Tel Aviv – Page 2 – Marilyn Ambach

The new spot in town: Da Da Da

December 12, 2014December 12, 2014 by Marilyn Ambach

Living in the heart of Tel Aviv we are spoilt with many of the best cafes and restaurants. But sometimes you just get fed up with all the places. So this Friday I got all dressed up in my Nununu outfit and we went for brunch with Nellie. I’m happy to have discovered the new spot in town: Da Da Da. Da Da Da is located on the beautiful and historical corner of Rothschild Boulevard and Herzl Street.

The ground floor of what used to be the French Institute is now a place for breakfast and lunch, a delicatessen with take away dishes, sandwiches, assortments of pastries and breads. For now it’s open from 7am till 4pm but from what I hear it should soon also be open on Saturdays and go 24/7.

The name Da Da Da apparently refers to Dadaism and is the joint creation of chef Sharon Cohen (Shila) and nightlife king David Tur (Breakfast Club, Cafe Europa). The European design is impressive and visible in the lighting, the outside terrace, the long bar and in the small details. Go check it out.

Innovation · Tel Aviv · Tourism

TEL AVIV WINS WORLD SMART CITY AWARD

December 10, 2014 by Marilyn Ambach

PRESS RELEASE

Tel Aviv wins first place in the World Smart Cities Award at the Smart City Expo World Congress in Barcelona, beating the 250 other cities who competed in the competition.

The Smart City Expo World Congress is considered the leading conference in the world for smart city innovation. Tel Aviv hosted a booth at the congress displaying the city’s smart technologies with companies such as Motorola Solutions Israel, TSG (Ness) and Microsoft.

Tel Aviv, the startup city, ranked one of the most innovative cities in the world by Citibank and the Wall Street Journal, has leveraged its high-tech ecosystem to facilitate its transformation into a smart city. In the last 2 years, the city has undergone a digital revolution, including the launching of the city residents’ membership club Digi-Tel, free Wi-fi across the city and more.

These initiatives improve municipal services, enhance residents’ quality of life and create the conditions for sustainable urban development. Above all, they exemplify the city’s active, intelligent role in employing technology to heighten civic engagement and ensure a city which is accessible and responsive to all.

Check out a video clip about DigiTel here and read about Tel Aviv’s smart city policies here

History · Israel · Jaffa · Lifestyle · Press · Tel Aviv · Tourism · Travel guide

Tel Aviv officially crowned ‘Creative City’ by UNESCO

December 1, 2014 by Marilyn Ambach

A decade after UNESCO recognized Tel Aviv as a World Cultural Heritage site…

UNESCO Announces Tel Aviv a Creative City

Tel Aviv has previously received official recognition from UNESCO as a world heritage site for its extraordinary and beautiful collection of more than 4000 original white Bauhaus buildings scattered throughout the city. Today, the White City is to enjoy an additional title of Creative City as Tel Aviv is now the newest member of UNESCO’s Creative Cities Network in the category of Media Arts.

UNESCO – United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization established the Creative Cities Network in order to encourage cooperation between international cities as a means to promote local creative industries, harnessing entrepreneurship and creativity to strengthen the local economy and social development. This evening, Tel Aviv will join 41 other cities each recognized in one of seven categories: Literature, Film, Music, Craft and Folk Art, Design, Media Arts and Gastronomy. Other notable members include Dublin (Literature), Liverpool (Music), Sydney (Film) and Berlin (Design).

Link to UNESCO’s website: http://www.unesco.org/new/en/culture/themes/creativity/creative-cities-network/

Tel Aviv will become a member of the Creative Cities Network recognized in the field of Media Arts. Cities in this area are characterized by the existence of creative industries and cultural activity driven by the use of digital technology and the successful implementation of media arts for the benefit of improving urban life. This is measured by the accessibility of cultural events and products through digital technology and the existence of electronic art forms and their integration into the life of civil society and their ability to strengthening local working studios and media arts projects.

The city’s flourishing high-tech scene and enterprises, especially in the media arts field – both earned Tel Aviv its place in the Creative Cities Network. Currently there are more than 700 early stage startups in Tel Aviv, a city with just over 400,000 residents. Tel Aviv has the second highest number of startups of any city in the world, and has the highest number of startups per capita.

The acceptance of Tel Aviv into the Creative Cities Network is a great honor for the city and will only strengthen the development of activities, projects and initiatives in the field of Media Arts and culture, and continue the Municipalities activities with the wide range of communities living in the city, academia, the business sector, industry, cultural institutions and more. Alongside local activities, an important aspect of the Network is creating international partnerships between the cities. Partnerships based on cooperative learning and the exchange of knowledge, enabling each partner to harness the creativity in their local economy and use it for social development. In order to retain the title, Tel Aviv will present annually to the organization and demonstrate the past-years cooperative initiatives with officials in the city and internationally.

Commenting on the achievement, the Mayor of Tel Aviv-Yafo, Ron Huldai said:

“Ten years ago, UNESCO declared the White City of Tel Aviv as a world heritage site. The world recognized the importance of the city’s architectural past. Starting from today, Tel Aviv’s entrance to UNESCO’s Creative Cities Network UNESCO reflects the world’s recognition of the city’s contribution to the present and the future – recognition of Tel Aviv as a vibrant center of cultural creation and breakthrough technology, the creative industries and the focus of the original visionary scene of digital innovation and initiatives”.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jxvevYZ2suw Urban Symphony featuring the Mayor of Tel Aviv-Yafo

http://youtu.be/-n_BgwdovOY Comical clip about Tel Aviv with quotes from Barack Obama

photos by Kfir Bolotin

Photography · Tel Aviv · Tel Aviv & Antwerp · Tourism · Travel guide

TLV by DLN

October 6, 2014October 7, 2014 by Marilyn Ambach

Press · Tel Aviv · Tourism

If you are also anti-anti-semitism…

August 21, 2014August 25, 2014 by Marilyn Ambach

i- PRO – AN IMPORTANT CROWD FUNDING PROJECT

i – PRO is a project meant to fight the plague of anti-Semitism spreading throughout Europe and the United States. How? By bringing non-Jewish trendsetters (aged 18-40) from different domains: mass-media, journalism, entertainment, business, high-tech industries and more, for a fully funded visit to Israel. Our plan is to expose them to the human element of Israel, meet up with Israelis and then later, allow our guests to share their experiences with thousands of followers on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. Instead of giving up lets fight back and contribute our part. Because nothing beats seeing things with your own eyes. Especially these days when your local media tend to be very one-sided against Israel. And unfortunately, I cannot blame the audience for watching and forming their opinions based on that information. But if they only knew… Together, we will make certain that Israel receives a fairer representation in the global media. Please click the following link to donate.

https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/i-pro-the-pro-israel-project

Entertainment · Israel · Tel Aviv

Hollywood Made in Israel

June 24, 2014June 24, 2014 by Marilyn Ambach

Today Fox Network is releasing its newest drama TV-series Tyrant created by Israeli director, screenwriter, and writer Gideon Raff and developed by Howard Gordon and Craig Wright. An amazing cast and crew I had the privilege of working and a great and first experience for Israel of its kind so far: the show was filmed mainly in a huge studio built especially in Kfar Saba with record breaking stages, technology and manpower. It starts airing today in the US and in Israel on YES on June 26th. Read more about Tyrant on IMDB, The Hollywood Reporter and TheWrap.com

Gideon Raff is currently also shooting another new project of his in Israel called Dig.

You may have heard of Israeli tv shows before: there have been so many Israeli creations sold abroad lately from TV formats like Rising Star to other drama series such as Homeland, In Treatment etc.

Homeland was inspired by Hatufim (which means Prisoners of War) and stars Claire Danes and Damian Lewis and won many awards for Showtime. Hatufim as quoted in Haaretz newspaper: “Far more interested in the psyche of a country than a potential psycho returning from captivity”

Watch it: The first series of “Hatufim” is available via Hulu, while series 1 and 2 are available on Israeli DVD (Region 2), with English subtitles.

In Treatment is an HBO remake of the Israeli program Betipul starring Gabriel Byrne as the therapist. Betipul was the first to put Israeli television on the global map. From Haaretz newspaper article “Found in Translation”: ‘The genius of the original was to utilize things Israel has in abundance (great actors, writers, people in therapy) to override what it lacks (budgets, studio space). The heart of the program – which ran for two seasons in Israel (one less than its U.S. remake), in 2005 and 2008 – was the late Assi Dayan. The actor-director portrayed Reuven Dagan, a Tel Aviv (where else?) psychotherapist, who sees the same set of clients over five weeks, as well as his own shrink (veteran actress Gila Almagor). “BeTipul” is often referred to as the most successful Israeli drama ever, partly for the sheer weight of awards it won locally, but also the number of remakes it spawned – 14 at last count, including a French-Canadian version in Quebec, plus others in Brazil and Romania.’

Watch it: The first series of “BeTipul” is only available on DVD in Hebrew, but the second series (Region 2, Israel) has English subtitles.

Hostages also known as Bnei Aruba is an Israeli drama television series that was first broadcast on Channel 10 in 2013. The ten-part series was created by Rotem Shamir and Omri Givon and produced by Haim Sharir. In December 2013, BBC Four announced it had acquired the series. The show was sold to CBS and Canal+. More on Hostages in the Times of Israel article on this latest Sabra export TV.

Israel · Live · Music · Tel Aviv · Tourism

Must-see May concerts in Tel Aviv: theAngelcy, Carla Bruni, Justin Timberlake

May 12, 2014May 12, 2014 by Marilyn Ambach

theangelcybarby On Tuesday May 20th theAngelcy will be performing live at the Barby to celebrate the release of their well expected album ‘Exit Inside’. TheAngelcy, a most unusual Israeli Indie band, speaks of a very personal, local and contemporary reality in universal, international English that is both simple and poetic. The band’s music is being arranged in a tiny room in one of the most under developed neighborhoods in Tel Aviv, and from there reaches hundreds of thousands of listeners around the world, featured on radio, television and cinema, and of course on stage, in venues and festival in Israel and abroad” Tickets: www.barby.co.il 03-5188123 https://www.youtube.com/user/theAngelcyOfficial

EN - HD_Carla Bruni PARTENAIRE

On Sunday May 25th, the stage of the prestigious Habima National Theater will have French-Italian singer-songwriter Carla Bruni-Sarkozy. She will perform her first concert in Tel Aviv ever. Her 2 biggest hits are “Quelqu’un m’a dit” and “Raphaël” have over 20 million views on Youtube. Until today, Carla Bruni has sold more than 3 million albums. During her modeling career, she has been the muse for several international luxury brands. Carla Bruni said to be “crazy about Israel”, a country that she really wants her son to discover. She will be visiting the country with her husband and ex French president Nicolas Sarkozy.

Click here for tickets : www.eventim.co.il – *9066

Tel Aviv is living good show business times these days. Lots of international artists are heading our way this summer. I myself am currently working on the amazing Justin Timberlake show, happening Wednesday May 28th at the Park Hayarkon – Tickets: www.leaan.co.il *8780.

Also on the menu for the summer of 2014: The Rolling Stones, Pixies, Soundgarden, The Hives, Gogol Bordello, Lana Del Rey, America, Backstreet Boys and for the first time in Israel, the brand new Electronic Dance Festival “Isle of Dreams” happening in Turkey, Switzerland and Israel – including DJ’s such as Avicii, Fedde Legrand, Alesso, Andy Baxter, Chuckie, Jamie Jones, Nervo, Sasha, Paul Oakenfold, Steve Aoki and many more – more info soon.

Architecture · Fashion · History · Israel · Restaurants · Tel Aviv · Tourism · Travel guide

Sarona Quarter – a new/old place to be

May 4, 2014 by Marilyn Ambach

Before the creation of the Israeli state in 1948, Sarona was originally a German Templer colony northeast of the city of Jaffa. In the end of the 19th century, the Templer settlement of Sarona was one of the first modern agricultural settlements in Palestine and became a model for the Jewish pioneers. In the 20th century it was a farming community but immigration was growing and houses were being built throughout British occupation. During the Nazi occupation, it served as an internment camp for the Germans.

In 1948, when the British Mandate ended and British troops left Sarona, the old houses and army barracks were used by the newly formed Israeli government as offices and called the area the “Kirya”: part became a military compound and other parts became houses to other ministries of the Israeli government.

‘With the rapid growth of Tel Aviv, the Kirya became prime real-estate in the heart of the city. When plans for redeveloping the area were proposed in the mid-1970s, preservationists successfully campaigned against demolition. Consulting with historians, it was decided that Sarona was of heritage value and that 18 structures with distinct architectural styles would be preserved. Civil government departments were moved out of the Sarona’s low buildings and into a single high office building erected at its eastern end. During the widening of Kaplan Street, Sarona’s main thoroughfare, considerable effort was made to move the historic buildings intact. These are destined to become an area of cafés and recreation. A high-rise headquarters building was also erected in the military section, though historic buildings in the compound remain in IDF use.’ (source: WikiPedia)

Since 2003, the Tel Aviv municipality has been working to preserve and restore Sarona. And now we can finally enjoy this new old kid in town: new residents apartment buildings, preserved historic buildings, lots of green area, children’s playgrounds and new businesses: shops, bars and restaurants.

Shopping: Tommy Hilfiger, G-Star, Liebeskind, Fred Perry, Stussy, Imelda, L’Occitane, Adidas, etc.

Food: Claro, Rustico, Akiko, Little Italy, Roladine, Wilhelmina, Jajo, Anita, Beer Garden, etc.

photo credit: ארז חרודי

Sarona Market

Architecture · Personal · Photography · Tel Aviv

Tel-a-visitor pt. 2 – impressions of Tel Aviv by a visitor

March 3, 2014March 3, 2014 by Marilyn Ambach

impressions of Tel Aviv by Christina Marien

Photography · Tel Aviv

Tel Aviv in 10 pictures – daytime

February 10, 2014February 10, 2014 by Marilyn Ambach

Tel Aviv is a welcoming city – photo by Sien Josephine

Lil’ green man esaped – photo by N8n

Bauhaus on Yavne Street

Tel Aviv Beaches – 300 days of sun a year

Gordon Pool

Never a dull moment on Rothschild Boulevard – photo by Christina Marien

an old kiosk on Lilienblum Street – photo by Christina Marien

view from Jaffa – photo by Sien Josephine

So many coffee spots open 24/7

Do you have some amazing photos of your Tel Aviv experience? Share with us and become our next guest blogger or guest photographer

Cooking · Israel · Tel Aviv

Dinner with friends – add some Tahini to your life

January 29, 2014 by Marilyn Ambach

The menu

Starter: vegetables in the oven with home made Tehina*

Main course: Gluten free pasta with vegetables in a tomato sauce made by Ruth

Dessert: Fresh seasonal fruit with home made herbal tea and cinnamon – good for digestion

*Tehina or Tahini is a paste made from ground, hulled sesame seeds used in North African, Greek, Turkish, and Middle Eastern cuisine. Tahini is served as a dip on its own or as a major component of hummus, baba ghanoush, and halva. Tahini is an excellent source of copper, manganese and healthy fatty acids omega-3 and omega-6. Tahini’s relatively high levels of calcium and protein make it a useful addition to vegetarian and vegan diets, as well as to raw food diets when eaten in its unroasted form. Compared to peanut butter, tahini has higher levels of fiber and calcium and lower levels of sugar and saturated fats. (source: Wikipedia). In Belgium you can buy it at Delhaize or Jewish shops in Antwerp like Grosz. You can buy it ready made or raw like ours. Then you just have to add water, salt and some lemon to it and make it as liquid as you please. Besides using it with vegetables you could also try Tehina with some hummus and pita or in your Shakshuka or salad. Endless possibilities….