In Jerusalem’s Heart, a Pub That Unites Jews, Arabs and the World

On June 8, 2026, as Iran’s latest aggression rattled Israel, HaTaklit Pub in Jerusalem’s Russian Compound stayed open. Phones buzzed with alerts. Glasses clinked. David Bowie played. Inside, diplomats, Jewish and Arab friends, journalists, and yeshiva students shared space — a small oasis of unity in a city often misunderstood.

This is no accident. For Avi Goldberger, a ninth-generation Jerusalemite and co-owner of HaTaklit (Hebrew for “The Record”), the pub is a deliberate escape from the world’s pressures. “We try to create a kind of escapist bubble,” he says. “A small utopia where the music is good, everyone is equal, and everyone is having a good time.”

Who Is Avi Goldberger?

Goldberger, 50, is a married father of two daughters and one of three owners of three central Jerusalem pubs, including HaTaklit with partners Roy Bar-Tour and Haggai Sternheim. His family’s roots in the city run deep — he is a ninth-generation Jerusalemite.

“My family has deep roots in the city,” he says. He grew up during the latter years of Teddy Kollek’s secular leadership, an era he credits for development. But he insists Jerusalem’s significance comes “first and foremost from its history, and much of that history is tied to religion.”

Why HaTaklit Matters for Jerusalem’s Unity

Goldberger rejects the common narrative of tension between religious and secular communities. “Most of the time, that’s simply not the story,” he says. “I feel welcomed and loved in this city by people from all backgrounds, nationalities and faiths.”

He sees religiosity and modernity as two essential currents. “These two currents need to learn how to coexist more successfully within the space called Jerusalem,” he explains. “Without one, there would be no other. In many ways, this is the story of the entire State of Israel.”

A Building Steeped in Jewish History

HaTaklit’s building has witnessed over a century of Jerusalem’s story. It was the birthplace of Itamar Ben-Avi, son of Hebrew language revivalist Eliezer Ben-Yehuda. During the British Mandate, it stood near the center of tensions that shaped the emerging Jewish state. Later, it housed a photography studio, a restaurant, and early pubs. In Ottoman times, the street was an intellectual hub where Muslims, Christians, and Jews discussed philosophy and history.

Yet Goldberger prefers not to dwell on the past. “When you come inside, it’s as if you’ve passed through a portal into another world,” he says.

An Everything-Goes Oasis for All

HaTaklit is an inclusive space where patrons take the lead. They organize Thanksgiving dinners, Christmas parties, and Hanukkah candle lightings. During Ramadan, secular Muslim patrons who fast show up for Iftar. Diplomats, students, artists, religious and secular Jews, Arabs, and tourists all share the same room.

“We’re simply trying to give them a two-hour break from it,” Goldberger says of Jerusalem’s constant arguing and negotiating.

What Goldberger Hopes for His Daughters

Goldberger’s vision for Jerusalem’s future is embodied in his daughters, the tenth generation. “The most important values I hope to pass on to them are curiosity and openness — both toward the world and toward other people,” he says.

They grow up in a city where religious and secular Jews, Arabs and Jews, and new immigrants intersect daily. “I hope they learn to see that complexity not as a problem but as a source of richness,” he adds. “If they learn to respect people who are different from them and find common ground, I will feel I’ve done something right as a parent.”

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes HaTaklit unique in Jerusalem?

HaTaklit is a pub that deliberately creates an escapist, inclusive atmosphere where Jews, Arabs, diplomats, and tourists coexist peacefully, reflecting Goldberger’s belief in unity amid diversity.

How does Goldberger view Jerusalem’s religious-secular divide?

He sees it as a false dichotomy, arguing that both currents are essential to the city’s identity and must learn to coexist, much like the State of Israel itself.

What is the historical significance of HaTaklit’s building?

The building was the birthplace of Itamar Ben-Avi, son of Hebrew language revivalist Eliezer Ben-Yehuda, and was a center of political and communal activity during the British Mandate and Ottoman periods.