Chipotle in Tel Aviv!

Okay, so it's not the real Chipotle, but Donkey burrito bar is the closest thing I have found in Israel.

For 34-38 nis you can get a foot long burrito that comes packed with an Ameri-Mexican assortment of toppings. They even have American style shredded chedder cheese.






For the vegetarians out there they have a *new* tofu-ground beef and a veg mix. This non-kosher restaurant also serves pulled pork.

The drinks were a bit pricey, but the food was spot on. For 36nis you can get a delicious chicken burrito all to yourself, or go halfsies with a friend. While it may not be exactly like they have at home this is the first burrito bar I've seen in Tel Aviv.

The wall menu is only in Hebrew, but they have bilingual menu's by the register.

At a 5 minute walk from Rothschild, this place is definitively worth a visit.

Donkey Fresh Mexican

HaHashmona'im 91, Tel Aviv

Sunday - Saturday 11:30 - 23:30

03-5465295

How the times have changed, or not....mostly not

When I read about the tragic factory fire in Bangladesh I immediately felt I had heard the story before. The story I had heard before was the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire in New York. The Triangle fire happened in 1911 when 146 women and children died in a fire. Over 100 years later the factory fire in Bangladesh killed 112 (and counting). This was not the first fire that happened in either factory and it also wasn’t the first catastrophic factory fire in either area. The Triangle factory had exits to the street, but they were all locked. The Bangladesh factory had exits to the lobby, but none to the outside.

Days after the fire family members were still frantically trying to identify the charred remains of the victims. So many of the deceased were burned beyond recognition that the only hope the family members had was identifying a small scrap of clothing or shoe. Some considered themselves lucky to find the broken, unburned remains of their daughters who chose to leap from the window in order to avoid the flames. Newspapers in 1911 were filled with stories of these unlucky women, who were unfortunate enough to work in a society that did not value their lives enough to protect them.

Both fires were called one of the worst/most tragic/devastating fires in their area. What makes it the most devastating? Neither incident was the first fire, leading to death, the area had had. Are they ranking fires by death toll? Every death should be tragic/devastating/ the worst. These fires could have been easily avoided. Both factory owners knew the risks. They had seen firsthand what could have happened, but they made their avarice more important than human lives.

At the time of the Triangle fires the leading political party ignored requests to reform the system. Women were not allowed to vote, and because the garment industry mostly employed women, it was seen as a women’s issue. What’s Bangladesh’s excuse? One hundred years later and the world is repeating itself.

Tweeting about the Holocaust

Eighth International Conference on Holocaust Education at Yad Vashem did not sound like anything I would want to go to. What the name lacks in creativity is, well, everything. Yet, I found myself awake at 7:30 am, on my way to Israel’s most well known Holocaust memorial in Jerusalem. Despite the less than engaging title the topics being discussed had some real value.

The lectures and speeches were less than thrilling, but what was interesting was the constant debate about what should be taught. As one of the youngest people in the room it seemed that the focus was good but the methods of communicating their ideas were lacking. The speeches were burdened by their obvious distance from the target group they were trying to reach. While this was an academic conference, and they were speaking to educators, I felt a general sense that they were out of touch with young people these days.

Speakers referenced “twits on tweeter” and teens preoccupation with ipods and imacs. These attempts at addressing modern technology were good, and should be encouraged, but why not run these speeches by their children first?

I do not assume to understand what everyone in their teens and 20’s are interested in, but technology has a proven appeal. In Yad Vashem there was a poster with a photo of a family from the early 1930’s. The families’ faces were replaced by QR codes, inviting anyone with a smart phone to snap a picture and learn more. Why are there not more technologically interactive approaches in Holocaust education? Thirteen year olds now have smart phones, ipads, laptops and gaming systems. Let’s tap into that. It is difficult to get youth engaged in books, and few are able to do what Suzanne Collins, J.K. Rowling, and Stephenie Meyer accomplished. Instead of fighting to get Middle School students reading hardcopies of textbooks, let’s turn them digital and make them interactive.

These three authors inspired millions of young readers, while I was anything but inspired by the six middle aged white men who were trying to explain how memory and preservation should play a vital role in Holocaust education. It is difficult to strip away our biases around the sophistication, or lack of, in youth. Who cares if they are sophisticated? Let’s first work on educating them and then get to the task of their social refinement.

Oktoberfest Tel Aviv

Last night I went to Tel Aviv's first Octoberfest at Hatachana (the old train station). This is a two day event ends tonight at 23:00 and is worth a visit.

I'm still not quite sure anyone outside Israel would count this event as part of Oktoberfest. Taking up only a fraction of the Hatachana compound it it seemed more like a Paulaner expo than a German beer festival.

With free entry, great music, lots of beer, and food  stands it's a solid choice for your Thursday night. The live band played familiar songs at a volume that still allowed you to have a conversation. And I'm pretty sure we were always within an arms distance from beer. The deal of the night is a 36nis 1/2 liter with a complementary glass. The glass only says Paulaner, not Oktoberfest. 

Foodies, if you're a fan of German Bratwurst then this is the closest you'll find in Israel outside shtern1.co.il/. Located next to Neve Tzedek and Yafo, Hatachana is a great place to explore with it's late night galleries and high end restaurants. Go for Oktoberfest, stay for the atmosphere.

Photo from bit.ly/PzmUXk  

Tel Aviv Events in October

Some Fun, Free things to do

Oktoberfest is located in HaTachana, the old train station. It is only a two day event from the 3rd-4th, but is well worth a visit. Walk around, enjoy great beer, free music and head over to one of the German food stands to get some Bratwurst.bit.ly/KxOcuU (HaTachana also is home to Tel Aviv's Bodies Exhibit)

TMarket located in the less touristy part of Tel Aviv, 13 Harekhev, is a hipsters paradise. Open the 3rd-5th this fun market has music, shopping, food, and great atmosphere. Last year was 10nis entry but bring more cash if you're planning on shopping. on.fb.me/OEJxio

Sovev Cycling is on the 5th and is a 7.5k, 22k, or 42k race ride around Tel Aviv. The ride will begin at Kikar Rabin 8am on the 5th. With a 60nis sign up, 150nis for a family of 4, it's a great way to stay in shape and join in the fun. bit.ly/SIl9HS

Helena Rubinstein Pavilion will feature, David Claerbout: The Time That Remains, for the month of October, November, and December. This free exhibit will merge movement and film with stationary photography to explore reality and illusion. Located next to Kikar Habima this is a great place to check out after strolling down Rothschild. bit.ly/Vkm7Ar

Heartbeats is an interesting piece by Christian Boltanski at the Nahum Gutman Art Museum. Showing until the 13th, Boltanski's art takes you through his life, beat by beat. This is another free exhibit in Neve Tzedek that may be worth a quick stop. bit.ly/O78IsA

Journey Among Dreams is at the Jaffa Museum of Antiquities until the 20th. Touted as an international exhibit, geared towards children, it will surely resonate with everyone both young and old. I'm sure the 20nis entry will be worth it. bit.ly/SzlxML

Dance My Way by Mikhail Baryshnikov is a free exhibition at the Suzanne Dellal Center in Neve Tzedek. This is Baryshnikov's first exhibition and attempts to capture the fluidity of dance on camera. Open from the 24-27th, it would be a shame to miss. bit.ly/SzkOeI

Nike Night Run on the 30th is a 10k race through the city. 150nis to sign up, you receive a Nike dry fit shirt and get to participate in a iconic Tel Aviv moment. Starting at Kikar Rabin, taking a circuitous route though the city, you will find yourself trying to keep pace with thousands of other Tel Avivians. bit.ly/SrqiEQ

Leave a comment if you know of anything else going on

Why doesn't Israel have a Costco?

Israel maintains a very European lifestyle. There are markets to buy fruits, butchers for meat, and grocery stores for staples. Tel Aviv even has a store for only eggs and honey. Not all of Israel is like this. There definitively are places where people have yards with grass, SUV’s, big fridges, and even bigger homes. In Tel Aviv there simply doesn’t seem like there is room for a Costco.

The average Costco shopper, in the US, has a higher level of income than I would have guessed. I have read two separate reports that said these upper middle class shoppers have an average income of over $72,000 - $100,000 a year. If we assume that the Israeli market would also attract these higher income buyers, those who have the trunk and closet space to store all of their purchases, it becomes realistic to have a Costco. Why not bring this warehouse giant to a country that loves a good bargain?

I was on my way down south when the people I was driving with took me to a supermarket in Ber Sheva. I was in love. It looked like a Costco. Everything was big, in bulk, and cheap. The Israeli’s were shocked, who wouldn’t be. In most cities all you see are the little makolets (general stores) and grocery stores called “Super Something”.

I understand not taking up valuable real-estate in the country’s center with a Costco Warehouse, but why not the North or South? Heck, if people are willing to rent a car to drive to Ikea, and assemble DIY furniture, why not drive out to buy 100 of something at a 14% markup?

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/34/CostcoMoncton.JPG