 4 - Browsing: P3-R5

<h2>Visit the Holiest Site in the Old City</h2><p>It is a well-known tradition to write notes of prayer and requests and place them between the cracks of the stones in the Wall. It is also highly recommended to tour the <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://itraveljerusalem.com/attraction/western-wall-tunnels/">Western Wall Tunnels</a>, where you can explore the underground rooms and narrow passageways, revealing the full length of the Western Wall, as well as the Chain of Generations Center, where a most moving display of the Jewish chain of generations can be seen by means of spectacular artwork created from layers of glass.&nbsp;</p><p>Throughout the year, the Western Wall plaza is the natural and inevitable venue for many events and ceremonies, including government ceremonies, swearing-in ceremonies for new IDF recruits, special prayer sessions, and bar mitzvah celebrations.</p><p>When Herod renovated the Second Temple, built in the first century B.C.E., the Western Wall was one of four huge supporting walls. Herod built a huge courtyard on Mount Moriya, the site of the Temple. In the sixteenth century, when Jewish pilgrimage to the Temple Mount was prohibited, the Western Wall would serve as a place of prayer for the Jews; a symbol of longing for the Temple.&nbsp;</p><p>The Wall is built from enormous, quarried stones, whose mass ranges between two to five tons. The stones are chiseled in a way that is characteristic of the construction during the times of Herod the Great: A stone frame that is chiseled, smoothed, and slightly sunken, whereas the center of the stone protrudes outward. The original height of the Western Wall was about 30 meters, and it was approximately half a kilometer long, with the bedrock of Jerusalem at its foundation.&nbsp;</p><p>There were fillings and vaults built in the space between the walls and the mountain, on top of which a paved plaza was constructed with a surface area of 144,000m<sup>2</sup>, equal to the size of 12 soccer fields.&nbsp;</p><p>From 1948-1967, when Jerusalem was divided between Israel and the Kingdom of Jordan, access to the Wall for Jews was forbidden, so many would make a pilgrimage to King David’s tomb on Mount Zion, where they could observe the Temple Mount from the roof of the structure, in the hope to return once more to pray at the Western Wall. Following the Six-Day War, masses of people flocked to the Jewish Quarter, and especially the Western Wall. A short time thereafter, the homes in the Mughrabi Quarter that were built alongside the Wall were destroyed and a prayer plaza was constructed.</p>

The Western Wall

atr-olc-crd-western-wall-dreamstime-1.jpg

The Western Wall, considered the most sacred site for prayer and religious and national gatherings, has a magnetic appeal for the Jewish people. Many tourists, visitors, and worshippers visit the site, which is one of the most popular and highly recommended attractions in Jerusalem.

Visit the most sacred place in Jewish history

<p>&nbsp;You can visit the museum, experience changing exhibitions, and watch spectacular shows throughout the year. In addition, the museum hosts cultural events, tours, and unique art exhibitions.</p><p><span style="font-weight:400;">The activities at the Tower of David are suitable for Israelis and tourists of any age, regardless of religion, race, gender, or nationality. They give visitors an unusual experience through which they can get to know, learn and understand the city's long and fascinating tale.</span> <span style="font-weight:400;">The Tower of David Museum and its impressive archaeological findings unfold the story of the city over three thousand years of history.&nbsp;</span></p><p><span style="font-weight:400;">The mysterious and impressive Kishle building, located next to the citadel, provides visitors with a glimpse of selected chapters in the city's history, such as the stories of Hezekiah's wall, Herod's palace, the Ottoman walls, and the British detention center.</span> <span style="font-weight:400;">The ancient and beautifully restored citadel stands at the main entrance to the old city, Jaffa Gate, which carries a deep symbolic meaning between ancient and modern Jerusalem even today.</span></p><h2>New in the museum</h2><p>The Tower of David Museum is now reopened after an extensive upgrade that included the preservation of the ancient citadel, the renovation of the minaret - the iconic symbol of Jerusalem, the construction of a new entrance pavilion and a museum store, the renewal of infrastructure, improved accessibility in the citadel, and the most prominent highlight: a new permanent display of 10 galleries, integrating Innovative technology, interactive exhibits, archaeological finds, and ancient objects.<br>The ticket to the museum includes a visit to the new permanent display, guided tours around the museum, entrance to the mo at and Kishla, a climb to the &nbsp;Phasael tower - 360° view of Jerusalem, and a stroll through the citadel courtyard.<br>&nbsp;</p><p>An audio guide and disposable headphones are provided to the visitors.</p><p><strong>Jerusalem from a bird's eye view</strong><span style="font-weight:400;">: Join a new tour that will take you on an adventure within historical models that present Jerusalem's timeline. The new tour will allow is an open-air tour through the spacious citadel courtyard and invites visitors to get to know Jerusalem and discover how it has changed throughout history. The tour includes unique historical models of Jerusalem that describe the changes in the capital over thousands of years. Among the models, you can find a large, rare, detailed model of Jerusalem in the 19th century inside a 1500-year-old cistern. Along the tour, you will stop at points of interest and remains from different periods discovered in archaeological excavations in the citadel.</span>&nbsp;</p><p><strong>Admission includes an audio guide and disposable headphones.</strong>&nbsp;</p><p><strong>The mystery of Herod's Palace and the Kishle</strong><span style="font-weight:400;">: A new tour that invites visitors to a fascinating journey into Jerusalem's past. Come and observe the significant events and stories that shaped history; A journey beginning in the citadel complex and continuing to the trench complex and the Kishle. In 1999, the Antiquities Authority carried out an extensive archaeological excavation in the Kishle and revealed the city's secrets from the days of the First Temple to the present day. Now the site is open for independent visits for the first time. The tour passes through the remains of King Herod's palace, a Jewish factory from the Middle Ages, and the detention center in Kishle. It includes rare findings, fascinating stories, and testimonies.</span> <strong>Admission includes an audio guide and disposable headphones.</strong></p><h2>The night shows at the Tower of David&nbsp;</h2><p><span style="font-weight:400;">The night shows at the Tower of David are a multi-sensory, breathtaking experience of sights and sounds. The citadel's walls and the archaeological remains in its courtyard are used as a setting for an impressive performance, unfolding Jerusalem's historical story using cutting-edge technologies and original music.</span> <span style="font-weight:400;">The show "King David" reviews King David's history intertwined with Jerusalem's history and tells the story using innovative technology.&nbsp;</span></p><p><span style="font-weight:400;">The show is an immersive and spectacular journey within the great historical drama of King David - builder and founder of Jerusalem.</span> <span style="font-weight:400;">The show "The Night Vision" is a powerful and experiential audiovisual show like no other that tells the story of Jerusalem with pictures and images projected on the ancient walls, the archaeological ruins, and the hidden paths of the citadel.</span> <span style="font-weight:400;">The night vision and the King David show are for speakers of all languages. The shows are shown twice a week as of this moment.</span>&nbsp;</p><p><strong>An entrance ticket to the museum does not include entry to the night shows.</strong> <span style="font-weight:400;">Tickets for the night show - King David and The Night Vision can be purchased separately.</span> <span style="font-weight:400;">The entrance to the museum is from David Garden – the Western entrance to the Tower of David, adjacent to Jaffa Gate, at the end of Mamilla Boulevard. For more information about accessibility, don't hesitate to get in touch with </span><strong>072-3290715</strong></p>

The Tower of David Museum

4444-1.jpeg

The Tower of David Museum is one of the distinct symbols of Jerusalem that represents thousands of years of history.

Experience exhibitions and spectacular night shows

<h2>The Burnt House - A Unique Experience in the Heart of the Old City</h2><p>The house has been preserved with fire marks still visible. A visit to the burnt house will acquaint you with a unique testimony to the fiery destruction of Jerusalem at the hands of the Romans 2,000 years ago.</p><p>Among the myriad findings revealed on the site, you can distinguish stone weights engraved with the name (<i>D)bar Katros</i>, a Roman iron javelin spear, and a severed arm. These and other findings made it possible to produce an exciting and experiential audio-visual presentation describing and illustrating life during the turbulent period just prior to the destruction of the Temple. It attempts to reconstruct the events that occurred in this house at the time of Jerusalem’s destruction.</p><h2><strong>An Extraordinary Audio-Visual Display</strong></h2><p>The audio-visual display portrays life at the time of the destruction of Jerusalem at the end of the Second Temple era during 67-70 C.E. Taking into account the story of the archeological findings, as well as the political and social atmosphere of the day as narrated by the scriptures, the presentation weaves a moving and memorable experience.</p><p>Dilemmas that existed at the time may well be the same dilemmas we face today. The museum invites you on a journey through time - an encounter with a Jerusalem family that lived at the time of the Second Temple and during The Great Revolt: the Katros family, whose house was discovered six meters below the Jewish Quarter. Who was the Katros family? How did the family members live their lives? What did they believe? What did they love? Why was their house burnt down and what fate did they meet? All this and more, we discover on tour at The Burnt House.</p>

The Burnt House (Katros House)

atr-burnt-house-3.jpg

Let’s take a tour of the burnt house and get to know one of the most important sites in the Old City. The Burnt House is a home from the Second Temple period that was excavated during the restoration of the Jewish Quarter after the unification of Jerusalem. 

Visit an ancient relic from the Second Temple era

<p>A visit to the spectacular synagogue is a journey through the chronicles of the time, since the arrival of Rabbi Judah the Hassid ( Rabbi Judah the Pious) and his students to Jerusalem in the seventeenth century, through to the revival of the Ashkenazi community at the onset of the nineteenth century, the desperate battles to defend the Jewish Quarter in 1948, and until the restoration of the area that began in 1970.&nbsp;</p><p>After complex reconstruction and building, which also revealed archeological findings from the Second Temple period, the inauguration of the Hurva Synagogue took place on <i>Rosh Hodesh </i>Nissan (1 Nissan) 5770 - 2010. Today, the synagogue’s dome once again graces the Jerusalem skyline. The synagogue accommodates a resplendent ark, which you will see stands at 11 meters high.</p><h2><strong>Private Events and Functions at the Hurva Synagogue</strong></h2><p>How would you like to hold your celebration at a venue imbued with atmosphere and historical importance, together with dedicated, professional staff? The Hurva Synagogue would be thrilled to host you and your guests for a variety of functions, including bar and bat mitzvahs right beside the Western Wall, weddings, birthdays, and many other celebrations!&nbsp;</p><p>If you like, you can combine your celebration with an enriching educational activity or a tour around the Old City. The synagogue staff will be glad to assist you in organizing your event, as they accompany you throughout the planning process, from the initial stages through to an unforgettable day of joy and celebration.</p><h2><strong>More About the Hurva Synagogue’s Rich History</strong></h2><p>In 1720, Jerusalem’s central synagogue, which stood in the Ashkenazi enclosure, was destroyed, since the company of Rabbi Judah the Hassid was unable to pay debts that had accumulated during the 20 years since arriving in Jerusalem. The synagogue received the nickname, The Ruin of Rabbi Judah the Hassid, and Ruin - or Hurva - for short. In 1864, the synagogue was impressively rebuilt and named <i>Beit Yaakov</i>; it became the symbol of the restoration of the settlement in the Land of Israel.&nbsp;</p><p>In 1948, the synagogue was destroyed once again, this time by the Jordanians, who well knew the significance of the structure for the Jews of Jerusalem, as an indication that no longer would there be a Jewish presence in the city. Following the intricate reconstruction that began in 2006, the rebuilt Hurva Synagogue was completed in Nissan 5770 (2010). The synagogue is considered one of the most beautiful in the world and now holds regular prayer services each day, as well as special services on New Year, the Day of Atonement, the three pilgrim festivals (Passover, Shavuot, Sukkot) , Memorial Day (Yom HaZikaron), Independence Day, and Jerusalem Day. Likewise, the synagogue holds ceremonies for bar mitzvahs, calling up to the Torah, and weddings where the canopy stands under the dome of heaven.&nbsp;</p><p>The Hurva Synagogue is a showcase of majesty with its towering height and dome that adorns the Jerusalem skyline, murals and splendid furnishings, a beautiful 11-meter ark that is the handwork of a craftsman, and its historical location over the remains of Jerusalem from its glory days of the temples. However, above all, the synagogue’s significance is as a national center and symbol declaring the way to redemption. The current synagogue is a reconstruction of the monumental synagogue that was destroyed during the War of Independence.</p>

The Hurva Synagogue

atr-hurva-synagog-1.jpg

The Hurva Synagogue is considered the greatest and most magnificent synagogue in the Jewish Quarter, and is a testimony to the renewal of the Ashkenazi Jewish settlement in Jerusalem.

Magnificent synagogue in the Jewish Quarter

<h2>Visit an Exquisite Archeological Park</h2><p>You will find archaeological finds and displays from the First&amp; Second Temple periods: the ancient city wall, the Temple’s staircase, a preserved ancient street, ritual immersion baths, and stores.</p><p>In addition, you are invited to visit the new museum in the Davidson Center! In the museum, we will get to know Jerusalem from different angles, the story of the Menorah, and the pilgrims in the Second Temple. You can also join <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://travelrova.co.il/language/en/the-archeological-garden-davidson-center/">a new tour of the museum and the garden</a>.</p><h2 style="text-align:justify;">Events at the Davidson Center</h2><p style="text-align:justify;">If you're planning on hosting an event and looking for a unique location with a professional and knowledgeable staff, the Davidson Center is the right choice for you. From private events, such as weddings and Bar/Bat Mitzvahs to conferences, product launches and ceremonies -this place hosts all kinds of events. As an extra value, you can also include in the program of your event educational activities and tours around the Old City and the Jerusalem Archaeological Park. Davidson Center can accommodate events of up to 1000 guests.</p><h2 style="text-align:justify;">Davidson Center History</h2><p style="text-align:justify;">Davidson Center is home to some of the most intriguing and important archaeological finds from the Second Temple period. Researchers have discovered a wide and impressive street nearby the Western Wall. Apparently, this street used to be the area's main street and was visited frequently by pilgrims, tourists, and sages such as Rabbi Yohanan ben Zakkai and Rabbi Akiva. Walk the street's paving stones and immerse yourself in the story of ancient Jerusalem where thousands of Jews walked 2000 years ago, making their way to Temple Mount. Walking the street, you will also notice huge stones. These stones were knocked from the walls of Temple Mount and have been lying there ever since.</p><p style="text-align:justify;">Another impressive discovery is a drainage channel which was found under the street, containing rare finds from the days of the destruction of Jerusalem. This channel used to be the place where ancient warriors escaped to, hoping to find shelter from the Romans. While you're there, explore the Southern Wall where you'll find an ancient staircase leading to Temple Mount. This is how the pilgrim entered the Temple.</p><p style="text-align:justify;">In addition, the Davidson Center houses a museum with all of the site's most significant finds that were discovered during excavation work in the area. Some of these exciting discoveries include remains from the Byzantine period, proving the existence of Jews in Jerusalem during a period of time when they were not allowed to live inside the city. Another interesting attraction you will find inside the museum is a 3D model of Jerusalem where you can walk around, visualizing the pilgrims' experience - <strong>Temporarily closed due to renovations.</strong></p>

The Jerusalem Archaeological Park - Davidson Center

atr-davidson-archeological-garden-4.jpg

Davidson Center, the Jerusalem Archaeological Park, is located nearby the Western Wall in the Old City. Davidson Center is one of Jerusalem’s top tourist attractions due to its historical and archeological significance and, of course, its beauty

Visit an exquisite archeological park

Top Sites of the Jewish Quarter

<p style="text-align:justify;">From the elevated position on the Mount of Olives we have a panoramic view of the holy City of Jerusalem. We look out beyond the Jewish cemetery on the mount’s slopes towards the Temple Mount where the two Jewish Temples once stood.&nbsp;</p><p style="text-align:justify;">Behold the city from the top of Mount of Olives and make way to visit Mount Zion and see David’s Tomb and the Room of the Last Supper. &nbsp;Enter the Jewish Quarter in the Old City and see Sephardic synagogues, the Roman Cardo and Herodian mansions. &nbsp;Pay a visit to The Wailing Wall and continue to the Dung Gate to explore the archaeological excavation at the City of David.&nbsp;</p>

City of David & Underground Jerusalem Day Tour

atr-city-of-david-8.jpg

Explore Jerusalem's Highlights and the City of David 

Explore the City of David & Old City

<p style="text-align:justify;">Your tour starts with a visit to Mount Olives for an overview of the entire Old City. From here you will make way to the Old City of Jerusalem where we will see the Byzantine Cardo, the Western Wall, the Via Dolorosa, the Stations of the Cross and the Church of the Holy Sepulcher. &nbsp;After exploring the Old City you will continue to a visit at the Holocaust Museum Yad Vashem.&nbsp; The tour ends in Jerusalem. Other drop-off points are available upon request with an additional.</p>

<p>Your tour will start with a visit to Mount Olives. You will travel through the Old City of Jerusalem where you will see the Byzantine Cardo, the Kotel, the Western Wall, the Via Dolorosa, the Stations of the Cross and the Church of the Holy Sepulcher. &nbsp;From there you will continue to a visit at the Holocaust Museum Yad Vashem. You tour ends in Jerusalem. Other drop-off points are available upon request with an additional.</p>

Jerusalem Old and New Day Tour

atr-trs-view-of-the-old-city-crd-bhm-35-1.jpg

Visit the must see Christian and Jewish landmarks of Jerusalem's Old City, Mount Olives, and visit Yad Vashem, the World Holocaust remembrance center.

Explore Jerusalem Old and New highlights

<p style="text-align:justify;">Our tour begins on the Mount of Olives where we have a panoramic view across the holy city of Jerusalem. From this elevated point we have the ancient Jewish cemetery beneath us and beyond that the Old City with the shining Dome of the Rock on the Temple Mount. As we look down on the Old City it is easy to imagine the Second Temple which once stood on the Temple Mount and the bustling ancient city as it would have been almost 2,000 years ago.</p>

<ul><li><p style="text-align:justify;">Enter the Old City and follow the Byzantine Cardo through the Jewish Quarter</p></li><li><p style="text-align:justify;">Pay a visit to the Western Wall</p></li><li><p style="text-align:justify;">Take the route of the Via Dolorosa following in Jesus’ footsteps passing the Stations of the Cross</p></li><li><p style="text-align:justify;">Glance at the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, where Jesus is believed to have been crucified.&nbsp;</p></li><li><p style="text-align:justify;">Tour ends in Jerusalem (other drop-off points available on request, payment not included)</p></li></ul>

Old City of Jerusalem, Half Day Tour

Mosques in Old Jerusalem

Enjoy memorable panoramic views across the holy city of Jerusalem on a walking tour through the highlights of one of the most sacred and majestic spots in the world.

Discover iconic landmarks in the Old City

<p>Gain a one-of-a-kind perspective of the city by having a glimpse into both of its sides Visit three monuments and sites that are sacred for the main three religions: 1. Church of the Holy Sepulchre. 2. The Western Wall. 3. Temple Mount / Al-Aqsa Mosque. &nbsp;Have enlightening conversations with a Jewish Israeli and an Arab Palestinian and have a better understanding of the Israeli/Palestinian conflict and how it affects the daily life of both nations.</p><p>Abraham Tours invites you to a unique tour to experience Jerusalem Dual Narrative Tour. It was planned to shed some light on the long and intricate history and complex contemporary reality of one of the most famed, though controversial, cities in the world. Will you be able to make up your mind about it at the end of our journey? We can't promise you that. During the tour, you'll visit the Temple Mount or Al-Haram A-Sharif (“The Noble Sanctuary”).&nbsp;</p><p>This compound has a special meaning in biblical tradition, and it is sacred for both Judaism and Islam. Next, we'll continue to an observation point overlooking Old City rooftops and the valleys beyond the walls, and the guides will explain what we're seeing from both of their perspectives. How the two-point of view can relate to the thousands of years of the city’s history?&nbsp;</p><p>Next, we'll visit the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, which showcases the variety of Christian denominations and a vivid example of a fragile truce. We'll go on trotting the main alleys and small pathways of the Old City. Who were the people that lived here hundreds of years ago? Back in 1929? Later, in 1967? And how is it changing even to this day? This tour will do its best to help you understand the deeply religious and national roots that tie Jerusalem to the locals, discuss the current tensions, and try to predict the city’s future.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp;</p>

Jerusalem Dual Narrative Tour by Abraham Tours

Jerusalem-Dual-Narrative-tour-2.jpg

This experience explores numerous narratives and presents Jerusalem through two sets of eyes: of a Jewish Israeli and a Palestinian guide, both will work together.

Jerusalem: Jewish Israeli and Palestinian 

<p style="text-align:justify;">We'll start our journey at the Old City, from Jaffa Gate. We'll take a journey back in time and visit the different Quarters of the Old City. &nbsp;Explore The Jewish monuments such as; King David’s Tomb and the Western Wall, which is the last trace of the Temple that used to be here thousands of years ago. &nbsp;Visit the Dome of the Rock, the place where Prophet Mohammed ascended to heaven, as well as the beautiful Al Aqsa Mosque.</p><p style="text-align:justify;">Walk along the Via Dolorosa (the way of the pain) which Christ walked bearing his cross, all the way to his crucifixion. The room of the last supper and the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, that we'll visit as well.</p><p style="text-align:justify;">All the Biblical stories will come to life right in front of your eyes when you'll stand exactly at the spots where they took place. We'll also share some interesting information with you, regarding the 5 Pillars of Islam, the resurrection of the Jewish nation,&nbsp; the discovery of the True Cross, and that just from the top of our head. Experience the rich history of Jerusalem up and close with this tour, rich with amazing places, stories, and views that will shed some light on almost every event in Biblical history. &nbsp;Leave all preconceived notions behind and dive into the awe-striking history of this extraordinary city.</p><h5 style="text-align:justify;">Highlights:</h5><ul class="single_tours_highlights"><li>Visit the sites that are holy to all three monotheistic religions: the Western Wall, Dome of the Rock, Temple Mount, the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, Al Aqsa Mosque.</li><li>Experience the rich history and complex human landscape that makes up Jerusalem</li><li>Experience the layered, rich, and unique atmosphere of the Old City</li><li>Walk the paths passed by Biblical heroes and see the places where historical events unfolded</li></ul>

Holy City Tour by Abraham Tours

Holy-City-Tour-4.jpg

Experience the unique energy that looms in every corner of the Old City. You will visit the holiest sites that are cherished and respected by all three main religions.

Experience the energy that looms in the Old City

Tours in the Jewish Quarter

 4- No Browsing: P4

Planning a Bar/Bat Mitzvah in Jerusalem

evp-crd-bar-mitzvah-tal-dafna-5.jpg

<p>Family celebrations become a precious memory shared by the celebrants with their family and friends. And between us, there is nothing like a happy memory. At the City of David hospitality sites, you can celebrate in amazing locations that cannot be found anywhere else in the country, which will turn your celebration into a dream come true. The hospitality sites are suitable for celebrations of all types and sizes and can hold from 50 to 200 guests so you can hold weddings, bar mitzvah ceremonies, bat mitzvah celebrations, birthdays, brits, and more. The City of David staff have extensive experience and in their capable hands, you will receive a response to every need and request. So which hospitality site is best for you?</p><h3>House in the Valley</h3><p>At the top of the Ben Hinnom Valley, an ancient, beautiful stone structure awaits you, overlooking the Old City walls. Pastoral views and an unforgettable experience, especially for you. Events take place outdoors. <strong>Number of guests</strong>: Up to 160 guests with table seating, or 200 guests with a buffet <strong>Menu</strong>: Your choice of milk or meat menu, served buffet style <strong>Parking</strong>: 200 meters from the site. Option of transportation from the First Station.</p><h3>Farm in the Valley</h3><p>The Farm in the Valley invites you to enjoy a rural hospitality experience in a unique and pastoral outdoor atmosphere. The farm is located near Ben Hinnom Valley, at the foot of the Old City walls, and within walking distance of the First Station Complex. The farm is available for bookings from March to November. <strong>Number of guests</strong>: the farm can accommodate Up to 140 guests. <strong>Menu</strong>: Dairy or meat of your choice, served buffet style.</p><h3>The King’s Courtyard in the City of David</h3><p>At the outset, ancient Jerusalem was located in the City of David. Today,&nbsp; you have the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to celebrate in this historic archaeological location of national importance. The perfect celebration of your dreams in an authentic, historic atmosphere. The site is located next to the City of David National Park. <strong>Number of guests:</strong> From 50 to 120 guests. <strong>Menu:</strong> Your choice of milk or meat menu, served buffet style</p><h3>The King's Garden Complex in the City of David</h3><p>The King's Garden complex is located next to the entrance to the City of David National Park, creating a magical outdoor hospitality experience. The garden is ideal for refreshments and rest after an event at the Western Wall, offering pastries and hors d'oeuvres alongside hot and cold drinks, in the soothing shade of the olive trees. The complex is active throughout the year and can host an event for up to 90 guests. * The refreshments are served in a buffet format.</p><h3>Bar Mitzvah experience in the City of David National Park</h3><p><img class="wp-image-285703 size-medium" src="https://torisify-dev-cdn.s3.eu-central-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/city-of-david-private-events-Eliyahu-Yanai-450x257.png" alt="" width="450" height="257"> (Photo by Eliyahu Yanai) The City of David National Park is located close to the Western Wall, making it the perfect location for a Bar Mitzvah celebration with depth and content. The City of David National Park is the perfect place for family joys, values, meaning, and extraordinary experiences – all in one place. There’s an option for a festive procession accompanied by musicians and balloons to go from the Western Wall toward the City of David. At the end of the procession, you’ll have a welcome area with refreshments and later - a private tour for the whole family. During the tour, you can enjoy an impressive panoramic view of ancient Jerusalem, and a stroll among archaeological remains from various periods of Jewish history. The event can be held with professional guidance in different languages. If you’re looking for a meaningful event that allows you to experience Jerusalem in an exciting and fascinating way, you are welcome to celebrate with us in the birthplace of Jerusalem. &nbsp;</p>

Family Celebrations at the City of David

pvt-evt-city-of-david-crd-eliyahu-yanay-4.jpeg

Would you like to plan your family celebration in a unique atmosphere? The City of David invites you to an exceptional experience with exclusive boutique facilities with an atmosphere found only in Jerusalem – clear mountain air, outstanding views, history, and a special atmosphere of holiness.

<h2></h2>
<h2>About the Sephardic Synagogues</h2>
If the Hurva Synagogue persisted as the Jewish Quarter’s central Ashkenazi place of worship throughout much of the 19th and 20th centuries, when it comes to Sephardic synagogues, things were not quite as clear-cut.

In-fact, the main Sephardic house of prayer was a complex consisting of four adjoining sanctuaries: the Yochanan Ben Zakai Synagogue, the Istanbuli Synagogue, the Eliyahu Hanavi Synagogue, and the Emtsai Synagogue.

When the Jewish Quarter fell to the Jordanians in the 1948 War of Independence, the Four Sephardic Synagogues were burnt and subsequently used as horse stables. After Israel recaptured the Old City in 1967, they were restored to their former glory and today continue to serve residents of the Jewish Quarter and visitors to the Old City.

Today, the synagogues also serve as venues for bar mitzvahs, weddings, lectures, lavish banquets and other types of events.
<h3>The Yochanan Ben Zakai Synagogue</h3>
The Yochanan Ben Zakai Synagogue was erected in the early 17th-century in a Gothic-Spanish motif. Named after one of the founders of the Sanhedrin in Yavne following the destruction of the Second Temple, the site is also thought to be where Yochanan Ben Zakai's midrash (scholarly institution) once stood.

The synagogue hall is particularly significant to the Sephardic community because it was the home of the chief Sephardic rabbi during the eras of Ottoman and British rule in Israel. Recently, it also hosted the coronation of Israel's chief Sephardic rabbi.
<h3>The Eliahu Hanavi Synagogue</h3>
The Eliahu Hanavi Synagogue is the oldest of the 4 Sephardic synagogues, established in the 16th century as a school for studying Jewish law and was only used for prayer during holidays.

It was named for the prophet Elijah after one day when the congregation was missing a person to complete the quorum, a mysterious stranger arrived to complete the quorum. Believing that the stranger was the prophet Elijah, the congregants named the synagogue after him and have kept the chair he sat in until this very day.

While it was originally Sephardic, the synagogue has been Ashkenazi since the 18th century.
<h3>The Emtsai Synagogue</h3>
The smallest of the 4 synagogues, the Independent synagogue was built between the others, and it is believed that the space had previously served as the women’s section of the adjacent Yochanan Ben Zakai Synagogue.

According to tradition, the synagogue was built atop a tunnel system that connected the synagogues to the tombs of the kings.
<h3>Istanbuli Synagogue</h3>
The Istanbuli Synagogue, the largest of the four, was built in the 1760s by the city’s burgeoning community of Turkish Jews. The Emtsai (or ‘middle’) Synagogue was established in the mid-18th century in order to accommodate the rapidly growing Sephardic community.

&nbsp;

Four Sephardic Synagogues in Jerusalem

atr-Four-Sephardic-Synagogues-2.jpg

Celebarate your Bar Mitzvah in the Jewish Quarter

SITES, LEGACY, & TOURS

The Company for the Reconstruction and Development of the Jewish Quarter aims to expose visitors to the beauty and glory of the Jewish Quarter in the Old City of Jerusalem, by means of constant development and conservation. Visit theJewish Quarter and stroll along the glorious Cardo Street, admire the recently reconstructed Hurva Synagogue, get inspired by the archaeological discoveries at the Davidson Center, and enjoy the hospitality of the Herodian Quarter – the Temple’s Cohanim luxury neighborhood from the Second Temple period. And we’re just getting started! The Jewish Quarter is waiting for you with fascinating tours, a variety of restaurants and a wide range of event venues!

The Jewish Quarter: