It began with a steady stream of people heading into the unassuming building on King George Street in Jerusalem. As the stream of people grew into a crowd, they began to make their way up four flights of stairs to the place where it would all be happening.

A lively mix of comedy, Torah, Jewish values and, most of all, Israel.

There, in the bustling, filled-to-capacity theatre, was an eclectic mix of young and old. Students, housewives, professionals, retirees - all came together to help create something new. The energy in the room was palpable. There was a deep anticipation of something never before experienced.


As the band struck up the music, the drumbeat captured the crowd with its lively rhythm. Finally, the moment we'd all been waiting for; the studio audience went wild when, for the first time ever, it was Tuesday Night Live in Jerusalem.


What is Tuesday Night Live in Jerusalem, you ask? Why, it's the first-ever Israel-based Jewish TV show broadcast around the globe. While you won't be watching it on Tuesday nights, it certainly won't be live, and chances are good you won't even be in Jerusalem when you're watching it; yet, for those of us fortunate enough to be at the very first taping, it was all of those things. And it will be so for the hundreds of lucky individuals who come every other Tuesday night for the tapings of what's likely to become a niche hit.


A lively mix of comedy, Torah, Jewish values and, most of all, Israel, TNL is co-hosted by best friends Jeremy Gimpel and Ari Abramowitz, who, among many other things, are international lecturers, guest speakers and reservists in the IDF. A perfect complement to each other, they demonstrated a charisma that both the camera and the audience seemed to love.


The interactive opening show put a big focus on being in Israel, and Jeremy and Ari gave members of the audience a chance to share why they chose to live here. The answers such as, "Because I love it here," and, "Because I can," were honest and from the heart, and reminded us all of why we chose to live in this blessed land.


In all actuality, the event was one huge party. Upon arrival, we were greeted with more pastries and fruit than we could possibly eat (and we can eat a lot...). We then all entered the studio with full tummies (okay, and some full pockets - you never know how long the show would be). Sated, and perhaps a bit sugar-buzzed, we were all quite ready to be a part of an event that had been promoted better than some political campaigns. It didn't

The event was one huge party.

hurt that between Jeremy and Ari they knew at least half the audience, or that a fair number of the crowd were students who could cheer at anything. But all that notwithstanding, the program was well planned and well executed, and deserved all the applause that it got.


The show uses the tag line, "Inspire the World, Ingather the exiles, Empower the Jewish People." Well, there were certainly Jewish people from all over gathered in that one room. I don't know about everyone else there, but after that whole experience, I sure was inspired. And if doing all this on a global scale isn't empowering, then I don't know what is.


Video from Tuesday Night Live in Jerusalem will be available starting Thursday night, January 3rd on http://www.israelnationalnews.com/TV.