Paul Newman’s Eyes in Tel-Aviv – Debbie Havusha Blog

Paul Newman’s Eyes in Tel-Aviv 

During my recent visit to Israel, a giant poster of Paul Newman greeted me many times a day.  His steel blue eyes watched me as I entered and exited my daughters’ Tel-Aviv apartment.

The apartment is located 3 blocks from the beach and it borders the trendy neighborhood of ‘Kerem Ha-Teimanim’.  Its’ literal translation is ‘The Yemenite Vineyard’ but aka- ‘The Yemenite Quarter’.  It is a 5 minute walk from the bustling ‘Shuk Ha-Carmel’ (The Carmel Market).  This area was once primarily inhabited by the Yemenite Jewish community who first settled here in 1882.  It is now home to a hybrid of young and old, to students paying exorbitant rents and to those who have the means (or live above their means), to spend lavishly.  The buildings are a cornucopia from; old and run down, newly renovated and to those that have preserved their charming heritage.  The posh plans of structures going up make many streets both a construction and destruction zone.

The streets are hectic with local cyclists who are not wearing helmets.  They are avoiding the limited available parking spots, the cost of gas and traffic mayhem.  What fascinated me most was the obedience of people following ‘Waze’. This is the famous Israeli invented application of assisting drivers to navigate traffic systems.  It is a vocal and mapped instruction that leads you to your destination.  Israelis become compliant and actually listen to the ‘Waze’ without being on the defensive. The app works on receiving feedback from the people experiencing traffic jams, and then advises the best route that will navigate you out of it.  Almost everyone abides to their respective instructions.  Why? You might be asking yourselves. Since everyone has a common interest to get to their desired destination in the most efficient way, they cannot afford the contrary.

Tel-Aviv’s vibe is expensive and electrifying.  At times it feels shallow, lost in an abyss of human bravado of those manically shopping, and frequenting many a swanky coffee shop along the way.  However, when one really looks into the soul of Tel-Aviv, one can appreciate its’ paradoxical essence.  Tel-Aviv is a city rich in; culture, style, history and creativity, not to mention the frequent protests in Rabin Square.  Despite some swindling storekeepers and suspicious Money Change offices, I found kindness that warmed my heart and soul.  I loved when I was called ‘Neshama’ (Good Soul) by total strangers managing freshly squeezed juice kiosks. However, the frantic pace of the very well dressed residents of Tel-Aviv irritates many.  Regardless, to many, Tel-Aviv feels like the only place in Israel to live.

I want to take a moment to thank Paul Newman.  His father was Jewish and who refused to be associated with scandalous Hollywood sagas.  He was famous for his incredible good looks and blue eyes as well as his loyalty to his wife Joan Woodward.  His penetrating eyes, reminded me as I entered and exited my daughters’ apartment of the power and the insight we gain from the gaze.

Like they say, the eyes are the windows to the soul.

And there is no doubt, that Tel-Aviv has a soul worth navigating with or without ‘Waze’!

Yours sincerely,

Debbie Havusha