Why are all the Gays in Tel Aviv?
It might have been a while since the Gay Rally, but a conversation I recently had prompted me to write this briefly.
When the gay rally took place nearly a month ago, there was a consensus amongst all my friends that having a gay rally was an inalienable right of all gay people, wherever they might be.
However, when it came down to it, a few of my friends said that although they believe in the right of the gay people to have a rally, they find it offensive that they should do it in Jerusalem.
”Why not just keep in Tel Aviv,” they argued. “What’s the point? To cause more division between our people just to make a statement doesn’t make sense.”
At that time, although I disagreed with them by staunchly supporting the rally, I thought their views were somewhat respectable. “OK, so they are not saying those guys shouldn’t have a rally. But they’re saying they disagree with the purpose and the end accomplishment of having a rally in Jerusalem.”
Today, not only do I disagree with them, I vehemently oppose their views.
A few weeks ago, I had the chance to meet Hagai, a former editor of a Tel Aviv nightlife magazine. I met him through a Israel21C nightlife tour. Hagai, proudly Gay, has been active in many causes for gay people in Israel.
It was through my conversation with Hagai that I came to my conclusions about the rally. Hagai explained that the area he lived in Tel Aviv was all gay.
He told me that a grand majority of the gay people in Israel, who decide to come out, move to Tel Aviv because that’s the place where they can really relax and essentially be gay outwardly. In other cities in Israel he said, it’s hard to be comfortable with such an identity.
So I asked him about the rally and its importance in his eyes. He told me that the importance of the gay rally was extremely local. Even though the rally was hyped up and written about in virtually every newspaper across the world, the rally was meant to give a voice to the gay people of Jerusalem.
After all, why should gay people not be proudly gay in Jerusalem? Why should they have to move to Tel Aviv? The rally, was meant to give voice to the oppressed in Jerusalem.
Doesn’t the anthem, Hatikvah, go something like, ”
“To be a free nation in our own land,
The land of Zion and Jerusalem”
Well gays are a part of the nation. Its about time they are allowed to feel that way, even in Jerusalem.
?
Tel Aviv
Wathching the sun set over Tel Aviv Drum Beach. No words…
HaMarakiah
If you like good soup and Jazz, I recommend you pay a visit to HaMarakiah on 4 Koresh st. (off of Shlom-Tzion), Jerusalem. Last night my friend and I had a blast…
We walked in and the place seemed more like a
spartan living room with an actual kitchen and a long-dining table where different parties actually are forced to sit together and talk.
After our soup was set for us, our waiter randomly brought us some free beer and said it was on the house.
Then musicians kept coming in and improvising with the band that was performing from the beginning. It was a total potpourri of music and of people… German volunteers, Israeli students,other random Israelis , some Americans.. but if you’re looking for the American scene you’re better off sticking with the Ben-Yehuda area and dropping by Zolli’s
The austere “bar” is a perfect setting for a laid-back night with the ”other” crowd of Jerusalem.
Visit Palestine
I was recently looking for an apartment to rent with a friend of mine. Just last week, I found an awesome place in Bakka.
The land-lord was very friendly and showed us around: kitchen, coffee-machine, living room, bedroom #1, bedroom #2 and
“hmmmm…. what’s this,” my future roommate asked. He was referring to a beautiful poster of the Old City with the big bold letters, “Visit Palestine”.
To be clear, my roommate has nothing against Pro-Palestinian objects but he was befuddled. This landlord guy seemed like an ardent zionist- at least 2 Israeli flags were in our peripheral vision. So what’s with the Visit Palestine poster?
The famous poster, the guy explained, is a relic from the past. It was created by the Jewish Agency to encourage Jewish immigration.
I suppose no poster is as versatile as this one… To your leftist friends or Palestinian friends, you’re a supporter of Palestinian statehood. To your Right-wing Zionist friends, you’re so committed to the cause, that you own a poster representative of the beginnings of Jewish statehood.
Voi-la.
Summer of Art at School of Visual Theater
If you’re looking for Israeli art on the fringe, with practically no boundaries, then The School of Visual Theater is the place to be. Every summer, this Talpiot art school showcases its students’ final original works in experimental film, theater, and puppetry. The 3 day event- Summer Marathon- started on the 16th and runs until tomorrow night, the 19th. Check out–> http://visualtheater.co.il/events_en.html for more details.
Upon entry into the School of Visual Theatre (located steps away from “The Yellow Submarine”) I finally took a deep exhale, “ahhhhhhh”. At last, I had found another stage for the Israeli avant-garde art scene in Jerusalem. To be clear, I’ve never had any complaints about the Jerusalemite art scene but lets be frank- it ain’t no Tel Aviv.
Finding art in Jerusalem is a challenge but well worth it. From on-going music and theatre at Pargod (http://www.pargod.org/) to readings, jazz and books at Tmul Shilshom (http://www.tmol-shilshom.co.il/index.asp), Jerusalem is filled with multifarious art pockets. And the deeper you reach into these pockets the more riches you will find.
There are yet two more nights of Marathon Summer at the Talpiot School. I recommend that artists and art-appreciaters pay a visit but with extremely open minds. The student works are thoughtful and are carried out with a seemingly tight level of resources. The art transcends budget constraints though.
A play portraying the life of an elderly couple is my favorite. Few words are spoken to illustrate the day-to-day predictability of a 50-year old marriage. The woman concentrates on the newspaper and only breaks her attention to ask her husband to ”close the window”.
Through movement and voice imitation, two young actresses bring the audience to a day in the life of an older Israeli couple. But then a final scene of surprise brings the audience into the bed of the old couple, who still get a kick from embracing each other at night.
There are many short pieces, check them out tonight or tomorrow and shoot me a comment.
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