Together with their families

Talya & Sahar

טליה & סהר

December 31, 2026

HaGan BeShefayim · Israel

You're invited
The Mediterranean coast, north of Tel Aviv

ברוכים הבאים

Welcome

We're so glad you're here

We're getting married on the last night of the year, on the Mediterranean coast just north of Tel Aviv, and we can't imagine ringing in 2027 without you.

For many of you this is a long way to travel, so this page has everything we know about getting here, where to stay, what to wear, and how to turn the trip into a proper holiday. Start with our story. It involves a very large book.

With all our love, Talya & Sahar

Talya laughing with her hands at her face as Sahar kneels with a ring on the beach

How we met

Our story

A beach, a book, two languages, and one very well-timed walk home.

Talya and Sahar standing together on the beach surrounded by white flowers
Chapter one

The biggest book he'd ever seen

Talya was on the beach, minding her own business, reading a book. Not a beach read. A serious, hardcover, could-double-as-a-doorstop book.

Sahar was there with a friend. He noticed the girl. Then he noticed the book. He walked over and opened with the smoothest line available to him: that it was the biggest book he had ever seen in his life.

It worked. Sort of.

Talya and Sahar smiling at each other by the sea
Chapter two

Lost in translation

They started talking in Hebrew. It was going well, which is exactly when Talya got flustered and switched to English mid-sentence.

Sahar took the language change as a polite way of saying "please go away." He went away.

Sahar on one knee holding an open ring box, smiling
Chapter three

The return(s)

He came back to check in. Talya, who was in fact very interested and also very shy, gave him nothing to work with. He left again. He came back again. Still shy. Still nothing.

Eventually he left and did not come back. Talya watched the spot where he'd been, decided he must have gone home, got sad about it, packed up her enormous book and left too.

Talya smiling at the camera as Sahar rests his head against hers
Chapter four

The boardwalk

Halfway home along the boardwalk, she ran straight into him. He had left the beach at the exact same moment, from a different exit, with no idea she was behind him.

He recognized her immediately (the book helped). This time he skipped the small talk and asked for her number. They went out the next day.

First date: Renee, a little wine bar in Tel Aviv. It's on the list below. Go.

Sahar lifting Talya off the ground on the beach, foreheads touching
Chapter five

Inseparable (mostly)

They've been inseparable ever since, give or take one Atlantic Ocean, several time zones, and a frankly heroic number of long-haul flights.

Then one evening on a beach lined with white roses and candles, Sahar got down on one knee. Talya laughed, cried, and covered her face, in that order. Then she said yes. On December 31 the ocean finally stops being a problem.

Three nights before

The Henna

Before the wedding, we're keeping a tradition that runs deep in Talya's family. The henna (חינה) is a Moroccan Jewish celebration held in the days before a wedding, and it is, without exaggeration, the loudest and most colorful party you'll go to all year.

The bride and groom are dressed in traditional embroidered caftans, often several over the course of the night. The couple's grandmothers and mothers bless them, then a small dab of henna paste is placed in each of their palms (and anyone else's who wants one). The henna symbolizes protection, good luck and a sweet, prosperous life together. Around all of that: Moroccan music, trays of sweets, mint tea, and a lot of dancing.

If you've never been to one, this is the night to come. It's the best possible warm-up for New Year's Eve.

WhenMonday, December 28, 2026From 7:00 in the evening
WhereEleven, AshdodAbout 45 minutes south of Tel Aviv
Getting thereTransport providedBuses will run from Tel Aviv to the venue and back. Pickup point and time to follow.
AttireFestive & colorfulBright colors are welcome and traditional. If you own a caftan, this is its night.
Talya and Sahar embracing on the beach
What to expect

A procession, a lot of ululating (you'll know it when you hear it), blessings, henna on your palm if you want it, and dancing until the buses leave. Come hungry.

The wedding

New Year's Eve in the garden

One night, one coastline, and a midnight countdown we get to share with the people we love most.

The wedding invitation: Talya and Sahar, Thursday the thirty-first of December 2026 at seven in the evening, HaGan BeShefayim, Israel
Our invitation
WhenThursday, December 31, 2026Seven in the evening. Please arrive by 6:45 so you're settled before the chuppah.
WhereHaGan BeShefayimThe garden venue at Kibbutz Shefayim, a seaside kibbutz just north of Herzliya, about 25 minutes from Tel Aviv.
Hosted byJacques & Lisette Ohana
Nissan & Ruchama GavrielyWith gratitude to Hashem
FoodKosherDinner is kosher. Let us know about allergies when you RSVP.
7:00Kabbalat PanimReception & drinks
ThenThe ChuppahCeremony
AfterDinner & DancingIsraeli wedding rules apply
MidnightHappy New YearCountdown to 2027

AttireFestive cocktail. Not black tie, but a clear step up from a typical Israeli wedding. Think of what you'd wear to a nice New Year's Eve dinner in the city: polished, a little glamorous, comfortable enough to dance in. Part of the evening is outdoors in a garden by the sea in late December, so bring a layer.

Women

Cocktail or long dresses

  • Midi or floor-length dresses, dressy separates, or an elegant jumpsuit
  • A wrap, shawl or tailored jacket for the garden
  • Heels are welcome; block heels are kinder on grass and gravel
  • Please leave white and ivory to the bride
Men

Suit, tie optional

  • A suit or a blazer with tailored trousers
  • Dress shirt; tie or open collar both work
  • Leather shoes or loafers. No sneakers, no sandals
  • Dark colors, navy, charcoal and deep greens all photograph beautifully
Our palette, if you want a hint

Mauve, plum, sage, ivory

  • No need to match. These are just the colors of the evening.
—Days
—Hours
—Minutes

until the chuppah

Travel & stay

Getting here

Fly into Tel Aviv, and you're half an hour from the kibbutz.

Flying in

Ben Gurion Airport (TLV)

Israel's main international airport, about 30 minutes by car from Shefayim and 20 from Tel Aviv. Direct flights from New York, Miami, Los Angeles, Boston, Toronto and most European hubs.

  • Taxis wait outside arrivals. Agree to the meter, or order through the Gett app.
  • Rental cars are in the terminal if you plan to explore. Parking at the venue is free.
  • Trains run from the airport to Tel Aviv and on to Herzliya; the kibbutz is a 10-minute taxi from Herzliya station.
Where to stay

Hotel details coming soon

We're arranging rooms for our guests near the kibbutz and in Tel Aviv. The hotel name, group rate and booking link will appear here.

If you want to book early, Herzliya Pituach and north Tel Aviv are both easy bases, 15 to 25 minutes from Shefayim, and Tel Aviv itself is where you'll want to spend your evenings.

Weather

Mild, sometimes wet

Late December is Israel's winter: 10–18°C (50s–60s°F), sunny most days, with a real chance of rain. Pack layers, a proper coat for evenings, and an umbrella.

Getting around

Gett, not Uber

Uber barely works in Israel. Download Gett for taxis (it works like Uber, with licensed cabs) and Moovit for buses and trains. Trains are clean, fast and cheap between the airport, Tel Aviv and Herzliya.

Shabbat

Friday sundown to Saturday night

Public transit stops, most shops close, and many restaurants in Jerusalem shut. Tel Aviv stays lively, and taxis keep running. The wedding is on a Thursday, so plan Friday as a slow beach day. Note that December 25–26 is also a Shabbat weekend.

Money

Shekels, mostly tap-to-pay

The currency is the Israeli new shekel (₪). Cards and Apple Pay work almost everywhere. Keep some cash for market stalls and tips. Restaurants expect 12–15%, usually added at the table or in cash.

Phone

Get an eSIM before you land

An eSIM (Airalo, Holafly and similar) is the easiest option and costs a few dollars a day. Local SIMs are sold at the airport if you prefer. WhatsApp is how everyone in Israel communicates, including restaurants.

Entry

Check your paperwork

US, Canadian, UK and EU passport holders don't need a visa for short visits, but most now need an online travel authorization (ETA-IL) before flying. Apply a couple of weeks ahead. Your passport should be valid for six months past your trip.

Plugs

Type H and C, 230V

Bring a universal adapter. European two-pin plugs fit; North American ones don't. Phones and laptops handle the voltage; hair tools often don't.

Language

English is everywhere

Hebrew is the main language, but nearly everyone you'll meet speaks English, especially in Tel Aviv. A few words go a long way: shalom (hello), toda (thank you), mazal tov (congratulations). You'll be saying that last one a lot.

Security

Expect a few questions

Airport security is thorough on the way out. Arrive three hours before international departures and keep your answers simple: you were here for a wedding. Bring the invitation if that helps.

Make it a trip

Things to do in Israel

A few of our favorite places. All of them are an easy day from Shefayim, and most deserve more than one.

About an hour away

Jerusalem

Three thousand years of history in a city you can walk across in an afternoon. Give it a full day at least, and avoid Saturday.

  • The Western Wall (Kotel)Go at dusk, then wander the Old City's four quarters. Modest dress; head coverings are provided.
  • Machane Yehuda ShukThe market by day; bars and live music among the shuttered stalls by night.
  • Yad VashemThe World Holocaust Remembrance Center. Allow three hours. Closed Saturdays.
  • The Old CityThe Church of the Holy Sepulchre, the rooftops, and the Ramparts Walk along the walls.
  • Mount of OlivesThe classic view over the Old City, best in morning light.
  • Israel MuseumHome of the Dead Sea Scrolls and a scale model of ancient Jerusalem.
25 minutes down the coast

Tel Aviv & Jaffa

Beaches, markets and a city that eats late and stays out later. Everything below is walkable or a short ride apart.

  • Shuk HaCarmelTel Aviv's main market: produce, spices, juice stands and the best people-watching in town.
  • The beachesGordon, Frishman and Banana Beach. Even in winter the sunsets are worth the walk.
  • The TayeletWalk the seafront promenade from the Port all the way south to Jaffa; about an hour at a stroll. This is also where Chapter Four happened.
  • Charles Clore ParkA green stretch of waterfront between the beaches and Jaffa, perfect for a picnic or a run.
  • Old JaffaThe ancient port, the clock tower, the artists' quarter and the flea market neighborhood around it.
  • Shuk HaPishpeshimJaffa's flea market: vintage, antiques, and some of the city's best cafes and bars tucked between the stalls.
  • The Port (Namal)A wooden boardwalk, Friday farmers' market, and restaurants over the water.
  • Kikar DizengoffThe fountain square at the heart of the city, ringed with cafes. Sit, order an iced coffee, and watch Tel Aviv go by.
About two hours away

The Dead Sea

The lowest point on earth. Float, cover yourself in mud, and pair it with Masada for one of the great day trips anywhere.

  • FloatThe public beaches at Ein Bokek are free and well kept. Don't shave that morning, and keep the water out of your eyes.
  • MasadaClimb the Snake Path before dawn for sunrise over the sea, or take the cable car up later.
  • Ein GediA desert oasis with waterfalls and ibex, minutes from the shore.
  • Spa dayMost Ein Bokek hotels sell day passes to their pools and mineral spas.
Close to the kibbutz

Along the coast

If you'd rather stay near Shefayim, the Sharon coast has plenty to fill a lazy day.

  • CaesareaA Roman harbor city 30 minutes north: the amphitheater, the aqueduct on the beach, and seaside restaurants.
  • Herzliya MarinaBoats, cafes and a long beach, ten minutes south of the kibbutz.
  • Apollonia National ParkCrusader fortress ruins on the cliffs right beside Herzliya.
  • Shefayim beachThe kibbutz's own stretch of sand, a short walk from the venue.

Our picks

Eat & drink

Our favorite spots in Tel Aviv, including a few that are part of the story. Reservations are a good idea for dinner.

Restaurants

Kosher

Malka

Tel Aviv

Our favorite kosher restaurant in the city. Modern Israeli cooking from Eyal Shani's group, generous plates, and a dining room that feels like a party. Book ahead.

Street food

Yashka

Tel Aviv

The falafel and shawarma we send everyone to. Order at the counter, load up on salads and amba, and eat standing like a local.

Street food

HaKosem

Tel Aviv

"The Magician." Possibly the most famous falafel in Tel Aviv, and deserving of it. The line moves fast and they hand out free falafel balls while you wait.

Dinner

Port Said

Tel Aviv

Eyal Shani's loud, wonderful spot beside the Great Synagogue. Records spinning, plates to share, tables spilling onto the street. Go early or expect to wait.

Night out

Qumran

Tel Aviv

Dinner that turns into dancing on the tables. Go hungry, stay late, and don't wear anything you're precious about.

Cafe

Plaza Cafe

Kikar Dizengoff

Our spot on Dizengoff Square. Grab a table facing the fountain, order breakfast or an iced coffee, and watch the whole city walk past.

Bars & cafes

Our first date

Renee

Tel Aviv

A cute little wine bar, and the scene of our first date, the day after the boardwalk. Natural wines, small plates, low light. Sit at the bar.

Our third date

Cafe Cucu

Tel Aviv

Cafe by day, bar by night, and where we had our third date. Good cocktails, good music, and apparently good enough for a fourth date.

Where Sahar met the siblings

The Prince (HaNasich)

Nahalat Binyamin

A rooftop bar in an old Bauhaus building, strung with lights and full of plants. This is where Sahar met Talya's siblings. He passed.

Garden

Cafe Europa

Rothschild

Ask for a table in the garden out back. Lanterns, trees, cocktails, and one of the nicest places in the city to spend a whole evening.

Bar

Bushwick

Tel Aviv

A proper bar: dark, loud, great drinks, no pretense. Where the night goes after dinner.

More recommendations coming as we remember them.

Questions

Good to know

When should I RSVP by?
We'll post the reply-by date here shortly. The sooner the better, since many of you are booking flights and we're reserving hotel rooms and bus seats.
Can I bring a plus one?
If your invitation includes a guest, absolutely. If you're unsure, message us and ask. We'd rather you ask than guess.
Are children welcome?
We love your kids. Please check your invitation for who's included, and message us with any questions. Both events run late into the night.
Is the food kosher?
Yes. Both the henna and the wedding are fully kosher. Tell us about allergies or dietary needs in the RSVP form.
Do I have to come to the henna?
You don't have to, but you really should. It's three nights before the wedding (Monday, December 28) in Ashdod, and we're running buses from Tel Aviv so nobody needs to drive. It's the most fun you'll have all week.
What's the dress code again?
Festive cocktail for the wedding: suits and cocktail or long dresses, no sneakers, no white. Festive and colorful for the henna. Full details are in the attire section.
How do I get to Shefayim?
By car or taxi it's about 25 minutes north of Tel Aviv and 30 from the airport. Order a Gett to "HaGan BeShefayim." There's free parking at the venue. Transport details for guests staying at the hotel will follow once the hotel is confirmed.
Will there be a midnight countdown?
Yes. It's New Year's Eve and we're not wasting it. Plan to be on the dance floor at midnight.
Is there a gift registry?
Your being there, from so far away, is the gift. If you'd still like to give something, details will be posted here closer to the date.
Can I take photos?
Please do, and share them with us after. We'd ask for phones away during the chuppah so our photographer gets a clear shot.
I have another question.
Message either of us on WhatsApp and we'll get right back to you.

Kindly reply

Will you be there?

Please reply for each event, and tell us everything we need to know to take care of you.

Thank you! We can't wait to celebrate with you.

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