The recently redone and rehabilitated Hadar Mall in the Talpiyot section of Jerusalem is worth your while. The stores offer a nice array of different choices, and not just the same old, tired, and true mall stores. When was the last time you saw a full size appliance (washers, ovens, dryers, toasters, vacuum cleaners, refrigerators, etc) in a mall. Of course there are book stores, optical shops, shoe stores, home decor shops, and much more.

Recently an American style supermarket opened in the mall (downstairs). Osher Ad features bright lighting, wiiide aisles, and a super large assortment of just about anything you could want in a supermarket. They feature many of Costco's Kirkland products there as well. For Americans living in Israel, being able to buy Costco items alone makes the visit to that store worthwhile. For Israelis, learning how to Costco shop is a new experience!

Of course, there is the usual food court featuring a fine assortment of very good restaurants. In addition there are coffee shops as well as full size restaurants with waiter service.

The ubiquitous mall carts are ever present, and they all carry a nice selection of products.

Bathrooms are clean and well lit. The mall could use a few more bathrooms, however. One per floor is really not enough.

The mall offers a gymboree for kids. On non school days, there is often a line of people waiting to get in! Also, the mall offers free programs for young children. Recently, there was a music and movement class for young moms with young kids. It was packed!

The mall is not so large that you can get lost unless you are looking for the one bathroom on each floor. Even so, wandering the mall is lots of fun.