In a Shenkin State of Mind: A Cultural Concept of Urban Identity

Madeleine Schechter (Tel Aviv University) [Bio]

Email: schechtm@post.tau.ac.il

 

ABSTRACT:

The paper explores a cultural phenomenon specific to nowadays Tel Aviv. This phenomenon is connected to the cultural meanings assigned to Shenkin street. In the last two decades, Shenkin Street has become famous due to its crossovers between old and new urban lifestyles. The word “Shenkin” has acquired a cultural meaning in Hebrew, being identified not merely with architectural forms, but also with certain Israeli identity and mentality specific to Tel Aviv.