Avi Goldberger, pub owner who brings everyone together

Avi Goldberger, a ninth-generation Jerusalemite and co-owner of Hataklit Pub in the Russian Compound, aims to create a unifying space in a city often perceived as divided. On June 8, 2026, during a flare-up with Iran, the pub remained open, hosting a diverse clientele including diplomats, Jewish and Arab friends, journalists, and yeshiva students. Goldberger believes that while Jerusalem has deep religious history, the city's reality often involves people from all backgrounds coexisting. He states, "I feel welcomed and loved in this city by people from all backgrounds, nationalities and faiths." Hataklit, meaning "The Record," reflects this philosophy, offering an "escapist bubble" where "everyone is equal, everyone is beautiful, and everyone is having a good time," despite the building's rich history. Goldberger hopes to instill curiosity and openness in his daughters, seeing Jerusalem's complexity as a source of richness rather than a problem.