Tucked away on Gordon Street, between the bustling thoroughfares of Dizengoff and Ben Yehuda, the always-packed Cafe Xoho offers patrons a funky and delicious blend of American-Israeli food with a relaxed and brunch-y vibe.

As North Americans transplanted to Israel, we’ve been on the hunt for good bagels and Cafe Xoho did not disappoint! We also tried a great burrito (who could imagine a great burrito in Tel Aviv?) and the chips and guacamole tasted as good as at home. We didn’t get a chance to try the amazing-looking pancakes and baked goods, but there’s an extensive and creative drink menu and we can report that having the option to add haloumi cheese to just about any dish is definitely worth the extra splurge.

With a fair amount of seating inside and out, solid service and decent prices, we’ll be happy to make Cafe Xoho one of our top spots while living in Tel Aviv!

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Cafe Xoho is located at Gordon Street 17 in Tel Aviv, easy walking distance from lots of buses on Ben Yehuda and Dizengoff and nice and close to the beach!

Much has been written concerning the Jewish calendar and the tapestry of meaning it weaves throughout the year, with the months and their festivals calling us to examine the relationships in our lives, each at the opportune time. We now find ourselves in between Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur, that moment of the year when our relationship with the self is brought to the fore. From the shofar blasts that ring out from the start of Elul, all the way until the end of Yom Kippur, we are urged to shake off the cobwebs of complacency and reset ourselves onto the path of self-actualization. Yet, often we can make resolutions that don’t stick and committing to personal changes that don’t last. There are of course several reasons for these missteps, with many books on how one can create combat.

Two aspects of my life give me the strength to continue on the path of self-improvement at this time of year. The first is living in a country that has shaped itself around the Jewish calendar and its overarching goals. From hearing radio hosts discussing what they felt during the Shofar to listening to two market sellers comparing their slichot service experience, I find myself immersed in a culture that values what this time of year is about. The second comes with my role on Year Course. During the year I have the absolute honor to provide educational experiences for young people who are also on some form of self-discovery. Not only does that journey present opportunities for students to question who they are and what they want to become, but it pushes me to ask myself the same questions.

The dual aspect of living in the Jewish homeland while engaging in a program that compels me to ask and answer the hard questions makes me a better version of me. I hope that by exploring the country and reflecting on the experiences you will have, propels you to become better versions of yourselves. Wishing you all a happy and sweet new year.

Shana Tovah,

Rabbi Adam