Tel Aviv Ya Chabibi Tel Aviv

Friday: waking up to Lady Gaga, Backstreet Boys, Britney Spears and Spice Girls vibrating through the walls of our apartment only means GAY PRIDE TLV 2014. Tel Aviv's gay pride parade attracts thousands of people to join the march through the main streets of this vibrant city. The parade started off next door my apartment at Gan Meir park with a contagious atmosphere of spirit, photography, individualism and equality. What ever your orientation is, there were no judgements, everyone was sporting some kind of support whether it be flags, stickers, outfits or posters - there was an acceptance and pride of supporting gay community. The parade's trail covered Bograshov street, Frishman street and Hayarkon street, all the way to the beach near Jaffo. The wide streets were crowded, floats were followed and music could be heard from where ever you were walking during the parade. You could call it a city party! The weather was showing off its summer heat and buckets of water were thrown out of the windows of the apartments on to thirsty marchers. The atmosphere was electric, euphoric and colourful. I was accompanied with my best friend/sister Cassi, and it is easily said to be one of the best days of our friendship. Memories, photos and our TLV/Miley T-shirt swag to last forever.

What makes this friendship so unique is going from a full day rave to skipping the beach party to buy fresh challot and bourekas for a special Shabbat. This particular shabbat is one for the records #punny. Changing into our shabbat clothes and making our way to a large, a very large Shabbat dinner. We briught in Shabbat on the Namal lighting our candles to the sunset and bliss of the port. Kabbalat Shabbat and Dinner with 2226 Jews - must be a record? IT WAS. Hey Guinness World Record of the biggest Shabbat Dinner. I mean, could this day get even better? Best day of the sisterhood yet - check check check.

The dinner took place at Hangar 11 at the Namal (Port of Tel Aviv), it was beautifully decorated to the last detail with long tables waiting to be filled up. Projections of the Kiddush and Eishet Chayil prayers covered the walls creating an intimate atmosphere. With a mass Kiddush with 2226 people, you get side-tracked for a moment to actually absorb everything. As the famous quote goes - "More than the Jewish People have kept the Sabbath, the Sabbath has kept the Jews.” - Ahad Ha'am.

The Shabbat gives people an opportunity to reflect and connect one day per week. To unite with family, themselves and Judaism - a common thread of the day - unity. 2226 Jews all responding Amen is a hair-raising moment and one that gave me a lot of appreciation for my religion and Shabbat. The dinner was a delicious 4 course meal - salads, salmon, mains and dessert! Meeting new people and hearing their stories and backgrounds, recognising faces from South Africa and bonding with those you are already close with, really made this a special Shabbat. Ending the night with walking back to our apartment in the warm Tel Aviv weather on the streets where the parade had been and the total contrast between day and night, the rest of the week and Shabbat and to top all off we OFFICIALLY MADE THE RECORD FOR THE LARGEST SHABBAT DINNER! Le'chaim!