Why is there a secret room in Israeli homes?

Israeli houses, like the entire architecture of the country, are very diverse. Crusader castles and Arab madrasahs, churches and minarets, domes and soaring skyscrapers, eclecticism and Bauhaus - all this is Israel! The interior of the buildings is also different - the home of a native of Yemen differs from the apartment of a Russian or Moroccan Israeli. A villa in the historic center of Jerusalem is different from a country house, and old buildings are different from apartments in new neighborhoods.

But there are still general patterns, especially if the owners of the apartment are young people. By the way, the phrase “landlords” in Israel has a slightly different character, since most young families live in rented apartments. Skhirut, i.e. rent, the most popular word in the country. There is even a fair rental law. And such a service as apartment moving is the most demanded one.

I propose to visit one of the new sleeping areas of Jerusalem, all of whose buildings are faced with white Jerusalem stone. Until recently, it was forbidden to build high-rise buildings here, because this would disrupt the general landscape of the city. But in recent years, several 20-30 storey buildings have grown in Jerusalem, and the upward trend of the city's growth continues.

The construction of new areas is carried out in an integrated manner: a supermarket, a pharmacy and a hospital and a playground are being built simultaneously with the construction of residential buildings. Caring for children permeates the entire way of life of an Israeli family, so playgrounds are an invariable element of any neighborhood.

Just as "a theater begins with a coat rack," so an Israeli multi-storey building begins with a hallway. Usually this is a spacious room, decorated with mirrors and flowers in large clay pots. Here, in the lobby, there are elevators (sometimes there are 2 or 3, depending on the number of storeys of the building), stairs and descent to the underground parking. The parking lot goes down 2-3 floors, each apartment has its own parking space.

A common feature of all Israeli apartments is white walls and marble floors in white or cream tiles. And yet - the absence of a hallway. Entering the house, you immediately find yourself in the hall (here it is called the salon). Moreover, the salon and the kitchen form a single space. The interior decoration is no different from the interior of any other country - a large sofa, TV and table. And only small details - photographs, dishes, ceramics, figurines - allow us to guess about the historical roots of the inhabitants of the dwelling.

The most favorite place for any family is the balcony. Large glass doors connect the balcony to the salon. In new buildings, balconies are often arranged one above the other, in a checkerboard pattern. This is important for people observing traditions: in the fall of Sukkot, there is a commandment to have a meal in the open air to see the stars. And this wish of Jerusalemites is reflected in the development of new neighborhoods. In addition to the usual balcony, each apartment has a technical balcony where a water heating boiler (or boiler) and a washing machine are installed. Blinds and blackout curtains protect you from the summer heat. They protect, but they don't save! Therefore, all houses have a central air conditioner that drives cool air through the rooms. Large apartments have two or three bathrooms, one of which is in the parent's bedroom.

And now - the most important feature! Every modern house in Israel has a "secret" room that is not found in other countries. This is a refuge room, measuring 9-10 sq.m. Residents, as a rule, do not think that the walls of this room are made of reinforced concrete with a thickness 30-50cm, the windows are protected by steel shutters and provide complete tightness, the armored door protects against close burst and chemical attacks. Typically, such a room contains an office, children's bedroom or dressing room.

Older houses have a shared shelter in the basement. The same armored room in all shops and office buildings. At the sound of the air raid signal, "all citizens must immediately take refuge in protective structures." This is what the instruction says. This is the Israeli reality ...

And one more common detail - in every Israeli home there are many family photos and many flowers! Children, like flowers, decoration and pride of any Israelite!

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