By Nicole Sivan
Friday in Israel marks the beginning of a weekend experience unlike any other to be had in the world. An Israeli Friday is a wonderous day. It is the first day of the Israeli weekend; Sunday is the first day of the work week. Friday mornings start off at a hectic and mind boggling pace. Time is limited before the country closes for Shabbat (the Sabbath). In every town and city across the country people venture out to do their shopping, meet friends, and run errands they have no time to do during the workweek.
Malls are bustling with shoppers (its central air conditioning entices many) and crowds gather in front of cafes as patrons wait for an open table. This is a very popular day to meet friends for coffee. Open air markets (shuks) are so full you can hardly walk (visitation to such a place on a Friday is an experience not to missed), and the determination of the crowds in the supermarket will leave you wondering if people are frantically stocking up for the next great war, when in reality they only need enough food to make it to the following night before the store reopens. And in secular cities like Tel Aviv, there are plenty of markets that now remain open 24-hours, 7-days a week, but cultural habits die hard and Israelis still do the bulk of their weekly shopping on Fridays.
Friday is also the day for special events such as craft fairs, food festivals, musical shows, children’s theater, parades and more. Every Friday in Israel is like carnival time in Brazil. This is definitely the day to go out and experience the culture of Israel. While walking along the streets of Jerusalem or Tel Aviv you’ll think there isn’t a person in the country who chose to sit at home. And just as you feel yourself caught up in the Friday energy and allow yourself to be engulfed by the crowds and the spirit of a Friday afternoon, the country will suddenly go silent.
At 2 pm shops begin to close. Supermarkets and corner markets shutter their gates. Buses stop running and traffic thins out. Sidewalks open up as the throngs of people who jostled and pushed you about all morning suddenly vanish. Israel becomes quiet.
Israelis, secular and religious ones alike, go home on Friday afternoons. By 3 pm the country is closed. This is the time to rest and recover from the hectic morning of shopping and socializing. It’s time to cook and prepare for a family meal. Friday night dinner is family time. Even the cafes in secular Tel Aviv call it a night, but they reopen bright and early on Saturday morning for the ever devout Tel Aviv brunch crowd.
Much of the country will spring back to life again in the late evening as families finish their meals. By 8 pm people begin to head out for a night of fun at a club or a bar, to take a walk on the boardwalk, or to catch a flick at the movies. Most Israelis can’t handle staying still for long and only Jerusalem and a few other religious strongholds will respect the sanctity of the Sabbath for its entire duration.
Friday is a magical time in Israel, and it is a day to experience the true spirit of Israel. Friday is a day to see a country united in the culture of its routine and it is a day to see the pulse of Israel beating as one. This is a great day to take in the flavors and life of Israel and is a day not to be missed for anyone exploring Israel for the first or the millionth time.
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