Women immigrant-owned businesses featured at massive market at HER Tel Aviv festival

Dozens of businesses owned by women immigrants to Israel were showcased at a night market in central Tel Aviv last Thursday, as part of the HER Tel Aviv International Summer Festival. The event featured over 50 female-driven businesses offering food, clothing, accessories, and jewelry, alongside 35 workshops in multiple languages. Sivan Hadari, founder and CEO of HER Tel Aviv, stated the festival aimed to "show the diversity and the connection and the love for Israel" and support immigrant women in building lives in the country. Featured businesses included The Pickle Jar, Talia C (glasswork and jewelry), and Tides Accessories (swim-friendly hair accessories).

"Our goal at HER is to help olot stay in Israel, thrive and live the Israeli dream, so no olah feels alone ever again."

The festival also included a panel discussion with influential women, such as WIZO chairperson Ora Korazim, who noted the additional challenges women face when starting businesses in Israel. Yocheved Ruttenberg, founder of the Sword of Iron – Israel Volunteer Corp, shared that being a woman has been an asset in building her organization, despite the need for innovation. The festival also offered live music, workshops, a language-exchange cafe, and an English-language comedy show.