Tour in the Ultra-Orthodox quarters – get to know an unusual and ancient culture
Photo: Encounters outside the Box
Photo: Encounters outside the Box
Photo: Encounters outside the Box
Photo: Encounters outside the Box
Photo: Encounters outside the Box
Photo: Encounters outside the Box
Photo: Encounters outside the Box
Photo: Encounters outside the Box
Photo: Encounters outside the Box
Photo: Encounters outside the Box
Photo: Encounters outside the Box
Photo: Encounters outside the Box
Photo: Encounters outside the Box
Photo: Encounters outside the Box
Photo: Encounters outside the Box
Photo: Encounters outside the Box
Photo: Encounters outside the Box
- Duration
2.5 hours - Languages
English
Overview
Join an unforgettable private tour
The ultra-orthodox stands as a willingly-separated society within the Israeli ecosystem, living by its own rules, avoiding technology and making any effort to maintain their lifestyle, which is rooted in traditions that transcended many centuries, including the darkest times of the Jewish people.
Within a few hours, you’ll gain a rare insight into this world, where traditions valued above all, and everything is structured, has a purpose and a meaning. You’ll learn the intricacies and differences between the different branches of Jewish Orthodox (between Hasidim and Lithuanian frictions). You’ll get to know their way of life and how the life-changing events unfold for them.
You can’t explore the culture and its lifestyle without addressing one of the essential things in our life – food!
The tour will including exciting tastings of traditional Jewish food, affected as well by the eccentric ultra-orthodox way of life. For instance, the Cholent is an effective way to avoid using electricity during the Shabbat or the Gefilte fish – a fish with no bone to take away (since it’s also forbidden in Shabbat, as it is considered work), etc. You’ll see a whole different point of view over culinary and ways to serve a table!
How arranged marriage (shidduch) works? How can you make a living as a close community? Is it possible to live without the technology of the 21st century, including the internet? Why they choose to be secluded, and what scares them the most in becoming secular?
Get to know a new world that resides inside the advanced, secular and technologically advanced state of Israel,
This idea was brought to life by an activist from this sector who is also a social entrepreneur – Nethanel Zelikovich.
Highlights
Within a few hours, you’ll learn the intricacies and differences between the different branches of Jewish Orthodox (between Hasidim and Lithuanian frictions). You’ll get to know their way of life, what makes them tick and how the life-changing events unfold for them. For instance, getting married by Shidduch, completing your education, and various rites of passage we all have to go through.
While exploring this world, the participants will take a walk in the alleys of the ultra-Orthodox neighborhoods in Jerusalem, get to know the people, the food, and feel the particular vibrations of this life.
The tour is not shy of the controversial political and ideological issues that sometimes come between the secular and religious sectors in Israel. The purpose of the event is to show some perspective on the other side, trying to reach an understanding and tolerance towards things that are foreign for us.
This goal may be achieved by talking to people, listening to their music, visiting synagogues, various institutions founded by the ultra-Orthodox, but serve the whole population of Israel. We’ll see unique leisure, fashion, and art this world encompasses.
All in all, the tour includes many positive experiences, close encounters with Jewish traditions that were part of the people for many centuries. Eventually, you’ll get to see how the past and the future connect in these fascinating areas of the Holy City.
Notes
The tour takes place at Jewish Orthodox neighborhoods, and therefore, participants are asked to dress modestly.
- Men should wear shirts with sleeves and long trousers or 3/4 length trousers.
- Women should wear shirts with sleeves and with no cleavage and long skirts/trousers.