Israel Travel Diary 2024: Libraries, Embroidery, Fitness, Jewelry and Tahini

“Remember that part of their strategy is to promote fear 🙏🏼”

Recently, my family and I spent six days in Israel - in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, and I want to share some highlights with you to give you a sense of “being there” too.  I know many people want to go to Israel but feel afraid to go.  This post is not a recommendation to go to visit Israel or not because we all experience fear about personal safety in a different way.  

Before we left, I talked with many people (including two rabbis) who had recently been to Israel and Israelis about security.  I even wrote to the Airbnb host, Michael to ask for information about bomb shelters and emergency procedures, and he wrote back with all the information and added “Remember that part of their strategy is to promote fear 🙏🏼”

While our trip was somewhat subdued due to the current security situation, we felt safe throughout the week, aside from a few tense moments on our last night in Tel Aviv.  Despite the security concerns and anticipatory fear, our time in Israel was filled with beautiful human experiences: food (+ coffee), fitness, books, jewelry and embroidery and feelings of gratitude and solidarity.

I want to acknowledge that amidst global challenges, our vacation was whimsical and insignificant. However, our decision to travel to Israel was intentional—we wanted to  support the local economy, reconnect with friends, and simply show solidarity. While there are many ways to show solidarity, with only six days, we chose to immerse ourselves in the vibrant life of Tel Aviv and embrace the opportunity to connect with people and experience the richness of everyday life in Israel.

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Local Delights at the Grocery Store:
I love grocery stores so my first stop was the local grocery store.  Highlights included creamy Israeli cottage cheese,  tangy pickles, JoMo no-sugar chocolate, and the beloved Israeli instant coffee. I stocked up on the chocolate and instant coffee to bring back with me to Paris. 

JoMo Chocolate is made by Yair, an engineer by profession and a high-tech man of 30 years. This chocolate is delicious!

Exploring Tel Aviv and Jaffa by Bike with Mikey Bikey:
One of the highlights of our trip was a 3-hour bike tour with Mikey Bikey. Starting at the ancient port of Old Jaffa, we pedaled through bustling food markets and vibrant art galleries, soaking in the sights, sounds, and smells of these historic cities. And of course, we ate some traditional cheese Kanafeh along the way – a true treat.

Contact Mikey: +972 54 770 4322

Yael Levin's Jewelry Workshop:
On my quest for a special Star of David necklace, I discovered Yael Levin's jewelry online early one morning. I woke up at 5 am, my usual time, and with a cup of coffee in hand began searching on my phone for a Star of David necklace in Tel Aviv. I stumbled upon Yael's design and promptly sent her an Instagram message at 6 am. To my surprise, she responded by 8 am, and I convinced my husband to walk 35 minutes from our Airbnb to her studio to meet at 9 am.

Yael's passion for her craft radiated as she shared her stunning designs with us. After much deliberation, I found the perfect Star of David pendant—a timeless piece that I will cherish for years to come.

"Nut Station by Hamama"
We stumbled upon this spot called "Nut Station by Hamama'' close to our Airbnb, and their halvah and tahini are amazing. They taste so fresh and the texture is spot on—creamy and smooth, just perfect. The halvah practically dissolves on your tongue, and the tahini drips and spreads perfectly. I've never tasted anything like it.

Embroidery in Tel Aviv

In a local craft store, I found embroidery kits designed by Israeli artist Tamar Nahir Yanir.  I bought one called “Taking My Time” and worked on it all week.  Tamar, known for her work in children's books, offers endearing and dreamy illustrations perfect for embroiderers of all levels. Each kit includes a printed canvas, threads, needle, and a straightforward stitch guide, making it easy for beginners and enjoyable for experienced stitchers alike. 

Fitness with Shira in Tel Aviv:
My daughter and I joined a workout session with Shira. With her expertise in functional training and bodybuilding, Shira made our fitness session both challenging and enjoyable. If you find yourself in Tel Aviv in need of a stellar personal trainer, Shira is the one to call!

Contact Shira: +972 54 234 2502

Authentic Italian Gelato

We revisited our beloved gelato spot in Tel Aviv, Paradiso del gelato, founded by an Italian Jewish brother and sister who made aliyah. Their gelato embodies the essence of authentic Italian craftsmanship, using top-notch ingredients to craft rich, creamy flavors that simply melt in your mouth. Churned slowly to achieve a dense, smooth texture distinct from traditional ice cream, Gelato Paradiso offers a range of traditional flavors alongside innovative local creations like date and salted pistachio.

Tour of the Israel National Library:
We went to Jerusalem specifically to visit the Israel National Library, Joseph Chazanovitz's(1844–1919) visionary idea of a "home for all works in all languages and literatures which have Jewish authors." Chazanovitz's collection of 15,000 volumes laid the foundation for this library.

In 2014, plans were unveiled for a new home for the library in Jerusalem, a stunning 34,000 square meter building designed by the Basel-based architecture firm Herzog & de Meuron. Although delays pushed back the completion date, the new building finally opened its doors to the public at the end of October 2023, amidst the backdrop of the Israel–Hamas war.

Home to over 5 million books and countless rare manuscripts, the library is a treasure trove of knowledge and history. During our tour, we marveled at the vast collection of Hebraica and Judaica, including rare manuscripts, illuminated ketubah, and artifacts dating back centuries. The new building, with its modern design and state-of-the-art facilities, is truly breathtaking, a fitting home for such a rich cultural heritage.

The library cafe offers French pastries (the pastry chef is French) and sandwiches and good coffee.

The library also has a concept store “As Promised” that offers some beautiful design objects and some fun ones too like these Israel historical figurines.  

Our final night was overshadowed by Iran's attack on Israel. Iran launched several hundred ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, and attack drones at various targets. Throughout the night, the skies were filled with the low humming or buzzing sound of Israeli drones conducting surveillance, reminiscent of a distant lawnmower or a swarm of bees.

During our trip everyone we encountered expressed profound gratitude for our presence. It feels particularly significant now for Jews in the Diaspora to visit Israel, demonstrating solidarity during challenging times. If you're considering a trip to Israel, I can't tell you if it’s the right decision for you. What I can confidently share is that I am happy that we decided to go and we felt our presence made a meaningful difference for us and the people with whom we interacted.  When we returned to France my daughter said “In Israel it feels like everyone is family.” 

If you have some travel recommendations for Israel, please add them to the comments below. 

Am Yisrael Chai - Next year in Jerusalem - Chag Pesach sameach!

Shabbat Shalom ❤️

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