Locations
& Venues for "Aliyah L'Torah "
The
Wailing Wall in Jerusalem
A Bar
Mitzvah at the Western Wall in Jerusalem, Judaism's holiest shrine, amidst
the crowds of Orthodox thronging to prayer is most frequently used as
a Bar Mitzvah location. As the last remnant of the 2nd Temple complex
of Jerusalem, destroyed in 70 A.C.E., it symbolizes both the loss of Jewish
Independance and the hope for its return. It confirms our commitment "Next
year in Jerusalem".
Bar Mitzvahs are held on Mondays, Thursdays and Saturdays as were public
Torah readings in ancient times.
Davidson Center
-
South Wall Excavation in Jerusalem
The
Archaeological Park of Jerusalem, at the foot of the Temple Mount, near
the Western Wall encompasses the remains of Jerusalem in its splendor.
It is no less holy than the Western Wall. Here, with a view to the Judean
Hills and Mt of Olives, ceremonies may be held according to your own traditions,
whether Conservative or Reform. The congregation sits on 'Hulda Steps'
the original stairs leading to the Second Temple.
Western
Wall Tunnel
A Bar Mitzvah ceremony (Orthodox) can be conducted in the great chambers
beneath the ancient arches at the entrance to the Wailing Wall Tunnel.
The splendid archaeological discoveries within these galleries allow visitors
to understand the enormity of the Second Temple.
Ein Yael
An agricultural farm from the Second Temple Period recreates an authentic
biblical setting .
The Tower
of David Museum of the History of Jerusalem
Private Bar/Bat Mitzvah ceremonies may be held in the historic
courtyard and gardens of the "The Citadel; the castle that protected
Jerusalem for over 2000 years.
The Hurva
Synagogue
Destroyed in the War of Independence in 1948 - only recently has reconstruction
begun on the Hurva Synagogue. For years it was a memorial in the form
of a giant arch against the blue sky - a reminder of the synagogue's shattered
dome. Hence it has become a symbol of Jewish return to Jerusalem.
Masada
Against the backdrop of the desert mountains, with the Dead
Sea and Jordan stretching to the east, you turn to face Jerusalem. Within
the silence of this setting, in what is one of the world's oldest synagogues
in use, the torah is withdrawn from the ark and you feel your connection
to your peoples. Masada is the symbol of Israel's self-reliance and determination.
Tsfat
(Sefad)
The
winding alleyways and cobblestone streets in Tsfat lead to ancient synagogues,
renowned for their Kabbalistic sages
and mysticism. Activities held after the ceremony draw us into the values,
significant to that spirituality.
Neot
Kedumim
This
625-acre nature reserve is dedicated to recreating the physical setting
of the bible. Within its confines are scenes of nature depicted from biblical
passages, as well as ancient relics such as olive and wine presses, and
excavations revealing ancient threshing floors, cisterns and ritual baths.
Ancient Synagogues and Archaeological sites
Choose from numerous archaeological sites & ancient synagogues
throughout Israel as the Bar/Bat Mitzvah location or have a simple torah
reading at any of these sites to commemorate the occasion.
Some such examples can include the remains of the synagogues at Ein Gedi
- Baram - Beit Alfa - Corazim etc...
For more information, the following resource centers can be contacted:
The Center for Conservative Judaism: (Tel)
011-972-2-625-2529 (Fax) 011-972-2-623-4127
Har-El Reform Synagogue: (Tel) 011-972-2-625-3841 (Fax)
011-972-2-623-4866
Movement for Progressive Judaism: (Tel) 011-972-2-620-3477
(Fax) 011-972-2-620-3446
Orthodox: Jerusalem Connection Resource Center (Tel/Fax)
011-972-2-627-1283, or The Great Synagogue, (Tel) 011-972-2-624-7112,
(Fax) 011-972-2-623-3620
EDUCATIONAL, CULTURAL AND ADVENTURE ACTIVITIES
Neot
Kedumim
Numerous and varied hands-on-activities such as: a torah scribe
demonstration - a mezuzah treasure hunt - cooking with the bible - "women
of the bible" theme - agricultural tasks performed by our ancestors
- etc....
Archaeological
Dig
Crawl
through fascinating cave systems. Dig, sift, examine pottery and tour
the National Park of Beit Guvrin.
Hassidic Life
A rare chance to enter the Hassidic world of streimals &
capotah and have a meal with a Hassidic family in one of their settlements.
(Streimals & capotah are the traditional outfit of Jews in East Europe
in the 17th century, which is the dress code of the ultra-orthodox Jews
till today).
Tsfat (Sefad)
Engage in various workshops including candlemaking, olive oil
production, challah baking, etc.
Attend lectures and group interaction on topics such
as:- an introduction to Kabbalism and Chassidism, analysing personal torah
codes, and mysticism.
Experience unique musical presentations and partake of
a Hassidic Sabbath meal .
The
City of David, Jerusalem
Three thousand years ago, David conquered a small hilltop town,
south of the Temple Mount and made it his capital, thus unifying all the
tribes of Israel. The spring at this site, flowing till today, was the
only water source for the area in ancient times, and the City of David
grew up around it. Biblical Kings, including King Solomon, were anointed
at this spring.
Some 2700 years ago,
in preparation for the war against the Assyrians, King Hezekiah dug an
underground tunnel (which still exists) from the spring, to a pool inside
the town, . The story of its construction comes to life while embarking
on an undergound adventure by the light of a lamp, through the tunnel
in knee deep water approx 500 m. in length.
Ein Yael
Participate in activities
relating to ancient agriculture.
Western
Wall Tunnel
The street level of 2000 years ago, lies beneath the dwellings of today
and the tunnel experience is a walk along the paved streets of the 2nd
Temple Period. The Bar Mitzvah youth (having been instructed beforehand)
can lead his family through the tunnels following the service.
Ramparts
Walk
A walkway atop the Old City walls offers a unique panoramic
view of the Old City and its surroundings.
Hiking
Hikes
can be made throughout Israel from easy to more challenging routes:
From the north... Hike along the Zavitan River of theYehudiya
Nature Reserve in the Golan Heights, descending ladders
and swimming through pools.
Through the City of David... In the heart of the country,
hike through
the Hezekiah Tunnel in knee deep water, guided by lamp light.
To the south... Hiking along the David Spring in the
oasis of Ein Gedi to the waterfall or along the desert mountains
to the hidden pools of Nahal Arugot.
Swimming
Swim in the Sachne, "Gan HaSlosha", referrred to as
the one of the ten top swimming sites in the world by "World Traveller"
magazine.
Plan a swim in the
Sea of Galillee, the Mediterannean or the Red Sea.
Float in the Dead Sea or visit one of the spas throughout the country.
Rafting - Rappelling
- Camel Rides - Jeep Tours,
Establish
the locations and action-filled adventures that you want to incorporate
into your experience.
National
Parks & Nature Reserves:
Israel
places a tremendous effort in maintaining and improving its national parks
(archaeological, historical & religious sites, as well as, nature
reserves). The sites under the Israel
Nature and National Parks Protection Authority are too numerous to
name, but every tour includes a visit to several sites. A pass allowing
entry to all the sites can be purchased at a very reasonable fee.
Below, are only a few suggested sites, not covered by the National Parks authority.
Museums:
Israel
Museum
Tower
of David Museum
Yad
Vashem
Davidson
Centre
Latrun
Armored Corps Museum
Mini
Israel
Diasporat
Museum
Clandestine
Immigration and Naval Museum (Af
Al Pi Chen )
Historical
Sites
Akko
, the gateway port city to the holy land during the Crusader Period with
its intricate subterranean city of Crusader halls and sanctuaries.
Mt.
Herzl - where dignitaries of the State of Israel are buried, including
Itzhak Rabin.
Katzrin
- partly reconstructed ancient village in the Golan Heights
displaying everyday life from the Talmudic period.
Nature
Sites:
Rosh
HaNikra , situated in the northwest corner of Israel
on the border of Lebanon: its cliffs plunge into the Mediterranean. The
caves carved out by water erosion, and the impressive labyrinths that
were created are accessible by cable car.
Manara
Cliff - cable car and activities
near the Lebanon border.
Eilat Underwater Observatory,
- view all forms of marine life from the Red Sea
Neigbouring
Countries
You can decide to extend your visit on a short excursion to one of the
neighboring countries.
Petra,
Jordan
Cairo ,
Egypt
For
more information contact:
Travel Udi, Tel: 972-8-6318285
/ Fax: 972-8-6318286 OR by email