Modern Israel

By Josh Rudner

New York. Los Angeles. London. Paris. We American teens think these cities epitomize modern culture. We have no idea that Tel Aviv, the modern financial capital of Israel, is a lively urban center strongly influenced by Western society.

Why is it hard to imagine? Because everything we see about Israel and Tel Aviv in the news is related to either politics or war. Tel Aviv’s art shows and night clubs aren't BREAKING NEWS like the conflicts in Gaza, but they are important nonetheless.

Israeli Tal Arkin and Israeli-Americans Noga Evan and Ofir Edri had much to say on the subject.  As a thriving commercial and financial center, “Tel Aviv is the New York of Israel,” said teenager Noga Evan, a Dallas resident, who moved to America as a child but visits Israel annually.

Ofir Edri and Noga Evan

Tal Arkin

Without visiting or getting a good, first-hand account, many teens may think that Tel Aviv (or Tel Aviv-Jaffa) is nothing but an ancient port city. However, with an accurate understanding of the way of life in Tel Aviv, it is clear that this metropolitan area is filled with an amazing energy.

For Guy Sharett, a Hebrew teacher in Israel, the Tel Aviv neighborhood of Florentin, is a laboratory. He teaches his students new words and phrases by examining and analyzing the graffiti/street art of Tel Aviv, he told the Tel Aviv Journal last June. According to Noga Evan, graffiti/street art is a common sight in Tel Aviv. It is a unique way that Israelis can showcase their self-expression.

In many cities, graffiti is a tool used to vandalize buildings with sour messages or obscene depictions; whereas in Tel Aviv, graffiti is used as a form of art used to express thoughts, feelings, and political views.

      

In a poll taken by GayCities.com and American Airlines, 43% of voters named Tel Aviv, which has an annual Pride Parade, the world's best gay travel destination; suggesting that this city has achieved a high level of tolerance, a feat to be sure in the ultra conservative Middle East and in a city that was founded just 102 years ago.

A German-American sociologist and historian, Dr. Gerhard Falk is knowledgeable about Tel Aviv and its history. On jbuff.com, Dr. Falk remarked: "[Tel Aviv] is the New York of Israel in that it is the commercial and financial center of the country."

           

Many American teens have no idea that Israelis, with the exception of Israeli Arabs and Orthodox Jews, dress just as we do in America. Israeli and American teens share other things in common: They troll Facebook and Skype with their friends at all hours while technically they are supposed to be doing their homework.

While teens in both the U.S. and Israel love to shop, their method of payment differs—beyond just choosing cash or credit cards. In the states, customers assume they will pay the price that is marked on a product. But in Israel, "people bargain for prices," according to Noga Evan and fellow Dallas seventh grader Ofir Edri.

Almost everyone has seen a map of Israel and knows what a tiny country it is. But consider how that affects the social life of Israeli teenagers. Since the entire country is about the size of New Jersey, people commonly run into people they know in the street all the time. People walk and ride bikes everywhere, rather than drive, which contributes to the feeling of closeness.

For better or worse, American pop culture and music have found their way into Israeli society. So, it would make sense that famous artists Katy Perry, Justin Bieber, One Direction, Adele, LMAFO, and Psy have been popular among Israelis. Tal Arkin, who lives in Savyon, a city outside of Tel Aviv, and attends summer camp in the U.S., said, "American pop culture [has] an enormous influence on Israeli pop culture. There are a few Israeli artists popular among teens here, but most trends are American."

Located in Tel Aviv, Israel's National Sports Center and the Tel Aviv Performing Arts Center contribute in giving the city a 21^st-century feeling. Israel has the highest number of museums per capita of any country and three of its largest museums are located in Tel Aviv. Tel Aviv holds the headquarters of Israel's largest newspapers, as well. And like any big city, Tel Aviv's nightlife, of course, includes nightclubs, dancing, and bars.

Besides music, American shops and restaurants such as Burger King and McDonalds (both kosher, of course), Nike, Abercrombie, Forever 21, and American Eagle, can also be found in Israel. But don't lose hope, Israel is home to many of its own bookstores, cafes, restaurants, and shops with their own distinct atmosphere.

But in a significant way, the lives of teens and in Israel diverge. Israel teens contend with the constant fear of attack. How did the recent missiles attacks affect the lives of teenagers?

 "[It] is an unavoidable topic at school and in Facebook circles. I have friends that live within missile range and in recent days, they [were] forced to get to their shelters within 20 seconds of the sound of a siren," said Tal Arkin.

 

It is no doubt hard for Israeli teens to cope with their own emotional and physical changes while simultaneously fearing for their lives. Even during relative periods of calm, there are constant reminders of the country’s fragility and their own.

“I don’t think the United States has this," Tal said, "but in Israel, every house is required to have at least one 'safe room,' or shelter. A shelter is a room in the house that has a stronger foundation than the rest of the rooms. It is also air-tight, to prevent gas bombs from affecting those in the room."

So it is even more remarkable that Israel and Tel Aviv has created such a bounty of modern riches.