feel confident about your body." Ilanit

Oran Bismuth, National Park Beach, Ashkelon, July 2020

"I've been playing 'Assassin's Creed' since it's release in 2007. After the army, instead of going travelling, I escaped into the game. I played around 13 hours a day - every waking hour. Completely addicted... Once I began working, I realised there were more important things in life than holding a joystick. Today, I have a balance between the real and the virtual - I play around 4 hours a day."

Oz & Oshrat, Camel Beach, Haifa, June 2020

"My Dad died 9 months ago. The beach was his home. Everyday after work he would come here to run and swim, then, on a family holiday in Bulgaria, he died of a heart attack in the hotel pool." Oz "My father died 4 years ago in a hit and run driving accident in Haifa. The police never found the driver." Oshrat

Ariel & Naveh, Tayo Beach, Bat Yam, June 2020

"It's been a special experience to raise our first baby during the Corona lockdown and be with Naveh during the first months of his life. On the other hand, Corona has badly hurt our income and economic security. I am a Judo instructor and lessons have stopped completely."

Jumbo The Fisherman, Jisr az-Zarqa Beach, June 2020

"Fishing is no longer a business, it's an illness. You can't make a living from the sea any more, because there aren't enough fish. Fishing is the toughest work there is, but it's also the most peaceful. Nothing else is even close to the quiet at sea."

Yair Sebbag, Zukey Yam Beach, June 2020

"Before I left for the East, I was not what I am now. I did a degree in Economics & Business Studies and became a property valuer. The materialistic world did me no good - I suffered from stress and stomach pains. From the moment I left to travel, the freedom filled me with joy and good health."

Oded & Matan, Shefayim Beach, May 2020

"When I was a child on the kibbutz, the move began from communal sleeping in children's houses, to sleeping at home with our parents, like regular kids. I'm glad my children get their education from us, not from nanny number 1, 2 or 3. We only saw our parents between 5 and 8pm, before being dumped back into the children's house." Oded.

Merav, Nachsholim Beach, December 2019

"Not a single creature needs to be killed in order for us to eat, neither is it healthy. We've been brainwashed into eating meat & dairy, and everything that's happening in the world today is punishment from above for our deeds against nature."

Moshe Hausenberg, Lifeguard at Beit Yannai Beach, May 2020

“A good friend of mine was killed in the Lebanon war. The night before he went there to fight, we had been sitting together here, smoking and laughing, and he was killed the next day. I got on a motorbike with two more friends and went AWOL into Lebanon. We didn’t fire a single shot and a week later we were sentenced.”

Polly & Yonatan, Ashkelon Beach. January 2020

" A few weeks before I met Yonatan my therapist asked what would be my dream date? I said someone who takes me to see the stars. A week after we met, Yonatan took me to a guest house in the Arava desert. The first night, I sat on the balcony gazing at the sky when I burst into tears. Only then did it dawn on me that my wish had become reality. Since then, we are inseparable."

Ayal Benin, Neve Yam Beach, January 2020

"In Freestyle Frisbee, when you throw your disc to the breeze, you connect to nature, to yourself and to the object you're controlling...It's like meditation, the surroundings just vanish. I prefer to be with my Frisbee than looking for romantic ties...the disc doesn't disappoint."

Tomer & Yifat, Bet Yannai Beach, January 2019

"We've been living in a caravan for 6 months - we take nothing for granted. The water tank needs to be refilled regularly, and the toilet has to be emptied every two days." Tomer "Living in a tiny space necessitates a change in perception and major downsizing...I miss my clothes ." Yifat

Illi & Aliki, Rishon Le'zion Beach, December 2019

"When you're a freak you feel alone in the world. When I was 17, I had blue hair and weird clothes. I once got yoghurt thrown over me just because I was different. Every time I feel down, I look for a place with water. It's like you can let you're pain leave you and dissolve into the water." Aliki

Shirley & Sagit, Hatzuk Beach, November 2019

"We meet on the beach for a 'walkie-talkie'. We have an a phenomenal ability for talking with each other. Some years ago we flew together to perform in San Francisco - a 15 hour flight plus connection. We didn't shut up for the entire journey." Shirley

Boaz & Yehuda, Hasela Beach, Bat Yam, December 2019

"We swim every morning at sunrise, winter and summer. You need a partner to get into the sea in the winter. Just as love requires a woman, the sea requires another man." Boaz

Yair & Galit, Gador Beach, November 2019

"I am active in the protest against Netanyahu's corruption. I love this country, yet I encouraged my sons to move abroad. My mother was a holocaust survivor and it hurt her that her grandson left Israel for Germany." Yair

Shanit Vaknin, Zikim Beach, November 2019

"I come here to be alone for an hour or two, calm down and then go back home. Sometimes I write to myself, as therapy. Today I wrote about the future. I write on a sheet of paper, then crumple it up, throw it into the bin and continue on with my life."

Diana Krinski, Poleg Beach, November 2019

"My mother died when I was 30. I was totally unprepared for it. I felt wounded. I lost my strength and my faith, so I began looking for ways to heal myself."

Yeter & Bitya Mizrachi, Nitzanim Beach, November 2019

"When you catch a fish there's this great feeling of success. It's connected to our survival instincts, the knowledge that you are capable of hunting food for yourself." Bitya

Alon Sibroni, Ga'ash Beach October 2019

"I cared for my father 24 hours a day for several years, until he passed away last year. I felt like a prisoner released from a life sentence and since then I've been living on the beach, cooking for myself, sleeping here alone and enjoying my freedom."

Ronit & Anat, Michmoret Beach, October 2019

"The men decided that they are going into the sea despite the storm, whilst the women stood anxiously on the beach. My head said I can do this, but my heart was racing and telling me to stay put. In CBT the idea is to let rational thought take control of the feelings and the body...In the end I went into the sea and the sense of overcoming was incredible." Ronit

Liat Frid, Palmachim Beach, October 2019

"Although I was terrified, I ran into the bushes to save Chaser from the wild boar...in the end we had to amputate one of his legs because the wounds became infected...That event changed my life."

The Beattie Family, Ma'agan Michael Beach, June 2019

"The lack of privacy [on Kibbutz] isn't easy for me. My underwear gets laundered together with the rest of the Kibbutz! When I realised I was pregnant the first time, Tom was in Gaza during the 2014 conflict. I wasn't sure whether to get a pregnancy test in the Kibbutz clinic because then Tom would have been the last to know the result." Noah Beattie

Thomas & Martina Schwartz, Students' Beach, Haifa June 2019

"As Germans, confronting the Holocaust is always very difficult for us...We feel guilty, even though it wasn't something that our generation did. We try to show that there are Germans that think differently - we both wear Star of David necklaces." Martina

Katy & Matan, Gaash Beach May 2019

Matan: "7 years ago I fell from a roof and fractured several vertebrae. Out of work and penniless, I began a nomadic lifestyle. It takes courage to live in uncertainty." Katy: "At 15 I read a romance about a woman who travels to Israel to work on a dig and falls in love with the archaeologist. At 24, I took part on a dig in Jaffa. I fell in love with Israel and Jewish culture."

Yassir Makhata, Zikim Beach November 2018

“When I escaped from Gaza I was scared for my life. I said [to the Israeli authorities] that I want to go right now – afterwards we can bring my children. I haven’t been back since. I miss my children that stayed there - we are in touch occasionally. “

Oxana Reif, Gador Beach April 2019

A few months ago I went through an ugly separation…I was lost. Then I remembered what I learned in Costa Rica, how mankind has lost touch with nature’s cycles and depression has become the sickness of the modern world. I set myself a 21 day quest, to go down to the beach every morning to watch the sunrise…the sun’s energy literally got rid of my suffering.

The Balint Family, Ashkelon National Park Beach April 2019

"Immigrants are the solution to Europe's problems. They bring new ideas with them and they are prepared to take chances...Mixing cultures is a wonderful thing. In my opinion, the most significant innovation in Israeli culture is in the increasing influence of the Arab language on Israeli music and cinema." Gery Balint

Suzy & Ilana, Rishon Le'zion Beach April 2019

Suzy: "We have a strong connection to water. We meet on the beach 3 to 4 times a week at sunrise, and walk for an hour. In the evenings we work as attendants in a ritual bathhouse. Water is the source of life." Ilana: "When I was young I really wanted to work in purifying the dead before burial, but they said I was too young - you need to be connected to get into that field."

Jonathan & Jorai van Driel, the Aqueduct Beach, Caesarea March 2019

"When you've got a career, a house and a family, you always find a reason to give up on your dreams. That's a mistake. I decided to live my life in reverse - to begin as a pensioner and do all the things that are really important to me, and then to work until I die. Not to work for 40 years in a career and then realise that i'm too old to travel." Jorai

Nadoush & Dalia, Nitzanim Beach February 2019

"I don't want to study. I want to get married and enjoy my life. To feel free . I want to learn to drive so I can take the car to the beach and watch the sea - no one telling me what to do and where to go. I've never actually gone into the water. I don't know how to swim and I cant wear a swimsuit because I'm religious." Dalia (18 years old)

Ben & Sarah, Metsitsim Beach, Tel Aviv March 2019

"The sea is the best medicine for me. When I’m in the water I don’t feel the pain. It’s the only time I don’t feel pain. I should have been a Mermaid." Sarah

Maria & Oksana, Zvulun Beach, Kiryat Yam February 2019

"Nowadays Ukraine is a sad place. It's hard to make a living and nothing ever changes for the better. In Israel people are happier." Maria

Iris & Shelly, Ha'Tzuk Beach South December 2019

"I've had all kinds of mystical experiences...Once, while I was driving, with my son in the backseat, I came to a traffic light. It was green, but I heard a voice in my head shouting, "stop, stop, stop!" I stopped and watched as a car coming from the other direction ran the red light. We could have been killed." Iris

Elad & Yarden, Nitzanim Beach February 2019

"My eldest brother was killed when he was 5, before I was born. It happened 36 years ago at a military paratroopers' display at Kiryat Malachi. The winds were very strong, but the army decided to go ahead with the display despite the conditions. One of the paratroopers lost control and landed on my brother." Yarden

Manny Sokolovsky, Shave Zion Beach, February 2019

"In 1982, a few days after Rosh Hashanah, my unit was sent to help our forces in purging the PLO from West Beirut. A RPG missile was fired at us, killing my friend, "Roli" Becher...When we came back from the fighting, we went to the memorial for Roli. That's where I met his sister, Shosh. We began dating and eventually married."

The Dumanski Family with their dog, Chuck, Dor Habonim Beach February 2019

"My mother's grandparents mined gold illegally from abandoned mines in the Urals. The mines were guarded, but a cannon shot would signal the end of a shift, and my grandparents would sneak in, before fresh soldiers arrived. They drank away the gold money and fought constantly. My great-grandfather got life for murder, but evaded punishment by volunteering to fight in World War I." Dominik

Maayan Pitussi, Ashkelon Beach January 2019

"There's no lack of unpleasant sights in a nurse's work, but you learn to see the person in front of you and not their wound."

Itzik Gitan, Poleg Beach January 2019

"I lost my arm in the Yom Kippur war. In the armoured division where I served over 100 soldiers were killed. Thousands more were wounded and suffer from trauma to this day...After a week in hospital I went home and forgot about the whole thing. The war had no effect on me."

Adi, Anita, Ilana & Yoram, members of "Matkot Ashdod", The Arches Beach, Ashdod January 2019

"The beach is my psychologist." Ilana

Yair Harlap, Hatzuk Beach December 2018

"There's a heated pool where I live in Bet El, but it's not the same. There's no chlorine in the sea. You can feel the blessed eternal. You are witnessing creation."

Akiva, Avi, Joseph, Rachel & Atara Cohen, Neve Yam Beach December 2018

"The kids surfing class was cancelled this week because it was stormy. When they woke up this morning I said, "Instead of going to school, let's go surf!". They didn't argue." Avi

Tess, Eyal (standing) & Itamar, Bet Yannai Beach December 2018

"I hitchhiked around the world on boats...The highlight was sailing from New Zealand to the Solomon Islands with a group of marine biologists. That's how I ended up studying Marine Sciences." Eyal

Smulik Garciani, Achziv Beach Decemcer 2018.

"About 15 years ago...I found a champagne bottle with a note inside on the beach...A German couple, Brigitte & Bernd had thrown it into the ocean on a Mediterranean cruise. I got in touch by mail and we wrote to each other until one day I went to visit them in their village near Frankfurt."

Rami & Yitzhak, Palmachim Beach November 2018.

"We try to get down to the beach every day at sunrise... After a few hours here, you begin the day in a different state of mind." Rami

Olena Dobroslavsky, Nahariya Beach November 2018

"The main aspect which made us move to Israel was the Russian annexation of Crimea. Our business was destroyed."

Jonah, Shlomi & Belai, Zikim Beach November 2018

"At the start of our service, the commander kept saying that he loves us. 'What are you talking about?', I thought to myself. Later, I understood that he was referring to a brotherhood where you look after one another. If you have an apple you share it." Jonah (on left)

Pipman Team, Sela Beach, Bat Yam October 2018

"The hardest thing in sport...[is] to get out of bed at five in the morning, especially if the weather's bad. What helps is the commitment to the group." Tami Shoham (3rd from right)

Dina Yarkoni, Rosh Hanikra Beach October 2018

"Most of my life I hated having my picture taken...but I changed my mind when I realised that in five years time I'll look back at my photos and see how beautiful I was."

Nitzan, Rotem & Noam, Nitzanim Beach, February 2019

Haled & Hamis, Ashdod Beach, January 2019

Yossi Harmani, Rosh Hanikra Beach, October 2018

Guy & Omer, Ashkelon Beach, January 2019

Ali & Susu, Rosh Hanikra Beach, October 2018

Omri, Lihi & Neta, Bet Yannai Beach, December 2018

Iris, Lian, Shai Li & Nitzan, Ashdod Beach, January 2019

Nissim & Eden, Hatzuk Beach, November 2020

"We came here to do a maternity photoshoot. I don't like going to the beach - the sand, the salt. I prefer a swimming pool." Eden