August 20
The Prices in Israel vs USA
Great deals on food but prices on luxury clothing are expensive. Suits are a non-entity.
FULL COURSE STEAK DINNER $1
August 20, 1957 Tues afternoon
Dear Mom Dad & Alan,
Yesterday I returned from the Galil trip & a tour of Haifa to Jerusalem. Tomorrow morning I am leaving for a tour of the Haifa Bay Industrial Region and then Tel Aviv.
While in Haifa yesterday I met a boy who came over recently, is a member of the Z.O.A. & is staying until I am. That means I will have company here for my stay & also in Europe.
We have decided to rent a car with a third fellow & see everything we haven’t seen so far. I was very glad to receive mail from you telling me what a good boy Alan is and that you are all fine and healthy. Please excuse the penmanship as I always write in a spare moment without a table to lean on. Thank G-d everything here is wonderful & so far the food is great.
If you go out & eat for the equivalent of less than $1. You get a full course steak dinner complete. Malted 10 Cents Soda 3 CENTS ETC. What is very expensive is luxury clothing, therefore, it just isn’t worn. Suits are a non- entity as are sport jackets etc.
Today is the first day where you can really say the weather is hot. So — time for a swim.
Love, Bob
David’s Comments:
Bob meeting boy from ZOA
“We have decided to rent a car with a third fellow and see everything we haven’t seen so far”
There is always more to see in Israel and it is great having a car. The ZOA Tours take you many places but it is always great to extend your tour and rent a car.
“If you go out and eat for the equivalent of less than $1. You get a full course steak dinner complete. Malted 10 cents Soda 3 cents.”
It is amazing how cheap things were back then in Israel.
“What is very expensive is luxury clothing, Therefore, it is just not worn. Suits are a non-entity as are sport jackets etc. “
In the 1950’s people dressed very casually.