Exploring Israel Through Food, History, and Family

My recent trip to Israel combined family time, food adventures, and cultural discovery. I flew into Tel Aviv to visit my son Simon just after the last of the 20 living hostages came home — and that moment shaped the city’s energy and the many tributes I encountered across town.

I took long walks along the Mediterranean, explored the art and culinary scene, wandered through vibrant markets, and spent days with Simon in Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, the south, and the Galilee. I experienced a side of Israel that was warm, diverse, deeply historic, and bursting with fresh, seasonal flavors. From silky hummus and fluffy pita to local mangoes, cucumbers, and pomegranates, every day brought a new taste of modern Israeli cuisine layered atop thousands of years of tradition.

Arriving in Tel Aviv:

After touching down in Tel Aviv, I  headed straight to the charming Hotel Montefiore, where I checked in and took a much-needed nap. Simon met me there, and we headed out for a walk before sitting down to my first official lunch in Israel: creamy hummus with warm, fluffy pita — the perfect Mediterranean welcome to Israel’s vibrant food culture.

I arrived just days after the release of the 20 living hostages. At the airport and throughout the country, reminders of their stories were everywhere … from yellow ribbons, posters, and tributes to handwritten messages of hope.

Even though I didn’t stay on the beach this time, I fell in love with the scene along Tel Aviv’s shoreline. People of every stripe were out sunbathing, swimming, jogging, and listening to music… oh, and playing footvolley, a volleyball-meets-soccer hybrid that was super fun to watch.

Exploring the Food and Culture of Tel Aviv:

While exploring the Tel Aviv Museum of Art I discovered the works of Reuven Rubin, one of Israel’s most beloved early Jewish painters. Rubin emigrated from Romania and later became a pioneering figure in the Israeli modern art scene (in the 1920s!). I was drawn to the colors and his depictions of everyday life — especially his portraits of family.

The next time you visit Israel, make time for Asif: Culinary Institute of Israel, a dynamic food-culture hub dedicated to celebrating Israeli cuisine. You’ll find a rich library with thousands of cookbooks and food history titles, a café inspired by local ingredients, and an rooftop garden. Asif is a joint venture of the Jewish Food Society and was co-founded by Naama Shefi, whose work I admire deeply.

Touring Asif.

Café Asif served one of my favorite meals of the trip: a bright, herb-packed Fattoush salad with crisp vegetables, toasted bread, and a tangy sumac dressing. And …

Bar grilled cheese: Focaccia Bread with za’atar and olive oil

October in Israel means mangoes, figs, dates, cucumbers, and pomegranates — all grown locally and overflowing from every stall in Carmel Market (Shuk HaCarmel). Fresh juices, spices, olives, sweets… this market is a living, breathing celebration of Israeli seasonality.

Piles of local produce.

Of course, I couldn’t leave Tel Aviv without a classic falafel: crisp chickpea fritters tucked inside fluffy pita with tahini, Israeli salad, pickled cucumbers, and tangy pickled veggies. Simple, fresh, and unforgettable.

I spent a full day exploring Tel Aviv on a walking tour with Tourist Israel, and one of the highlights was the graffiti tour through Florentin, the city’s street-art hub. The murals are bold, political, funny, and deeply expressive — a colorful snapshot of modern Israeli life.

Heading North to the Galilee:

Simon and I drove north into the lush Galilee, often called the breadbasket of Israel. Our first stop: Kitron Winery, where we tasted beautifully crafted local wines. Israel’s wine industry is booming, blending ancient terroir with cutting-edge winemaking.

This meal was one for the books. For lunch, we ordered a hearty salad with beans and nuts alongside a bubbling skillet of shakshuka. Fresh, vibrant, and pure comfort.

We stayed at Mitzpe HaYamim, an eco-retreat in Rosh Pina with an organic farm, sweeping views of the Sea of Galilee, and the dreamiest buffet showcasing produce grown right on the property. Indoor pool, outdoor hot tub, and a coffee I’m still thinking about.

Touring the future home of the Galilee Culinary Institute was a unique experience! It’s still under construction but already impressive. A project from Chef Lior Lev Sercarz in partnership with the Jewish National Fund, GCI is designed to become a world-class culinary education center.

Here I am with Amit Avishai, Operations Manager at the Galilee Culinary Institute by JNF, who walked us through the site and shared the exciting vision for turning the Galilee into a true culinary destination.

Lunch in Qiryat Shemona, a northern town near the Lebanese border: simple grilled chicken served with crisp, ultra-fresh salad greens and vegetables. The flavors were so clean and bright … and I’m still stuffed just thinking about it!

Visiting Jerusalem:

Jerusalem is where Simon is studying and living this year. During my visit, I spent a morning exploring the Israel Museum and the Dead Sea Scrolls.

The Dead Sea Scrolls are among the most significant ancient manuscripts ever uncovered. Created by Jewish communities more than 2,000 years ago, they preserve the earliest known copies of many Hebrew Bible texts, along with prayers, legal documents, and writings that reflect daily life.

I visited the Western Wall, the Kotel, which is one of Judaism’s holiest places and the closest accessible point to where the ancient Second Temple once stood in Jerusalem. People from around the world come here to reflect and tuck handwritten notes between the stones. I added mine too, with wishes for friends, family, and loved ones.

Day Trips and Deeper History:

Simon and I hired a guide to take us south to the site of the Nova music festival, where the October 7 terrorist attacks took place. Today it’s a memorial honoring every life lost. This image shows Hersh Goldberg‑Polin, an Israeli-American who was kidnapped that day and later murdered by Hamas in captivity. It was an emotional visit, and I found myself wanting to stay longer — to read every story and pay tribute to each young, beautiful life lost.

On my last day, I planned to do some shopping, but wanting to soak up more of the country, I booked another day trip with Tourist Israel … this time, back up to the north. Our guide took us to the Crusader city of Akko, the Roman ruins in Caesarea, and the breathtaking Bahá’í Gardens in Haifa. I learned about the region’s 3,000-year history — from the ancient Jewish communities who lived here millennia ago to the founding of modern Israel in 1948.

Haifa.

A luscious lamb dinner at Café Ramban at the Ramban Hotel.

Reflections on my Trip to Israel:

Israel is a place of deep history, vibrant food, and remarkable diversity, and I felt all of that during my visit. I loved wandering markets, sharing Shabbat dinners with new friends, learning from guides and chefs, and — most meaningful of all — spending precious time with Simon. The trip surprised me in the best ways, and I know I barely scratched the surface. I’m already thinking about my next visit. Next time, I’ll stay by the beach, dig even deeper into the culinary scene, and continue uncovering the flavors, stories, and experiences that make this country so extraordinary.