“From the hills surrounding Jerusalem, the Hurva rises up, and as it rises, it is reminiscent of a moon among the stars in the sky,” quoted Knesset Speaker Reuven Rivlin during the rededication of the Hurva Synagogue in Jerusalem’s Old City. The newly built Hurva Synagogue is highly recognizable thanks to its beautiful, snowy-white dome, one of the newest additions to the Old City’s vista. The reopening, in March 2010, marks the synagogue’s third resurrection as a symbol of Jewish …More

Though most of the people in Israel probably don’t even notice when it’s Christmas time, for a small yet significant minority of Christens, Christmas is perhaps the most important time of year. After all—if you’re into Christmas, why go anywhere else but Israel, where it all happened? What more could one say about Jerusalem that hasn’t yet been said? Perhaps that it has a real special feeling to it around the months of December and January. December is the month of Chanukah and …More

It’s been quite awhile since I visited the Botanical Gardens in Jerusalem. The years have flown by and the Gardens have grown from their original enclave in the Nayot neighborhood of Jerusalem to an area of over 13 dunams. Tucked amongst the buildings of the Givat Ram campus of the Hebrew University of which it is a part, the Botanical Gardens has become one of the city’s most magical—and often hidden-treasures.   The Gardens were created in 1953 primarily as a scientific testing ground …More

The Old City of Jerusalem is chock full of historical and religious places to visit and admire. Mosques, synagogues and churches can be found on every corner and when you take a step on any one of its cobblestone paths, you may be treading on tomorrow’s latest archeological discovery. Once you walk beyond the Old City walls, however, there is another Jerusalem just waiting to be explored. Montifiore’s Windmill Cross over the road from David’s Tower to the other side of the mountain. …More

Most parents on vacation with their kids know that the key to a successful family vacation is keeping the kids entertained and happy. Here are a few places to take your kids while visiting Jerusalem (trust me, you’ll enjoy them too) Go Karting What kid doesn’t want to race around the track like the pros? They can do just that with if they visit the Go Karting in Talpiyot. Located in the Lev Talpiyot Mall, the go karting facility, aptly named ‘Go Karting’ provides participants with a …More

Situated between Jerusalem and Hebron, the Gush Etzion route navigates upward along a winding road surrounded by the glorious hills of Judea. Peeking through the mountains, on a clear day, one can see ships moored at the port of Ashdod on the Mediterranean Sea and almost touch the waves breaking on the beaches of Tel Aviv. The beauty of the Gush is in its fields of olive trees, breathtaking vistas and cool summer breezes. Biblical Times The name “Gush Etzion” invokes a piece of Jewish history dating …More

There are many hotels to choose from when you come and stay in Jerusalem—youth hostels, five-star hotels and everything in between. Some hotels are an experience all on their own—comfort, style and relaxation. Here is a list of the top five hotels in Jerusalem: The Mamilla Hotel, located on the fairly new Mamilla Alrov Avenue is Jerusalem’s crown jewel of hotels. All of the latest design and technology is utilized to create a hotel experience like no other in Jerusalem. Each standard room in the …More

Looking for some fun activities for your kids in Jerusalem? Whether you are a permanent resident of the city or are just visiting, Israel’s capital offers a full range of enjoyable and educational places to keep children engaged and excited. Check out Zoology, located in the Geulim School in the heart of Baka, one of Jerusalem’s oldest residential neighborhoods. Zoology offers a tremendous dose of animal interaction. Children can hold and pet rabbits, lizards, snakes and hamsters while listening to the …More

Like any other big city Jerusalem has an abundance of shopping. It’s not hard to find almost anything you’re looking for, as long as you know where to look. There are three well-known shopping areas in Jerusalem, each offering buyers a unique shopping experience. Malcha Mall The most natural place in the world where one would think to go shopping would be a mall. Three stories high and boasting 260 stores, Malcha mall is one of the biggest shopping malls in the country. Malcha Mall offers a mix of …More

Today’s Jerusalem is a large metropolitan and modern city and people tend to forget that in fact Jerusalem is over three thousand years old. However, it is easy to take a trip back in time through the various archaeological digs and sites. Some places show visitors Jerusalem’s archaeological finds revealed through digs while others allow visitors to participate in digs. The Davidson Center The Davidson Center is located at the entrance to the Jerusalem Archaeological Park right next to the Old …More

The end of August can mean a variety of things to different people. To some it may mean that summer is ending, to others the beginning of a new year, but to Jerusalemites the end of August means the return of Hutzot Hayotser, the annual, international art fair held at the Sultan’s Pool. Hutzot Hayotser actually exists all year round; it’s a quaint lane right outside the Old City walls where local artists sell their beautiful creations and a great place to visit whenever you’re in Jerusalem. …More

Jerusalem can be as expensive as it is eclectic and culturally diverse. While visiting, people tend to spend a lot of money seeing the uniquely Jerusalem sites. However, luckily for these vacation-goers, especially those on a tighter budget, there are interesting things to do and see that are free. Ein Lavan Practically unknown to people who live outside Jerusalem, Ein Lavan is a short “trail” that starts right next to the Biblical Zoo. If you walk to the end of the zoo parking lot, there is a sign …More