Tel Aviv – The Secular Heart of Israel
Israel is the place where three great world religions meet and a home to the holiest sites for Judaism and Islam as well as for Christianity. Religion therefore plays an important role in modern Israel. But not in Tel Aviv. The city is the secular heart of Israel and the place where Judaism, Islam and Christianity virtually disappear completely from everyday life. Here, you will almost feel like in just another world’s metropolis. The city, however, remains distinctly Israeli despite its western-like ambiance and hardcore liberal population. Tel Avivians are jealously defending their secularism and liberalism against their conservative critics who often accuse them of abandoning the Jewish tradition. But the more they are criticised the more Tel Avivians defend their secularism. And it is the very same secularism of which Tel Avivians are so proud that gives the city a unique character and makes it the secular heart of Israel.
Both foreign visitors and Jews from other parts of Israel perceive Tel Aviv very different from the rest of country. Here, religion as well as other issues that trouble modern Israel feel very distant. Rather than Israel’s capital of Jerusalem which is less than one hour of driving away, the city feels like a western metropolis with its religion-free lifestyle. Even more, most Tel Avivians feel more comfortable abroad rather than their very own capital city. For Tel Avivians, Jerusalem is too religious and too conservative. But despite its western-like feel and absence of religious issues, Tel Aviv is very much Israeli and the Tel Avivians are proud of their Jewish heritage. They may not observe the religious holidays but they occasionally do go to synagogues and generally spend the Sabbath evenings with their families.
The secular spirit of Tel Aviv can be felt on every step. In contrary to Jerusalem where non-kosher restaurants are the exception rather than the rule, Tel Avivians enjoy eating in international restaurants. Even more, finding a decent place serving kosher foods in Tel Aviv is quite an undertaking. The city’s secular spirit is felt even more during the night in the numerous bars and night clubs which are working the entire night long regardless of the day of the week. The absence of religion in daily life and dedication of Tel Avivians to secularism make Tel Aviv a very special place in a very special country.
Although Tel Aviv is not Israel’s number one tourist destination, it is attracting more and more visitors each year with its world-class beaches, warm Mediterranean climate, 24-hour entertainment and rich cultural scene as well as its cosmopolitan and religion-free lifestyle. The Lonely Planet declared Tel Aviv the third “hottest city” in 2011, while National Geographic named it the world’s ninth best beach town.