As of today there are 78 tent villages across Israel made of 3383 tents! How official is that count? Not sure, there may actually be more. But considering the swelling heat here (circa 30 degrees at night) and high degree of humidity, its quite impressive. I wake up every night because of the heat and in the morning I can no longer sleep as the tent becomes an oven, albeit a nylon-walled-strangely-shaped oven, but plenty uncomfortable for the inhabitant.
"Rotschild Tahrir corner"
Either way with so many people living in these villages, there is a quite a community life that has burgeoned. In Rotschild, the original spot, every street corner has a camp-center where there are couches, carpets, pillows and people sit. There is also a kitchen where people donate food, make communal meals and naturally, hang out. Bathrooms, electricity and water are provided by local businesses which are supporting the demonstration, or at least standing pat while people come asking for a visit to the toilet.
The police has reported that the residents of the near-by streets do complain about the noise – people hang out till very late, there is music, chatter and just general clamour all over the place. Also trash has accumulated even though there are strong efforts to keep the areas clean and to recycle as much as possible.
My tent village, Noradu street, is now the second largest in Israel with over 150 tents (just for comparison, Rotschild has circa 2000!!!). New tents are popping up all the time. When I first set mine up, I was third from the end. I am now sixth on one side and on the side across from me there are 3 new ones. So people are joining all the time.
Nordau is considered the more family-oriented, academic tent village. It also located in the northern part of TLV which has that stereotype… There are children activities every evening, comprised at times from famous authors coming and reading stories to various others leading activities (I am going to lead an origami making activity with the goal of making a 1000 cranes hoping for the Japanese legend). Later in the evening there are two lectures. We have had famous economists, an Israel-prize winner, a bible-study and just general discussions during these lectures and following them. Our nearest bathroom is a bit far (especially from my tent ☹ ) and is located in the Aroma coffee shop across the street by the village’s kitchen.
Friday evening we have special Shabat welcoming dinners with people from the near by synagogue coming by and leading prayer. And people just sit down and talk about the revolution, explain why they are here, what they think must be done, hang out, sing a little, laugh and most of all, remember that the fight is for actual social changes and, well, hope.
My goodness. You prized the feeling of "rev/ev-olution energy" in the bay area and all that time it was right down the street from home. If you meet any left-handed electric guitar wonders named Yaakov, please tell him to get on stage and play the national anthem…it's cottage cheese container burning-time!!
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