The juxtaposition of the energies here in Israel is magnetic and even a bit whiplash inducing at first — Landing in Tel Aviv and just melting into this radiant city — seemingly endless soft sand beaches along the glistening Mediterranean waters. This foodie town of the freshest cucumbers, the silkiest hummus, the sweetest dates, and a perfect juice bar on every block. There’s an organic farming movement, a tech industry to rival Silicon Valley, and literally a Soho House. Tel Aviv is a VIBE. It’s super sexy. To me it feels a bit like Mexico City — colorful, passionate, so fully alive, and a bit rough around the edges, with the edge of danger. To be in Tel Aviv is to get high from the very air you breathe until you feel like you don’t need sleep and anything is possible. Now picture, just a 45 minute train ride away from the gay bars, and tanned six packs, and traify scallop crudo: the cultural, spiritual, ancient Mecca that is Jerusalem. Entering Jerusalem is like stepping through the mist into another world. This mix of cultures and creeds surrounding you is hypnotic, each with their own elaborate garb and deeply held beliefs, creating this crescendoing symphony — the orthodox with their black hats, payos and tzitzit, the women in long skirts and wigs. The Muslims in their hijabs, and the soldiers in their green uniforms, guns the size of a third grader slung over their shoulders. I’m humbled and enamored, but I’m overstimulated and on edge. What can I equate this feeling of being in Jerusalem to? For me it feels like gazing up at a massive painting from hundreds of years ago in a grand museum — one that depicts war, gruesome with blood and death, but heavenly and awe inspiring with angels flying up above. Like the crux of the human experience is just splayed out in front of you. Archaeologically as significant as Rome, and spiritual as a holy meditation retreat in the mountains of Nepal. The ancient stones that have been touched with hearts on fire for thousands of years absorb that energy, so when you touch them they sort of vibrate and send a soft shock through to your core. Caption continued in slideshow. 🤍