Hevreman

An Israeli term that literally translates to "man of the group." Basically, it can mean "one of the guys" or "one of the people." The "Hevreman" is strongly associated with Israel, the Zionist revolution/Zionism, pioneers, and the idea of the "new Jew." The "Hevreman" is characteristically tough yet sensitive. He is the cool guy. He is brave, strong, healthy, sociable, outdoorsy, easygoing, dependable, risk-taking, occasionally mischievous, and typically very heterosexual.

1. "As soon as I pictured the word "Telaviv," I conjured up in my mind's eye a picture of a tough guy in a dark blue T-shirt, bronzed, and broad-shouldered, a poet-worker-revolutionary, a man made without fear, the type they called a "Hevreman," with a cap worn at a careless yet provocative angle on his curly hair, smoking Matusians, someone who was at home in the world: all day long he worked hard on the land, or with sand and mortar, in the evening he played the violin, at night he danced with girls or sang them soulful songs amid the sand dunes by the light of the full moon, and in the early hours he took a handgun or a sten out of its hiding place and stole away into the darkness to guard the houses and fields."- Amos Oz, A Tale of Love and Darkness (page 7)

2. Alexander is the perfect friend and bro; he is a "Hevreman." I want to go zip-lining with him.

3. After building, defending, and farming his homeland, Wendell had grown into quite the "Hevreman" and had the muscles to prove it.

4. Sarah: Tomer? He's like an NJB meets Israeli GI Joe with a touch of California cool.
Diyah: He sounds like a "Hevreman."

by Ellen Andrews June 1, 2021

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