1. Gordon Pool and the way to it
Gordon Pool is the temple I pilgrimage to whenever possible (preferably at sunset). I disappear in the water, stretching the body, purifying the thoughts. On the way I pedal my bike, through the bike path on Malkei Israel Street that I love the most, and until recently it was completely covered in purple flowers that fell from the flowering of the siglon.
The bicycle path on Malkei Israel Street Photo: Shira Breuer
I also love the bike path on Ben Gurion Boulevard, from Ben Yehuda Street to the sea. There is always shade, and a cute kiosk with coffee and a relaxed atmosphere of a city on the Mediterranean coast. This, in my opinion, is the essence of Tel Aviv that lies beneath all the noise and chaos.
Gordon’s Pool At Sunset Photo: Shira Breuer
2. Frishman Beach and surroundings
My favorite spot in town is at Frishman Corner Hayarkon. The sea is revealed in it opposite, blue and sparkling, and a wind always blows there. I have a dream: to destroy Atarim Square, eliminate the threat to build towers in its place and open Ben Gurion Boulevard to the sea, so that there will be more such points in the city, where you can see and feel the sea close by. The London Garden opposite the beach is also close to my heart. I used to walk it as a child with my grandmother after a round of visits to all her friends who lived in the area. I loved the entrances to the houses that had small fish ponds and the seating on the porch for card games with breeze and watermelon.
Frishman Corner of the Yarkon | Photo: Shira Breuer
3. The workers’ dormitories and Kiryat Meir
The idea of the urban kibbutz embodied in the workers’ dormitories built in the international style of the city in the 1930s fascinates me. My mother grew up in a dormitory on Frog Street designed by Arie Sharon, and I love the stories about the cooperative yard that included a grocery store, summer camp, classes andShared laundry rooms on the roofs. Many hours of play also passed over me in the same yards in Frug and Dov Hoz during the days of my grandmother’s life, and to this day I sometimes go down to visit them and admire.
I was recently on a tour of “Homes from Within” with Dr. Sigal Davidi (who researched the work of architecture during the Mandate) in Kiryat Meir, designed by Yehudit Stolzer. Although the tiny neighborhood in the square between Mana, Dubnov, Zeitlin and Ibn Gvirol streets was not connected to the cooperative structure of workers’ dormitories, it has the large gardens that create a green and protected community space, and smart planning of buildings with apartments open to several directions (unlike the planning accepted today , Even in the so-called luxury towers, where the bathrooms have no windows and no service balconies). I would like the beautiful thought that accompanied the planning of the construction for a life of sharing for the residents, to return to the city in the 21st century version.
Cooperative yard in the workers’ dormitory in Dov Hoz Photo: Shira Breuer
4. Heichal Hatarbut, Gan Yaakov and the Helena Rubinstein Museum
The Hall of Culture was for 45 years the workplace of my father who was a violinist in the Philharmonic Orchestra. Thanks to that, we always got tickets to shows at the hall and so it turned out that I saw amazing ballet performances in my life. I also got to see Rudolf Noraev, Mikhail Baryshnikov, John Neumayer, William Forsythe, Maurice Bejar, Alvin Ailey and Pina Bausch. Not to mention the hundreds of concerts, operas and first rock shows I’ve seen there in my life, by Hive, Eric Clapton and Elton John.
My whole area is my favorite and I have been anxious about his fate since I heard that there is a plan to damage the beautiful Habima Square designed by Danny Caravan, in favor of the light rail. I am also waiting to see the results of the renovation at the Helena Rubinstein Museum which was to my taste one of the most beautiful buildings in the city. I studied painting there in the youth workshops and to this day when I pass by the fountain, I recognize the smell of the moss I remember from childhood. During the holidays, we were a bunch of musicians playing, running in the halls of the Hall of Culture and playing in Gan Yaakov outside when the fathers were rehearsing for concerts.
Gan Yaakov | Photo: Shira Breuer
5. Giselle Blass’ clothing stand in the Givon market
My occupation is related to his attire and cultural significance. Hence, my attitude towards clothing has changed greatly in recent years due to the climate crisis and I have adopted the approach of sustainability. This means that I use everything I have in the closet, renew my clothes with home dyeing or a repair shop when needed and buy only when I need to, usually at the end of the season and with good quality that will survive many seasons. I recently opened up for second-hand clothes following my talented stylist friend Giselle Blass who opened a stall in the Givon market. You can buy charming clothes and accessories there and get great styling tips along the way.
Giselle Blas’ clothing stand at Givon Market | Photo: Erez Madar
Shira Breuer, a former fashion journalist and author of the book “Your Own Style”, will deliver a four-session series in the summer semester of Beit Ariela. The “Dress Code Proposal” series deals with clothing and its cultural and personal meaning, localism and sustainability. At the end of the series, there will be a concluding panel of experts, which will discuss the future of fashion in Israel. To register and details: Page of the series.