I’m hoping to convince you to travel to Israel, and I know that’s a tall order. It’s often thought of as the bully of the Middle East, and it’s not spoken of kindly in the West. But as many seasoned travelers will tell you, experiencing a country first hand can help you sort through the media onslaught back home. Yes, Israel is the most controversial intersection for the world’s largest monotheistic religions, but for cultural enthusiasts, it’s an historic, anthropological, artistic and technological centre to be explored. This tiny Middle Eastern country is very close to my heart, because I grew up with an Israeli in my home. I experienced the culture,…