Interview (in 2003) with David Ehrlich, former feature journalist for Haaretz weekend, founder and co-owner. In 1999, Dan Goldberg became a partner in TMOL SHILSHOM.

 

About the decision to create TMOL SHILSHOM:

I left journalism, lived in the U.S. for four years, and came back to Israel feeling a need to do something adventurous. I missed the bookstore café atmosphere I found in the U.S.

 

About the name TMOL SHILSHOM:

To connect with the great modern Hebrew author, S.Y. Agnon (1887-1970). His masterpiece "Tmol Shilshom" ("Only Yesterday") takes place in this neighborhood.

 

The vision for TMOL SHILSHOM:

Something friendly, open, accepting of differences, styles and trends, where writers could speak and meet their readers. Where anyone could walk in, relax, pick up a book and hang out in an oasis removed from the world of consumerism. Book lovers are more inclined to come here, but all kinds come here. Religious, Haredi, secular, young, old, foreigners, locals and young settlers from the territories. It is gay friendly, and Hebrew University's gay-lesbian students organization used to meet here. Also, I think the coexistence on staff between Jews and Arabs is more far reaching here because of the nature of this place.

 

History of the building before TMOL SHILSHOM:

It was built around 1880. It was originally a dwelling space and in 1946 part of it became a tailors' workshop. In the 70's, as the entire neighborhood gradually turned into a commercial center, this building too hosted small businesses and tradespeople

 

About the design:

Eddie Safadi, who has a gift for bringing out the special qualities of old spaces renovated it. I added my own sensibilities. We preserved and enhanced the existing aesthetic, creating a warm environment with much natural wood and old style furniture. Most of the books are second hand, some donated by customers. We have Hebrew and English literature as well as numerous books in other languages including French, German, Russian, Turkish, Finnish, Japanese and Arabic. I lam very involved in the local literary scene and I chose most of the books.

 

About the music:

We play mellow music. At the end of the night we play music for younger people in the second room.

 

The most famous person to come to TMOL SHILSHOM:

Yehuda Amichai (1923-2000, our guardian angel. At first skeptical about my vision, he later became very excited, offering any support he could. He read poetry at the opening. "The Yehuda Amichai armchair" facing the bookshelves in the corner is where he used to sit.

 

Customer's favorite food:

The salmon fillet with fig and wine sauce and the deserts such as Symphony (3 layer chocolate cake)

 

Owner's favorite food:

Pasta zucchini and Crème Brulé -a French delight - delicate burned cream with cinnamon

 

About the owner's writing:

My writing is now art more than journalism. I published 2 books of short stories in Hebrew.