Herbert Samuel Street, Tel Aviv beach and the Opera Tower

B"H

Before today's Tel Aviv got flooded with 40,000 mostly illegal Africans, thousands of legal and illegal Chinese and Romanian workers were living in the city. Whereas the Chinese mostly rented apartments around the Central Bus Station, the Romanians also started populating the beach area around the Opera Tower. They succeeded in turning the entire palce into a slum. Drunk Romanians were staggering around screaming and striptease bars whose door consisted of a dirty woolen blanket opened. Then the Romanians got deported and with them disappeared the bars and the dirt.   

Although there are still quite a few drug addicts running around, the area has become clean. Apartment buildings have been renovated and estate prices went up. 

Video & Photos: Miriam Woelke

Jerusalem for the Rich ?

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Jerusalem's Mayor Nir Barkat would love to turn our city into a second Tel Aviv. Action, hightech and lots of tourists spending all their money only in Jerusalem. However, the Kotel (Western Wall), anything religious, local museum as well as the unique Jerusalem atmosphere don't seem to be too attractive to the hightech enterpreneur Barkat. Instead he wants more, as he is concentrating too much on Tel Aviv. The problem is that Tel Aviv and Jerusalem are two different cities with unique characters. And instead of accepting reality, Barkat wants a Jerusalem for rich outsiders spending money. 

Jerusalem has a lot to offer and those who do need a beach can still travel to Tel Aviv or other places. It has been going on for a couple of years now: Although the capital is suffering from a lack of apartments, only luxury apartments are being built. 

I was walking around downtown a few days ago and noticed more luxury being built. For the wealthy foreigner but not for an ordinary inhabitant of Jerusalem. 

 Here we are in Jaffa Road / Downtown Jerusalem

Photo: Miriam Woelke

Just look at all the new building complexes being built. However, it says LUXURY on the signs. And LUXURY doesn't mean for me and for you but for rich investors.

The latest view from Jaffa Road to Rabbi Kook Street

And a few meters further away:

The luxury apartment complex in the background hasn't found too many investors yet and mostly remains empty.

Photos: Miriam Woelke

Most Jerusalemites are ordinary people with an ordinary income. Hardly anyone is able to afford any expensive kind of housing. On the contrary, as most of us are already happy when they can pay the bills and buy groceries.

Construction Sites (Jerusalem)

 Jaffa Road in Downtown Jerusalem continues to change its face. The local department store "Hamashbir" has recently moved into a new building at Zion Square (Kikar Zion). Right next door, another few floors have been added onto one of the old buildings (formerly MIKE's PLACE).

I have mentioned this quite a few times: Cities like Jerusalem and Tel Aviv have specialized in new apartment buildings for the rich. The local population needs more affordable apartments but estate agents prefer building new apartment complexes for the wealthy only. Rich investors from the US or France. Those buyers from abroad are able to afford such housing but only stay in their property over the high Jewish holdays. The rest of the year they spend at home in their countries. 

As a result of this, the local population has to fight over a few affordable houses. On the other hand, entire areas have turned into ghost towns, as the rich hardly ever show up at their property. Just look at the wealthy area across Jaffa Gate. 

A city is formed by its inhabitants and not by some rich investors who actually don't care about the place and only show up when it is convenient for them. On the other hand, more and more apartment building for the rich don't sell anymore and this is why we see new buildings mostly empty. Just look at the huge complex in Keren Hayesod or another one built at Strauss / corner King George.

Another construction site for luxury apartments only: Rav Kook Street near Jaffa Road

Photos: Miriam Woelke

Starting the apartment search

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I really hate this: Looking through websites, calling up landlords and listening to their conditions. Then finally looking at the apartment and making a decision. There are people who actually enjoy all this and find the hunt for a new place to live exciting. I just hate it and wish it was already over.

This Wednesday I am going to start my hunting season and there are more than enough offers on the Internet. Tel Aviv, Ramat Gan, there are plenty of available apartments but it all depends on the price.
  

My goal ? Finding a 1 - 2 room apartment in Ramat Gan or Tel Aviv (Lewinsky, at the border to Florentin or Florentin itself). I have already looked through different websites and noticed that there are 1 - 2 room apartments in Ramat Gan for a monthly rent from 2100 Shekels (approx. 555 $) – 3000 Shekels (approx. 790 $) and more. If I found a place for 2500 Shekels, it would be perfect.

Quite a few landlords offer cabel TV and some furniture. I don't really need that but would be happy if the janitor service (Va'ad Bayit) as well as the city tax Arnona are included in the rent. In Israel, the tenant pays the city tax for the estate and not, as in other countries, the owner / landlord. 

What I have already noticed today ? Some landlords only accept the rent paid by credit card. Others are asking for salary statements from the past six to nine months. As a matter of fact, Israelis don't always like to pay and mostly suffer from a severe overdraft. On the other hand, someone can show up with his salary statements but loose his job tomorrow. There is just no guarantee for the perfect tenant.

Apartment hunting in the Tel Aviv area

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Iran, Jordan, Syria, Gaza … honestly, I am worried and sometimes question where to move to.

I am planning to move into a new apartment on the 1 June or, if possiblem, even before. Therefore, this month will be the month of an intense apartment hunting. Of course, it isn't easy finding something. A bigger place and affordable. Nevertheless, it is possible and I am hoping for the best.

After far more than a year in downtown Tel Aviv, I need a change and less action. The city is far too loud and even quiet areas are noisy at night. I like the coastal area. Especially due to its variety of people and the infrastructure. New Yorkers say that Tel Aviv is like "New York" and I love living in a bigger city. Hoever, I decided to look for a new apartment in the Ramat Gan / Bnei Brak area. For Bnei Brak, I am not frum enough and, as I have mentioned before, I also need a balance between religion and a daily life. I cannot only see Haredim.:-)

For those of you who don't know much about Israel: Tel Aviv, Ramat Gan, Bnei Brak and Petach Tikwah – all of those are independent cities but gepgraphically very close to each other.

Entering Ramat Gan from Tel Aviv

 Despite many modern building and the stock exchange, Ramat Gan also has a quiet and romantic side.

Photos: Miriam Woelke

Choosing an area to live in can raise many doubts. Iran and all other Arab countries have the Tel Aviv area on their destruction list. Shall I look for a new apartment, get settled in order to being bombed ? I cannot go according to those thoughts while I am looking for a new place. Of course, Jerusalem may be more secure in this respect, as the Arab countries wouldn't dare bombing Israel's capital. Arab bombs could hit their Dome of the Rock or the Temple Mount and then it will be hard blaming the Jews for it. 

On the other hand, though, Jerusalem has a bad infrastructure compared to the coastal area, and the city is in danger of becoming an earthquake victim. Whatever I consider, there is a potential danger everywhere.:-)

I quit my present job until the end of the month in order to start something completely different. It will be a busy and chaotic month of May. Apartment hunting, asking for days off from my job in order to have time for all the necessary things to do. After getting settled in June, hopefully life will be a bit more relaxed. New personal goals and I will be back at chassidic Tishes and report a lot about haredi Bnei Brak. 

Inbeetween, I am planning a brief vacation. Travelling a few days around northern Israel: Tiberias and especially Zfat (Safed). I haven't been there for more than a year and I am really looking forward to a visit at the ARI's grave in Zfat. 

 Photo: Miriam Woelke

Those of you who are interested in information about apartment hunting in the Tel Aviv area, you will find a lot to read on this blog in the upcoming weeks. 

187,000 new apartments for Israel

Photo: The Marker

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It is not a secret that there aren't enough affordable apartments in Israel. Now the government decided to build another 187,000 new apartments and rent them out for reasonable prices. Who believes that, as real estate agencies as well as constructors have already put their eyes onto the new future apartments. Israel's real estate market means plenty of money and nothing is being sold or rented out cheap. The opposite is the case: Estate prices and rents are continuing to rise and there is no end at sight. 

Last Friday, I saw an offer in the Israeli paper MA'ARIV: 

67 squaremeters, 3rd floor, downtown Tel Aviv, King George Street, for 5800 Shekels per month (approx. 1550 $).

I would call this offer THEFT ! Nevertheless, rents at the coastal line and Tel Aviv area are just skyrocketing. But not only cities like Tel Aviv, Herzliya, Ra'anana, Rishon LeZion or Rehovot have high costs of living; even in the formerly cheap Zfat (Safed) in the north, prices keep on jumping. More and more Americans are planning to move in and this is what causes the rents to go up. 

Today I checked prices and found out that Jerusalem insn't that expensive at all compared to the coast. However, it turned out that rents in the Nachlaot neighbourhood have just climbed incredibly. Probably also due to the many Americans moving in. It is good to be central in Jerusalem but Nachlaot has just become far too expensive. The funny thing is that many apartments there are old, wrecks and have a leaking roof.

Tel Aviv, the Coastal Area and Jerusalem

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I definitely need another place to live. My present apartment is far too small and looks like a matchbox. Hundreds of books hardly find space and some of them I still keep in boxes. Moving to a bigger place is becoming an issue within the next few months. The question, of course, is: Where to ? Staying in Tel Aviv or looking for a different option outside of the city ?

It is well - known that Tel Aviv is expensive and rents are just skyscraping. Despite the fact that I don't have to look at every Shekel, I am still too tight - fisted paying such high rents to a landlord. Why paying so much when I could pay less outside Tel Aviv ?

So, Ramat Gan, Givat Shmuel and Petach Tikvah are becoming a realistic option. In a way, rents in Israel are on the rise wherever you look but Tel Aviv has become far too exaggerated. A former working colleague of mine just found a one  - room apartment for 3000 Shekels (790 Dollar) a month. 40 squaremeter, tax and water included but electricity goes on his bill. 

Moving back to Jerusalem is not an option at the moment. Having a distance from Jerusalem after all those years living there is great. Getting to know other people, seeing something else and having new experiences is extremely positive. Nevertheless, I would be happy if I find a place near Bnei Brak.

How much rent do you pay in Jerusalem / Tel Aviv ?

Photo: Miriam Woelke

B”H   

On one of my German blogs I have been writing quite a lot about rents in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem. How much money one needs to invest and the result was that Jerusalem ist still a lot cheaper than Tel Aviv. I just had a look at Israel's popular site (jobs, buy & rent apartments, car sales, etc.) "YAD 2" and I immediately became jealous. 

I haven't mentioned anything on SHEARIM so far but now you know: I have decided to stay in Tel Aviv and not moving back to Jerusalem. Why ? I guess that my reasons would make up their own article. 
So far, I have been living in a tiny place and soon I am going to search for a bigger apartment. At least 1,5 - 2 rooms. Renting a 2 - room - apartment in Tel Aviv costs a small fortune. Of course, it depends on the area and I am definitely not choosing the most expensive neighbourhood. My favourite neighbourhood is Florentin which is not cheap either. But it is still considered Tel Aviv - South and cheaper than the direct city center or the northern parts. 

A 2 - room - apartment in most parts of Tel Aviv costs you about 3000 Shekels (approx. 790 US $). It would be of an advantage if you could invest 900 - 1000 Dollar (3500 - 3800 Shekels). The rent does not include water, electricity and all kinds of other expenses. 

In Jerusalem you can easily find a 2 - room - apartment for 2500 Shekels (approx. 660 US $). For what I am going to pay for a 2 - room - apartment in Tel Aviv, I would easily find a 3 - room - apartment in Jerusalem. Not in the city center but in most neighbourhoods around. Even in the expensive national religious neighbourhood of Kiryat Moshe. 

My advice is: Don't read all those English sites offering apartments but go to the Hebrew ones ! English speakers are only getting ripped off from other English speakers. You think there are no apartments ? Not when you go to the Hebrew sites and look around. Even plenty of cheaper apartments are available. Here, for instance, are the apartment offers for Jerusalem from today:

http://www.yad2.co.il/Nadlan/rent.php?AreaID=7&City=&HomeTypeID=&fromRooms=1&untilRooms=3&fromPrice=&untilPrice=&PriceType=1&FromFloor=&ToFloor=&EnterDate=&Info=

However, take into consideration that salaries in Tel Aviv can be much higher than in Jerusalem. Don't rely on the government's published figures of the Israeli average income. I know plenty of people who have to live on much less than statistic figures tell you. 

There are many more jobs in Tel Aviv but the costs of living are much higher than in Jerusalem. Those moving to Tel Aviv from other parts of the country, many times, start working at "Super Sushi" or "Frank's Sausages". Stupid jobs in order to pay the rent. At least until one finds a better job or starts studying. The stupid jobs have the advantage to get to know people and build up a network. Thus you will get to know the cities secrets (You won't find them on Wikipedia !) and hear about other jobs and apartments.  

I am also stuck in one of those stupid jobs but this is going to change to the opposite. On the other hand, my stupid job doesn't want to let me go so easily and is begging me to stay. At least a few times a week if I cannot come every day. 

I don't know yet but its money and all Tel Avivim need money. Despite all costs and running around, at the moment, I am much happier at the coast and cannot imagine moving back to Jerusalem. At least not for the time being. 

Aliyah to Zfat (Safed)

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Exactly a year ago, I stayed in Zfat (Safed) and Tiberias for a couple of months and was even considering settling in the area. It seems to be the perfect place when you are looking for a quiet lifestyle. The more spiritual ones rather move to Zfat and not necessarily to Tiberias. The distance between both places is about an hour bus ride. Nevertheless, the small town of Tiberias at the Sea of Galilee (Kinneret) looks like New York when you start comparing in to Zfat. Although Tiberias has not too much action to offer, it seems to be a real city compared to Zfat. 

Zfat keeps on attracting more and more American Jews who are planning their Aliyah to Israel. The town has a large English speaking community and most members are very welcoming. You may feel at home immediately if you are the Zfat type. Breslov, Chabad (especially Chabad Meshichist) or Carlebach style. People invite you for Shabbat and the town has its own English library. Let alone the famous Zfat cemetery where lots of Kabbalists are buried. 

I think that most Americans making Aliyah to Zfat mainly concentrate on the spiritual side. Kabbalah, chassidic teachings and the great landscape. But when you make Aliyah, you have to be realistic and reality is that there are hardly any jobs in Zfat. Lots of locals are on the dole or social benefit. If you come to Zfat, use up all your Nefesh be’Nefesh money, you need to think about your future existence in town. How are you going to earn a living in a place where there is no industry, no nothing ?

Zfat used to be cheap. Reasonable rents and supermarket prices but look at it now. The American housing demand has ruined estate prices let alone the increasing rent. Some Americans may come with a bit of money and are able to satisfy the greed of the Zfati landlords but what about the local Israeli population ? For them it turns out to be a disaster competing with a bunch of wealthy Americans claiming the houses for themselves. 

Because there are no jobs in Zfat, English speakers who have already made Aliyah discovered a new market: Giving spiritual classes although many of them have no clue about deep kabbalistic studies. However, they need to pay rent and thus teach all kinds of made up theories in order to get the money rolling in. 

Furthermore, some Anglos have also started renting out one or two rooms to guests. When you go to such a guest house, watch your money, as those places can be real rip – offs. 

Another branch new immigrants have discovered is creating art and selling it to tourists. Mostly overprized. 

Copyright / Photos: Miriam Woelke

The latest clue is that some Americans are planning to open an international real estate agency. This is a great way to make money, as more and more Anglo Olim want to move to Zfat and nowhere else. Jerusalem and Tel Aviv have been facing the problem for quite a while. Wealthy Jews from abroad buying property and hardly using it. Jerusalem has developed its own ghost towns such as the apartment building complexes in front of Jaffa Gate where rich Americans bought apartments for more than 2 million Dollar and only come for Pessach and Rosh Hashana. Those people keep on destroying rent and real estate prices and the result is that no ordinary Israeli can compete with such price demands. Jerusalem’s municipality now wants to start charging higher taxes from foreign investor not using their property. 

Nevertheless, it is not Jerusalem anymore but Zfat and as soon as this new real estate agency is opening, YOU are going to be ripped – off. What people don’t consider is that they change the character of Zfat and the real Zfatim who are born Israelis don’t want that. They have been there for generations and fought all the wars and now wealthy Americans are taking over with all their money. Not even speaking Hebrew but running after every Shekel. 

How does it feel making Aliyah into the middle of nowhere and earning a living by cheating others coming from your country of origin ? 

Link:

Zfat Stories

Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, Jerusalem ...

Jerusalem, Jaffa Road

Photo: Miriam Woelke

B"H 

Something has been missing for a long time. Although I am not the most and perfect frum person, certain things have to be part of my life. Kashrut, Jewish holidays and Shabbat, for instance. For many years I had been living in Jerusalem but needed a change after a while. Seeing something else and hopefully finding my place in Israel. I can have all the money in the world but, for the past few years, I simply couldn't make up my mind where to live. Tel Aviv ? The north ? Jerusalem ? To make a long story short: I have been around.:-)))

It is wrong to compare Jerusalem and Tel Aviv, as both cities have their own unique character. I love both cities and if there was a way, I would rent two apartments. One in Tel Aviv and one in Jerusalem. Wherever my mood goes, I could go. Unfortunately, this solution would be too expensive and although I won't face any financial problems for the time being, I have to make up my mind.

As I am having a few changes in my live, I decided that I also need a new place to live. A bit larger than my present tiny expensive place. When you look around in Tel Aviv, prices make you faint. Even for the size of a phone booth, landlords demand a fortune. With a friend I just looked on the Internet and we found a place for 1000 Shekels. Unbelievable but when we saw the picture of that place, we almost fainted. It was a rat hole and people are not even ashamed offering the place together with a photo on the Internet.

The question is: Where do I feel comfortable most ?

The problem is: I don't have an answer. I love two cities and feel at home in both. 

However, the best Shabbat feeling ever, you only find in Jerusalem. There is nothing better than breathing Friday afternoon's atmosphere at the Machane Yehudah Market right before Shabbat. The CD shop playing "Shalom Aleichem" and the blond full of make - up woman screaming "Borekas Cham, Borekas Cham - Hot Borekas" (small stuffed pies). This all is unique and Tel Aviv has no Shabbat atmosphere whatsoever. 

Secondly, I miss going to all the Mea Shearim Tishes, as Bnei Brak is not the same. Of course, Bnei Brak has something and I will continue going there and discovering the city in detail. Nevertheless, I must admit that I miss certain friends from Jerusalem, the atmosphere and many other things around.

On the other hand, I prefer the Tel Aviv mentality, the freedom, and experiencing other things. Tel Aviv is cosmopolitan and Jerusalem is a village. Too many Haredim in Jerusalem ? Sometimes the city does feel like a ghetto. 

To make another long story short: I have decided to move back to Jerusalem which is a huge challenge during the winter. Jerusalem is freezing cold in the evenings whereas in Tel Aviv, winters are relatively mild. 

That's my decision for now and I do look forward to Jerusalem. Despite the fact that I will miss Tel Aviv like hell but, fortunately, there are enough buses around !

Rothschild Boulevard is Dead

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Already a week ago I noticed what was going on when I looked at all the empty tents. The protestors for social justice were leaving and it doesn't matter how much money left - wing organizations are willing to invest. In general, Israeli demonstrators start loosing their interest fast. There are various reasons: The head demonstrators start playing the big boss and discover the media only for themselves. People start fighting among each other and others are just sick of being together with loonies all the time. 

This morning I went to the Rothschild Boulevard in Tel Aviv and the masses are gone. Plenty of empty tents filled with drunk homeless and drug addicts. This is what is remaining. Not to forget all the tons of garbage.  The demonstrators claim that their protest will continue but, at the moment, the weather in Tel Aviv is too hot and Israel's security situation is not the best.

No one there except Hippies and Junkies. 

Photos 22 August 2011: Miriam Woelke

Haredi population joining the Student Protest

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Real estate prices have been skyrocketing and, in case you are looking for an apartment to rent in Tel Aviv, Jerusalem or other places, your search will be endless. In particular, when you are looking for an affordable place to live. A reasonable place and not a dump.

Almost a week ago, university students started their protest and built a tent village in the middle of Tel Aviv’s posh Rothschild Boulevard. Setting up tents as a protest has a long tradition in Israeli society and this has been taking places many times. Sometimes without much success but, at least, people did something. 

The students at Rothschild Boulevard get thousands of visitors every day and the goal is to make the government decide to agree building thousands of new affordable apartments immediately. Not only luxury apartments for the rich, as it has been taking place in the past years. 

Now haredi society is joining the protest and some members will set up tents in the haredi town of El’ad today. Further tent villages are being set up all over Israel. Today also in Afula. Some students set up their tents in Jerusalem’s Sacher Park (across the Ministry of Finance). Yesterday a second tent village was set up near the capital’s Old City, at Kikar Zahal. The police tried to send the students away and thus avoid a tent village near the Old City. When I read this I thought of security reasons, as the place is near East Jerusalem. But you know what the cop’s reason was. It is so ridiculous: The tent protest would bother tourists !

 The tent protest near Jerusalem's Old City.

 Photo: Kikar Shabbat

Can you believe that ? What do I care about tourists ? Our country has huge problems and we live here ? What do I care if a tourists sees nice sights in Israel ? We already have too many tourists in Tel Aviv drinking, making a mess, screaming in the streets at night. Even Tel Aviv inhabitants complain about the masses of tourists and many of the visitors behaving like animals. So, what do I care what a tourist thinks ? 

The tent protest in Rothschild Boulevard / Tel Aviv

 Photos: Miriam Woelke  

Photos from the Student Protest against skyrocketing Rents in Tel Aviv

B”H

Slowly Israel's population has had enough of skyrocketing prices: Food, electricity, water or rent - anything is becoming so expensive that more and more people are unable to make a normal living. A few weeks ago, a Haredi from Bnei Brak started a group on Facebook boycotting the famous cottage cheese. What no one expected: The group had thousands of followers and was becoming influencial. In the end, Israeli cottage cheese producers were forced to reduce the price. At least for the time being.

Some days ago, Tel Aviv's students started a tent demonstration on posh Rothschild Boulevard. Today I went to take photos and found approx. 100 tents in front of Tel Aviv's famous theatre "HaBimah".
Costs of living are extremely high in Israel. Especially when you have a lower income. Then you start thinking twice of what you can afford. Landlords in Tel Aviv, Jerusalem and further places have become incredibly greedy. They see that there is a demand and, as long as people are paying, nothing is going to change. 

The students started the tent demonstration and receive plenty of positive responses from the local population. Nearby restaurants donate food, the press is around 24 hours a day, famous Israeli pop singers perform and everything has been looking like a huge barbecue party rather than a demonstration. 

I have witnessed plenty of such tent demonstrations. The biggest were the protests from the poor for the poor. The "Black Panthers - HaPanterim" in the seventies and eight years ago, Vicky Knafo and Israel Twito (Israel Twito died a few years ago) started further demonstrations. Especially Twito was known for his demonstrations at Tel Aviv's posh place "Kikar HaMedinah" which he renamed into "Kikar HaLechem - Bread Square". The Twito as well as the Knafo demonstration have a long history and, in the end, Vicky Knafo was more interested in becoming famous and collecting all the rights and wealth for herself rather than working together with the other members of her protest. Eventually the demonstration in front of the Knesset gave up and Knafo went back to her home in Mitzpe Ramon. 

This is what Israel's press is waiting for. So far, the protesting students are still in a good mood and everything looks like a summer camp adventure. However, lets see when the first disputes begin because too many organizations want to take over and gain control. 

Nevertheless, here are a few impressions from today:

 Rothschild Boulevard: The street to the left and right and the center looks like a park. 

The information desk

Thousands of visitors have been coming and going.

Suddenly everyone works together: Religious and secular.

The media

Copyright / Photos: Miriam Woelke

What do the protestors want: The government has to build new housing affordable housing for students and interfere into the rent policies of greedy landlords. No one is expecting miracles and we all know that prices will continue to rise.

Where Israelis would like to live

Expensive real estate property at Kikar Rabin (Rabin Square) in Tel Aviv.

Photo: Miriam Woelke

B”H

Renting or buying an apartment in Tel Aviv has become unbelievably expensive. Even when you "only" rent a small place, take into consideration that a huge amount of your salary is going into rent and cost of living. Paying all the bills is not easy unless you are among those who either earn a lot or who are willing to live a very simple life. No cinema, not going out all the time, no luxury.

However, we should have a life with at least a small amount of pleasure and many people who are planning to move to Tel Aviv prefer moving to the outskirts. First it used to be Givatayim or Ramat Gan. Then people started moving to Holon, Rishon LeZion, Bat Yam or Rosh HaAyin. The growing demand caused the rents and real estate prices to rise. Again, people started looking for cheaper solutions and even moved as far as Nes Ziona or Rehovot. 

Now, the most popular city close to Tel Aviv is actually Petach Tikwa. I still know Petach Tikwa from the days where it used to be a small town with not much to do. Then a huge shopping mall was built and when I was in Petach Tikwa this January, I was shocked how much the town had changed. New building complexes anywhere you look. Furthermore, the town was and is an important industrial area as well as a hightech center.  

Petach Tikwa has a high amount of religious inhabitants and many Holocaust survivors from Hungary used to live there. 

Tel Aviv and its Luxury Apartments

My pictures show two of the three Akirov - Towers in Pinkas Street / Tel Aviv

Photo: Miriam Woelke

B”H

Tel Aviv is has been building luxury apartments for the past few years and continues doing so. Despite the fact that most inhabitants are not able to afford any luxury, the city keeps on trying to attract rich investors. Including wealthy Jews from France and the US who don't really care when they destroy our local price system and people who actually live in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem are being pushed out of some of their own neighbourhoods. 

Rat Hole for Rent

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Should I give up looking for an apartment in Safed (Zfat) ?

I have looked at various available places and I could have found something if I hadn't been that "picky". 


At the moment, American as well as Israeli landlords in Zfat try renting out their last storage room / rat hole for lots of money. All over the country, the rents are on the rise and now there is a high demand for apartments in the northern part of the country. Haredim are coming from Bnei Brak and Jerusalem in order to find a cheaper place to live and maybe some fresh air as well. What the Haredim don't take into consideration: This way, they are destroying the prices. As soon as landlords sniff a higher demand, they raise the prices. 


Furthermore, the Americans have been destroying many low rent prices in Zfat. They come on Aliyah from the US. Some come with money and start buying anything they see. The Israeli population in Zfat has less money and for those people it has got much harder finding an affordable place to live.

Just recently I looked a two - room apartment. Rent was relatively reasonable but there was no window inside. The apartment itself wasn't bad but without a window I felt like entering a cave.  The landlady was anything but ashamed offering such a place: "What do you want ? Most places in the old city look like that". 
The worst is that she is right, as I have seen other places looking exactly the same. 


There are no jobs in Zfat and thus, the local population has started either renting out guest rooms or small apartments in order to earn a living. So called "apartments", as most of those places consist of one room. The real estate market has become a total rip off and the locals simply don't get it that Zfat is not Tel Aviv. Renting out a rat hole in Tel Aviv can bring a profit but the same won't work in a place like Zfat. However, the landlords don't give up and hope that someone stupid may come along and rent the place. At least a new immigrant who has no idea anyway and can be cheated easily.

This building is not in Zfat but in Tel Aviv.

However, I thought it fits the topic !

Photo: Miriam Woelke

I gave up on Zfat. Not because of this reason but due to a few demands for my work. I have to be more flexible and travel a lot. Zfat is too far away from everything and the buses don't travel too often. At the moment I am busy coordinating my schedules anew. Thinking of where I have to go and the best way of getting there. 

Chassidut Vishnitz is moving to Afula / Northern Israel

Chassidut Vishnitz in Kiryat Vishnitz / Bnei Brak

B"H

Rents have got extremely high in Israel. Ordinary families where both spouses go to work and earn quite some money have difficulties paying the rent. Let alone being able to buy an apartment.


The coastal line around Tel Aviv, Netanya, Bat Yam, Ashdod up to Hadera has almost become unaffordable and people basically work in order to pay their rent. Gush Dan, the coast, has never been cheap and Jerusalem used to be affordable. This has changed in recent years and now, sometimes Jerusalem is even more expensive than Tel Aviv.


Israelis have discovered the north and the south. Living in the countryside with its cheap rent and commuting to their jobs every day. But now, also the smaller towns are raising their rents. Mea Shearim, Sanhedria or Kiryat Mattersdorf in Jerusalem have become far too expensive for newly married haredi couples. Years ago, haredi society started building neighbourhoods in Beit Shemesh, Ashdod or Arad but even there, space is getting harder to find. Entire chassidic groups move from Bnei Brak or Jerusalem to smaller towns where land and rent is still much cheaper. For instance, Chassidut Karlin - Stolin has bought some land in Tiberias Illit and is building its own neighborhood. There has been a rumour going around Tiberias that more chassidic groups are coming. Such as the Toldot Aharon, for instance.


However, none of the inhabitants of smaller town has anything against Haredim moving in. Nevertheless, people are afraid of what is coming afterwards. Are the Haredim going to determine their lives ? Has everything go according to Halacha ? What about demonstrations, Sikarikim and all this ? Who needs such things in Tiberias ?


I see it myself when I go to Zfat (Safed). The place has always been quite haredi with Breslov and Chabad but now, the old city has become slightly more extreme. Vishnitz, Chernobyl, Zanz and further groups are there and when you walk through the old cobblestone alleyways, haredi kids keep on staring at you.


So far, life goes on and the Haredim are not bothering any non - haredi inhabitants. Neither in Zfat and nor in Tiberias. Still, there is a negative side of them moving in: First of all, rents go up as soon as landlords see that there is a demand. Secondly, entire formerly secular or traditional (religious) areas may turn into haredi territory.

Now haredi society, in particular Vishnitz, has dicovered Afula located in the Jezreel Valley. Years ago, no one wanted to move to Afula, as there was just nothing. Lately, the mayor of Afula, Avi Alkabetz, has been working hard on settling some industry in his town. Hightech branches are coming to create jobs. Thousands of new inhabitants have moved in and new neighbourhoods have been built. Afula is changing its face and the mayor of the nearby Nazeret (Nazareth) is following suit. Northern small towns want to attract Israelis from the center because the Arab population in the northern district keeps on growing. However, the mayors are trying to attract regular Israelis who will integrate into their new places of living and not necessarily Haredim who stick to themselves.

Afula

Photo: Miriam Woelke

Afula's local weekly papaer "Avodah", however, reported last Friday that the Vishnitzer are moving in. Landlords have figured that out and the result are increasing rents. Vishnitz is upset because someone obviously made it public. Now Vishnitz is in trouble, as real estate prices are exploding for them.

 

Afula, Central Bus Station

Photo: Miriam Woelke

Even places like Ramat Beit Shemesh or the haredi town of Beitar have become too small and sometimes already too expensive. Haredi society will keep on spreading all over the country but each side has to be careful not to start a takeover. In case the Toldot Aharon are going to move into Tiberias, they have to accept that the tourist places are opening on Shabbat. Various restaurants at the beach area (at the Sea of Galilee / Kinneret) are open on Shabbat and so is the Mac Donald's. This way, Tiberias is earning its money. Otherwise the town would be completely bancrupt and those of you looking around there are very aware of the financial difficulties Tiberias keeps on facing.