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Treasures Of The Temple Exhibit

Jerusalem’s Old City is a destination for visitors that number in the millions annually. Thousands of years of history filled with culture and religious worship wait to be re-visited by both tourists and residents alike. In fact, the tradition of visiting Jerusalem’s Old City is almost as old as time itself. The Holy Temple was the center of the Jewish world and visited by thousand of pilgrims from every corner of the globe until its destruction in 70AD.

Today the Treasures of the Temple Exhibit offers visitors a glimpse into the Holy Temple and all of its rituals. Located on Misgav Ladach Street in Jerusalem’s Old City, the exhibit showcases more than sixty sacred vessels and priestly garments that were painstakingly recreated by the Temple Institute for use in the Holy Temple in accordance with intricate biblical law. Each vessel is the culmination of years of research and intensive work that brought together rabbis, artisans, craftsmen, engineers and scientists.

Recently the High Priest’s Robes exhibit was completed and includes the gen stone ordained Treasures Of The Temple Exhibit breastplate. The Temple Institute also showcases a half-ton solid gold Menorah on display overlooking the Western Wall Plaza and providing a taste of some of the incredible Temple treasures to be found in the exhibit.

The Temple Institute recently released a promotional video that gives potential visitors a sneak preview of the exhibits that can be watched in the comfort of their own home or on YouTube at http://youtu.be/tB8W0cLM9uA. The exhibit is open to the public Sunday through Thursday from 9:00am until 5:00pm and on Fridays from 9:00am to 12:00pm.

Contact your ITC representative and add this inspiring destination to your itinerary.

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The Western Wall Tunnel

Faith, culture and history join together at the Western Wall in a special way that makes Israel unique. Revered as the last remnant of the Second Temple, The Western Wall is Judaism’s most sacred site. Thanks to King Solomon and his invitation for everyone (1 King 8:41-42) “to turn here in prayer,” visitors of all faiths and cultures can feel a special bond.

You’ll find worshippers here day and night. And on Bar Mitzvah days (Mondays, Thursdays and Saturdays), families from around the world and across Israel crowd the plaza to celebrate their son’s first public Bible reading at age 13. Jews from every continent, each with their own customs, music, dress and liturgy, mingle together making this an unforgettable and colorful cultural event. Many visitors find that placing a traditional prayer note in the ancient stones gives them a treasured memory.

The nearby Western Wall Tunnel is a true treat for archaeology and history buffs. At over 180 feel long and over 60 feet high, the massive open-air portion of the Western Wall astounds visitors. Most of its nearly 1,700 foot original length lies beneath today’s Old City.

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Enormous Herodian stones in The Western Wall Tunnel

The tunnels were constructed using numerous arches placed side-by-side, with staircases going from the city to the Temple Mount. In ancient times there was a shallow valley called the Tyropaean running along the western side of the Temple Mount that separated the rich Herodian quarter from the Temple. Today, the valley has been filled in as the result of constant demolition and rebuilding. This valley was the reason the arches had to be built. In fact, these pathways still hold up the streets today with the tunnel going directly beneath the Muslim quarter.

Feel history with your fingertips by reaching out in the tunnel to touch portions of the huge arches that supported Jerusalem’s streets over the millennia, the homes later built among them and the Western Wall itself with some building blocks being the most massive ever discovered. Exit the tunnel and you are brought back to present-day Jerusalem with a lasting memory and new appreciation for this magnificent and moving site.

Let Israel Tour Connection plan and organize your tour to Israel.

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Email -   info@israeltours.com

 

​Spread over 62 acres, the two-tiered park is centered on a vast man-made lake complTour Jerusalem's Biblical Zooete with waterfalls and side pools, surrounded by spacious lawns and shaded beauty spots.

And with over 170 species of animals – most are mentioned in the Bible and some almost made extinct in the interim – this truly is a one of a kind zoo. By the way, this does not mean that regular animals are not present as they even have penguins here!

Other features of the children’s zoo include a petting corner and a playground with an adjacent snack bar for watchful parents. On holidays, the Friendly Animal Houses (Bayit Hai in Hebrew) had guided, hands-on encounters with less-fearsome animals. The Noah’s Ark Sculpture Garden is an exotic new playground designed by sculptress Niki de Saint Phalle (creator of the renowned Mifletzet or Monster children’s slide in Kiryat HaYovel) and architect Mario Botta (designer of Tel Aviv University’s Cymbalista Synagogue and Jewish Cultural Center). The zoo’s visitors’ center, which overlooks the African savannah is shaped in the form of an ark, with an auditorium, a temporary exhibits gallery, computer information stations, a souvenir shop and a cafeteria situated on the ark’s deck.

 Jerusalem's Biblical Zoo

The history of the zoo is interesting as well. ​The original zoo was the pet project of Hebrew University zoologist, Prof. Aharon Shulov and was a tiny establishment located in the center of Jerusalem. Following the War of Independence in 1951, the zoo was relocated to a 15-acre plot in what was then the outlying neighborhood of Romema, where it remained for forty years. During this time, the quaint and not overly developed zoo briefly managed by Talmudic authority Rabbi Adin Steinzaltz, became a popular local institution for intellectual edification, then as a form of identification with the city and its idea of a zoo.

The zoo reopened in 1993 in the city’s southwestern sector near the Malha Mall and industrial park, the new train station, and the up-and-coming Malha neighborhood. Now the joint effort of the Municipality of Jerusalem, the Jerusalem Foundation, the Jerusalem Development Authority, and the Israel Ministry of Tourism, the focus is on the zoo’s role as an educator in nature and animal protection, preservation and in environmental awareness. Recreational and educational activities target all ages and social groups, with an emphasis on inter-racial encounter programs. These include after-school activities, summer camps, guided tours, and other activities that involve observation and physical contact with the animals.

​For more information about the Tisch Family Zoological Gardens in Jerusalem – The Biblical Zoo: http://www.jerusalemzoo.org.il/len/

Tel: +972-2-6750111

The article is courtesy of the Jerusalem Tourism Authority http://tour.jerusalem.muni.il

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The Jusalem Marathon

The Jusalem Marathon

 

The first Jerusalem Marathon,   which took place on March 25 th , 2011, was declared a great success, with amazing weather and a unique atmosphere. There were approximately 10,000 runners in attendance (full marathon, half marathon, and 10K), including 1000 runners from 43 different countries (230 of them from the US).   Jerusalem is one of few cities in the world that has a marathon course with such breathtaking and inspirational views for runners to enjoy.

The second Jerusalem Marathon will take place on Friday, March 16th, 2012 and is expected to draw more than 1,500 runners from abroad. Over 350 runners from the US, most of them hailing from the East Coast, are expected to participate.  

Israel Tour Connection is the Official Tour Agent For the 2012 Jerusalem Marathon

Click here to Contact Israel Tour Connection

Jerusalem Israel Tours

In Israel tourism news: It’s not a big wonder that Jerusalem just made it to Trip Advisor’s best travel destinations list. In the world!

Jerusalem got into lucky number 13, along with Paris, New York, Rome, London and Hong Kong.  “Few places inspire such passion as Jerusalem,” mentions Trip Advisor and hails the city’s “religious sights, jazz clubs, hip restaurants, arthouse cinemas and edgy theater.”

If your next Israel tour includes a visit in Jerusalem, here’s a quick list of musts:

Jerusalem Film Festival – This world renewed film festival opens on July 11, with a tribute to J.J. Abrahams’ new Super 8. The festival will then go on for ten days and feature visits from some of the best filmmakers in the world. As always, the movies shown all represent a unique cinematic approach, loaded with political and social issues.

Israel Museum of Art reopened last year after extensive remodeling. Always a pleasure to visit and stroll among the best Israeli and international art. If you happen to stop by 7.14.2011, check out the special celebration, marking one year since the grand reopening. “Points of Touch” is the name of the event that will allow visitors to interact with various Israeli artists, from writers to dancers, chefs to politicians and many many more.

Of course that Jerusalem has so much to offer, and if you’re interested in Israel tours or Holy Land travel, visit us today!