Overview

Visit the north wing of the Mt. Zion Hotel and discover the Cable Car Museum commemorating Israeli ingenuity during the War of Independence.  View the cable car that was suspended on a 200 meter cable 50 meters high over the Hinnom Valley every evening and lowered every morning to secretly transport supplies to the besieged residents and defenders of the Old City.

The cable car, developed by IDF Commander and engineer Uriel Jefetz, held 5500 pounds (250 kilos) and was kept secret until 1972 in case it was needed again.  See photographs of officers and soldiers, including Moshe Dayan, and related project documents.

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Overview

Learn about Judaism at the outreach center of Aish HaTorah World Center overlooking the Kotel (Western Wall ) Plaza and the model of the Second Temple.  Inspired by the story of the 40 year old ignorant shepherd who became the famous Rabbi Akiva, see glass artist Dale Chilhuly’s two-story tall glass sculpture entitled “Fire and Water” located in the lobby atrium.

Absorb the teachings of Rabbi Noach Weinberg, Aish founder, through an interactive, touch-screen wall with films of his lectures.  Drop into Aish classes held daily from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. or participate in a Discovery Seminar on Sunday.

Enjoy the rooftop view of the Kotel (Western Wall) Plaza,  Mt. of Olives and the Temple Mount. While on the roof, see the 1.2 ton model of the Second Holy Temple equipped with a modern hydraulic system enabling a view of the Temple interior.  On your way to the Kotel plaza, exit the Aish HaTorah building two stories below the lobby and see the Second Temple era aqueducts that led to the Temple.

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Overview

Learn about the historical development of money in Israel and the main function of the Bank of Israel at the Bank of Israel Visitor’s Center. View the display of over 400 numismatic items including the first coins ever minted in the Lydian empire (western Asia Minor) and ancient coins used in Israel throughout the centuries (from the Persian empire through the Roman Era).

See coins found in a shipwreck, coins found buried at Tel Maresha (Bet Guvrin) by a wealthy individual, all Israeli banknotes from the British Mandate to present times, and original artwork for banknotes that were never circulated.  View films about the development of money, price stability and inflation.

Play computer games such as  Identifying Counterfeit Banknotes, Banking Supervision Game (about the importance of bank stability), Money and Inflation Trivia Game and Foreign Currency Game (about foreign currency trading).  Visits must be prearranged, call ahead to arrange a visit.

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Overview

Re-live the history of the First Temple era in the Ariel Center for Jerusalem  (Yad Ben-Zvi) in the First Temple Period through three exhibitions in the museum. In the first exhibit, see a scale model of Jerusalem towards the end of the First Temple period and adjacent to the model is a modern animated film, “The Spirit of Jerusalem,” about an artist who meets historical personalities from the era.

The second exhibit displays artifacts depicting everyday life in the First Temple era including 7th-8th century inscriptions and archaeological reproductions such as “Sennacherib’s Sawmill,” “Siloam’s inscription” (one of the oldest of it’s kind, found in the Hezekiah tunnel), a silver plaque with the Priestly blessing, a burial cave and jewelry.  In the third exhibit, “Bird in a Cage,” learn about the Assyrian siege of Jerusalem through Assyrian relief maps, Bible verses and archaeological finds, such as a restored portion of Hezekiah’s tunnel.

Tour the museum with a guide and participate in one of the interactive programs such as the development of Hebrew script; burials and tombs in Jerusalem; ancient diplomacy – letters and seals; or ancient military practices and strategies. Call ahead to reserve.

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Overview

The Gush Katif Museum in Jerusalem is the only museum in the world that tells the story of Jewish settlement in the Gaza strip, from Isaac during biblical times, to the Hasmoneans, ending with the uprooting of Jews during the disengagement in 2005.  At the entrance, view the time-line that shows the history of Jewish settlement in the Gush Katif area, learn about other expulsions in the area through the centuries, see artifacts that show a Jewish presence in the Gaza strip and see a map that shows the relative size of Gush Katif.

View pictures that show personal stories such as Yehudah and Miriam Gross, holocaust survivors who were expelled a second time, but this time by Jews and baby Ariel who survived a near fatal rocket attack .  Walk through the art gallery in the Orange room that shows pictures and artwork by those expelled related to the protest. The Black room in the art gallery shows videos of the actual expulsion and finally the last room shows the status of those expelled today and their current needs.

Note:

• Not recommended for young children under 7 years
• The price for a group includes a guide

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Overview

Built in 1958 as a joint venture between Chief Rabbi, Yitzchak (Halevi) Herzog who bought the land in 1946 and Jewish British philanthropist, Sir Isaac Wolfson who facilitated the building of this spiritual, religious center and seat of the Chief Rabbinate of Israel.  The center houses the Wolfson Museum of Jewish Art, the Renanim Synagogue, a 500 seat auditorium used for cultural activities and the offices of other major organizations such as the JNF. In the Wolfson Museum of Jewish Art, view a collection of holy objects from synagogues and Jewish homes (2nd Temple era to present)  and objects from dynamic individuals such as the tallit (prayer shawl) associated with the Baal Shem Tov and a miniature Ark and Torah scrolls that the late Ilan Ramon took to space.

View a six screen multi-media presentation telling the story of the Jews of Vilna through the holocaust, famous portraits by artist Isidor Kaufmann, artwork by Reuven Rubin and other artists depicting Jerusalem and a temporary exhibition of contemporary Israeli art. View the lavishly decorated Renanim Synagogue, imported from northern Italy after the community there dwindled,  and see the 18th century Italian Ark and stained glass windows.  Ascend to the roof and enjoy a breathtaking panoramic view of Jerusalem and the surrounding hills or take the children to the Small World exhibition of dioramas and miniatures of key people in Jewish history.

Flexible hours for pre-booked group visits. For information call 025889010

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Overview

Discovered in the 1970’s and developed with a donation from Vivian and Morris Wohl in the 1980’s, the Herodian Quarter dates back to the end of the Second Temple era and faces the Temple Mount from the west. Underneath a modern Jewish seminary, lies an excavation site of three main houses, most likely owned by aristocratic Temple priests: The Western House with its private Jewish ritual baths, the Middle Complex with a maze-pattern mosaic floor, and the Palatial Mansion with an area of 600 square meters and richly decorated rooms with elaborate stucco work, frescoes, columns, capitals, and a large balcony with a view of the Temple.

Examine artifacts such as decorated plates, imported wine flasks, stone utensils (popular with priests due to reasons of ritual purity), imported oil lamps from Greece, costly glassware, stone tables and a seven armed menorah, the oldest known depiction carved most likely by someone who saw the actual menorah in the Temple. Observe the many signs of fire such as a charred ceiling beam, scorched mosaic and fresco in the Palatial Mansion that bear witness to the Roman conquest in 70 CE. Audio guides are provided at no additional cost.

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Overview

Atop Mount Herzl, near the military cemetery where Herzl and many Israeli dignitaries are buried, is the Herzl Museum (and Margulies Education Centre for Zionist Studies) dedicated to detailing the life of Binyamin Ze’ev (Theodore) Herzl and his Zionist dream. Experience the unfolding of Herzl’s outlook as you pass through the four main rooms of the museum, each depicting another stage in his life: Herzl’s path to Zionism, Herzl’s involvement with Zionist politics, Herzl’s office where he wrote Der Judenstaat and spent his final days and finally a comparison between the current State of Israel and Herzl’s Zionistic dream (Altneuland – old, new land).

Gain an in-depth understanding of Herzl by examining period documents, photographs, and artifacts.  View the hour-long video which creatively portrays the motivations and visions of the Zionist leader.  A wide range of tours are offered at the center, including “Stories of Heroism” which includes a visit to Hannah Szenes, Yoni Netanyahu and other heroic figures buried in the military cemetery.

Note: Visits to the museum must be arranged in advance. Children under age 6 go free.

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Overview

The U. Nahon Museum, managed by the Jerusalem Italian Jews Association (JIJA), is housed in the Conegliano Veneto Shul, built in Italy in 1701 and restored in Jerusalem more than 200 years later. View the four exhibition rooms and see the collection of Torah Arks and religious objects from the Renaissance and Baroque periods (15th to 19th centuries) including the oldest surviving Torah curtain (parochet), dating back to 1572.  See artistic items such as an egg with the entire service for Pesach (Song of Songs and the Haftorah portion) inscribed on it in the exhibit “Cycle of Life” and in the “Cycle of the Year” exhibit see 18th century sukkah panels with painted scenes from Exodus. Explore the Education Department, which offers guided tours, creative activities, artistic workshops, and programs for guests of every background and age. Visit the Research Center for Italian Jewish Studies and see the library – a collection of books, periodicals and documents on the history and traditions of Jewish communities in Italy. The Research Center occasionally hosts concerts, art exhibits, scholarly conferences, and lectures on Italian Jewry.

Note:

• Guided tour is 150 NIS and entrance is 17 NIS per person (must book in advance)

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Overview

AKA: Museum of the Struggle, Alone on the Walls exhibit, Last Battle for the Quarter Exhibit

Experience life for the residents of the Jewish Quarter in the Old City of Jerusalem during the Jordanian siege of 1948, the surrender and the expulsion of the Jews in that area through the camera lens of British photojournalist John Phillips. Learn about after months of fighting and holding out, the community in the Jewish Quarter negotiated a surrender to the Jordanian Legion due to only having enough ammunition to last one more hour of combat. Learn about how after the surrender, the Jordanians gave the Jewish residents only one hour to pack and leave. Watch a five minute silent documentary film and view photos of the same areas before the war and after the area was restored.

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