Is This Tel Aviv? No It’s Jerusalem’s New Scene!

Something new yet reminiscent of the past is happening in Jerusalem. After years of clubs and bars closing for many reasons, mostly financial, four bold entrepreneurs, Moti Asaraf and Eyal Ashush Owners of HaSchena, Avitan Sela Owner of the BarBara and one of Israel’s top DJ’s, Asher Suissa “DJ Skazi,” took the plunge after the advisor to the mayor on Youth and Culture, Hillel Farkash, put the team together, encouraging them to return Jerusalem back to its Hay Day!  Hillel Farkash opened Ha Oman 17 years ago, followed by his club The Justice, and since their closing, nothing like them have made their way to the Holy City.

Attending the Grand Opening of the new Boiler 02 Club on Thursday November 13th, was among others, Adir Schwartz, the present head of Hitororut in charge of the youth portfolio and one of Jerusalem’s Deputy Mayors. For those of you who are unfamiliar with Hitororut, it is the party that encourages the lifestyle needed in Jerusalem to attract and more importantly, to maintain its young people to live in the capital. Hitororut had a lot to do with the opening of this new and unique venue , Adir explained. “The Club was founded thanks to the tremendous support of the Mayor of Jerusalem Moshe Lion and the municipality, specifically myself and councilman Ariel Baziz also from Hitorerut providing both monetary support and bureaucratic assistance and making it possible to begin to revive Jerusalem’s nightlife. This is very important as a small part of what we are doing in Hitororut to make Jerusalem attractive for younger audiences. Efforts such as these will strengthen the city’s ability to be a home for secular, moderately religious and traditional Jews.”

DJ Skazi rocking the Boiler 02 Club on its opening night Photo by HF Productions

“What I saw on Thursday at the Grand Opening of Jerusalem’s first Dance Bar, Boiler 02 to open in over 20 years reminded me of the Jerusalem night life of past and excited me for the beginning of a new chapter, one which we Jerusalemites demand to be written” explained Lior Shapira, active in Hitororut. What Lior is speaking about is the famous Jerusalem Club, Ha Oman 17 owned and operated or should I say created by Hillel Farkash, the now advisor to the mayor on youth and culture. Hillel also opened The Justice Dance Club in 2014-2019 in the same location as the now Boiler 02, adjacent to the First Station. Hillel put the team together, encouraging them to help in order to open this important venue with a total new look, though reminiscent of the feeling of both Ha Oman 17 and The Justice Club.

“I felt that Jerusalem was like a living city again,” explained Lior. “The new club brought back the excitement, the anticipation, the beautiful people and the pulse that was once prevalent in our city. Suddenly, Thursday felt exactly like it used to. It was exciting, just like in the past. The organization. The perfume. The drive. After picking up a friend and making our way through the endless navigation to the parking lot a small and defining moment occurred for me. Suddenly, I was standing at the entrance and going through selection! For a moment, I felt 17 again. Like in the days of Constantine, the Campus and the famous HaOman 17.” “I truly believe that Jerusalem will not survive without a ‘Scene’. “For a moment, the feeling was so rare and foreign that it almost felt like it belonged in another city. Not ours. At the opening on Thursday, the Boiler Club 02 was packed. People were dancing, laughing, drinking, talking, and meeting. It simply brought Jerusalem to life. There were beautiful people there, their hair was colorful – and it was full, of all shades, who brought with them an energy that we had forgotten existed in the city.”

“It seems that there are those on the 6th floor of Safra who are beginning to understand this point that requires urgent attention, and they deserve great appreciation for their listening ear and support for the new and welcome project. This is a vital and important step. Recognizing that there is a real problem.

But one club is not enough. One is encouraging. Ten is a courageous policy. The time has come for a master plan and an umbrella agreement for the cultural, entertainment and nightlife sectors in Jerusalem. If Jerusalem wants to bring back young people, to preserve young families, then it needs first-rate infrastructure, not a side project. The club was packed. This is how Jerusalem should look and this is how Jerusalemites want to enjoy themselves. The opening should be the beginning of what is to come. Now it’s the turn of the municipality, Its developers – and ours too – to create a scene here”.

Though the Grand Opening was restricted to younger people, this will not be the case all week. Boiler 02 will be open three nights a week. Every Tuesday night will feature Israeli music and ages 30-plus are welcome. Every Saturday night will be open to young students and residents and Thursdays will feature Techno, Trance and House for all who love this type of music. I, of course, hope to be a part of this amazing initiative, bringing the best live entertainment I have brought to my Woodstock shows over the years. Stay tuned!!