3rd Annual Houses from Within – Tel Aviv 2009 (Batim M’Bifneem)

Houses from Within only happens once a year. On May 8th and 9th the public is invited to visit private homes, apartments and spaces with discussions/tours led by architects, designers and owners. How often do you get to peek into the homes of those you don’t know?

*Architects Prof. Yael Moria and Alon Bin-Nun will guide a tour explaining the changes and planning of the new Gordon Pool complex on the Tel Aviv seashore.

*Visit designer Michal Negrin’s Neve Tzedek home (picture below)

*Yaacov Sasson's home - T in Tel Aviv has visited this rooftop home made of recycled materials.

*There’s even a child friendly tour of the Tel Aviv-Jaffa fire station.

Over 130 tours are offered and a number tours require pre-registration which begins on Friday morning May 1st. Information is available in English and in Hebrew.

Israel Independence Day Celebrations 2009 in Tel Aviv

You would think that there’s nothing left in the city coffers to pay for Independence Day celebrations. There’s no mention of fireworks on the municipality website. T in Tel Aviv assumes that the stage used for last week’s Balkan Beat Box concert is the same one that will be used for the Independence Day celebrations.


Here’s a rundown of the various shows around Tel Aviv for Tuesday night’s celebrations:

Kikar Rabin – (20:45): “Shira B’Tzibur” (Hebrew for a singalong) with the Gevatron, Hacol Over Habibi, Sarele Sharon and more…

Tel Aviv Art Complex (Shaul Hamelech Blvd.) – (20:30) “Aztmadudes” - Geared for the younger set including the play “Shoshana the Goat”, Tom Ivni, stars from the Kid’s Channel, dancers and more…..

Tel Aviv Art Complex (Shaul Hamelech Blvd.) – (23:00) – Independence Dance


On Independence Day itself there will be an air show by the IAF from 11:50-12:20 off the coast in front of the Opera Tower.

Shor Tabachnik Pharmacy

Founded some 85 years ago, Tel Aviv’s Shor Tabachnik Pharmacy was Israel’s first chain of drugstores. When pharmacist Chaim Tabachnik told Mrs. Tabachnik that he was going to buy a store outside of the city (now the center of Tel Aviv) she did not share his enthusiasm for the venture.

The Tabachnik Family

Located at the intersection of Dizengoff and King George, the pharmacy is celebrating its 85th year as the city of Tel Aviv celebrates its 100th. The pharmacy is now managed by 3rd generation Tabachniks. They also manage Israel’s first and largest on line drugstore.

If you are in the area it’s worth walking by the pharmacy to see the memorabilia proudly displayed in the windows.

Tel Aviv Marathon Results and Photos

It was a pleasure to walk the car free streets of Tel Aviv this morning! T in Tel Aviv hopes that the marathon will become an annual event and not just brought back after 15 years in honor of the Tel Aviv Centennial.

Kenyan Daniel Kones came across the finish line first at 2:38:06. Second place went to Israeli Shai Pipman pictured below.

Shai Pifman, 2nd Place

Runners on Allenby St.

Runners on Hayarkon St.

Near the Sheraton Hotel

Coming out of Kikar Atarim Tunnel

The Tel Aviv Marathon is Back!!!

After a 15 year hiatus the Tel Aviv Marathon is returning tomorrow, Friday, April 24th. Non-running Tel Avivian’s can suffer through street closures OR come out to cheer for the first set of runners at 7:10 a.m. As of Wednesday over 10,000 runners had registered for the 5k, 10k and marathon races.

Non participating runners can also take a spin around the exhibition tents where sponsors such as Adidas will sell running gear at discounted prices. The marthon website offers a route map although the site can be slow. T in Tel Aviv recommends visiting with patience. That should not stop you from coming out to the streets of Tel Aviv to cheer on the runners as they near the finish line (at about 9:15 a.m.) near Charles Clore Park.

Any runner knows that a pre-marathon meal is an important part of marathon ritual. For a carbo load take a look at these recipes for the The Carbo Loader’s Diet episode of Food Network’s Molto Mario.

Okay. I'm out of breath.

Balkan Beat Box– Earth Day Free Concert in Tel Aviv
The Balkan Beat Box will perform at a FREE (yes, free) Earth Day concert in Kikar Rabin, Thursday night April 23rd at 19:00. The performance will be powered by recycled cooking oil from local falafel stands!


Founded by Israeli born Ori Kaplan and Tamir Muskat , BBB offers a unique mix of Middle Eastern/Jewish/ Mediterranean/Balkan/hip hop music rolled up in one. T in Tel Aviv would call BBB the ultimate world music band.

In honor of Earth Day, Tel Avivians will (should) turn off their lights for one hour starting at 20:00.

Where to eat after the concert:

Pizza Pazzo – 102 Ibn Gvirol
M & R Brasserie – 70 Ibn Gvirol – French bistro
Agvania – 88 Ibn Gvirol – Pizza
Yogo – Ben Gurion corner Kikar Malchei Yisrael – Frozen Yogurt

Tel Aviv 100 - Photograph

100 years ago today a lottery for lots was held on the sand dunes of the Tel Aviv seashore and the first Hebrew City was founded. To commerate the occasion the descendents of the original 66 founding families gathered at the newly renovated "Mitham Ha Tachana" complex for a reenactment of the lottery and a new photograph.

The names of the founding families were drawn from a hat just as they were 100 years ago but this time the descendents cheered as their family names were drawn. Over 150 members of Chelouche family were present along with representatives other well known Tel Aviv founding families.
Panoramic and aerial photographs were taken of the about 2,000 people present. See if you can find T in Tel Aviv (hint: red jacket, white t shirt, black sunglasses!)

A reenactment of the property lottery that took place 100 years ago today.

The original lottery on the seashore of Tel Aviv in 1909- Photo by Avraham Soskin

Photographer Avraham Soskin's grandson organizes the photo reenactment of the lottery

Former Tel Aviv Mayor Shlomo "Cheech" Lahat shares stories with friends

The crowd releases white balloons



Tel Aviv 100 Photograph Souvenir Pin

Mimouna in Israel

As of sundown Wednesday night Passover in Israel will come to an end. Jews of Moroccan descent celebrate the end of Passover with the traditional Mimouna (Mimuna, Maimuna, Mimunah) celebrations. In an election year Israeli politicians would make the rounds to cities with large Moroccan Jewish populations. Fortunately the elections are behind us so all there is to do is enjoy the celebrations.

The Mimouna feast is marked by sweet foods to commemorate the sweetness of physical freedom from the Egyptians. T in Tel Aviv’s family will be celebrating the Mimouna with our friend Osnat and her family in Ashdod, just south of Tel Aviv.

Below you will find a recipe for the VERY tasty and sticky traditional mufleta, a sort of crepe that is served dripping in honey and butter. Trust me on this, you cannot eat just one! T in Tel Aviv has never attempted to make mufleta and honestly, who can compete with Osnat’s parents when it comes to authentic mufletta.

Mufleta Recipe

3 3/4 cups flour
1 1/2 cups warm (not boiling) water
Pinch of salt
Vegetable (not olive) oil, as needed

Place flour and salt in bowl.
Scoop out a "well" in the middle and add water there.
Mix, adding a little extra water if dough seems too dry.
Mix together until a light and elastic dough is formed.
Divide dough into 15 to 20 small balls.
Cover with dish towel and let stand 30 minutes on a flat, well-oiled surface.
Oil hands and on oiled surface, roll dough into thin circles.
Spread small amount of oil in frying pan and cook mufleta over medium heat.
Cook both sides.
Pan does not need to be re-greased before cooking the rest of the mufletas.
Place on a plate and cover with dish towel to keep them warm.
Serve warm with butter and honey.
These may be frozen and re-heated in microwave.
Makes 15 to 20 mufletas.

Tel Aviv 100 Opening Concert

T in Tel Aviv has never seen sooooo many people in Kikar Rabin. Below you'll find a short clip featuring Dana International. Hundreds of thousands were there. It was quite the event.....

Kosher for Passover Restaurants in Tel Aviv…and other Passover events……

Yes, there ARE kosher for Passover restaurants in Tel Aviv.

T in Tel Aviv strongly recommends making reservations at the following more upscale restaurants:

Deca - 10 Hataasia St. (South Tel Aviv) - 03-5629900

2c - Azrieli Center - 03-6081990

Badolina - Tel Aviv Port - 03-5449449

*Bariba – North Tel Aviv Port - 03-602- 5026 – T in Tel Aviv’s favorite

The Café Café branches on Ben Yehuda/Arlozoroff, Ibn Gvirol and Kikar HaMedina will be kosher for Passover as will Café Joe in the Azrieli Center.

During Hol Hamoed (interim days of Passover) entrance is FREE (yes, FREE) to 45 museums and attractions throughout Israel. If you can take the crowds this is a great opportunity to take the kids to museums in Tel Aviv such as The Rubin Museum, Tel Aviv Museum of Art and Eretz Yisrael Museum. Say “thank you” to Bank Hapoalim.

The Jaffa Port

The Teatroneto (Hebrew) theater festival for children is taking place in Old Jaffa during Passover. (in Hebrew only!) A highlight should be the children’s play Ha'Oztar” (“treasure” in Hebrew) presented in the Jaffa Port and including a short sailing trip in the port. The show runs from April 11th - 13th. For tickets and information call 03-518-5563.

The Nalagaat Center will host many of the Teatraneto productions for kids. The plays are in Hebrew and more information is available here.

English tours of Old Jaffa will also be available during the holiday week. You must reserve in advance at 03-5184015.

Passover – Matzah/Matza/Matzo Ball Recipe

Next week begins the holiday of Passover (Pesach). It’s not too early to make matzah balls for the Seder. Freezing matzah balls is easy – after cooking let them cool. Place the matzah balls on a cookie sheet and freeze. Once frozen transfer the matzah balls to a freezer bag and keep up to 3 weeks in the freezer. Remove from freezer a few hours before serving and reheat in hot chicken soup. Here’s T in Tel Aviv’s favorite recipe from Joan Nathan’s Jewish Cooking in America.

Joan Nathan’s Fluffy Matzah Balls

Ingredients

4 large eggs
2 tablespoons chicken fat or vegetable oil
1/4 cup seltzer, club soda, or chicken broth
1 cup matzah meal
Salt and freshly ground pepper to taste + 1 teaspoon for water

*T in Tel Aviv adds a teaspoon of chopped dill for color

Preparation

1. Mix the eggs well with a fork. Add the chicken fat or oil, soda water or chicken broth, matzah meal, and salt and pepper and mix well. Cover and refrigerate for several hours.
2. Dip your hands in cold water and make about 12 balls slightly smaller than Ping-Pong balls.
3. Bring water to a boil in a large pot. Add 1 teaspoon salt and place the matzah balls in the water. Cover and simmer about 30 minutes until soft.