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