New Immigrant Entrepreneurs Showcase Successful Businesses at Tel Aviv’s White Night Market
Each summer, Tel Aviv transforms into a vibrant celebration during the biannual White Night event, attracting thousands of residents and visitors to enjoy live music, cultural performances, food stalls, and art markets. One of the standout locations this year was Gevaon Square, where the "Olim Market" featured handmade jewelry, art, fashion, home design, and culinary-inspired products created by new immigrants to Israel.
Organized by the nonprofit Nefesh B'Nefesh in collaboration with the Tel Aviv-Yafo Municipality’s Absorption Authority and Business Development Authority, the market aimed to provide immigrant entrepreneurs a platform to present their businesses to thousands of Israelis. The event highlighted the significant cultural and economic contributions of new immigrants, many of whom viewed the market as a milestone in building their future in Israel.
Deputy Mayor and Absorption Committee member Guy Avner described the White Night as a massive event spanning ten city locations, emphasizing that the Olim Market offers new immigrants a unique opportunity to showcase their art and businesses. Participants like Tamara Tayyar, founder of ZioBratClub, used humor and satire to promote pride in Zionism, while Julia Levin from Minnesota displayed embroidered jewelry inspired by Israeli life. For many, creativity served as both a profession and a therapeutic outlet.
Other entrepreneurs, such as Amber Slavat from Toronto, celebrated Jewish and Israeli culture through food-themed designs, while Russian immigrant Dara Mironov adapted crochet crafts to the warm Israeli climate. Despite challenges like lacking established networks and local market knowledge, many vendors praised the strong support from Israeli customers. Nefesh B'Nefesh event manager Devan Conway emphasized the market’s role in fostering networking and showcasing immigrant talent to the broader Israeli public.
For David Retz, a recent immigrant from New York, the market was his first in-person fair, allowing him to connect with fellow artists and the community. The event transcended commerce, telling stories of resilience, identity, and reinvention amid adversity. As Conway summarized, these entrepreneurs come not only to build homes but also to establish thriving businesses, enriching Israel’s cultural and economic fabric. The White Night Olim Market celebrated not just immigration itself but the ongoing journey of community building and opportunity creation in a new homeland.
