The Neve Tzedek neighborhood in Tel Aviv is characterized by an artistic atmosphere and designer boutiques, clothing stores, and shops that sell handmade items in avant-garde style, and is also known for a weekly farmers’ market held in the renovated train station complex – based on a restored historic train station. Trendy European restaurants operate alongside fancy bistros, and many of the open-air cafés operating in the area are turning into jazz clubs with live performances and cocktail lounges at night. The Suzanne Dellal Center presents contemporary dance performances, and surfers spend time at nearby beaches.
Neve Tzedek may well be one of Tel Aviv’s oldest districts. Built in 1887, Neve Tzedek was the first Jewish neighborhood outside of the old port city of Jaffa and is considered as the city’s first suburb. Its Oriental architectural style combined with quaint, narrow streets makes Neve Tzedek a retreat from the modern city, located in a central place near the Tel Aviv city center. The name means “Oasis of Justice”, and it really is a great escape.
Today, we answer some common questions regarding Neve Tzedek.
1. How to pronounce Neve Tzedek, and what does it mean
Literally, Neve Tzedek means “Oasis of Justice”, but it is also one of the names for God (Jeremiah 50:7). It is pronounced as Ne-Ve Tze-Dek, in Hebrew: “נווה צדק”.
2. Is Neve Tzedek open on Shabbat?
According to the Jewish faith, God created the world over a period of six days and rested on the seventh. The Shabbat commemorates God’s rest – and most Jewish people traditionally refrain from working, lighting fire, traveling, and using electricity.
Some individuals are obviously more strict than others, and in general, Tel Aviv is not a religious city, but it is a common practice to not work on Saturday, and restaurants must be closed during the Shabbat in order to be Kosher. Generally speaking, most businesses are not open on Shabbat in Tel Aviv, with the exception of hotels, service-based businesses supermarkets, and some restaurants.
One should also remember that the public transport doesn’t run on Shabbat. Buses and trains cease to operate on Friday evening and start again 24 hours later. You’ll find some taxis – but generally speaking, it’s hard to move around on Shabbat.
In Neve Tzedek as well, most businesses and restaurants are closed on Shabbat, but there are some exceptions. Just near Neve Tzedek, the old Turkish Train Station converted into an entertainment hotspot (called in Hebrew “the Tachana”), remains open through the Shabbat and is full of action, with kids’ activities, stores and coffee shops that are all open. Not far to the south, you can visit Jaffa, which is a Muslim neighborhood and therefore has more variety of open stores.
3. Are There Art Galleries in Neve Tzedek?
Tourists often find themselves coming to Neve Tzedek in order to escape the fast pace of central Tel Aviv, and enjoy some peace and quiet in the narrow streets, do some shopping, eat out, and enjoy the craftsmanship and creativity of the neighborhood’s artists.
The streets are not only home to many beautiful individual houses restored to full glory, but you can also spend hours browsing (and buying) in boutiques, galleries, and various shops around the neighborhood.
Worth mentioning is The Nahum Gutman Museum of Art, which showcases a large collection of paintings, illustrations, and writings by the versatile Israeli artist. The enchanting little museum, housed in the historical house of the writer, also offers an arts and crafts section suitable for children.
A visit to the ceramics studio of Samy D (Shabazi Street 56) is always a pleasurable experience and you can stop in on your way to the Suzanne Dellal Center. Edition by Sagit Goldin (Shlush Street 27) is a half gallery half coffee shop, located in a 130-year remodeled building and offers Scandinavian-style furniture, tasteful fashion, accessories, and toys.
Not far from there, the Schechter Gallery (Shlush Street 42) presents art in connection with prominent events from the Jewish and Israeli calendars. The Schechter Gallery annually hosts five exhibits of contemporary Israeli and international art.
4. Are There Kosher Restaurants in Neve Tzedek?
Although kosher food restaurants used to be scarce in Tel Aviv, it’s now enjoying of a comeback into style with many new kosher places that seem to pop up around the city. Neve Tzedek was not skipped by the time, and the neighborhood offers several nice kosher restaurants.
Worth mentioning: Carmen, A kosher meat restaurant in the “tapas” style that offers quality culinary entertainment in a young Tel Aviv atmosphere. Ewa Safi, a Moroccan lounge that offers a dynamic experience filled with Morocco-inspired cocktails. Racha, is a rich and happy Georgian culinary experience. and Rendez’vous, a warm Italian place that hits all the right notes.
5. You Can Go To Ulpan in Neve Tzedek
Hebrew is taught throughout the city in schools called ulpans (which literally means “studio”). The relatively new Ulpan in Neve Tzedek (four years old) tries to differentiate itself from the others by offering smaller classes (less than 25) with courses ranging from a period of 3 to 5 months, 8 to 25 hours a week.
- Ulpan Neve Tzedek, 7 Lilienblum – Tel Aviv
- Ulpannevetzedek@mail.tel-aviv.gov.il
- 03 517 36 70 – 052 90 60 804
- Facebook & Instagram : Ulpan Neve Tzedek
6. Also to the Mikve
In Judaism, mikveh is a reservoir of water that conforms to the rules of Halakhah, in which baptism confers purity from various states of impurity. The mikveh is also used for the baptism of vessels purchased from a gentile and is also part of the Jewish conversion process.
There is a beautiful newly refurbished Mikve in Neve Tzedek called “Safra Mikve”.
7. There is a Train Station in Neve Tzedek – HATACHANA
For over half a century, between the years 1892 and 1948, the Turkish train station docks in Neve Tzedek were crammed with hundreds of thousands of passengers and goods, on their way from Jaffa to Jerusalem and back again. Today, “HATACHANA” – in Hebrew simply means “The Station” – welcomes visitors who stop by and want to feel, at least for a moment, that they are part of the journey between then and now.
Today, the place serves as a venue for art and fashion shows, as well as a center for musical activities, and special events for children and families. The complex combines a bit of everything – history, art galleries, a range of clothing boutiques and specialty shops, and also a number of fashionable bars and excellent restaurants.
Every Saturday, you can enjoy free circus performances in the Center Stage at the Station. Every Thursday from 7 p.m. to midnight is Unique Night, when Israeli designers, artists, and concept creators converge for a roofless trade show that is open to the public, with live music accompanying the fun.
To Sum It Up
Tucked inside one of Tel Aviv’s oldest districts, lies an architectural gem with a young, beating heart. Established in 1887, Neve Tzedek, the first Jewish neighborhood outside of the old port city of Jaffa, has recently become a trendy stomping ground for artists of all modalities, who fit in perfectly with the district’s restored quaint Oriental architecture.
See for yourselves:
