Let me introduce you to Boiler 02 co-founder Hillel Farkash, one of the most courageous and successful entrepreneurs I have met in Jerusalem, an innovator and risk-taker.
Years ago, Farkash partnered with five other nightlife personalities to open in Jerusalem what was to become one of Israel’s most famous nightclubs, Haoman 17, known for its exciting atmosphere and decor, which lured dancers and dance lovers from all over the country.
The founding partners were deemed “nightlife pioneers,” and Farkash was at the helm. “Who doesn’t know Hillel Farkash!?” an acquaintance of mine in his 30s exclaimed.
However, Farkash explained, the Second Intifada caused clubgoers to be afraid to go to Jerusalem, so Haoman 17 was forced to shut its doors.
Now, more than two years after Israel’s worst security failure and consequential tragedies, the time has come for Jerusalem to come alive once more. Haoman 17 used to pull in more than 1,500 clubgoers every weekend. Farkash believes that the new club, Boiler 02, will bring in even more.
How Boiler 02 came to be
Current adviser to Jerusalem Mayor Moshe Lion on youth and culture, Farkash felt it was time to take a stab at filling the void felt by every student and lover of dance – not only in Jerusalem but all over Israel – by opening Jerusalem’s first new dance club in years, adjacent to the First Station. The atmosphere is modern with spectacular lighting, and the club provides the highest level of entertainment to its clientele.
Farkash’s motivation is twofold. He wants to attract non-locals to taste the new excitement brewing in Jerusalem, and to encourage the students in Jerusalem to stay in the capital after their studies, having experienced the Holy City as a fun city, too.
“Our vision is that the impression of the city will change, and students and young people will not only come to the club to experience a great time but will change their paradigm about the city and actually consider even moving here, seeing Jerusalem as a vibrant city with opportunities for young people who never even considered visiting, let alone living here,” he outlined.
“Of course, none of this could have happened without the support of Mayor Moshe Lion. He is very open to my suggestions as to what this city needs to maintain its young population and to bring in more young people.”
Hitorerut party head Adir Schwartz attended the grand opening of the new Boiler 02 club. He is one of Jerusalem’s deputy mayors and in charge of the youth portfolio. Hitorerut encourages the lifestyle needed in the capital to attract and – more importantly – to maintain young residents.
“Hitorerut had a lot to do with the opening of this new and unique venue,” Schwartz said. “The club was founded thanks to the support of the municipality, providing both monetary support and bureaucratic assistance, as well as making it possible to begin to revive Jerusalem’s nightlife.”
He added that “efforts such as these will strengthen the city’s ability to be a home for young secular, moderately religious, and traditional Jews.”
Farkash first approached Moti Asraf, a lawyer and businessman, and owner of a highly successful bar in Jerusalem, HaShchena, which has attracted students and others for years. HaShchena is conveniently located next to the Mahaneh Yehuda market. Farkash told Asraf about his idea and introduced him to another successful bar owner in the area, Avidan Sela, owner of Barbara Shuk.
Asraf recalled, “Farkash introduced me to Avidan, and we felt an immediate connection.” Then Farkash suggested bringing in internationally renowned Jerusalemite DJ Asher Suissa, aka Skazi.
“We all sat together and decided to take the idea to fruition.”
On Tuesday, November 13, the dream came to life with hundreds of clubgoers from all over the country showing up at the opening to witness a scene described by Asraf as “unique in its design and influenced by the most famous dance clubs in the world; including dancers, a fantastic bar, comfortable places to sit, and, of course, a huge dance floor.
Asraf described the opening as “Amazing! Colorful clubbers came from all over.”
He said that the club’s capacity is only 550 people. “So, sadly, we had to close the door to hopeful partygoers when we ran out of room for them.”
The event went on until the early hours of Wednesday morning, he reported. It “didn’t end until 5 a.m. Thanks to Skazi’s Instagram and those who know me and Avidan from our longstanding bars, the response was overwhelming!”
Another of the opening’s attendees was Hitorerut member Lior Shapira. “What I saw on Thursday at the grand opening of Jerusalem’s newest dance club was exhilarating! I felt that Jerusalem was like a living city again,” he said.
“The new club brought back the excitement, the anticipation, the beautiful people, and the pulse that was once prevalent in our city. Suddenly, Thursday felt exactly like it used to.”
For the time being, the venue is open just three nights a week. Tuesdays feature Israeli music, and all ages are welcome. Thursdays are aimed at all techno, trance, and house lovers. Saturday nights are open to young residents and students.
“It is very important to us to turn the club into a cultural hub in addition to a dance club,” Asraf explained, adding: “We have already introduced ourselves to all the student unions of the local universities, which contributed to the hundreds of clubgoers attending our opening.”
He said that at Boiler 02, they “plan to hold live music shows that go along with the dancing concept, making the nights full of energy like nothing that has been seen in Jerusalem for years.
“Clubgoers will meet local students and see that this is a super cool place. Also, that the students already studying in Jerusalem will come to the club and begin believing that they could actually stay here after their studies, contrary to what is happening now,” he added, referring to the current exodus of young people to Tel Aviv.
Farkash’s dream of opening this club has come true, and after a seven-year dry period, the Jerusalem nightlife that students, dance lovers, and partygoers have long missed is back.
On a personal note: My reputation as the only rock festival organizer over the past seven years has convinced Asraf that once a month, rock lovers should enjoy Boiler 02’s dance floor and accommodate fans of the rock music of old, particularly from the Woodstock era.
For those who have missed rocking away at my shows, you will hopefully have a new stomping ground once a month to dance to the music of the late 1960s and ’70s. What could be better?
Boiler 02 on Facebook: www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61579934160045.