Bug Jerusalem

Bug began in the early 1980s in Tel Aviv, founded by Ira Rosenzweig, a recent immigrant from the United States, and his wife Nawit Resnik. Rosenzweig had bought an Apple computer and wanted to learn programming; finding little Hebrew-language material available, he began importing computer manuals and software into Israel himself. That informal import business grew into Bug Computers Ltd, which opened its first store at Tel Aviv's Dizengoff Center focused on IT books and software, including some of the first computer instruction books published in Hebrew. Franchised branches followed in Jerusalem, Ramat HaSharon, Rehovot and Haifa. In 1986 the founders sold the company to Moshe Raviv, who expanded it into hardware sales — computers and related equipment — rather than books and software alone; by 1988 the chain had grown to 12 stores, including a location serving corporate buyers. Bug has since grown into one of Israel's largest electronics retail chains, selling computers, mobile phones, televisions and home appliances, with branches nationwide including several in Jerusalem. The company and its sister brand Modan Electronics are today owned by the Modan Group, which also owns the Modan and Keter Books publishing houses — a continuation, at large scale, of the original bookselling link in Bug's founding story.