• • • di .•. Nig( • • .„4, •• • . 0 • • '1" • At- • • • • ...ea • • • ... • cirrulq uirt Thousands of Israelis spent S8.75 a ticket to see the recently released Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, being shown in English and in Hebrew at local theaters. The book on which the movie is based is the top-selling paperback at Steimatzky's, an Israeli bookstore chain. "They're all snatching it up, adults and children," said Yehudit, a cashier at ,a Steimatzky's in Jerusalem. "It's pure escapism." It isn't hard to understand why Israelis are looking for activities to divert their attention from the news. If each hourly news broadcast doesn't begin with an attack, it opens with news of the 2002 budget, which government ministers are slashing in an effort to deal with the faltering economy. Some Israelis have taken to muse- um-going to escape their woes. James Snyder, director of the Israel Museum in Jerusalem, described it as a matter of seeking "culture in complex times." A third of the museum's visitors used to be tourists, with the remaining two-thirds Israelis, half of those from Jerusalem. But the ongoing violence has taken a bite out of the tourist business. As a result, museum officials were not expecting any big numbers in July, when they opened an exhibit of treas- ures from China. They were pleasantly surprised to have 3,000 people at the opening. It was a similar story when the Chanukah festival opened last week, as crowds of parents and children flocked into the museum. "They're coming because it makes them feel good," Snyder said. "In a crazy way, we're kind of expected to help them sustain a sense of robustness and vitality." Israelis seeking an escape have been driving down to the Dead Sea in increasing numbers, according to hotel managers in the region. "Israelis are getting lots of deals these days," said Daniel Shalev, a man- ager at the Grand Nirvana Resort. There are currently 15 hotels on the Dead Sea, .providing a total of some 4,000 rooms in need of occupants. Most of the hotels are offering three-night deals and two-for-one spa treatment packages in an effort to entice Israeli visitors. "Israelis aren't afraid to drive down here, and they know they can get rest and relaxation," said Gabi Beck, man- ager at the newly built Royal Hotel. "That's what everyone needs these days." El • : • • • • , o..• • • 7,-• * • • • ▪ • s • • • GM Employee Smart Lease 2002 Cadillac Seville SLS $399 Per Month/39 months. $3,259 due at signing. *Must be a current Cadillac owner or lessee or a Lincoln owner or lessee. Non-GM Employee Smart Lease • $439 Per Month/39 months. $3,127 due at signing. *Must be a current Cadillac owner or lessee or a Lincoln owner or lessee. GM Employee Smart Lease $399 •• • 2002 Cadillac Sedan Devine Stk. # 143077 Per Month/39 months. $3,421 due at signing. *Must be a current Cadillac owner or lessee or a Lincoln owner or lessee. 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