Page 4 - Issue 8
P. 4
Up to now, what could we say about Ramat Gan? Established in 1921, it is home to Israel's
tallest building, 130 synagogues, 3 hotels, 2 cinemas, the diamond exchange, the embassy of the
Ivory Coast and the national football stadium. But Ramat Gan has now been well and truly put on
the map by not one but two Habonim Dror kvutsot, who have decided to live there. We
interviewed Nik John, a current resident of Ramat Gan, on Gmail chat. Nik, formerly on the
Mazkirut of HDUK, later becoming Desk Anglo at World Habonim Dror, tried hard to oblige, by
telling us what's hot, and what's not, in the poor man's Tel Aviv.
Iton: can i interview you? Nik: there is no "top shop" Iton: no name!!!!! - much like
Nik: what about? Iton: burtons? the new HD kvutsah that has
Iton: ramat gan Nik: that neither moved into the hood
Nik: sure Iton: no, whats the best shop did u hear about them
i like ramat gan on bialik? Nik: you told me
i mean, i like tel aviv more, but i Nik: dunno Iton: Habonim Dror and Ramat
can't afford to live there but it's a good street for Gan - a partnership made in
Iton: how long have you been shopping on heaven?
living in ramat gan if you want a lot of shops but Nik: why not
Nik: ooh, have we started the don't want to go to the mall Iton: why?
interview? probably the bookshop is the Nik: why? no special reason i
Iton: yes best shop guess
Nik: i lived in ramat gan for 1 it's my favourite one anyway it's not run down like migdal
year in 1997-98, then to tel Iton: whats the last book you i wouldn't say that living in
aviv, then to bnei brak, and now bought there? ramat gan = the realization of
i've been in ramat gan for 6.5 Nik: who knows my aspirations
years Iton: you? living in tel aviv would be MUCH
Iton: what brought you back Nik: probably a birthday better
to ramat gan? present for etty but i like it
Nik: wanted to buy a flat; i don't remember other highlights of ramat gan,
couldn't afford to buy one in i don't go shopping there that by the way, include the view
tel aviv often from yad le'banim
didn't want to live further my neighbourhood is a highlight Iton: go on
away from the centre though of ramat gan Nik: definitely tell the group
Iton: is there a big difference it's lovely to go there
in prices? Iton: how so? it's amazing
Nik: huge Nik: quiet leafy streets it's really really high up
Iton: what are the highlights it's even got a neighbourhood Iton: what is yad lebanim
of ramat gan? cafe with wireless internet what do u see from there
Nik: um Iton: do you pay for the Nik: fallen soldiers memorial
the national park internet? place
(park haleumi) Nik: nope you see pretty much everything
where you can feed the ducks lovely owners especially looking
the safari really neighbourhood style north/northwest
Iton: so its a haven for Iton: the best cake on the Iton: best shwarma in town?
animals menu is... Nik: shemesh on jabotinsky
Nik: rechov bialik and the Nik: best cake? lots of 'em not that i eat shwarma
square they have lovely yoghurt with it's the most famous one
Iton: whats special about lots of fruit and lots of granola Iton: best bus line?
bialik? Iton: what is the cafe called? Nik: 61
Nik: nice high street Nik: not even sure it's got a Iton: why?
beautiful lights in the trees at name actually Nik: goes from outside my flat,
night time but it's on hagilgal street past the rakevet, down
Iton: top shop? arlozorov, along