Don’t miss the chance to check out local museums with free admissions for kids
By JOANNA SHEBSONUpdated: APRIL 6, 2017 14:34At the Tower of David(photo credit: RICKY RACHMAN)
It has been a long and cold winter, but now the birds have started chirping and we have some beautiful sunny days ahead of us. This Passover you have time to explore museums, art activities, extreme sports, culinary tours and special Passover festivals. I suggest you plan ahead and make reservations in advance.Don’t miss the chance to check out local museums with free admissions for kids. Sponsored by Bank Hapoalim the following sites will be opening their doors at no charge: Bible Lands Museum, Jerusalem Botanical Gardens, Hasmonean Aqueduct at East Talpiot, City of David Festival, Menachem Begin Heritage Center Museum and the Museum of Islamic Art.SPECIAL EVENTS AND FESTIVALSFrom The Rose Garden to the Gazelle Park – Family Navigational GameWhat is the connection between an American rose, a bird from Bethlehem and a Jerusalem gazelle? Discover the answer while navigating missions in the urban nature of Jerusalem! A free event for the whole family (recommended for ages 5+) sponsored by the SPNI.Date: April 12Hours: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. (Starting point at the Rose Garden from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.)Price: FreeInfo: Reservations (02) 653-7374; reg.jbo@gmail.comOld City Scavenger HuntA fun way to see the historic sites of the Old City through missions and solving clues as you meet the people living in the Jewish Quarter. Private hunts can be booked as well.Dates: April 14 and 16 Hours: 10:30 a.m.Price: NIS 95 adult, NIS 85 childInfo: scavenger@funinjerusalem.com ZometExperience Passover Happening Take a walk through the Zomet Visitors’ Center in Alon Shvut and learn about the technology allowed on Shabbat.Tours, interactive exhibits and jumping castles. Book a private family tour on the 14th or 16th.Dates: April 12 and 13 Hours: (English tours) 10 a.m., 1 p.m., 4 p.m.Price: NIS 25 for ages 6+, NIS 20 ages 3 to 6Info: (02) 993-2111 or zomet@funinjerusalem.comBirkat CohanimJoin thousands of people at the Western Wall for the special priestly blessing.Plan to walk and expect large crowds. If you prefer to watch it from home, visit the Simcha Hall Kotel Cam, simchahall.com/en/kotel-cam/ Date: April 13 Hours: 8:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m.Ein Yael Spring FestivalTravel through history to the time of the Romans and visit an ancient Roman street with craftsmen. Kids of all ages will enjoy musical instrument workshops, ancient game tournaments, basket weaving, archery, children’s theater and more.Dates: April 12 to 14Hours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. (Friday until 2 p.m.)Price: NIS 45 adult, NIS 35 child (3+) Info: (02) 645-1866Map and Matza FestivalA special family event sponsored by the Culture and Sport Ministry and the Council for Preservation of Historic Sites. Events will take place at Ammunition Hill, Museum of Italian Jewish Art and the Gush Etzion Heritage Center. Activities include kids shows, workshops and play areas.Dates: April 12 and 13 Hours: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.Price: Free Info: www.mapaumatza.co.ilKakadu Family Art Festival “Families Create – Art Festival” – Meet Reut Shachar, the world-renowned artist behind Kakadu, and enjoy a hands-on workshop for the entire family.Dates: April 12 to 14, 16, 18Hours: 10:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m.Price: NIS 50 per personInfo: (02) 999-8922Safra Square Family ToursTour City Hall, the model of old/new Jerusalem and an observation point above Jerusalem. 90 minutes. Leaves from Safra Square.Date: April 13 Hours: 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. (English and Hebrew); noon (French)Price: FreeInfo: visitorcenter@jerusalem.muni.ilHistoric Trek in the Old City – Guided Tour and Caving Indiana Jones-style tour including entrance to the secret crawling tunnel in Zedekiah’s Cave with helmets and lanterns.Leaves from Jaffa GateDates: April 12 and 13Hours: 10 a.m., 11:30 a.m., 1 p.m., 2:30 p.m.Price: NIS 69Info: www.pami.co.ilRamparts Walk & Zedekiah’s Cave: Self guided tourDates: April 11 to 17Price: NIS 10Info: www.pami.co.ilKol Ha’Ot Illuminated Haggada Fair“Signs of the Seder: The Evolution of Symbols and Icons in the Haggada” at the Inbal Hotel. Special lectures and workshops by local artists.Date: April 13 Hours: 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.Price: Free Info: info@kolhaot.comRappelling the Walls of JerusalemAges 9+. Reserve a time at www.pami.co.il. Meet at Jaffa Gate.Dates: April 12 and 13 Hours: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.Price: NIS 25City of David –Valley of the Kings FestivalStreet theater, an ancient-styled guest tent, workshops for kids and camel riding, all offered free of charge in the Valley of the Kings.Dates: April 12 and 13 Hours: 11 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.Price: FreeInfo: www.cityofdavid.org.ilCONCERTSSolomon Brothers Concert This Passover enjoy a free evening concert with the Solomon Brothers from Moshav Mevo Modiin at YES Planet Jerusalem.Date: April 12 Hour: 8:15 p.m.Price: FreeZappa ConcertsEnjoy dinner and a Sarit Hadad concert at Zappa Jerusalem. Box office *9080Date: April 12 Hour: 10 p.m.Price: NIS 190Prof. Dan Ariel hosts Shlomo Gronich Date: April 13 Hour: 10 p.m.Price: NIS 120MUSEUM EVENTSIsrael Museum “No Place Like Home” – Musical performances of spring and holiday songs, guided tours, art workshops, recycling workshop: create flowers out of colorful plastic bagsDates: April 12 and 13Hours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.Price: Free entry for children under 18 (except workshops) /Adults NIS 54Info: (02) 670-8811Biblical Museum of Natural HistoryExplore the world of animals in the Bible and in Israel through this handson exhibition, in Beit Shemesh.Dates: April 12-14, 16 Hours: 9 am to 5 pm Price: NIS 40 adult, NIS 30 childInfo: 073-213-1662Bible Lands Museum Visit the secret pyramids, participate in a juggling show, watch theatrical plays about ancient Egypt, be exposed to the secrets of preparing papyrus and more. English tours at 10:30 am. Free entrance for the whole family.Dates: April 12 to 14, 16Hours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. (Friday and Sunday till 1:30 p.m.)Price: Free, workshop NIS 20Info: (02) 561-1066Hebrew Music MuseumThis Passover enjoy drum and percussion workshops, musical tours, interactive games and a virtual reality tour of the Temple at the new Hebrew Music Museum.Dates: April 12 to 14, 16, 18Hours: 9:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. (Friday and Sunday until 1:30 p.m.)Price: NIS 50 adult, NIS 40 child Info: www.kikar-hamusica.comBloomfield Science Museum“Spring Games: A Celebration of Colors, Scents and Senses” workshops and science demonstrations.Dates: April 12 to 14Hours: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. (2 p.m. on Friday)Price: NIS 60 per person, NIS 200 family ticketInfo: (02) 654-4888Old Yishuv Court MuseumSpring Games – enjoy games from the past, guided tours at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m.Storytime at noon and video “Stories of the Old City Using Everyday Objects” (Hebrew with English subtitles) at 1 p.m. Dress up, courtyard games and self-guided tours.Dates: April 12 to 14, 16Hours: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. (Friday & Sunday till 1 p.m.)Price: NIS 40 family ticketInfo: (02) 627-6319Museum of Islamic ArtSearch for the Afikoman at the Museum of Islamic Art! Join the famous sultan, the beautiful princess and the great scientist as they search for the afikoman using missions and clues. Dress up as Pharaoh or Cleopatra, take a picture with Moses and create a magnificent seal ring in ancient hieroglyphs.Last activity at 4 p.m.Dates: April 12, 13, 14, 16Hours: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. (till 2 p.m. on Friday and Sunday)Price: FreeTower of DavidSeventy names of Jerusalem – Discover all the names of Jerusalem in an activity that takes place all around the citadel.Can you find them all? There are challenging giant games, building in 3-D, construction competitions, water games and more. Every task will reveal one of the city’s names.Dates: April 12 to 14Hours: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. (Friday till 2 p.m.)Price: FreeJerusalem Pilgrimageat Tower of DavidDress up in costume, join a parade around the citadel and feel the joy and excitement that the Jews experienced when they came to Jerusalem to celebrate Passover thousands of years ago. Pre-registration is required. Ages 4 to 7.Dates: April 12, 13, 14Hours: 11 a.m., noon, 2 p.m., 3 p.m. (Fri only 11 a.m., noon)Info: (02) 626-5347Botanical Gardens Visitors are invited to choose from three guided tours on the topics of flowers, man and nature and the fascinating structure of plants. Workshops (additional fee) include mud building, preparing flowerpots and preparing greeting cards using leaves and flowers. Don’t miss the hands-on Discovery Trail. Gates close one hour before closing.Dates: April 12 to 16Hours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.(Friday till 3 p.m.)Price: Entrance is free, workshop NIS 10Info: (02) 679-4012SPECIAL ACTIVITIESThe Bloc Climbing Center Experience the “hub” for rock climbers in Jerusalem. Opened by three friends who love to climb, it is a great place to learn to climb and improve your technique. Special Passover hours.Dates: April 12 to 17 Hours: 10 a.m. to 11 p.m.; on April 14 closes at 5 p.m.Price: NIS 50 per entrance, NIS 10 shoe rental Info: bloc@funinjerusalem.comThe Kabbalist’s Secret Escape RoomDeep in the heart of Jerusalem lies a valuable ancient scroll protected by magical charms set by an ancient kabbalist.Can you solve the charms and escape with the scroll?Price: Two people NIS 190, three people NIS 260, four people NIS 320, five people NIS 375, six people NIS 420Dates: Throughout PassoverHours: 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. weekdays, closed on first and last day of Passover, open after the hagInfo: 054-712-1656, puzzlequest@ funinjerusalem.comTour Adumim Special Passover tours in the Adumim Region. Lookouts, museums, desert workshops, factory visits, artists and nature reserves.Dates: April 12 to 14, 16More info: adumim@funinjerusalem.com, 054-527- 5404For a full listing of events in Jerusalem, visit the Fun In Jerusalem Passover Guide: www.funinjerusalem.com/pesachThe writer is the founder of Fun In Jerusalem (www.funinjerusalem. com) and Party In Jerusalem (www.partyinjerusalem.com). She lives in the capital with her husband and three kids, and loves to inspire family fun.joanna@funinjerusalem.com
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