Jerusalem or Tel Aviv?
Published in The Australian Jewish News
May 3, 2019
It is an age-old debate, even more polarising than the Melbourne versus Sydney argument.
Jerusalem or Tel Aviv?
Undoubtedly, both cities have their allure.
Jerusalem is the ancient treasure, perched atop the Judean Hills. An old kingdom, it is the spiritual heart of Israel, and the epicentre of each of the three Abrahamic faiths.
And the feeling is palpable — often likened to a pressure cooker on the brink of explosion at any given moment.
Contrastingly, Tel Aviv is the new, the trendy, the hip, the cool. Carefree as the bicycles and scooters that whir past on Rothschild Avenue, the next new and exciting activity, restaurant or bar is just around the corner.
But to relegate Jerusalem and Tel Aviv to their respective stereotypes is a disservice to them both, because there are surprising gems — both new, and old — to be found in each city.