The Big Felafel

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Beautiful Watercolors of Tel Aviv and Jerusalem cafes

Recently I came across a new blog, Drawing Tel Aviv, and fell in love. The artist behind the fabulous watercolors of everyday life in Tel Aviv is Carol Feldman, an olah from Oklahoma, now living in Tel Aviv. What struck me is how she captures Israeli life so perfectly – just look at the guy reading the Ma’ariv Hebrew daily newspaper, with Crocs, sitting next to a sprawled out stray cat. Carol also paints the ubiquitous corner Tel Aviv cafe. I also loved her painting of humus and Israeli money. Also see what israelplug had to say about this great new talent.

telavivcafe Maariv2

The other artist whose cafe scenes I wouldn’t mind hanging in my living room (hint, hint generous reader-turned-artwork-donor) are the watercolors by Azriel Cohen. Raised in Toronto, Canada, Azriel now tours the world and paints cafes and city life wherever he goes. Actually, I met him on one of his adventures to Sinai in Egypt in January or February 2005, I can’t remember (oy!). He heard me and my friends speaking English and we started talking. Continue reading this entry »

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14 Unbelievably Cheap Outlet Stores in Jerusalem – Insider’s Guide

Everyone is now painfully aware of the world’s economic woes. Does that mean we should stop shopping altogether? I think not! I think it just calls for smarter shopping and discovering Jerusalem’s hidden outlet stores. And when I say hidden, some of these places are really hidden, so it’s probably a good idea to call the store first. If I missed any, or the information has changed, please leave a comment.

  1. aldoAldo –  Am V’olamo 3, 02-6537212
    • Men & Women’s shoes
  2. castroCastro, Lev Talpiot Mall, Haoman 17, Talpiot
    • Women’s clothing
  3. crazylineCrazy Line, Lev Talpiot Mall, Haoman 17, 02-6797683 [Thanks to commenters for pointing out that this has closed. ]
    • Women’s clothing
  4. foxFOX, Lev Talpiot Mall, Haom an 17, Talpiot, 02-6245116 [Thanks to commenters for pointing out that this has closed. ]
    Also on Dorot Rishonim, 4, 02-6245116

    • Teenage-ish clothing for boys & girls
  5. galiGali Shoes – across from Ahim  Yisrael mall on Hatnufa St. in Talpiot
    • Shoes for men, women, and children. Go with a friend because the deals are usually 2 for 150 shekels.
  6. honigmanHonigman, Lev Talpiot Mall, Haoman 17, Talpiot [Thanks to commenters for pointing out that this has closed.]

    • Women’s clothing
  7. H&O Lev Talpiot Mall, Haoman 17, Talpiot
    • Men and Women’s clothing
  8. lordkitschLord Kitsch, Merkaz Sapir, Am V’olamo 3, Tel: 02-6512905
    • Women’s clothes, lots of skirtsMerkaz Sapir is in Givat Shaul, pretty close to the Tax Authority building.  I think the busses 11 & 15 go there. I recommend calling and asking people as you go along.
  9. lmetayelL’metayel Camping Store, Yoel Solomon 5, City Center, 02-6233338
    • camping supplies. They call themselves an outlet store, but it still looks pricey to me 😦
  10. matimli Matim Li – Lev Talpiot Mall, Haoman 17, Talpiot, 02-6725566 [Thanks to commenters for pointing out that this has closed. ]
    • Women’s clothing
  11. nimrod Nimrod Shoes, Hadar Mall on Pierre Koening 31, Talpiot, 02-6721630
    Also in Lev Talpiot Mall, Haoman 17, Talpiot 02-6718161

    • Shoes for men, women, and children
  12. gapOld Navy & Gap, on 87 Agrippas St. across from the Mahane Yehuda market/shuk.
    • Men & Women’s clothing
  13. golf Polgat/Golf outlet in Ahim Yisrael mall, Hatnufa St. Talpiot 3rd floor.
    • Men & Women’s clothes
  14. tamnunTamnun – Merkaz Sapir, Am V’olamo 3, Tel: 02-6527459
    • Men & Women’s clothes
  15. victorias_secretVictoria’s Secret & Gap, Rehov Strauss, City Center/Mea Shearim. Up the hill toward Mea Shearim on your left hand side from the Yaffo and King George intersection.
    • women’s apparel
  16. Designer Outlet, Ahim Yisrael mall, Hatnufa St. Talpiot 3rd floor. [Thanks, Leah for reminding me about this one]
    • women’s clothing

If you still want more outlet goodness, check out the Israel Outlets Master List.

Also, here’s a blog dedicated entirely to outlet stores in Israel

If you find any other outlets that I left out, please leave a comment with the info. Thanks!

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Thanksgiving in Israel! It can be done!

Thanksgiving in Israel?It’s almost turkey time. I love Thanksgiving. And what’s not to love, dinner at 3pm, turkey that isn’t sliced lunch meat, stuffing right from the turkey’s butt, mashed potatoes dripping with gravy and cranberry sauce, and pumpkin pie. Lots of pumpkin pie.

This used to be my reality every November for as long as I can remember. But for the last 3 years I have been living in Israel and those Thanksgiving days have turned into memories of my past. Oh, stop being so dramatic, the truth is you (as in me and all other American immigrants) can still have Thanksgiving in Israel.

I know it isn’t the same as sitting around the table in America, staring down at your food baby (this is a term Shira taught me which refers to the ridiculous amount of food you just ate that now makes you appear five months pregnant) and going around the table saying what we are thankful for (I am always thankful there is a toilet near by)—but friends, we are not alone and Thanksgiving can still be the best holiday ever! The gravy bowl is half full! Continue reading this entry »