Secular? Yes. Anti-religious? Some, I’m sure. But that would not describe any of the people my husband and I met over Yom Tov. And we met many. As empty-nesters for Simchas Torah, we decided to spend the holiday in the world of kiruv — outreach — in Tel Aviv. What an experience!
The media often portrays Tel Aviv as the epicenter of secularism and anti-religious sentiment. Reports of tension between religious and secular groups only deepen that image. While that may be true for some, we saw none of it.
We spent Simchas Torah night at JTLV, an organization located right off the beach, where hundreds of English-speaking young professionals come to connect — with Judaism and with one another. Some are observant, and others are simply curious to learn about their Jewish heritage in a welcoming, non-pressured setting.
Rabbi Avi Hill, originally from London, created JTLV as a space for people to learn, ask questions, and grow. What began with a few small Friday night dinners has blossomed into a thriving community. Their building — formerly a bank — now functions as a shul, dining hall, and classroom. There, he hosts Friday night dinners, holiday celebrations, classes, and casual get-togethers. He also runs programs off-site, including trips abroad to Uman and Eastern Europe.
Rabbi Hill is a one-man show: rabbi, ba’al tefilah, musician, teacher, and ruach generator. He has an engaging, down-to-earth style that reaches people wherever they are, without expectations, judgment, or pressure. He leads the davening with finesse, knowing when to linger on songs that speak to his “guests” and when to move quickly through parts that feel less relevant to them — for now.
At the festive kiddush in the middle of the hakafos, he served cakes, Ben & Jerry’s ice cream, and — yes — a bit of the booze his crowd loves. Then, in true Tel Aviv spirit, Rabbi Hill took the Torah and the celebration to the beach boardwalk for one of the hakafos. Passersby stopped and joined in. One man even pulled up on his motorcycle, kissed the Torah lovingly, and rode away. The whole scene radiated warmth and connection.
My husband and I also joined the group for the seudah. Many more people came than had registered, but no one was turned away. The room buzzed with emotion; the hostages had just been released that day. One young man with a tattoo stretched across his arm raised everyone’s spirits with his good wishes.
In the morning, we joined Rosh Yehudi, another Tel Aviv-based outreach organization that engages secular young adults, offering classes, holiday events, Torah study sessions, Shabbos meals, and community activities. Their shul is a short walk from Kikar Dizengoff, where they brought the Torah scrolls for one of the hakafos. Walking through the street singing “V’shavu banim ligvulam” was very meaningful in light of the hostage release. Once again, people approached to kiss the Torah while the group emotionally sang “Am Yisrael Chai.”
Two years ago, this same square had been the center of controversy over holding public Yom Kippur tefilah. This year, there was only joy and good feeling.
As we walked away from the square, we noticed a familiar face — Wolf Blitzer, the well-known anchor at CNN. I dashed over so that I could interview the interviewer. After confirming that he was indeed Wolf Blitzer, I asked how he felt about the hostage release. (Not my most original question, but it was all I could manage in the moment!) He said he was happy they had come home and asked if I felt the same.
We chatted for a few moments. He asked where I lived and when I made aliyah, and then, with a smile, he told me I didn’t look old enough to have been here that long. Brilliant! When we parted, I wished him chag sameach, and he replied, “Zeit gezunt.” Be well. I was charmed.
Later, my husband and I followed a sign and wandered into a small shul advertised as belonging to a Chassidic rebbe. When we arrived, there was no rebbe and no Chassidim — just a warmhearted couple who live in Tel Aviv and open their home every Simchas Torah to bring a taste of Torah to their neighborhood.
Children rode to shul on their bikes, and parents came for the Simchas Torah atmosphere. While the rabbi saw to it that davening was done properly, the gabbai seemed to be the one in charge. At one point, the rav asked some men who were talking outside to come inside so that there would be a minyan for krias HaTorah.
Our last stop was Chabad, the biggest scene of all. There was plenty of joy — and yes, plenty of l’chaims. At one point during krias HaTorah, a man stood up, praised the rabbi, and pledged a donation to support his work. He then asked who else would join him in making a donation. A second man offered another generous pledge — on the condition that he be allowed to read the first part of Bereishis. Someone stood beside him and helped him read the first part until he finished. His face shone with pride.
That night, the Hakafos Shniyos passed by the Dizengoff Center accompanied by music, singing, and dancing. Once again, people nearby came forward to kiss the Torah and were caught up in the celebration.
It was a sight to behold — joy, unity, and an unmistakable sense that, even in Tel Aviv, beneath its secular image, the spiritual heartbeat of the Jewish people is alive and well.
May the caring and connection we witnessed on Simchas Torah continue to grow, bringing healing, strength, and light into the world.
Please continue to daven for the return of all remaining bodies, the healing of the wounded, the comfort of the bereaved, and the safe return of all soldiers and rescue personnel.
Ah gezunte vinter to all!
Suzie Steinberg, (nee Schapiro), CSW, is a native of Kew Gardens Hills and resident of Ramat Beit Shemesh who publishes articles regularly in various newspapers and magazines about life in general, and about life in Israel in particular. Her recently published children’s book titled Hashem is Always With Me can be purchased in local Judaica stores as well as online. Suzie can be reached at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and would love to hear from you.
