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A unique Hanukkah tour in the Old City of Jerusalem

"I saw a city enveloped in light"

Technical details

Duration

Monday, December 30, 4:30 PM, Friday candle of Hanukkah.

Tour duration: approximately 2.5-3 hours.

cost

85 NIS per person.

Comments

The tour is open to everyone.

Minimum group size: 8 participants. Maximum: 20 participants.

You can also book a private tour.

You can book a tour in English.

kashrut

Meeting point

Meeting point: Jaffa Gate

End point: The Western Wall (you can be accompanied back with the guide to the Jaffa Gate at the end of the tour).

In 164 BC, in a war of "few against many", the Hasmoneans succeeded in liberating Jerusalem from Greek rule., and to restore temple worship in place of pagan Hellenistic culture. It was a military victory achieved through determination and extraordinary military strategy, but in fact it was celebrated as a symbol of a spiritual victory of light over darkness. And for 2000 years and until modern times, the Jews in Jerusalem were few against many, Working tirelessly to restore the light to our eternal city.

In memory of those days, and with eyes fixed on this time, the menorahs stand Outside the houses To publicize the miracle and spread the good light of Jerusalem.   

"I saw a city enveloped in light
And it rises in the many colors of the rainbow
And she plays on me like the harp of the decade
"I saw a city enveloped in light." 

(Yosef Sarig)   

Tour structure:

◀ We will have an observation deck overlooking the Temple Mount and the Mount of Olives, in one of the magical and lesser-known places.

◀ We will get to know the structure of the old city.

◀ We will talk about the Hasmonean Kingdom, the golden age of the Jews during the Second Temple period, an independent political entity that faced similar issues that the country faces today.

◀ We will get to know the vibrant center of the Jewish Quarter.

◀ In between, we will see the houses and the light of the menorahs in the picturesque alleys of the Jewish Quarter.

◀ A little about the story of the Cardo and we will also point out the remains of the walls of Jerusalem from the First Temple, including Hezekiah's "broad wall"

◀ We will hear more about the testimony and customs of the residents of the district.

◀ We will continue to wander through the alleys and menorahs.

◀ We hear about the establishment of the Shelter Square at the end of the 19th century and the battle that took place there in 1948.

◀ We will pass by the first "Bikur Cholim" hospital.

◀ We will conduct an observation of the Western Wall, and talk about the significance of the Western Wall and how it received its sanctity.

◀ A little about Herod's construction project.

▶ For those interested, there will be time to approach the Western Wall in person, leave a note, and offer a personal prayer.

On our tour, we will experience the light in the picturesque alleys of the Jewish Quarter, in front of the unique menorahs of a variety of traditions, ethnicities, and customs.

In memory of those days, and with eyes fixed on better days than these, the menorahs are erected outside homes to publicize the miracle and spread the good light of Jerusalem.    

Guide details:

Ronen Rosenberg

Tour guide Ronen Rosenberg

"I grew up in a traditional Jewish home in New York. We spent summer vacations with close family in Israel, and so I was quickly drawn to the country, its history, and its culture. Immigrating to Israel was a dream come true: to travel the land of our ancestors, to feel our history and roots while belonging to the young state.

​

I served in the IDF for about 10 years, as a lieutenant colonel (there used to be such a thing). After my service, I took part in the boom in Israeli entrepreneurship and technology. For the past twenty years, I have managed marketing and business development at leading bio-med companies.

​

I have a BA in Biology, an MA in Business Administration, and an MA in Israeli Heritage, during which, as part of my thesis, I explored the place of science and technology in Zionist thought. I am a certified tour guide from the Ministry of Tourism, and a graduate of Yad Yitzhak Ben-Zvi.

​

Today I am returning to my old-new love: traveling through the charming landscapes of our country, and exploring a journey of three thousand years of heritage in a prosperous country full of attractions and entertainment.

​

I am happy to share this love with you."

Additional information and frequently asked questions

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