A loud and endlessly churning expression of comopolitan Israel, Tel Aviv has Jews of every possible origin living in it. Built on sand, it is Israel’s first modern city. The sometimes ugly and commercial front has a tendency to grow on you. Whatever it may lack in subtlety Tel Aviv makes up in chutzpah. While Jerusalem has an ancient past, Tel Aviv is a very modern, westernized and secular city with its hip discos, fancy shopping malls and avant-garde boutiques. It is an international city of financial institutions, foreign embassies, business centres, nightlife, theatre, music, art and entertainment venues.