Sukkot family activity roundup

Street festivals, concerts, museum and theater activities — here's a great list of activities to keep you busy during Sukkot.

By JOANNA SHEBSON
Four species in Mahaneh Yehuda (photo credit: MARC ISRAEL SELLEM/THE JERUSALEM POST)
Four species in Mahaneh Yehuda
(photo credit: MARC ISRAEL SELLEM/THE JERUSALEM POST)
The streets of Jerusalem fill up with tourists and locals during the holiday of Sukkot and we have a great list of activities to keep you busy. Plan ahead and reserve your activity.
Sukkot Festivals
Sukkot Hayotzer at Kol HaOt
What: Special interactive Sukkot workshops for families, food, live music and exhibits.
Where: Artists’ Colony Hutzot Hayotzer, 14 Hativat Yerushalayim – Studio #9
When: September 26, 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Cost: Free
Info: (02) 990-5177, info@kolhaot.com www.kolhaot.com
Ein Yael Harvest Festival
What: Take a walk down an ancient Roman street as you meet craftsmen and experience an ancient market. craft workshops, live theater, tour the archaeological site, petting zoo and an ancient games tournament.
Where: Ein Yael Living Museum
When: Sept. 25 to 27, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Cost: NIS 45 child; NIS 35 Adult
Info: (02) 645-1866, www.einyael.co.il
Playmobil Festival
What: Step into a land of Playmobil as you climb on a pirate ship, fly down a zip line and dress up as a fireman. Over 25 great interactive stations for kids. Tickets purchased through Bimot.
Where: Botanical Gardens
When: September 25 to 27, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., September 28 & 30 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Cost: NIS 94; NIS 70 advanced purchase
Derech Beit Lehem Street Festival
What: Derech Beit Lehem will be filled with an artists’ fair, street theater, food stands, dancing, exhibitions and exhibits.
Where: Derech Beit Lehem, Baka
When: September 25 , 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Cost: Free
33rd Kite Flying Festival
What: Kite-flying and giant kites in the art garden, with the participation of expert kite-flyers.
Where: Israel Museum
When: September 25, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. 
Cost: No extra charge. kite making workshops: NIS 30 to NIS 40. Kids enter museum free on hol hamoed.
Info: (02) 670-8811
Jerusalem March
What: The annual march through Jerusalem from Sacher Park to the Old City. There will be family activities in  Sacher Park all day.
Where: Sacher Park
When: September 27
Cost: Free
Hazerot Festival
What: Enjoy live musical concerts in the museum’s courtyard. There will also be craft workshops for kids – pasta and papercutting.
Where: Museum of Italian Jewish Art
When: September 26, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Info: (02) 624-1610
Moshav County Fair
What: The Annual Moshav County Fair showcases incredible musical talent, a children’s festival with arts and crafts and over 70 unique vendors.
Where: Moshav Mevo Modi’im
When: September 26, noon to 9 p.m.
Cost: NIS 25 child; NIS 50 adult; NIS 150 family ticket
Info: www.moshavfair.com
Jerusalem Yoga Festival
What: Experience yoga with nine well-known Jerusalem yoga teachers on a beautiful organic farm with panoramic views of the Jerusalem hills. Special free events for kids up to age six, therapeutic workshops, live musical performances and more surprises.
Where: Tur Sinai Organic Farm
When: September 27, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Info: yoga@funinjerusalem.com
Aleh Fair
What: Spend the day at the First Station with performances, unique craft vendors and activities for kids to raise money for Aleh – Israel’s Organization Assisting People with Disabilities.
Where: First Station
When: October 2, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Info: aleh@funinjerusalem.com
Hershele’s Gallery Grand Opening
What: Celebrate the grand opening of the new Hershele Art & Judaica Gallery with wine, cheese and red carpet treatment. Come in to meet the artist Tovi as she explains her mandala techniques.
Where: First Station
When: October 2, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Info: Hershele@Funinjerusalem.com
Special Events
Birkat Kohanim
What: Come and pray with thousands of people as you receive the Priestly Blessing at the Western Wall. The Old City is closed to cars, so plan to walk.
Where: Western Wall
When: September 26, 9:15 a.m. and 10:15 a.m.
Cost: Free
Old City Scavenger Hunt
What: Race through the streets and alleyways of the Old City as you solve missions and look for clues. A fun and interactive way to learn about the history of Jerusalem.
Where: Old City
When: September 28, 10:30 a.m.
Cost: NIS 95 adult; NIS 85 child
Info: (052) 835-8072; scavenger@funinjerusalem.com
Art Tours with Caron
What: Take a walk behind the scenes of Israel’s art and Judaica scene when you meet the artists and hear their stories.
Where: Mamilla and Nahlaot
When: Mamilla art tour 11 a.m. September 25; Nahlaot art tour 4 p.m. Sept. 27; Nahlaot Art Tour 11:15 a.m. Sept.28.
Info: caron@funinjerusalem.com
Rappelling the Old City walls
What: Give your kids the most incredible experience when you let them rappel  down the ancient walls of the old city. Tickets can be purchased at the box office at Jaffa Gate. You can also enjoy self guided tours of the Ramparts Walk, dress up like a sultan and a theatrical tour of the walls of the Old City. Run by East Jerusalem Development Ltd.
Where: Ramparts Walk, near Jaffa Gate
When: September 25 to 27, 11 a.m. to  5 p.m.
Cost: NIS 30 rappelling (ages 9+), NIS 30 theatrical tour (ages 5+), NIS 10 self-guided Ramparts Walk tour
Info: (02) 627-7550, pami.co.il
“Families Create” at Kakadu
What: Families are invited to create decorative wooden art pieces with renowned artist Reut Shachar. This is a great activity for kids of all ages and even adults can enjoy the hands-on workshop.
Where: Moshav Tzafririm, near Beit Shemesh
When: September 25 to 28 and September 30, 8:30 a.m., 10:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m., 2 p.m.
Cost: NIS 50 per person
Info: (052) 347-7476 Or (02) 999-8922; kakadu@funinjerusalem.com
Zomet Technology Tours (English)
What: Zomet Experience will be hosting special english tours teaching families about Halachic Judaism, modern life and technology. young engineer’s lab where you can create your own battery and gymboree for younger kids. Contact Zomet if you prefer to book a private tour.
Where: Alon Shvut, Gush Etzion
When: September 26 and 27, 10 a.m., 1 p.m.  and 4 p.m.
Cost: NIS 25 adult and child (6+), NIS 20 child under 6
Info: (02) 993-2111, zomet@funinjerusalem.com
Comedy for Koby
What: The Koby Mandell Foundation and Comedy For Koby are excited to announce a Sukkot special tour featuring Modi and hosted by Avi Liberman!
Where: Beit Shmuel Theater
When: September 25, 7 p.m.
Info: www.comedyforkoby.com
A Feast of Legends from the Sea
What: Take part in the most unique banquet dinner in Israel. Rabbi Natan Slifkin invites his patrons to a delicious feast of exotic fish. Every fish has a story.
Where: Biblical Museum of Natural History, Beit Shemesh
When: Call for details.
Info:  073-213-1662
Hapoel Jerusalem Basketball Clinic
What: Shoot hoops with Hapoel Jerusalem coaching staff, players and Tamir Goodman. Tourists and locals are invited to come out and play with some of Jerusalem's finest basketball players. Training with Tamir Goodman.
Where: YMCA Basketball Courts, across from the King David Hotel
When: September 28, 10:30 a.m.
Cost: Free. Kids of all ages are invited.
Donate to Hoops for Heroes and donate season tickets to IDF soldiers.
Info: hapoel@funinjerusalem.com
Concerts
Benny Friedman Concert
What: Every child deserves to sing. Come out and support the Jerusalem Friendship Circle at the Benny Friedman Concert on Erev Hoshana Rabba. Sponsorships are available.
Where: Jerusalem Theater
When: September 29, 8:30 p.m.
Info: 073-785-8528, https://tickline.co.il/event/fc2018musical/
Yaakov Shwekey and Mordechai Shapiro Concert
What: Enjoy an evening of great music and help United Hatzalah save lives in Israel.
Where: ICC – Binyenei Ha’uma
When: September 27, 7:30 p.m.
Cost: $1,000, $500, $360, $120
Info: www.concertinisrael.com or sales@concertinisrael.com
Yishay Ribo Concert
What: Separate seating.
Where: ICC – Binyenei Ha’uma
When: September 25, 8 p.m.
Info: Purchase tickets *6565
Sukkot Museum Activities
Museum for Islamic Art
What: Children’s theater
When:
• Sept. 25: In the Heart of the Great Sea – National Theater for Children and Youth
• September 26: Friends on the Bridge – Orna Porat Theater
• September 27: He’s Not a Tiger – Hageveret Theater
Info: www.islamicart.co.il/english/events/
Beit Eshkol Sukkot
What: Come and learn about the life of Israel’s former prime minister on an augmented reality tour with interactive games (Hebrew). Ages 8+.
Where: Beit Eshkol
When: September 25 to 27 – reservations required.
September 26, 10:30 a.m. The Biggest Treasure – a play for children ages 4-8. In Hebrew.
Cost: NIS 30 child, NIS 10 adult
Info: beiteshkol@funinjerusalem.com
A Festival of Writing
What: Delve into the origins of the alphabet from ancient cultures. From cuneiform to hieroglyphs. Make your own creation in a creative workshop and meet a scribe.
Where: Bible Lands Museum
When: September 25 to 27, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Cost: Nis 32. Registration required. First graders enter free.
Info: (02) 561-1066, contact@blmj.org
On the Edge
What: Test your risk tolerance level at this new visiting exhibit. Interactive stations that teach you about everyday risk.
Where: Bloomfield Science Museum, 3 Museum Blvd., Givat Ram
When: Museum hours.
Info: (02) 654-4888
Theatrical Tour,  Mount Herzl
What: Meet historical figures in Israel’s history. Learn about the early years of the state as you follow the characters around Mount Herzl using humor and drama to teach you About Zionism. In Hebrew. Reservations required.
Where: The Herzl Museum and Mount Herzl
When: Sept. 25 to 28, 10:30 a.m. (up to age 12), September 25 to 27 at 3 p.m. (ages 8+)
Cost: NIS 45 museum tour + theatrical tour, NIS 25 theatrical tour
Info: (02) 632-1515, museum@wzo.org.il
Cops and Robbers
What: Bring your kids to an interactive mystery game: this is a detective game which tries to unravel the mystery of the lost dowry of Simha Raphael in the Or Hahaim Courtyard. (Available in Hebrew and English). Self guided.
Where: Old Yishuv Court Museum
Info: (02) 627-6319
Rock, Paper, Scissors
What: Celebrate creativity in the sukkah with special paper art workshops, VR enhanced tours of the Tower and guided tours.
• King David & Night Spectacular Night Shows – 7:30 p.m., 8:30 p.m.
Where: Tower of David Museum
Cost: Free Museum admission for kids on Sukkot.
Info: *2884, tod.org.il
A Complex Family
What: Performance artist Meirav Heiman, with Ayala Almog and Oded Zohar with child acrobats, create a special Sukkot performance, inspired by the exhibition “I To Eye,” currently at the Youth Wing.
Where: Israel Museum
When: September 26 & 27,  11 am, noon, 1 p.m. 
Cost: No extra charge.
Info: 02-670-8811
Sukkot Theater
In the Prime of Her Life
What: A show with English subtitles based on a novella by S.Y. Agnon. There will be a stage talk in English before the show with Ido Peled on “Weaving Love And Text Together in Agnon’s Plays.” Ages 16+.
Where: Khan Theater
When: September 26, 8 p.m. stage talk, 8:30 p.m. curtain
Info: www.khan.co.il
Off the Derech Dolorosa
What: Theater and Theology Players Present Off the Derech Dolorosa, an English-Language comedy by Tom Dudzick with a post-show discussion. Ages 16+.
Where: Khan Theater
When:
• September 25, 7 p.m. post-performance discussion with Dr. Debbie Weissman
• September 26, 2 p.m. post-performance discussion with Rabbanit Rivka Rappaport
• September 27, 7 p.m. post-performance discussion with Ittay Flescher
Cost: NIS 85
Info: (02) 630-3600, 050-873-3347
Train Theater Shows
• Fool’s Moon – Chelm stories and art workshop – September 25
• Where is Mrs. Gabbai? – September 25
• The Hungry Sandwich and art workshop –  September 26
• Pirate in the Bath and art workshop – September 27
• Gulliver’s Travels and Chinese Cubes –  October 2
For more info, see the Sukkot Family Guide: www.funinjerusalem.com/Sukkot
The writer is the founder of Fun In Jerusalem (www.funinjerusalem.com) and Party In Jerusalem (www.partyinjerusalem.com).
joanna@funinjerusalem.com