October 23rd 2013
Often overlooked by tourists, Sultan’s Pool is an archaeological site that provides insight into Jerusalem’s public works needs throughout the millennia. Today, Sultan’s Pool serves as one of Jerusalem’s most popular major venues for summer concerts and cultural festivals. Named for the sovereign rulers of the Ottoman Empire, Sultan’s Pool was originally used to provide […]
October 23rd 2013
An expansive green space that surrounds one of Jerusalem’s most picturesque sots, the Peace Forest was established by Keren Kayemeth LeIsrael – Jewish National Fund (KKL-JNF) in 1967, at the end of the Six Day War. It lies on the border between the mixed neighborhood of Abu Tor and the Jewish neighborhood of Talpiot in […]
October 11th 2013
When Israel became a state in 1948, the city of Jerusalem was divided in two. Israel had dominion over the western sections of the Holy City, while eastern Jerusalem, including the Old City, was in Jordanian hands. This all changed during the Six Day War of 1967, when Israel reunified the city. Today, the sites […]
October 11th 2013
Considered by many to be the most striking YMCA building in the world, the Jerusalem YMCA stands directly opposite the world-class King David Hotel on King David Street in the city center. It houses the YMCA Three Arches Hotel, an indoor swimming pool, squash courts, a library and an in-house restaurant. Designed by Arthur Louis […]
September 30th 2013
Jerusalem’s Rechavia Neighborhood of dates back to the 1920s, when it was founded on land that belonged to the Greek Orthodox Church. The plan was to build a tranquil garden neighborhood in the midst of the city center, modeled after the garden cities of Europe. To maintain this vision, commercial property is only found on […]
September 10th 2013
Covering approximately 17 acres in the center of Jerusalem, not far from the Old City walls, the Russian Compound was originally constructed in the 1860s. The compound changed hands and faces many times since its establishment, rendering it an interesting slice of Jerusalem multicultural history. Today, the highlights of the Russian Compound are the Museum […]
September 10th 2013
At the western entrance to Jerusalem, among the forests of the Ramot neighborhood in Arazim Park, rises a 30-foot-high American flag made of bronze. Dedicated in November, 2009, this memorial to the September 11th, 2001 terror attacks is the first memorial outside of New York to list the names of the nearly 3,000 people who […]
September 10th 2013
Sound and light shows are powerful ways to connect history, technology and entertainment, with many of Israel’s top touring spots making compelling offerings. Here’s the lowdown on three of the very best multimedia projection extravaganzas on offer in Israel. Tower of David Night Spectacular Right past the Jaffa Gate in the Old City of Jerusalem […]
September 3rd 2013
Mount Bental, which rises to nearly 4000 feet above sea level, offers extraordinary panoramic views of the northeastern Golan Heights and beyond. From the top of Mount Bental, participants in tours of northern Israel can see the entire Golan and also a significant distance into the neighboring country of Syria. Visitors can also catch a […]
August 19th 2013
Sukkot is peak season for cultural activities across Israel, and the buzzing White City is known for rolling out the best during the week of Chol Hamoed (the Intermediate Days). If your trip to Israel brings you to the Tel Aviv area during the Intermediate Days of Sukkot, there’s plenty for you to do around […]
August 19th 2013
Since the intermediate days of Sukkot are vacation days for most Israelis, annual festivals are held all over the country. Virtually all of the country’s top production outfits, cultural institutions, performance troupes and niche interest enthusiast societies spring into action each fall. Here is a sampling of some of the most captivating festivals held each […]
August 19th 2013
If you’re lucky enough to be in Israel for Sukkot, which falls each year in September or October, there is a wealth of cultural activities in which tourists can participate. Here are some extremely special ones, hosted each year at various venues across the country, that are not to be missed! Presidential Open House – […]
August 19th 2013
A tour of the Knesset, the Israeli parliament, is not to be missed when touring Israel, and perhaps the most memorable part of any Knesset tour is taking a photo in front of the iconic Knesset Menorah sculpture. The original menorah, a seven branched candelabra, stood in the Temple and has been a symbol of […]
August 4th 2013
Celebrating Jewish holidays in the Disapora can be highly meaningful, but it’s nothing like the experience in Israel, where the traditional Jewish holidays are national holidays for an entire country. Here, newer, vibrant, local holiday traditions are accessible to visitors and Israelis from all walks of life. The holiday of Sukkot generally takes place during […]
August 4th 2013
When you’re touring Israel with kids during the warmer months of June, July and August, don’t forget to include plenty of fun in the sun in your itinerary. Folding in kid-friendly experiences the whole family can enjoy, interspersed with more adult-friendly activities like visiting museums, antiquities and holy sites, is important for keeping everybody engaged […]
July 29th 2013
Sukkot, which falls each year in September or October, is one of the three pilgrimage holidays in the Jewish calendar. In Temple times, pilgrims from all over the Land of Israel came to Jerusalem each year on Sukkot to offer sacrifices at the Holy Temple. Today, Sukkot remains an extraordinarily popular time to visit. When […]
July 29th 2013
You’re planning your first trip to Israel? How exciting! We’re sure you’ve heard all about Israel’s amazing antiquities, wineries, holy sites, beaches, museums, pulsing cities and natural wonders. With so many iconic places to visit across Israel, it can be a bit overwhelming to know where to go within a limited timeframe! That’s why we’ve […]
July 29th 2013
The Way of the Patriarchs (Derech HaAvot), the ancient route linking Hebron to Jerusalem, is located between the communities of Neve Daniel and Alon Shvut in the Gush Etzion area of Judea. The path is believed to be the one that the Biblical patriarchs Abraham, Isaac and Jacob used when traveling between Hebron and Mount […]
July 28th 2013
The annual Jerusalem Wine Festival, held every summer at the Israel Museum in Givat Ram, is a highlight of Israel’s event calendar. The combination of live jazz, local wine, the Jerusalem night air and the sculpture garden can’t be beat. Always a relaxed and tasteful event, the Jerusalem Wine Festival celebrates its 10th anniversary in 2013. In […]
July 21st 2013
It should come as no surprise that the mystical city of Tzfat, located high up in the mountains of the Galilee, is a magnet for Jewish artists and craftspeople. The ancient city’s kabalistic bent and picturesque environs have generated a bona fide hotbed for visual artists of all varieties, and visitors to Israel have been […]
