Secret Tel Aviv is a space for all Tel Avivis to share their experiences and questions, meet new people, and learn about some of the Secrets of this awesome city.
Started in 2011, we now have a Facebook Group, a weekly events newsletter, a website (including Israel’s largest English-language Jobs Board and Events Calendar), twice-a-year Jobs Fairs, and a VIP Card with discounts across the city.
The Three Goals of Secret Tel Aviv:
- Help Internationals settle in Israel.
- Help Businesses set up by Internationals in Israel.
- Help native Israelis and Internationals integrate better – we believe this is the only way to ensure Internationals make Israel their long-term home.
Secret Tel Aviv in Numbers:
Read more about how we are doing – check out Secret Tel Aviv’s 2016 Annual Review: From a Facebook Group to a Business.
The Team:
Jonny Stark is the founder of Secret Tel Aviv. Born in Manchester, UK, he made Aliyah in 2009 at the age of 28 – one of the best decisions he ever made! Jonny has a background in finance and strategy consulting, and has also worked in hi-tech sales in Israel, but his real passion is building communities and connecting people (and his wife Fernanda, who is the Head of Design here at Secret Tel Aviv). Jonny’s favourite ‘Secret’ places in Tel Aviv are Miznon restaurant, the food stalls in the Shuk (Bunny Chow, HaShomer 1, Arepas, and Bar HaOchel), the fishmonger at 25 HaCarmel in the shuk with the big queues, and buying fresh Challah from the Lchamim bakeries. LinkedIn.
Tere Metta is the Head of Website at Secret Tel Aviv. Born in Mexico City, she interned at Secret Tel Aviv in 2016 and was so amazing we didn’t let her leave! She’s an amazing writer and has given the newsletter and website a new lease of life. When she is not writing she loves to travel and explore new and exotic places, and find the tastiest local restaurants. Tere’s favourite secret places in Tel Aviv are Independence Park next to the Hilton, Market, the Dallal bakery in Neve Tzedek and the Dog Beach. LinkedIn
Fernanda Melo is the Head of Design at Secret Tel Aviv. Born in Sao Paulo Brazil, she moved to Israel in 2009. She has a background in fashion design and graphic design, and when she is not designing awesome graphics for Secret Tel Aviv she designing graphics, packaging, and patterns for customers all over the world. Her favourite ‘Secret’ places in Tel Aviv are Café Habima (We Like You Too), Delicatessen on Yehuda Halevi, The Tel Aviv Art Studio, and Studio Naim dance studio/ gym. Website | LinkedIn.
Orel Elimelech is the Head of Website at Secret Tel Aviv. A WordPress expert and design guru, Orel is also passionate about organizing events and meetups. He runs the Curiosity Meetup which meets every month in Tel Aviv and is part of the DLD planning committee. Orel is from Jerusalem. Orel’s favourite ‘Secret’ passion involves cracking all the Locked Rooms in Tel Aviv. Website | LinkedIn.
Ambassadors and Advisers
Gilad Goren was the original nightlife and culture contributor to Secret Tel Aviv. He is currently living in New York, and checks in on us here in Israel regularly. Gilad Goren is the founder and Executive Director of Travel+SocialGood, the first conference series/global community aimed at propelling the travel industry to meet its potential for positive impact on a global scale, founded in partnership with the UN Foundation’s +SocialGood network. Gilad is also founder of Only Six Degrees, an impact travel consultancy focused on education and travel experiences crafted for impact. When in Israel his favourite spot to eat is Hummus Mashawa on Pinsker, and his favourite bar is Kuli Alma. LinkedIn.
Anna Kernus interned at Secret Tel Aviv between March and May 2015, heading up Content. During her time at Secret Tel Aviv she grew the Secret Tel Aviv Events Newsletter Distribution list by 30%, and wrote our famous Best Bars and Clubs section on the website which has had over 100,000 page views. Anna is from San Diego, California, and studied Economics at the University of California. LinkedIn.
Georgina Balcombe interned at Secret Tel Aviv between April and June 2015, heading up Content. Passionate about Fashion, Georgina wrote our Shopping and Shuks sections on the website. She also set up the Secret Tel Aviv Instagram account. Georgina is currently studying Middle Eastern Studies and History of Art at SOAS, London. She also writes her own lifestyle blog iamgfab. LinkedIn.
Nicole Armitage volunteered at Secret Tel Aviv between March and April 2015. Born in Johannesburg, South Africa, Nicole made Aliya in October 2014. In South Africa she graduated in Production Design and worked in Event Planning. She continued this passion with Secret Tel Aviv, helping organize the Secret Tel Aviv Kol Oleh Election Fair and writing the Secret Tel Aviv ‘Guide to Getting Married in Israel’ with over 3,000 views. LinkedIn.
Lea Mekies interned at Secret Tel Aviv in Summer 2015, heading up Business Development. Born in Toulouse, France, Lea studies at the prestigious ESSEC Business School in Paris. Having successfully established Secret Tel Aviv’s vacation rental business, she is built Secret Tel Aviv’s MapMe Integration, CardTLV partnership, and business outreach for the Jobs Board. Lea is a party animal (‘Work Hard, Play Hard’), her favourite ‘Secret’ place is Kuli Alma. LinkedIn.
Josh Fischlin interned at Secret Tel Aviv in Summer 2015, heading up Content. During his time here he grew the Secret Tel Aviv Events Newsletter distribution list by 20% and website traffic by 10%. As well as managing the Events Newsletter, he built the attractions section on our website. Born in Quebec, Canada, Josh currently studies Journalism at Concordia University in Canada. His favourite ‘Secret’ place is Sandwich Shel Itzik v Ruti on Shenkin. His internship was organized by Young Judea. LinkedIn.
Tammy Goldenberg volunteered in Secret Tel Aviv’s New Media Team, and co-produced Secret Tel Aviv TV’s first video, an interview with Israeli band Ouzo Bazooka. Born in South Africa, Tammy made Aliyah in 2013. She is passionate about music and introducing the Israeli music scene to internationals living in Israel. Tammy previously worked as a Sound Engineer at TLV1. LinkedIn.
Nili Gold was Secret Tel Aviv Member of the Year in 2013/14. She continues to help everyone in the group whenever she can. Nili was born in the US and made Aliyah in 2012. She is passionate about helping others find employment, loves meeting new people and going dancing in Tel Aviv. LinkedIn.
Hillel Raz is Secret Tel Aviv’s top Guest Blogger – having written blog posts on Best Mexican Restaurants (over 3,000 views) and Best Pizza Restaurants (over 10,000 views). LinkedIn.
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