What do State of Tel Aviv and Jerry Seinfeld Have in Common?

Remember those PBS telethons in the ‘70s to raise money for the television station? (If you weren’t born yet, stay with me….you’ll still get the point.)

I was fascinated by the whole thing. The lead fundraisers would plead and implore for appreciative viewers of U.S. public television (also available in Canada) to pledge financial support and keep the lights on.

Rows of people – sometimes local celebrities - sat staring at telephones. Waiting for them to ring. There was suspense. Silence. More imploring of viewers to call in. Help us reach the target. Or else….

And then. Every darn time. The phones started ringing off the hook. The pledges were tracked in real time.

The tallies soared. It was strangely mesmerizing.

Apparently, I’m not the only one who thought so. Here’s Jerry Seinfeld on the PBS telethon thing, years later.

OK. So now let’s substitute State of Tel Aviv for PBS.

I can see how much our subscribers appreciate our content. Your time is valuable. That you spend some of it with us is the highest compliment.

But now, in true PBS form, I will ask you, ever so nicely, to please consider spending some of your money with us as well.

It takes significant time and effort to generate our content. I also believe that in these challenging times it is important that we reach as many people as possible. However, we need financial support to keep the lights on and the content coming.

On Sunday, May 12th^th we will begin pay-walling State of Tel Aviv podcasts and written pieces. Every so often we will publish content accessible to all but that will be the exception, not the rule.

May 17^th marks our two-year anniversary since launching! HAPPY BIRTHDAY STATE OF TEL AVIV!!! Help us celebrate by taking out a paid subscription before May 17th at current rates. $60 annually. After that, rates will increase

October 7^th was not just a human tragedy but the economy of Israel is also in tatters. We are all independently employed and feel the staggering drop in business. I read recently that the Israeli economy was lifeless for six months following the Yom Kippur War in 1973. This time the impact is much deeper, longer and will be more severe.

Me and my team are dedicated. We are not helicoptering in and out of Israel as crises come and go. We are here. On the ground. Committed. Day in. Day out. We are not going anywhere.

Well. That’s not entirely true. I’m moving soon. From the heart of Tel Aviv to a kibbutz in southern Israel. More on that in due course.

In the meantime, please. Buy us a cup of coffee each month.

Thanks very much for considering this request.