Hanukka happenings

Capture the candles at Kol HaOt (photo credit: HEDDY ABRAMOWITZ)
Capture the candles at Kol HaOt
(photo credit: HEDDY ABRAMOWITZ)
Hanukka is a great time to spend in Jerusalem. As the sun goes down, the lights of the candles can be seen in every alleyway and across the city. It is our family tradition to go on a hanukkia walk in the Nahlaot, but it can be fun in all of Jerusalem’s neighborhoods and the surrounding area. Here are some of my favorite events.
Pirates for Muli
A Hanukka family happening at the Hanger at the First Station in memory of Muli, a little boy who loved pirates and died of cancer three years ago. Live shows, music, games and lots of fun. This event is run by Muli’s family and a team of volunteers. There will also be an opportunity to donate blood with MDA.
December 13 at 4:30 p.m. Free, indoors.
Candlelit Old City scavenger hunt
Race through the alleyways of the Old City as you find clues and accomplish missions. Watch the Old City light up as the candles are lit and feel the Old City come alive.
December 17, at 5:15 p.m. Reservations required. scavenger@ funinjerusalem.com
VIP family movie event at Cinema City
Enjoy a VIP dinner buffet with your kids, all you can eat movie snacks and seating in the VIP theater. Choose which movie you would like to see in English – Justice League or Disney’s Coco.
December 19, 4:30 p.m. NIS 135 per ticket, info@funinjerusalem.com
Capture the candles
The Jewish escape room created by Kol HaOt invites you into the Artists’ Colony to solve missions and find clues to capture the candles.
December 15, 16, 17, 18, 20. NIS 50 per person, up to 6 people per group. www.funinjerusalem.com/capture-the-candles
‘Cinderella’ the musical
This Hanukka celebrate with your family at the Beit Hillel Theater Workshop’s musical production of Cinderella. In English.
December 12-20, Rachel Simon Hillel Theater, Beit Hillel, Mount Scopus campus of the Hebrew University. NIS 85/ www.funinjerusalem.com/cinderella-beit-hillel/
Beit Avi Chai Hanukka performance
It Happened on the First Candle, a theatrical performance followed by an art and music workshop for ages 5+. Hebrew.
December 17-20, 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. NIS 30 child; NIS 10 adult. (02) 621-5900.
Ein Yael
Olive oil festival – one day only. Ancient craft activities in the Living Museum Ein Yael for kids of all ages.
December 20, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. NIS 25 child; NIS 35 adult. No reservations required.
Pyromania at Zedekiah’s Cave
A spectacular dance performance using LED suits, drums, grinders and rhythm accessories in an incredible underground quarry cave.
December 14, 7 p.m. NIS 35. Bimot *6226.
Night tour and musical performance at Ammunition Hill
A guided tour of the illuminated trenches, followed by the show Infinite Meeting, showcasing the work of Natan Alterman.
December 13 and 19, 7 p.m. NIS 80 *2967.
Time travel at Ammunition Hill
A guided tour of Ammunition Hill from long ago until today.
December 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 20, 10 a.m.-3 p.m., on the hour; December 15, 10 a.m. and 11 a.m. NIS 35.
*2967 (02) 582-9392.
Lights in the Old City
Aish HaTorah invites guests to its rooftop view of the Old City, followed by candlelighting and a musical performance, including stories, songs and games. In Hebrew.
December 14, 18, 19, 7 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. NIS 60.
ebachar@aish.com
Art tours with Caron
Meet the artists as you are invited into their studios and galleries.
December 15 – Nahlaot ; 11 a.m.
December 17 – Mamilla/Hutzot Hayotzer ; 11 a.m.
December 18 – Mamilla/Hutzot Hayotzer ; 3:30 p.m.
December 19 – Nahlaot – 11 a.m.
caron@funinjerusalem.com
Glass mosaic workshop
Join Creative Crafts at the Beer Bazaar in the shuk in this hands-on creative workshop for kids and adults.
December 19, 6 p.m.-8 p.m. NIS 125.
creativecrafts@funinjerusalem.com
Kakadu Hanukka family art workshops
Using the famous Kakadu technique, you can create your own pieces of art – hanukkiot, dreidels and more. Make it into a full day and explore the area of the Bar-Kochba caves.
December 14, 15, 17, 18, 19, 20. 8:30 a.m., 10:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. NIS 50. kakadu@funinjerusalem.com
Hanukka family adventure in Zedekiah’s Cave
A unique family experience in the most mysterious place in Jerusalem. Solve a mystery of thousands of years in a real “escape cave.” Ages 4+. In Hebrew.
December 17-19, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. NIS 30.
‘Shedding Light’ at Kol HaOt
Captivating presentation by artist Ken Goldman on his funky and humorous contemporary ritual objects.
December 19, at 7 p.m. at the Kol HaOt Center, Hutzot Hayotzer, Jerusalem Artists’ Colony. Free. www.kolhaot.com, info@kolhaot.com, (02) 990-5177.
Children’s Hanukka theater at First Station The Incubator Theater will perform each day at 12:30 p.m.; Friday, 11 a.m.
December 14-20, NIS 25-35, ages 3-6 and 6-10.
www.incubator.org.il/chanuka
Hanukka at the Tower of David Museum
• “The Mystery of the Lost Treasure.” With the help of maps, pencils and a timer, embark on a journey throughout the museum and the citadel in search of the answer to this mystery.
Ages 6-14, Hebrew. Price: Included in entrance fee.
• Wood workshop. Come carve and paint dreidels, hanukkiot and swords.
December 14, 17, 18, 19, 20. 10 a.m.-3 p.m. December 15, 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m. NIS 10-30.
• Lantern tour – Hebrew.
December 13, 14, 17, 18, 19. 4:30 p.m. NIS 25.
Bloomfield Science Museum
Free entrance for children during Hanukka. December 14-20.
Biblical Museum of Natural History
Leopards, elephants and the Hanukka story. Visit and explore a whole new aspect of the Festival of Lights. English and Hebrew interactive guided tours daily. In Beit Shemesh.
NIS 40, adult; NIS 30, child.
biblicalnaturalhistory@funinjerusalem.com
Glow-in-the-dark bowling
Each night of Hanukka, Goodlanes Bowling in Ma’aleh Adumim will offer glow-in-the-dark bowling for families.
Mishor Adumim, NIS 30 per person. 6 p.m.-12 a.m. goodlanes@funinjerusalem.com
Team karting
Speed through the track as you experience the feeling of go-kart racers or play on the simulator and feel the race. Ages 8+.
NIS 55 for 10 minutes. Hanukka prices: 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m. or 4:30 p.m.-6:30 p.m. 20 minutes for NIS 94. Lev Talpiot Mall, karting@funinjerusalem.com
‘Pat Bamelah’ bread workshop
Learn to make pretzels or focaccia while you learn about the grain cycle in Israel and in the Torah.
Daily, Rosh Tzurim, Gush Etzion. pat@funinjerusalem.com
Hanukka glassblowing workshop
Learn to make dreidels, candles, candlesticks or candies out of glass. This hands-on workshop teaches you the art of glassmaking.
Daily, Bethlehem Road, Jerusalem. NIS 400-700.
glass@funinjerusalem.com
Hadara ceramics workshop
Hadara guides you through the process of creating your own unique pieces using clay. Choose to make Hanukka- inspired pieces or your own dishes, name plaques and more.
Emek Refaim Street, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. NIS 90 for 1½ hrs.
hadara@funinjerusalem.com
Hanukka hours at The Bloc
Take your kids bouldering in the center of town.
December 13, 14, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20 – 10 a.m.-11: p.m.; December 15 – 10 a.m.-5 p.m. NIS 50 entrance, NIS 10 shoes. 7 Yitzhak Elissar Street.
The writer is the founder of Fun In Jerusalem (www.funinjerusalem.com). She lives in Jerusalem with her husband and three kids and loves to inspire family fun. joanna@funinjerusalem.com