amanda's jerusalem journey

These profound words, articulated by Shimon Peres (former President of Israel), encapsulates the sentiment in this country right now. I had pleasure of seeing the legend, now a 92 year old, address an elated crowd at the TEDx White City event in Tel Aviv last month. It was extraordinary to witness his positive spirit and even more poignant now, during the current wave of violence that has been plaguing the region.

The past month or so in Israel has been challenging. Calls for a near intifada have circulated, and my personal level of safety was put at compromise. You may read this in Australia and ponder, why would one consciously choose to live in a reality like this? Fast forward a few weeks and I receive the news that my father living in a relatively quiet neighbourhood in Melbourne, was attacked by two young boys outside our family home. So I sit back, totally flabbergasted by what happened to my dad, whilst sipping a latte at my favourite coffee shop in Jaffa, and consider… is it really that much more dangerous to live in Israel?

To be an Israeli is to live with this feeling of ‘survivability’ and this is the key to understanding the utter success of this amazing start-up nation. Israel is testament to the proof of how throughout difficult times, one strives harder in order to survive. In the backdrop of a political quagmire, the care in the streets for one another is a feeling that cannot be expressed.

For example, I was riding my bike through the gushing rain a few weeks back, at night, a random girl  standing next to me at the traffic light turned to me and said, “please come under the umbrella with me so you don’t get even more wet”. I walk home another night and see thousands of people running through the streets for the augural ‘Nike Tel Aviv Night Run’, during a time where they say it’s not so safe to be out. The positive attitude in Israel is is mind-blowing.

People live on, try not to focus on the prevailing attacks and rather choose to revert their attention to create the next big ‘Waze’, to be bought out by Google.

TEDX WHITE CITY TEL AVIV

 

Israel has also taken to the exciting movement known as ‘TED’. My first TED event was at Burning Man last year, so it I was pretty enthused to be attending another one in my beloved Tel Aviv!  Along with some friends, I spent a full day on the Tel Aviv Port listening to numerous speakers pitch an idea for 20 minutes. From a freelance photographer, Middle Eastern Social Media expert, a talk about ‘making politics sexy’ an amazing initiative called TOM – Which Stands for Tikkun Olam (saving the world) Makers and so much more. It was an insightful day and everybody in the hall left with a feeling of hope for this country. Hope through innovation….

WORKING AT THE AICC

The past month I have had the pleasure of working at the Australia-Israel Chamber of Commerce, under the amazing Paul Israel. In preparation for the Young Entrepreneurs Innovation Mission, I had been manoeuvring from coffee shop to coffee shop, meeting to meeting, to assist in organising the best possible experience for the amazing delegation that were about the come. Little did I know what I was in for, or the opportunity that was presented to me…

THE MISSION

People were arriving, meetings were prolific and the energy was rising in Tel Aviv.

Before the Mission had officially begun I had the honour of accompanying Tim Smith, member for Kew (in Victoria), to meetings in the Israeli Knesset (Parliament). It was an afternoon to remember. It turned out that MK Oded Forer’s father was from the same small village as my grandparents in Poland called Bendzin. Yoav Kischh, MK, had to run out of our meeting mid-way to vote alongside Bibi (Israeli Prime Minister). We also met  31 year old Sharren Hassel – impressive young lady, who had lived in Australia and felt a strong connection to our country and making a difference.

Day one started shopping at Zara, putting on my ‘sales assistant hat’ and helping some of the delegates find appropriate clothes due to some ‘luggage problems’. We visited Pitango, one of Israel’s top Venture Capital (VC) fund, and attention was grabbed by Chemi Peres, Managing General Partner and Co-Founder, also the son of Simon Peres. “Be optimistic long term with technology not short term. ”he advised.

We had drinks that night at the Ambassador of Australia’s home in Hertzliya filled with interesting guests and a topical speaker. I had a fun night out with some of the gang, visiting a favourite bar of mine, Kuli Alma, and giving them of taste of this electric city.

We were up bright and early the next morning heading south for the commemoration of the 98th Battle of Be’er Sheva- the site where the  Anzac (Australian and New Zealand Army Corps) gave their lives in 1917 for a ‘better world’. I had shivers standing here so many years later, and singing both the Australian and Israel anthem, back-to back, alongside delegates, diplomats, family members and other Australians & New Zealanders who had made the trip for this important occasion.

Following the service, we then make our way to the golden city of Jerusalem, to grab some lunch and a quick tour before the Shabbat came in. We visited the Great Synagogue and have a beautiful dinner at our hotel, where the guests learned about the Jewish traditions and enjoyed a delicious Shabbat meal.

Back on the bus the next morning, this time to visit the breathtaking Masada followed by the ever so enjoyable Dead Sea.

 

It was highly entertaining floating with 40 people on a gorgeous Autumn’s day. What was not so riveting was filling my face with mud and stupidly rinsing off in the salty water. Not recommended!

 

Returning back to Jerusalem, we joined a rowdy gang of Aussies and Kiwis at the UNTSO (United Nations Truce Supervision Organization) to watch the Rugby World Cup. Whilst most were cheering enthusiastically, I got into some heated political conversations (perhaps it was Israeli beer talking).

Sunday morning was heavy at Yad Vashem (Holocaust Memorial), with an unforgettable ceremony at the Hall of Remembrance.

We then visited Hebrew University and had a sensational dinner at the Moroccan favourite Darna, where Saul Singer, author of the famous Start Up Nation gave us an address. A highly engaged crowd listened to him talk about how complimentary Australia is to Israel and conversations were brewing as a result.

Other highlights of the week included; an exciting visit to Teva Pharmaceuticals, a visit to Technion, one of Israel’s most prestigious universities specialising in technology and science, and sitting at a board table listening to Avi Hason, Israel’s Chief Scientist,“Inventions don’t matter, entrepreneurship does”. His wise words got me thinking. Any of us can have an idea, but if you don’t implement it is just a concept,right? One thing Israelis know how to do too well is to deliver. The final reception at Bank Leumi was inspiring with lots of great networking for all. The night kicked on at a Georgian hot spot – Nanuchka, and if you have visited this spot, need I say more!

The final day, we listened to two entrepreneurs speak from WMN – a co-working space for women entrepreneurs, which exists to bridge the gender gap in the startup ecosystem. Totally inspiring!

We had a stimulating lunch at one of the top Israeli law firms, Yigal Arnon and left with a brief understanding of the tech industry from a legal perspective.

We ended off at South Tel Aviv’s coolest co-working space SOSA, and had the most meaningful end to the delegation on the rooftop, whereby each participant and staff member had their 2 minutes of fame to talk about their personal experience.

Wyatt Roy the Assistant Minister of Innovation in Australia and co-leader of the delegation alongside Marita Cheng (Robogals), conveyed in the in Times of Israel, “I think Australia and Israel are a more natural partnership than Australia and Silicon Valley. We both have strong anti-authoritarian streaks, ‘chutzpah’ and ‘rosh gadol’ (thinking big)”.

Undoubtedly, a hugely successful mission for both Israel and Australia.

WORK HARD, PLAY HARD

 Whilst it has been a crazy month or so of work with the chamber, I have also managed to have my own sort of fun too. Visits from friends, wining and dining, Shabbat with the diplomats from around the world, Brit Milla (circumcision) party, hosting meals on my rooftop and a sneaky night out here and there, because I am living in the city that never sleeps.

One weekend, my friends and I set up camp on the beach in Maayan Zvi, an hour north of Tel Aviv. It was sensational! We set up on the sand; lay in the still, cool sea as the sun went down; gathered wood for the campfire and welcomed in the Shabbat. Dinner was a traditional ‘Poike’ which is a stew cooked in a round cast iron over a hot flame. Ingredients include potatoes, vegetables, rice, chicken, wine, beer, coca cola, rice, almonds and more. The two-hour participation was well worth the wait.

On the way back to Tel Aviv we stopped off in Furedeis, an Arab village with mouth watering humus.

For yet another meaningful Shabbat, friends and I threw a feast for my friend’s birthday in Tel Aviv – giving Yotam Ottelenghi a sure run for his money. Research for the meal included a thrilling food shop, dancing in the puddles of rain in Carmel Market. We sung the welcomed in Shabbat with a makeshift service in the Kerem Hatermanim (Yemen Quarter) and stayed up matching wine with political debates until 4:30am, with the most diverse bunch of Melbournians.

 

THANK YOU

Amanda’s Jerusalem (or shall I say Israel Journey) had ended for now, I will return very soon to continue working and living in this miraculous country. As the lady at the airport said to me upon attempting to get my V.A.T. back, “I am sorry, you are not a tourist”. I smile, thank her for the compliment and continue on my way.

I have decided to end my series of blog posts here for now, with a few final thoughts..

Firstly, I challenge each one of you who has a passion or idea to write a blog. It has enriched my experience and enabled me to connect to people on a level I would not have dreamed possible. I would like to thank my editors, Noah Picholtz and Natasha Gammell for guiding me; correcting my sentences, some of which simply didn’t make sense, and adding your extra touch to each piece. To my loyal readers, from the bottom of my heart, thank you for coming on this journey with me. For the comments, messages and conversations it has sparked, I am grateful. Please continue to send them through (or if you are in Melbourne hit me up for a coffee).

Israel is a country that just keeps giving. If you have learnt a thing or two from my posts, know not to be fooled by the often misleading comments in the media, instead focus on the astronomical success of this tiny country.

More than the holiness of this place, the rich history, the chutzpah in the streets and and the intensity that sometimes prevails – what makes the state of Israel so unique and special are the incredible people that fight every single day for its mere existence!

I sign off to you now from Ben Gurion Airport. Filled with mixed emotions, I am about to surprise my family and friends in Melbourne who have no idea I am coming home (I have since learned that I cannot try and trick my mother as she is always one step ahead). My final week was magical, YES, another Shabbat on my rooftop, goodbye drinks with friends and visit to extended family members here who I adore.

I encourage you to stop focusing on war and blame when you read about Israel, because as Steve Jobs so famously put it, “Innovation is the only way to win”.

 

 

 

AJJ’s Tips of the week:

• Hottest restaurant of the week: TYO – So delicious and a classy vibe there were dishes we ate  were honestly on the comparable to Nobu.
• Funniest interaction: On the journey back from Jerusalem we asked the cab driver to stop for a takeaway beer. He laughs and says he has a surprise. Next thing we know we arrive at the famous Elvis Presley Inn. A shrine for the King himself in the outskirts of Jerusalem!
• New discovery: A part of this amazing start-up success is the support from the Israel Government. One example is the Tnuf. A program which encourages individual entrepreneur in his initial efforts to build a prototype, register a patent, design a business plan, etc. Grants are up to 85% of the approved expenses for a maximum of $50,000 for each project.
• Coolest Bar: Sputnik bar – the newest, hidden hotspot on Allenby Street. Astro-turf, a charming interior, brilliant music selections and a very hipster vibe.
• Startup to be on the lookout for: Parkam – an app which is still in pilot mode ParKam will help you find the closest, available parking space in real time. Being tested now in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem. Watch out world, this could be huge!

It’s 10pm. I enter the lively Machane Yehuda (outdoor market) on a 25-degree night. I see a colourful crowd twirling to Middle Eastern beats. In front of the rusty shutter doors, a band called Sabir is performing. I experience peculiar instruments making unique sounds. I order a frozen limonana (lemonade with mint), with a touch of alcohol, and join my Israeli friend and Spanish friend. I watch the crowd beam. I am back in Jerusalem.

Undeniably, it has been a ‘heated few weeks’ in this city, and I am not only referring to the weather. While it has been hard to swallow the unprecedented attacks here, it was rather pleasant to take a break for a weekend and come back to the prevailing summer energy. Jerusalem is alive in August and some would even term it ‘festival month’. Let me begin…

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SUMMER NIGHTS

Whilst Tel Aviv thrives itself on the beach, Jerusalem (for those abroad) prides itself on the weather. The evening breeze is delightful and almost saves you in the summertime.

One night after work I attend the Jerusalem Summer party with colleagues, which is hosted at the JVP Media Quarter. Cocktails in branded milk bottles await us at the door and a band with English cover music is playing. Erel Margalit, a member of Knesset and a Israeli hi-tech and social entrepreneur, welcomes everybody. We gather to celebrate this growing startup community that Time Magazine recently coined as one as one out of ‘five emerging tech hubs around the world’.

Another night after dinner, en route to my home in Rehaviah, my friend and I stop at the beautiful Emek Hamazlevah (The valley of the cross). Hearing whispers about a gig, we walk past and in the middle of a graffiti tunnel, in a picturesque valley, 200 Israelis are there dancing to the techno beats. Such a lively scene, hidden in between a valley and a park.

The wine festival is pumping, next week the beer festival, and a plethora of other events put on by the Jerusalem Season of Culture. Not enough days in the week!

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A ‘MAGYAR’ AT HEART

What is a Magyar you may ask? It is a Hungarian person. My late grandmother Judith (hence my middle name) was born in Budapest and migrated to Australia after the Second World War. Although I never met her, I feel intrinsically connected to her and my strong Hungarian roots.

I visit Budapest on my weekend away. Pretty unique to still have family there, I pop in to my family’s antique chandelier shop and say hi to Tamás and Gabor (see below). Budapest blows me away and I feel a whimsical charm to the city. Ruin pubs are the norm, abandoned downtown buildings turned zingy bars and restaurants. Olden day Eastern Europe meets a modern and very hipster town!

      

Once a country with a thriving Jewish community and around 1,000,000 inhabitants, Budapest still possesses a sense of Jewishness. I stroll one early evening along the gorgeous Danube River, which separates Buda and Pest. Without any warning (or even signs) I see a myriad of steel shoes along the waters edge. I ask the American lady next to me what is the significance of the memorial; she explains how 30,000 Jews were taken to this very point in 1944. “They were forced to remove their shoes and belongings and paired up, with one of the two shot and thus both killing both of them.” I take a large gulp while standing in one of the most idyllic spots in Eastern Europe and find myself overwhelmed with sadness. How is this conceivable?

We visit the stunning Dohany Synagogue, the biggest shul (synagogue) in Europe. Tours in numerous languages fill this stunning space, which was built in the late 1800s and revamped after the Holocaust.  New fact of the day: Theodor Herzl was born across the road from the shul. For those who don’t know, Herzl was the father of modern day secular Zionism (love of Israel). This ambitious Hungarian dreamt of a Jewish state and promoted Jewish migration to Palestine, and here I am visiting from that same country, Israel, 100+ years later. Typically, we find a bar called ‘Mazel Tov’ and neglecting our oath to only eat Hungarian food, once again we find ourselves eating pita and hummus in the middle of the 7th district. Mind you, there was hardly any shortage of gulyás (goulash), paprikáscsirke (chicken paprika) and Palacsinta (crepes) in our diet (or lack of thereof). My new theory: 1 dessert shop for every 2 people in Budapest; who needs that many cake shops? Overall, a fun-filled and invigorating ‘gals’ weekend away.

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YAD VASHEM

“When I grow up and get to twenty I’ll travel and see this this world of plenty. In a bird with an engine I will sit myself down, Take off and fly into space, far above the ground. I’ll Fly, I’ll cruise and soar up high above a world so lovely, into the sky…..” Abramek Kopolowicz, murdered in Auschwitz at age 14.

Returning from Hungary and feeling the inherent connection to my past, when the opportunity came to go with my non-Jewish Mexican friend and English guy and French girl to Yad Vashem (Holocaust Memorial), it was only natural to accept. Here I share stories passed down from my grandfather having survived Auschwitz, not once but twice. This time connecting more to my Polish roots (3/4 Polish grandparents), I am astonished to read that out of 3.25 million Polish Jews that lived in Poland before the war, only 325,000 survived. With a feeling of gloominess, I exit the museum and walk out to to the unrivalled views of Jerusalem. The contrast of backdrops, for me anyway, only bolsters my love of this country!

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CAN YOU EVER GET SICK OF HUMMUS?

I believe not! After work one night I meet my friend for quick hummus stop in Rehaviah. The meal was quick and delicious. I return home, turn on the television to Israeli Masterchef and naturally, the two remaining contestants were having a ‘hummus off’. The challenge – who can prepare the most flavoursome dish of hummus. Only in Israel!

Everyone in this country seems to ‘know’ the best hummus in town. I have to say on my ‘Shvil ha Hummus’ (hummus trail), to me the more local, the better. It’s now Friday afternoon and I finally visit ‘Azura’. A Jerusalem gem, which has been around for the past 25 years. Preparing a variety of Kurdish, Iraqi and Sephardic dishes, this family-run restaurant gives a new meaning to the word ‘authenticity’. Whilst the squash and goulash soup leaves me speechless, the hummus here was by far the best I have had in town! I look forward to returning on a cooler day to try their famous Kubbeh Soup (traditional Iraqi soup).

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GOOD SHABBOS 

The sirens sound and after a busy Friday, I calmly welcome the Shabbat. Tucked away in the quaint alleyways of Nachalot, I join my friends for a ‘speed’ prayer service at a shul, which was overflowing with young single Israelis. Fun fact: Ohavei Zion, is referred to as ‘Banai Shul’, and was built in 1906 by the Banai family (famous Israeli family renowned for singing). It was originally established for Parsim (Persian) Immigrants, for the soul purpose of giving them a ‘home’ in Jerusalem.

I spend this Shabbat with a friend who isn’t of the faith and love sharing with him customs and traditions of the Jewish ‘day of rest’. Excitedly, we are invited to a Moishe House for Friday night dinner. Moishe House is a pluralistic Jewish organisation that reaches out to young adults in their 20s. In we walk, near the happening market, where these three modern orthodox dudes live in an eclectic and grungy space. Part of living in this house is that they host a minimum of 4 events a month. We sing, pray, eat and continue to eat, drink Arak, and share stories and experiences from Israel and around the world!

Shabbat wouldn’t be fulfilled without more eating! Enter Saturday, and we peacefully walk to the Greek Colony into another great living space, this time an old Jerusalem building with a contemporary interior. Stimulating conversations, really lovely people, and delicious food, the highlight dish was the ground turkey, (of course with humus). What I appreciate about a Shabbat meal in addition to the oversupply of great food is everyone is entirely present, pun intended! With no phones and no technology, people actually listen. Why can’t every meal be like this?

I visit a friend and sit on his rooftop to wind down from Shabbat over a cold beer. This story is too good not to write about. I sit with his roommate from Toronto and discuss the most random of topics. 20 minutes into the conversation he says, “I spoke to my mom a few hours ago and she told me her friend’s friend’s daughter is living in Jerusalem and I should take her out.” I respond agreeing how annoying it is when parents try to match you up thinking nothing of it. He tells his mother unfortunately he is seeing someone. He then laughs that the girl his mother is talking about is me!!!! My mother has ONE friend in the whole of Canada, what are the odds that that one friend is his mother’s best friend? The Jewish world, I tell you, is just too small, and it only gets smaller when you are living in Israel. Just for the record, no we did not go out! That’s about as much as I am giving away on my ‘social life’.

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A DAY IN THE OFFICE

I often get asked what exactly it is I do at OurCrowd everyday? In short, the team I am working in, Investor Relations, connects investors to remarkable startups with huge growth potential. I also have the privilege of mingling with other teams, be it Business Development Team, Marketing, or Product Development. I am now in the process of becoming a Salesforce pro too, and currently writing technical guides. I talk events, attend events (I know not ‘up my alley’ at all), and try to plan cool events too. There has never been a time when Israel’s technology was more respected, and it’s so wonderful to be engrossed in it all day!

Spontaneity enters my day too. I come to the office after an invigorating morning working in Tel Aviv, flowing in our hallway, is a presentation with a delegation of MBA students from Instead Business School, half of them studying in France and the other half Singapore. How about the South African group, a bunch of 20 or so young South African CEO’s from all different ethic backgrounds, who come for a few hours? Admittedly, I get extra enthusiastic when an Australian walks into the office, as a bit of Melbourne lingo is always refreshing! Just to top this off for the week, I am about to sit down to have a productive afternoon and a group of people are standing next to me asking “Amanda, aren’t you coming to the Brit Milla (circumcision)?” Just another day at OurCrowd!

The interns are slowly leaving and soon I will be the last one standing. So the questions start to flood! I have decided to stay on here through September as I am simply learning too much to leave at this point. In discussing my life in Australia compared to here, in the most typical Israeli fashion, an Israeli colleague passionately remarks, “Why do you need to bother here? You have a bright future in Australia, this Middle Eastern, olive eating country we call ‘ Modeldet’ (birth place). I know its fun, but seriously, don’t think of moving your life here.” You have to love Israeli’s – you don’t even need to ask what they think because they will tell you anyway. This vigorous level of honesty really rubs off on you!

AJJ’s Tips of the Week

• Hottest restaurant of the week: Mona – Tucked away in what used to be a historic museum in Jerusalem, the Tartare de Bouef and Crispy Salmon was worth returning for.
• Funniest interaction: During a presentation to a group of international delegates at work the presenter (a colleague), in talking about the revolution of mobile phones, puts up a photo of a guy playing with his phone in bathroom. Unintentionally he says, “Nokia was the first company who let us play with snake in the bathroom.” People in the room were literally crying of laughter! I think you had to be there
• New discovery: Intel employs 10,000 people here in Israel and 80% of Intel’s chips make a visit to the Holy Land.
• Coolest Bar: Sorry to jump between two countries here, but Szmpla Kert, the oldest ruin pub in Budapest. Hands down, the best interior at a bar I have seen in my life. Too many tourists though.
• Startup to be on the lookout: OrCam – This company has created a technologically advanced device unique in its ability to provide visual aid through a discreet wearable platform.

So that’s it from me, off to humid Tel Aviv for a weekend of fun and sun (and hopefully some strong air-conditioning). Wishing you a Shabbat Shalom! I hope there is a bit of hummus or paprika on your table this weekend too 🙂

AJJ x

On my routine walk to work, passing the gaping green vines, I stop to get a freshly squeezed orange juice (‘mitz tapuzim’) at a corner store. Coldplay’s chilling track, ‘Magic’, is playing in the background. Totally shvitzing (Yiddish for sweating) from the scorching Jerusalem sun, (sorry Aus, I know it’s been a cold winter), I think to myself that this city really is ‘magic.’

In my first few days here I felt like man landing on the moon. Now I can gladly say that said initial shock factor has dissipated and I am simply revelling in Jerusalem’s beauty.

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THE JERUSALEM LOCALS

How would one define the Jerusalem folk? Let’s start with a night at the famous shuk (open-air market). One would find:
– A Rabbi purchasing bread from an Arab vendor.
– An American group of Birthright students chanting.
– A ‘shanti’ Israeli student in fisherman pants chilling.
– A few foreign tourists from Sweden having a drink.

The multifariousness of J-Town’s people really hit home when I walked into Abraham Hostel (kind of wish I was still backpacking) and saw the diversity of travellers interacting in the kitchen hall. Something that caught my eye was this colourful stencil splashed on the wall at the entrance to the hostel, ‘Abraham the first backpacker’.

What a quirky spin on Abraham, the ‘First Forefather’, who plays a prominent role as the Patriarch in Judaism, Christianity and Islam.

B’kizur (in short), something that becomes instantaneously apparent is the sheer warmth and heimisheness of the people here. Whether you meet someone at a nail salon or sit next to them at a café – not only will they take your Facebook details; you’ll also have yourself an offer for Shabbat dinner or an invitation to an exhibition that night. Call it manifestation, I call it Jerusalem.

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A SMALL WORLD

Being in Israel, you almost can’t be surprised by the concept of a coincidence. Or can you?

Friday night, I go to my first Shabbat service in Jerusalem at Ramban shul (synagogue) in the charming Greek Quarter. Excitedly, I make way to a friend’s house to join him for the service. As we walk in, he introduces me to a new face and exclaims; “Amanda, this young lady is also from Melbourne.” Of course, it is someone that I was supposed to call through a friend and we laugh at the situation.

And, it gets much better…. I sit down during the service, turn to the girl next to me and ask her what page we are on in the siddur (prayer book). She politely says, “this may seem a tad weird, but did we do drama class together in year 6?” I look at her incredulously (as I very rarely find someone with a stranger memory than my own), laugh and reply, “of course!” I realise she is a daughter of an old teacher who I haven’t seen in 15 years! Sitting in between the two Melbournians in a random (or not so random) shul in the middle of Jerusalem, I hum to the calming Shabbat tunes and appreciate my first poignant shul experience. 

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A FULL SHABBAT IN JERUSALEM

The Sabbath in the Jewish religion is the time of rest. It’s surreal to think that an entire city can close down for 25 hours every single week – but it does, and it is ever-so-wonderful.

From the synagogue service to dinner at a work mate’s, followed by lunch the next day at another work friend’s home, I was lucky enough to be surrounded by young and interesting people. Homemade Vietnamese rice paper rolls, baked peaches and delicious Israeli Rosé wine, just to paint a bit of a picture. Both homes I visited were homes of young expats and it was truly fascinating to get a ‘taste’ of a different perspective of this enchanting city.

To top off a meaningful Shabbat, I meet my cousin at Gan Sacher, a lusciously green park not far from where I live. You name it; Acro yoga, musical instruments, frisbee and soccer games. As the sun sets and Shabbat comes to an end, the park transforms into a real spectacle and once again, magic! 

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LIFE AS AN INTERN

Being nearly 28 and calling yourself an ‘intern’ often sounds a bit strange to people, but when you get to experience an OurCrowd ‘Intern Appreciation Day’, it’s not too shabby after all. We arrive at work, have lunch and a ‘L’Chaim’ (that’s how you say ‘cheers’ in Hebrew – it means ‘to life’) for our hard work before making our way to paintball. Having the combined Polish/Hungarian roots that I do, I guess my lightly coloured skin is more conducive to bruising than I’d like (thanks Karen) – so I can now say I have been paintball-ed (for the first and last time).

We then go by bus to Tel Aviv and arrive at a large office building on the outskirts of the city. Surprise  – it’s Google, Israel! Each area within the office represents a different slice of Israel from the north, to the boulevards of the Tel Aviv. Whist we didn’t get to go down the famous slide, we certainly saw enough to make our mouths drop. Personally, the presentation at the end made by a few ‘Googlers’ was the most fascinating part for me. Not only were we able to ask lots of questions, but we learnt about some awesome initiatives that have come out of this office:
– Shvil Yisrael is the Israel National Trail that is currently being tracked with the Google Street view camera
– ‘Mind the Gap!’  is a program which encourages young girls in high school to chose High-tech as their career path.

What a company! The day concluded with a delicious dinner at Blackout, an inspiring initiative whereby visually impaired waiters serve you food in the pitch black. Scary at first, but eating without being judged – my kind of meal!

There’s never a dull moment at OurCrowd. I walk into the office one morning and politely ask the guy who sits next to me what he got up to last night. He replies saying how tired he is from staying up all night to help a friend, a senior member of Knesset (National Assembly), to comprehend the Iranian Nuclear talks and prepares him for foreign media. No big deal! I also sat in on my first pitch thinking it would be interesting, yet I left with all this newfound knowledge on the Middle Eastern mobile phone app market – especially within the Arab world. Thanks to ANZ goMoney (the app I used to work on at ANZ Bank) I could actually keep up with the conversation.

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FUN AND GAMES

Certainly one of the strangest experiences I have had so far in this city was at the renowned Jerusalem Film Festival. There I was selecting the ‘winning’ movie and after two hours of cringing, let’s just say the glass of red wine at the after party downstairs was rather warranted. The movie, ‘Tikkun’, is a stirring and overly graphic portrait of an Ultra-Orthodox man in Jerusalem grappling with questions of faith. The contrast between the disturbing movie and partying outside with breathtaking views of the Old City made it all the more exhilarating.

I would love to end on a story that was told to me by a colleague. Stressing about a photo of myself that I didn’t want to put on Instagram as my “arm looked large”, he told me the story of Joseph Trumpeldor. One of the early Zionists’ who dreamt that there would be a Jewish State, this brave young man lost his arm and continued to fight, “True, I have now but one arm,” he said, “but it is the right one capable of handling a sword or rifle.” You may have walked down Trumpeldor st or through the cemetery (which my friends and I had a lovely apartment overlooking on my last trip in Tel Aviv). Quite a remarkable man and this certainly shut me up!

Living, laughing and learning every single day.

And so the journey continues……

AJJ’s Tips of the week:

• Hottest restaurant: Touro – Kosher Mediterranean Cuisine with views of the golden city. We had an IR (Investment Relations) team dinner there
• Funniest interaction: Double my luck – I was kindly accompanied home by two Israeli brothers on Friday night in town as I felt a tad uneasy walking alone. One turns to me and says you know we are both gay! I said fabulous.
• New discovery: JEST – Jerusalem Entrepreneurs Society and Technology was the first Arab Accelerator created in 2012 and is a thriving hub based in East Jerusalem
• Coolest Bar: Gatsby – Hidden behind an antique bookshelf is Jerusalem’s classy ‘Speak Easy’ bar. My Army and Navy cocktail was one to boast about; almond syrup, lemon, gin and egg white.
• Startup to be on the lookout for: Pocket Guide app – A guy I work with created this location based audio app. Download it next time you travel!

Shabbat Shalom from the Holy Land,

AJJ 🙂

Like a little girl in a candy shop, I enter beautiful Jerusalem. It’s quite an amazing feeling to have visited a place so many times, and arrive feeling like it’s the very first time.

Day one, I get dropped off in Rechavia, my new home for the next few months. My friend walks me through the old city to explore the four drastically different quarters. In the Armenian quarter, I buy a traditional craft piece; The Christian quarter pulls me down the Via Dolorosa to the site of Jesus’ tomb at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, I eat a delicious lunch in the Arabic Quarter and finally, I arrive at the Kotel (Western Wall) – the climactic site for Jewish prayer and pilgrimage. Jews from around the world pray in the direction of this wall often in tears hence the reason it is coined ‘Wailing Wall’. I say my Shmonei Esrei, (a meaningful Jewish prayer) and begin my journey in Jerusalem.

Jerusalem of Gold

I walk through this city humming the words to the quintessential song, ‘Jerusalem of Gold’. Both in its literal and metaphorical senses, this city embodies soul, beauty and spirit. The whole city is built out of Jerusalem Stone and interestingly, has been built and rebuilt in this way for the past 3000 years. But there is something in the air in this city that I have not experienced anywhere else. People here have real purpose. They haven’t unconsciously chosen to settle in Jerusalem, they are here because their ancestors once lived here and no matter what religion or faith, they call this city home.

So, being a self proclaimed Australian ‘Tel Avivit’ – both in my free spirited nature and love of well a great party, how do I adapt to this religious and often ‘intense’ city? I have to be honest, quite easily. Call me an ignorant ‘tourist’, but staying in one of the most quaint areas of Jerusalem and working in a modern and hip office, the transition has been not only smooth but ironically rather ‘peaceful’ and heaps of fun too!

OurCrowd

Walking in my Herschel backpack and using my phone as navigation, I make my way to work. I stop this bike rider en route for help and he is in a Western Bulldogs jersey (Australian Football League team) with Israeli logos on it. He explains that he is playing for a mixed Arab – Jewish football team at Hebrew University and the Australians have been generous enough to donate to this cause. I smile proudly and make my way to day one of work…..

From the minute I step into the offices at OurCrowd, I am blown-away (but in a good way). Having entered quite a few workplaces, never have I been welcomed like this. To sum it up; genuine and clever people, great work ethic and a real passion for the company and what it represents. I effervescently join the party!

I spend my first week familiarising myself with the company, the many startups and well, essentially, the vivacious team. There is a palpable buzz the office with internationals visiting the office, new startups pitching their companies and locals from the area who work in similar industries. For example, I was sitting at my desk and a father and son from Columbia come to the office, so naturally I chat to them about business and life. I feel like I am sponge, thrust in the ocean absorbing all what is around me. #ILOVELEARNING

A highlight of the week was attending ‘atobe’, an accelerator event at the Azrielli College of Engineering. Keynoting the night was the co-founder of Fiverr Shai Winiger, who discussed ‘The making of Fiverr ’. Like any great story his $5 idea was conceived in the shower, which made me contemplate, stop trying to force an idea, the best ones come when you are going about your normal day.

Another wonderful experience I had was a tour around Jerusalem Venture Partners Media Quarter. Situated next door to my office, this thriving startup hub mixes high-tech, creativity and social action all in the one building. I particularly enjoyed entering the Siftech office, a not-for-profit initiative for young entrepreneurs and early-stage startups to help promote Jerusalem as an attractive option post studies! Welcomed by a fellow Aussie living here for 30+ years,  he straight out said to me “Caulfield, Scopus?”. Is the accent that distinct?!

The cool city I never knew existed

Friday in the shuk (open air market), what a buzz! From the ‘Willy Wonka’ tahina factory, to the hundreds of challahs (and so many ‘healthier challah’ options), it was hustle and bustle through the market before the Shabbat. We had some arak (customary alcohol in this country), danced at a funky bar and welcomed the Shabbat, which in itself needs a whole blog post. In one word, magic!

Had one of those pat on the back moments this weekend, sitting through my first full Hebrew movie (no subtitles) with a bit of help from a friend. The movie was called, ‘Apples from the Desert’, and is about a young girl who is brought up in Orthodox Jerusalem. She goes on a journey away from her family to a Kibbutz where she explores herself and a new way of life (Don’t worry mum, I am not moving to a kibbutz). To step out of the movie to the city where it all takes place – WOW!

AJJ’s tips of the week:

• Hottest restaurant: Rama’s Kitchen – a hidden, organic gem in the Jerusalem Hills! A shout out to the Aussie crew who I went with only mentioned this blog every dish that was served!
• Funniest interaction: Sitting at a small bar in the market and the guy from the bread stand next-door throws me a walnut muffin. It was delicious!
• New discovery: The siren that goes off as the Shabbat enters Jerusalem.
• Coolest Bar: Shuka – Goa meets Berlin amongst the craziness of Machane Yehuda. Vibing!
• Startup to be on the lookout for: ____________ –  A software driven smart irrigation system. Israel has already changed the world with irrigation systems. Watch this space……

With love from Jerusalem,

AJJ

For some it is ‘Judaism’ and for others, sadly, it is ‘War’. For me this country is synonymous with ‘Innovation’. Welcome to Israel; where the hummus is better, the passion is palpable, and the appetite for risk is that much higher!

Hi my name is Amanda Joske and I am 27 years old. Born and bred in Melbourne Australia, I have chosen to return to Israel yet again – but this time with a fresh perspective. I came at 22 to finish my degree at Tel Aviv University but this time I come already having worked for years and with a thirst for knowledge.

Being on the career journey that I am on and mixing my entrepreneurial dreams with my interest in understanding the world of investing, I naturally find myself with a zest for the startup world. In my mind, what country to become smarter in than the ‘Start-up Nation’ itself? (If you haven’t read the book I highly recommend it).

So after a month of exploring Israel; eating my way through my beloved Tel Aviv, visiting friends in the Kibbutzim at the borders of Lebanon and Syria and trying to get my Hebrew up to scratch (note I have created a new age dictionary on my iPhone… total nerd) – I am about to begin a few months with OurCrowd.

OurCrowd is an Equity Based crowdfunding platform founded 2.5 years ago by Jonathan Medved to connect investors from around the world to high-end startups.  So many have read about the huge success stories coming from Israel and abroad and now have a way to enter the market – through crowdfunding. Currently there are 70+ startups funded by OurCrowd together with its community of 9,000+ investors.

A bit of a startup nerd myself, I came across this company through my daily reading of ‘Start-Up Israel’ – which is a publication by the ‘Times of Israel’. I used my social media savviness and networking abilities (which for me it is like making friends) to connect with the right people and here I am a few months later!

I had a warm welcoming this week in Tel Aviv to the team, firstly at a conference run at Bank Hapoalim where well known corporates explained to us the importance of High Tech for the Israel economy and aboard. Members from McKinsey & Company spoke on stimulating topics and there was also a fabulous panel on “How Multinationals Interact with Israeli Start-ups” with representatives from Intuit, GE and Lenovo.

This was followed by an early evening event at WeWork Hertzliya. I was very excited to visit two WeWork spaces (if you haven’t heard of this company Google it a leader in the shared work space game now with global presence. This event was called “Heroes Born from the Crowd” and was a fascinating session.

I had electricity running through my veins upon leaving the back-to-back events. The most welcoming bunch of people I have ever come across and I eagerly await the journey ahead. Now to Jerusalem!

AJJ’s tips of the week:

• Hottest restaurant of the week: HaSalon – Tel Aviv high end (only 2 seatings a week) – Wed/Thu). Must check out Diego Sans – Mexican meets Korean food with a twist.
• Funniest interaction: Having to sit on the lap of another intern as the projector took up all the space in the cab. Lucky awkward isn’t in my vocab!
• New discovery:  Brown Beach House in Tel Aviv. Coolest Boutique hotel in TA.
• Coolest Bar: Kuli Alma – An eclectic integration of art, booze and music.
• Startup to be on the lookout for: HeroX – Prize industry, never knew it existed!

Neshikot (kisses) from Israel
AJJ (Amanda Judith Joske)