By Sara Sorcher - Israel 21c
Tucked away in southwest Tel Aviv is Neve Tzedek, the first Jewish neighborhood built outside the port city of Jaffa. Once a slum in danger of being knocked down, it's now one of the trendiest and most expensive areas in Tel Aviv.
Neve Tzedek was founded in 1883 by the Chelouche family, who wanted to escape the sewage problems and disease of Jaffa. Five years later, 48 families followed and the neighborhood was officially established in 1887.
Over the years, as Tel Aviv spread north away from the coast, the neighborhood fell into complete disrepair until the municipality threatened to demolish the area. The trend was reversed in the 1980s, when the Dellal family converted an abandoned schoolhouse into a center for Israeli dance. The Suzanne Dellal Center became Israel's top dance venue.
Today, the neighborhood is filled with bars, restaurants, boutiques and cafes, offering the best of Israeli food, ceramics, fashion, jewelry, design and more.
ISRAEL21c's Sara Sorcher takes her camera on a stroll through Neve Zedek. She catches Israeli actress Hadas Moreno, between rehearsals at Suzanne Dellal, and talks to a local tour guide, boutique owners and residents, giving a unique taste of the area.