Friday at the Carmel Market, Tel Aviv

The Carmel Market is the most popular market in Tel Aviv.

A neighborhood called Kerem HaTeimanim - The Vineyard of the Yemenites, started its own market called "HaKerem" - The Vineyard, in the early 1920's. With the help of Arthur Rupin, a Zionist leader, a group of Russian immigrants began to turn the small neighborhood into a bustling commercial center. Meir Dizengoff and the Tel Aviv municipality encouraged the growth of the market and eventually changed its name to Shuk HaCarmel - Carmel Market.

Local Arab farmers opened a competing market nearby which became a source of tensions among the local populations in downtown Tel Aviv for decades. There were incidents of violence between Arabs and Jews well into the 1930's and even during the Israel's War of Independence. Arab snipers, positioned at the nearby Hassan Bey Mosque, would shoot at Jews shopping at the Carmel Market.

The market rose to great prominence during Israel's austerity period of the 1950's. It was the best and most direct source of local, fresh produce.

I have had the daily pleasure of shopping at the Carmel Market, or at least walking through it just to be surrounded by its beauty and that special hustle and bustle. Fridays at the market, however, are so much more wonderful, hectic and loud. The frenzied atmosphere is infectious in a really great way.

On Fridays, it seems that the colors of the fruits and vegetables are just a touch brighter

The flowers, which are sold on Thursdays and Fridays, are giving some life to the gray sidewalks.

The butchers are busy.

The scents of grilled meats and vegetables are a tad stronger

and the voices of the vendors beckoning shoppers to their stalls are louder than usual

There are crowds,

There is traffic in the Carmel Market neighborhood,

but, the wonderful smell of freshly baked challah is in the air, and that makes it all better.

My favorite bakery at the market is Lehamim

Their challah is delicious.

For those who don't feel like cooking, there is a great place with really tasty prepared foods. Each Friday I would see crowds of people fill containers with cooked meats and sides.

Stuffed beets!

Shopping is done, now I have to cook.

Carmel Market closes in the early afternoon on Fridays. It remains closed all Saturday. For more info about the Carmel Market check my older post.

Joanna

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