Hey I'm new hear.

[Excited Penguin]

Hear, hear! Refael is here!

Welcome, from sunny Portugal!
Enjoy your stay.

I thought English was a second language to everyone in Israel... taught since 1st grade, understood by all.

'here'. I knew it hhh. If you don't try you will never succeed!
Actually it isn't correct. It depends how you define a second language. Most of the people can say 'yes' no' and 'please', but they have a very big problem to express themselves accurately or fluently.

Its true about learning from 1st grade, but you learn mostly the very basic grammar. Is it enough? trust on me- definitely No. In my opinion, the English's classes are very poor and inefficient.

There is folk that can speak perfectly but after they were abroad or born there...

Welcome!  How old are you if I may ask?
Also, is there pressure on you from family and friends about your non belief?

PS. Tell us a funny Jewish joke if you can!

PPS, it hasn't ended well for anyone with the word "Truth" in their username so far! Maybe you'll be the first?

I'm 23 years old.

Israel in the last few years became more secular society then ever, big majority of the people are secular. So the pressure exits but in very small level. My family became more liberal with time.

A joke? hhh let me think about..

I know that the word "truth" is subjective issue. For me 'truth' symbolize the reality or reason.

I can second that about public school english classes in non-english-speaking countries. I didn't learn shit in school, I basically learned the language reading books and watching TV and films without the subs. I spoke maybe 5-10 hours of English in my whole life. I make mistakes too every now and then(mostly out of laziness), but it's nothing like I make in my own native language, so I'd say I'm a pretty good speaker.