by Hanna Mordekhai
Summer is the time to travel. Whether that's sipping sangrias on the Amalfi Coast, making out under the Eiffel Tower, or shopping through Dubai malls, finding somewhere and something that tickles your fancy is the best way to disconnect from reality.
Somewhere that may not be the most obvious choice to travel currently, I spent the past 3 weeks in Israel. Despite conflict and war, seeing all the beautiful sights the country has to offer, and meeting the cool and kind civilians of Israel was an amazing experience.
I spent most of my time in Tel Aviv, which reminded me most of home (New York). The people are hip and relaxed, and the beaches and food are exquisite. While Liming around the city (a scooter service available in Israel), I discovered the Neve Tzedek. Although Tel Aviv is cool, the streets aren’t necessarily “beautiful”. So when I passed by a cute little Anita’s Gelato on the corner of a cobblestone street, I was taken aback. I later found out that this area is called the Neve Tzedek, and this little Anita’s Gelato happens to be the original, Anita’s for years now has had locations in Manhattan, bringing the delicious taste of artisan Gelato mixed with perfect chocolate and nutty flavors straight from the Middle East to Midtown.
The Neve Tzedek has amazing first and second-hand jewelry stores with pieces you can’t find anywhere else. The art galleries are inspiring and personable to Tel Aviv. I even saw graffiti on a corner by Alec Monopoly that reads “I LOVE TLV”. Designers like BA&SH, Nili Lotan, Byredo, and more have their pieces available in boutiques on this street.
One store that struck me the most was De Rococo. Founded by Israeli designer and influencer Romy Spector in 2017, her pieces are elevated basics that combine Israeli and European styles. From denim to outerwear, and swimwear, it is easy to pick out a whole wardrobe from the selection of this store. With an elevated earthy interior, shopping there was pleasant, inspiring and as a fashion-lover an overall great experience. I happened to run into Romy one of the many times I went to the store. She was dressed in their brown maxi skirt, a red tank top and a vintage cow print Dior saddle bag. The founder was cool, elegant, and personable and it was a pleasure meeting her. I highly recommend checking out De Rococo’s website if you don’t have a chance to go to Tel Aviv!
Spector in front of De Rococo, Tel Aviv
Lastly, I recommend stopping by Red Choice Jewelry, a local brand in Tel Aviv. Named after the founder's ginger locks, the silver and gold plated jewelry boutique has a simple and ethereal design. From dainty chains to chunky pearls, Red Choice is a great inexpensive in-person and online jewelry retailer. My friend and I felt more than welcome to try stuff on, making the shopping experience fun and personable. By the end, we had both picked out unique, but still simple and easy-to-match pieces. We walked out with a smile on our faces not only from what we purchased but how kind and helpful she was.
Red Choice Jewelry
The beauty of this area is visible not only from the exterior but from the personal experiences gained there. The shop and people of the Neve Tzedek demonstrate that even in difficult times, being able to smile through pain, take a scenic walk, and connect with people will always hold value. Whether it is soon or not, make sure you take a visit before you die!