Neve Schechter. Home for contemporary Jewish culture and art
Neve Schechter is located in a beautiful Templer building that has undergone restoration. It has a colorful and fascinating history and is situated on the border between Neve Tzedek and Florentine neighborhoods in Tel Aviv.
The Center offers an original cultural experience of different genres – literature, music and art, alongside an opportunity to study Judaism in pluralistic ways, and to participate in communal activities.
Story of the Building
1886
In 1886, Franz Lorenz, one of the German Templers who settled in Jaffa, purchased a plot near Neve Tzedek, where he built a residence and coffee house known as Café Lorenz. The house also served as a cultural center for the Templers and the residents of Jaffa and Tel Aviv, as S.Y. Agnon colorfully described in his book Only Yesterday.
1909-10
In 1909 and 1910, Hebrew theater enthusiasts staged the first Hebrew theater performances at Café Lorenz for Jaffa and Tel Aviv residents.
1920-48
During most of the British Mandate period, from 1920 to 1948, Café Lorenz hosted many private and public events, including weddings, holiday parties, and commercial and social conferences.
1948
In 1948, at the end of the War of Independence, the compound was renovated for the Israel Defense Forces and adapted for use as a guest house, restaurant, and event hall for soldiers under the direction of the Association for the Wellbeing of Israel’s Soldiers.
In 1965, the soldier’s guest house was closed and the compound abandoned.מעו
2012
The historic building was restored and preserved by the Schechter Institute of Jewish Studies, which established there a center for contemporary Jewish culture and art.
Story of the Building
- 1886 -
In 1886, Franz Lorenz, one of the German Templers who settled in Jaffa, purchased a plot near Neve Tzedek, where he built a residence and coffee house known as Café Lorenz. The house also served as a cultural center for the Templers and the residents of Jaffa and Tel Aviv, as S.Y. Agnon colorfully described in his book Only Yesterday.
- 1909-10 -
In 1909 and 1910, Hebrew theater enthusiasts staged the first Hebrew theater performances at Café Lorenz for Jaffa and Tel Aviv residents.
- 1920-48 -
During most of the British Mandate period, from 1920 to 1948, Café Lorenz hosted many private and public events, including weddings, holiday parties, and commercial and social conferences.
- 1948 -
In 1948, at the end of the War of Independence, the compound was renovated for the Israel Defense Forces and adapted for use as a guest house, restaurant, and event hall for soldiers under the direction of the Association for the Wellbeing of Israel’s Soldiers.
In 1965, the soldier’s guest house was closed and the compound was abandoned.
- 2012 -
The historic building was restored and preserved by the Schechter Institute of Jewish Studies, which established there a center for contemporary Jewish culture and art.
Schedule a tour of the historic house of Neve Schechter, including a viewing of a short film that tells the fascinating story of Tel Aviv's Neve Tzedek neighborhood and the house over the last 130 years. Leave your details here >>
Getting Here
42 Chelouche St., Tel Aviv
office@neve.org.il
How to get here:
By bus:
Shlush/Eilat Station | Egged Lines: 40, 41
Public parking lots nearby:
4 Elifelet St., Tel Aviv | Hamered St. corner with 65 Yehezkel Koifman St., Tel Aviv
Romina Reisin | Director
Bar Yerushalmi | Gallery Curator
Yael Biegon-Citron | Artistic Director
Mor Shimonie | Community building and Jewish learning
Tal Meiri | Artistic Producer
Maayan Moskona | Graphic and Web Design
Itamar San Martin | Technical and Logistics
Amir San Martin | Technical Team
Zohara Heiman | Booking private and Business events
Tel. 054-5366709
The Schechter Institute is an academic and educational institution dedicated to ensuring, through Jewish education, the future of Israel as a democratic state, secure in its Jewish roots.
Schechter was founded 36 years ago to offer a fresh alternative for Israel: meaningful Jewish education in an open, pluralistic environment. Today, it forms an umbrella that includes four non-profits: The Schechter Institute of Jewish Studies, the Schechter Rabbinical Seminary, the TALI Education Fund, and Midreshet Schechter.
