Nestled within the heart of Tel Aviv, the city that never sleeps, is the beautiful Neve Tzedek, a community of artistry and architectural celebration. Just walking the streets of Neve Tzdek is an adventure worth taking, as the senses delight in the sights, sounds, and scents of a community that pulses with artistic energy. Neve Tzedek offers an eclectic variety of shopping and culinary surprises that will turn your sightseeing tour into a satisfying adventure. Effortlessly blending the best of the ancient with the progressiveness of the modern is a special gift of Neve Tzedek!

A History of Strength, Resilience and Restoration in Neve Tzedek

Neve Tzedek has an intriguing and inspiring history, and that history is visible today as one walks through the streets. Built in 1887, as part of the ‘new’ Tel Aviv, Neve Tzedek was left to decline, with buildings and antique roadways simply crumbling away, until the 1980’s when renewed investment of spirit and effort helped to transform the village and restore its former grandeur. Today, some of the original buildings, expertly restored, provide a focal point for local celebrations and tourism. You can stand on the rooftop of the Chlouche House, the first house built in Tel Aviv, and enjoy the ocean breeze. Explore the outdoor gardens on the patios of the gracious theater, the Suzanne Dellal Center.

Neve Tzedek Today: Sightseeing, Fine Shopping and Extraordinary Cuisine

Neve Tzedek offers an architectural display that is not to be missed! The blend of older architecture and newer building design is astonishingly successful and very beautiful. The decorative style of the outer buildings is also a sight to behold, as though the buildings are a canvas touched lovingly by the colorful palette and fine hand of a skilled artist. And, indeed, this is true- although there were many hands involved in transforming Neve Tzedek into the beautiful village it is today. Opportunities for shopping seem endless, even in such a relatively small area- such is the magic of Neve Tzedek. Don’t miss the shops and restaurants on Shabazi Street for a complete Neve Tzedek day tour.

Originally called Jaffa, Tel Aviv is a port city with a history that dates back to at least 1400 BC. The city was of little note, except for some brief mentions in the Bible, until 1099. In this year, Catholic armies from the First Crusade occupied the town. For the next 700 years, the town was repeatedly conquered and refortified, due to its strategic importance as a port town.

Growth Post Napoleon

After the final conquest by Napoleon, in 1799, where he decimated the largely Muslim population, the town started to flourish. Bedouin and Jewish immigrants, primarily Ashkenazi and Yemenite, helped transform the town into a thriving urban community. Its growth was further spurred by the First and Second Aliyah, until the city was officially established on April 11, 1909.

On this day, 66 Jewish families engaged in a lottery using seashells. This lottery parceled out land to each of the families. In just a little over a year, the city had streets and running water to all 66 homes, as well as a publicly funded high school. Over the next few decades, Tel Aviv continued to grow rapidly, adding public electricity to the entire city. It was quickly becoming both an economic and cultural center for the entire area.

Rapid growth ensued shortly before the start of World War II, as Jews fled from Europe. The Jewish population of Tel Aviv reached over 150,000. It became an independent municipality with two airports and even had its own independent port, which rivaled the Jaffa Port.

Life After WWII

For the most part the city went unscathed during WWII and the events leading up to it, though it did experience some problems during the Arab Revolt and was bombed by the Italians. The main effect of WWII on Tel Aviv, though came at the end of the war. When Israel was made an independent state, the now 200,000 population city was temporarily made the capital of Israel.

In modern history, Tel Aviv and Jaffa were officially united as a single city on April 24, 1950. Later in 1991 during the Gulf War, it was the target of Scud Missile attacks by Iraq, which resulted in the deaths of 74 residents.

Today it has grown to a population of over 400,000 and is considered one of the biggest tech centers in the world.

Nestled on 30 acres of scenic land, the Jerusalem Botanical Gardens is a majestic wonder of Israel. Located in the Nayot neighborhood, the gardens boasts the widest variety of plant life in Israel with over 10,000 unique species and invites thousands of visitors each year to its lush environment. A must-see when visiting Jerusalem, the botanical gardens is home to history, greenery, and a renewed appreciation for plant life.

The History of Jerusalem Botanical Gardens

Originally conceptualized in 1926, the Jerusalem Botanical Gardens began on Mount Scopus and hosted the first Biblical Zoo. Less than two decades after planting commenced in 1931, the Jerusalem Botanical Gardens was restricted from the public following the Israeli War of Independence. Much like its homeland, the Jerusalem Botanical Gardens’ establishment faced trials and tribulations, until it was eventually transferred to a new location in the early 1960s. Twenty years later, the gardens outgrew its location, forcing a move to its current location. Today, the gardens serve as a hub of horticultural education and research.

Visiting the Jerusalem Botanical Gardens

While taking in everything the Jerusalem Botanical Gardens has to offer may require more than one trip, make the most of your visit to the gardens with proper planning. Consider adding the following exhibits and activities to your itinerary:

• The Flower Train. Relax and enjoy the colorful scenery on this 30-minute train ride through the gardens’ meandering flower beds, the perfect activity for families and groups.
• The African Savannah Grass Maze. Step onto safari-like terrain and learn about the many plant species indigenous to Africa in the gardens’ African Savannah Grass Maze.
• The Bible Path. Have you ever wondered about the significance of Biblical plant life, and its place in history? Tour the Jerusalem Botanical Gardens’ Bible Path to discover herbs, flowers, and trees mentioned in the Bible.
• Herb and Medicinal Plant Tasting Tour. Awaken your senses and embark upon a journey of discovery in the Herb and Medicinal Plant section of the gardens. Learn about the significance of plants in Biblical medicine and take home a bit of history by creating your own herb-filled sachet.

No Time To Visit, No Worries

Don’t have time to take everything in? The Jerusalem Botanical Gardens now hosts an online course entitled “Flora of the Holy Land,” which provides virtual education about the area’s many plant species and their historical significance in the Bible. The next time you’re brainstorming a new and interesting way to explore the world, add the Jerusalem Botanical Gardens to your list of majestic destinations.

The Tel Aviv Bible Lands Museum gives visitors an opportunity to wander through biblical history. The museum features a unique collection that depicts the civilizations and cultures of ancient lands of the Bible. The Tel Aviv Bible Lands Museum contains an extensive collection of Ancient Near Eastern art that presents history of the biblical period. There are exhibits, events and collections to delight visitors of all ages. The museum offers daily guided tours as well as an Easy guide audio system that is free with admission to the museum.

History of the Tel Aviv Bible Lands Museum

Completely dedicated to the history of the biblical period of the ancient lands in the Bible,the Bible Lands Museum Jerusalem is the only museum of its kind in the world. On May 11, 1992, the Bible Lands Museum opened its doors to the public and has since earned international acclaim for their educational and cultural programs. Civilizations are brought to life through the exhibits featured throughout the museum, including displays of artifacts of the Ancient Near East, which are part of the extensive private collection of Dr. Elie Borowski (1913-2003). The Bible Lands Museum was the inspiration of Dr. Elie Borowski.

Exhibits

Visitors from around the world are amazed at the interactive time capsule as they wander through the galleries and discover the interrelationships of the ancient cultures. The rare and breathtaking ancient treasures of the Bible Lands Museum are displayed in chronological order, which allows the visitors to stroll through history as they trace the dawn of civilization to the early Christian era. Upon entering the museum, visitors are greeted by display items from the sons of Noah that illustrate the unity of humankind through a biblical concept. There are 20 galleries in the museum, each of which represent a historical era and feature unique and rare artifacts from the time period.

Events To See

There are always fun and entertaining events scheduled at the museum. Lectures and courses are available each week for adults, educational programs are available for children and through the holidays, the museum host a variety of creative programs. Some of the upcoming events at the Bible Lands Museum include:

• Natural Selection-a musical performance that explores the mystical connection of words to Hebrew letters.
• Lovers’ Words by the Naama Womens Voice Ensemble, which is a wonderful ensemble of love songs through the ages.
• Story telling is scheduled a couple of times through each month, including a special program for Hamshushalayim.

The museum is open daily as is the gift shop and Kosher Restaurant. Wednesday evenings the museum hosts lectures and Saturday night there are music, wine and cheese programs for visitors to attend. The events change routinely at the Bible Lands Museum, so it is recommended that you contact the museum for details of programs on the days you intend to visit.