-May Day in Tel Aviv

1st of May, 2012: Communist militants march in Tel Aviv to mark the day of workers. In a country originally founded by socialists such as Israel, May Day is still an important celebration, with large demonstrations that see Jews and Palestinians march together in the name of workers’ solidarity.

-Iron Dome

Tel Aviv, Israel – 26th of March, 2014: The Iron Dome (Kippat Barzel) anti-missile system is displayed in the city’s central Rabin Square, as part of the national Science Day held to celebrate Israel’s technological advancements and inspire its youth to study science and contribute to the country’s growing hi-tech industry.

-Nightclothes For Guests

Tel Aviv, Israel – 12th of February, 2014: A youth movement shirt and army sweatpants serve as nightclothes for guests sleeping over at Avichai’s flat. Past membership in Zionist youth movements and in the country’s armed forces are both extremely common among Israelis, leaving many traces such as identification clothes from one’s army unit, training sportswear and more or less funny shirts commemorating events or anniversaries.

-Festival of Lights

In many cultures, the beginning of winter is marked with a religious holiday dedicated to light. Northern Europeans have Saint Lucia, Hindus have Diwali, and Jews have Hanukkah, an eight-day festival in which candles are lit every evening to remember a miracle which blessed the rededication of the Beit HaMikdash (the Holy Temple) of Jerusalem, around the year 170 BCE.

-The Dead and the Living

For the 65th time, Israelis marked the Jewish month of Iyyar (which falls between April and June) with two of their most important national days: Yom Hazikaron, the Day of Remembrance, and Yom Ha’atzmaut, the Day of Independence.