Israeli autumn סתיו (stahv), though brief and mild compared to colder countries, brings a noticeable change in nature. The hot summer begins to ease, and the air turns cooler, particularly in the evenings. The blooming of the squill חצב (chah-tsahv) is a beloved marker of the season. Its tall, white stalks rise from the ground and are often seen in open fields and along roadsides, signaling the transition to autumn. I remember years ago when my father would drive us from our house in Jerusalem to my grandparents’ house in מושב היוגב (moh-shahv hah-yoh-gehv) in the Jezreel Valley, and the roadsides would be lined with these tall, white squills for miles and miles ahead.

Another iconic sign of Israeli autumn is the arrival of the white wagtail נחליאלי (nach-lee-eh-lee), a small migratory bird. This bird, with its distinctive bobbing tail, travels from Europe to winter in Israel, filling parks and gardens with its cheerful call. The appearance of the נחליאלי has become synonymous with the start of autumn for many Israelis, relieved after the intense summer heat of July and August. It’s worth mentioning that the seasons סתיו and spring אביב (ah-veev) are common names in Israel, while winter חורף (choh-rehf) and summer קיץ (kah-yeets) are not. We hope that this autumn brings new winds of change and fills your days with warmth and renewal.

Anyway, as it gets colder, why not cozy up at home and pick up something new – like Hebrew?

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