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There are many interesting places in Tel Aviv that may give one a better perspective on Israeli and Jewish history and culture.
The history of Israel has been short and eventful, while the history of the Jewish people long and complex. With the state of Israel the history of the Jewish people has been intertwined with that of the state's, creating a combination of old and new, tragic and hopeful. There are many interesting places in Tel Aviv that may give one a better perspective on Israeli and Jewish history and culture.
Ben-Gurion house
We begin our day in this modest house, which inhabited Israel's first Prime Minister and perhaps the most important figure in Israeli Politics for many years after, David Ben-Gurion. The Ben-Gurion house was contributed to the Municipality of Tel Aviv by Paula Ben-Gurion.
Breakfast
You can enjoy an Israeli Breakfast in the nearby Michaela Café, or just have a coffee on your way to the next stop in Israeli culture.
Rabin square
You can continue to Rabin Square, named after the assassinated Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin. Rabin was the first politician to make the leap into the peace process with the Palestinians, when public opinion was still uncertain about this move. He introduced the Oslo Agreement, which has since been the basis on which Israeli and Palestinian dialogue could develop. His assassination was one of Israel's greatest social traumas, raising many questions regarding the limits of propaganda in politics and the face of Israeli society.
The hall of independence
After leaving Rabin's Square, you can make your way back in time, to the very first moment in the history of the modern state of Israel. The Independence Hall is a modest large room on Rothschild Blvd. in which the independence of Israel was declared.
Many find this place quite moving. Standing in the untouched room, left just the way it was in that very moment when, after the horrors of WWII, the Jews were finally given a state of their own.
Time for Lunch
After this moving morning, in which different moments in Jewish and Israeli history have been explored, it is time to follow Jewish tradition and sit down for some lunch. Jewish culture has always made food one of its main elements, whether for comfort when facing the harsh world or for strength and joy.
Make your way to Batya Café on the northern part of Dizengoff Street. You will have to catch a bus or taxi, but your afternoon stop is the Diaspora Museum in Ramat Aviv, so you'll have to make your way north in any case.
If you prefer to give up on the museum, you could continue south to Florentine neighborhood and enjoy lunch in the legendary Elimelch. Both places have the traditional Jewish variety.
The Jewish Diaspora Museum
Located in near Tel Aviv University, the Diaspora museum presents the history of the Jewish people throughout the ages. It has intriguing exhibitions and many events. It is the biggest museum in the world focusing on research of the Jewish people's history.
If you still have some energy left you could continue to the nearby Erez Israel Museum and see the current exhibitions in the different little museums on premises.
Teatime
If you have had enough, head back to the center and enjoy a quite teatime stop (not exactly Israeli culture but close enough) in one of the cafes or bakeries. If you choose the bakery option, try Rogalach, which is like a miniature chocolate croissant, or a Gviniya, which is a miniature cheese pastry. These are the classical and most popular Israeli pastries.
In the evening you could continue Israeli tradition with by visiting a reastaurant from our Israeli Cuisine category, or rather have a light meal including salad, an omelet and some Cottage cheese, which is an Israeli classic family supper.
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Tel Aviv played such a key role in the history of the country -- and continues to -- that such an overview is very helpful in getting a sense of Israel then and now.