Half-Day Tours

New Gate, June 1967, photo courtesy of Yakov Schneider

Jerusalem’s Old City Walls and Gates (Tour #2.10)

We will explore four (“-and-a-half”) of the usable gates of the Old City walls. Why were the gates built where they are? What’s special about each of the gates in ancient and/or modern history? What can we learn about the geography, neighborhoods and current sociology in the vicinity of each gate?  These and other questions will be addressed as we begin with the New Gate and walk through the Christian Quarter to the Jaffa Gate. (We will discuss the different representations of the Christian Church organizations we pass, but we will not be going inside churches.) After a short break near the Jaffa Gate we will ascend the Ramparts Walk and stroll on the walls of the Old City, descending at the Zion Gate. We will continue down the hill, stopping briefly at the Tanner’s Gate (is that a new one for you?) and conclude at the Dung Gate.

TOUR LENGTH: 3.5 to 5 hours

SUGGESTED MEETING POINT: Kikar Tzahal, by the old and new City Hall buildings (near the Shivtei Yisrael light rail station)

TENTATIVE ENDING POINT: Sha’ar Ashpot (the Dung Gate)

PRICE (total per group): ₪800 (~$250)

NOT INCLUDED in the PRICE: Entrance fees for the Ramparts Walk (as of this writing: ₪20 per adult;  ₪10 per child 5 to 18 years old, student (with ID), or senior citizen)

Photo Credit: Neot Kedumim

Sukkot Exhibit at Neot Kedumim (Tour #2.20)

Between Tel Aviv and Jerusalem on route 443 lies Neot Kedumim: a Biblical Landscape Reserve, unique in the world. For over 50 years they have seeded  and nurtured virtually all flora mentioned in the Tanakh (Hebrew Bible) and many that appear in Rabbinic Literature (Talmud and Midrash). Among their marvelous educational displays is an exhibit of sukkot – some kosher, others not (and still others, maybe), all illustrating the first couple of chapters of the Mishna Sukkot (with some variations mentioned in the Gemara/Talmud). Your “mishna,” should you accept it, is to take texts in hand and examine each of the model sukkot and try to summarize what makes a valid sukka. Time allowing we will also visit Givat Arba’at HaMinim – the Four-Species Hill on which they grow the Etrog (citron), lulav (palm frond), hadas (myrtle), and arava (willow). Great for adults as well as kids!

Note: Please wear closed shoes.

TOUR LENGTH: 2.5 to 3 hours on-site

MEETING POINT and ENDING POINT: Parking lot of Neot Kedumim  (transportation not provided)

PRICE (total per group): ₪800 (~$250)

NOT INCLUDED in the PRICE: Entrance fees for Neot Kedumim: ₪25 per adult; ₪20 per child 4 to 18 years old, student (with ID), or senior citizen; children under 4 enter free.

Border between Israel and Jordan, pre-1967

The City Line that Divided Jerusalem 1948-67, and a Glimpse at Today’s Municipal Borders (Tour #2.30)

Following a section of the “borderline” which divided Jerusalem 1948-1967, we will attempt to understand some of the ongoing geopolitical issues in the City of Peace. Beginning in Gilo (which was built after 1967) we will look out onto the western part of the city for a geographic orientation. We’ll drive along the old 1948 dividing line through the Arab neighborhood of Bet Sefafa. Stopping at the Goldmann Promenade overlooking the Old City and environs, we will discuss the complexities of the area before and after 1967. On the roof of a school in the Abu Tor neighborhood we’ll get a perspective on the divided city alongside the Old City. Time and traffic allowing, we will drive north of the Old City to see the location of the famous Mandelbaum gate: the only gateway between Jordanian and Israeli Jerusalem 1948-67.

Transportation is not provided. We will travel in a caravan of cars making the aforementioned stops. A group can also arrange for a bus or van for transportation.

TOUR LENGTH: ~4 hours

MEETING POINT: Shabbati Hangebi St., Gilo, Jerusalem (location TBA)

ENDING POINT: The Mandelbaum Gate (location TBA)

PRICE (total per group): ₪800 (~$250)

Herodion from below, photo courtesy Itamar Ben David

Herodion (Tour #2.40)

King Herod (ruled 37 BCE – 4 CE) was one of the cruelest rulers of Eretz Yisrael of all time, but he was also a master builder. The Temple Mount (Har HaBayit), Masada and Caesarea are among his most famous accomplishments. But the monument that he built and named for himself in the Judean Desert is nothing short of awesome. He even built the infrastructure for his own royal funeral. From a distance Herodion (or Herodium) looks like a flat-top mountain, but it’s really an artificial cone! The palace and bathhouse built inside the structure are marvelous, as is the public room which was used as a synagogue by Jewish rebels during the revolts against Rome. Newly opened to the public is the theatre and access to where Herod’s tomb was found. Particularly cool are the huge underground cisterns, and hideout caves, that we will wall through. In short, this is a tour not to be missed.

Notes: Terrific for children and adults; requires a lot of walking uphill and climbing stairs.

TOUR LENGTH: 3 hours on-site

MEETING POINT and ENDING POINT: Herodion National Park (upon
request, we can arrange for a meeting point on Derekh Hevron in Jerusalem)

PRICE (total per group): ₪800 (~$250)

NOT INCLUDED in the PRICE: Entrance fees for Herodion (₪29 per adult;
₪15 per child; ₪25 for student with ID; ₪15 for senior citizen with ID)