Jerusalem 101: Essential Holy City

•        Old City Walk with an Emphasis on the Jewish Quarter– Find out why the Jaffa Gate is the most popular of the gates in the city, and what happened to the wall next to it. Wind your way through the allies of the city immersed in the history of its people. Learn about the setting up of the different quarters from the top of an old bazaar, and walk the cardo where Jewish sages of old found hope to re-establish the Jewish presence 750 years ago.
•        City of David– explore where it all began with over 4,000 years of habitation; it is one of the oldest inhabited spots in the city. King David forever transformed this city and the world by naming it the capitol of the Jewish People over 3,000 years ago. Trace his journey, and stand where much of the bible was composed. Cool your feet in a water tunnel mentioned by the prophets, and stand over a pool where all of Israel would gather.
•        Davidson Center, Southern Wall Excavations– discover the remains of Temple Mount area and experience what it was like to come on pilgrimage to Jerusalem 2,000 years ago.

Alternatives and or additions: Tower of David Museum, Mt. Zion Grave of King David, The Burnt House, The Herodian Quarter, Alone at the Walls exhibit, The Churva Synagogue, The Kotel Tunnels, and The Generations Center. The walking tour is approximately 6 hours, starting at the Jaffa Gate and ends at the Western Wall. The tour includes a stop for lunch in the Jewish Quarter. City of David segment includes an option for a water walk in Hezekiah’s tunnel (if open) during spring and summer only.

Beyond the Walls: Foundations of the New City

•        Old Train Station– Modern transport before the era of planes and automobiles, did rail transport to Jerusalem change the face of the city? Why did it take so long for the Ottomans to build a rail to Jerusalem? Theodore Herzl’s Shabbos Misadventure, The Train during the Mandate period, and why there is no longer a train arriving at the station today?
•        Mt. Zion Cable Car– What cable car? I don’t see any cable car. Jerusalem divided: How did they get supplies over to the isolated Israeli Army post on Mt. Zion between 1948-1967? How was it that the Jordanians didn’t see it?
•        Tanach Hill– Nature in the middle of the city absolutely amazing in the spring. But why is it called Tanach Hill? Why was it worthy of preservation?
•        First Temple Grave Site– What is the difference between a First Temple Period burial verses any other? Doesn’t Judaism require one to be buried in the ground? What was found there?
•        Mishkenot Sha’ananim– The first neighborhood outside the city walls built to the finest standards of the day. Why didn’t anyone want to live there?
•        Yemin Moshe– The disappearing seem of divided Jerusalem; the neighborhood is an example of gentrification at its finest.
•        King David Hotel– Luxury hotel and site of the controversial bombing by the Irgun in 1946.

Alternatives and or additions: The Waldorf Astoria, Independence Park, Herodian Family Graves, Tzhal Square with Old City Walls, and Rechavia. The walking tour is approximately 3 hours, starting in Gan HaPamon and ending at the King David Hotel.

Spiritual High, Eclectic Center

•        Mahane Yehuda Shuk– The ultimate place for people watching, and Jerusalem’s premier outdoor market, but what’s with all the cafes?
•        Zorei Hamah– Why is there a “happy face” on that building?
•        Grave of the Imrei Emes– Scion of the Hassidic Gur Dynasty. Why is he buried in the middle of Jerusalem?
•        Nachlaot– Historic neighborhood, famous synagogues, and an alternative vibe. This place marches to the beat of its own drum.
•        Rabbi Aryeh Levin– Rabbi of the underground prisoners, and the only cause to unite the Knesset, what was so special about him?
•        Shaarei Chesed– Visit the enchanting neighborhood that was the backdrop to so many of those Yerushalmi stories you know.

The walking tour is approximately 2.5 hours, starting at the Mahane Yehuda Light Rail Station, and ending in Shaarei Chesed.

Yishuv HaYashan vs. Modernity

•        Meah Sharim– One of Jerusalem’s most iconic religious neighborhoods.
•        Ben Yehuda’s House– Father of modern Hebrew went to who to clarify the meaning of Hebrew words?
•        Underground Prisoners’ Museum– Site of the Jerusalem Prison during the Mandate period, and place where Rabbi Aryeh Levin endeared himself to the Nation of Israel.
•        Russian Compound– Originally built for Russian pilgrims, this site ultimately became the civic center of the city. Israel recently gave what to Russia?
•        Rav Kook House– First Ashkenazi Chief Rabbi in British Mandate Palestine, and one of the founding fathers of Religious Zionism, he is often a misunderstood figure. Yet no one argues that he was one of the most influential thinkers in the Jewish world in the twentieth century.

The walking tour is approximately 3 hours, starting at The Jerusalem City Hall.

Mt. of Olives and Divided Jerusalem

•        Tomb of the Prophets -The Traditional Graves of Haggai, Zecharia, and Malachi the last of the prophets.
•        Lookout from the Seven Arches – Beautiful view of Jerusalem from the east. Learn about the infamous building of the hotel, and the significance of this site.
•        Absalom’s Pillar – Is this really the grave of Absalom the son of King David? Learn the true identity of this marker and how it became a powerful educational tool.
•        Ohr HaChaim
•        Bnei Chezir and Zechariah
•        Site of the burning of the Red Hefer
•        Sifting Dirt from the Temple Mount
•        Tomb of Nicanor, Hebrew U Botanical Gardens -Visit the grave of the man who brought the doors of the Temple to Jerusalem, and how he almost lost it all.
•        Lookout over Judean Desert –Why is there a desert literally on the other side of the mountain from Jerusalem?
•        Ammunition hill

Shephela Biblical Heartland, Heroism Personified

•        The Story of Shimshon – Probably one of the most misunderstood personalities in the Bible, explore where he lived and find out why he was such a revered person.
•        Biblical Beit Shemesh – Biblical border town between both tribes and nations, and site of many an epic meeting.
•        The Story of David and Goliath in the Valley of Elah – The epitome of an against the odds victory, watch the scripture come to life in vivid detail as we review the topography.  
•        Adullam and The Story of Yehuda and Tamar
•        The Biblical City of Lachish – The second most important Judean city in the Biblical period. Why did the Assyrian King Sennacherib choose to memorialize this city of all cities in his palace in Nineveh?
•        Bar Kochva Caves – Crawl through the caves that Jews risked it all for religious freedom.
•        Beit Gruvin –

Alternatives and or additions: Stalagtite Cave, Burma Road, Ancient Gath, Tel Gezer, Emmaus, Barkan Winery, Jeeping and or Repelling with Mesorah Tours Adventure Specialist Ariel Fishman, and Yad LShiryon Tank Museum in Latrun. This tour takes between six and eight hours.

Samaria

•        Beit El
•        Shilo
•        Mt. Gerizim

Judea

•        Derech HaAvot
•        Herodian
•        Hevron