In the digital world there is an immense collection of zeros and ones that require a new set of tools: machine learning, deep learning, neural networks, and evolutionary algorithms – artificial intelligence or, as we choose to call it, “Bina”.

What is intelligence? What are its boundaries? and why is it artificial?

Join the Tower of David & Hansen House for a virtual online viewing of digital art created by artists from around the world as well as to lectures about the art, many of them given in English.

The Festival will take place online and physically at the Hansen House on December 28 and 29.

Free streaming from the Festival website.

At 11:00 |

• Guided tours of the exhibits
• Playing with spinning tops
• Interactive game – life from the past in Jerusalem
• Workshop: Create a special box for your “Hanukkah Gelt”

At 12:00 |

Theater – “The Hanukkah miracle of the matchmaker Shloimela”

The hardships of Shloimela, the veteran Jerusalem matchmaker on the way to the last matchmaking…Cast: Aya Loft and Edward Spruchman

Papercut Workshop – December 2 at 1:00pm

Meet papercut artist Naftali Mazaki and enjoy an interactive workshop

Uncover worlds where wonderful creatures and magical monsters live. Explore ancient maps, maniscripts and drawings from the library’s collections.  Hear stories of sea monsters, discover their miraculous properties based on mythical fables and help locate where they live on a huge world map!

Compete in a game against, friends, family and the clock in a race against time to unlock the secrets buried deep-inside a treasure chest.

Compile your very own booklet about weird and wonderful creatures and magical monsters to take home.

Green pass required.

Art workshops, storytelling performances, guided tours, and many more fun activities for all ages:

A Mexican Fiesta with the Mariachi Jerusalem Band

Come dance to the sounds of Mexican music played by members of the Mariachi band dressed in traditional costume. 11:30am, 2:30pm

Storytelling Performances

Omer Reuveni’s stories conjure the exotic flavors of Asian and Far Eastern countries.Journey to

Persia
10:45 am, 12:45 pm
Gallery of Islamic Art and Architecture

On the Silk Road
12 noon, 2 pm
East Asian Art Gallery

Guided Tours for the Whole Family

Walk through the gates of a Maya Temple and discover the fantastic world of mythologies and rituals associated with the primary crops of Mesoamerican cultures. 11:00am, 1:15pm

Story, Play, and Creative Activity

Tales of children around the globe. 12:15pm Ages 3-6

Time Travel: The Discovery of the Dead Sea Scrolls

Join Alma on a journey though time to discover the incredible story of the Dead Sea Scrolls. Every half hour.

Hanukkah is a holiday of lights, oil, battles of the Maccabees, and delicious food. At the Tower of David Museum we are celebrating with a wide range of events, tours and games (and, of course, Hanukkah gelt – chocolate coins for all visitors!).

• Come solve the mysteries and discover the secrets hidden in the ancient citadel
• Meet historical figures
• See the walls and the ballista stones left here from the Maccabean revolt
• Tour the alleyways searching for lights, scents, and tastes
• View the beautiful Night Experiences, answer clues and experience challenges in our fun tour games
• Ascend to the most beautiful observation point in all of Jerusalem (!)
• Visit an art exhibit examining reality
• Unwrap a present for yourselves or your friends – Jerusalem Outside of the Box.

Please note many of these activities are in Hebrew.

Hanukkah Games

• The Hasmonean​’s Secret –  a mystery and break an ancient curse in a theatrical adventure at the Tower of David! Meet Elazar Harmoni, a security guard at the Tower of David, who must break an ancient curse hanging over his family. Journey through history as you aid Elazar in his quest to collect clues and interact with historical figures to uncover the story of the Maccabees and break the ancient curse.
• Mystery in the Citadel Game Kit (Hebrew) – an archaeological discovery has been made! A small key was found in the ancient citadel, but who does this key belong to? Guests will take a self-guided tour through the citadel, uncovering clues and puzzles to help uncover the secret of the key, and what it opens.
• Think outside the box – and then open it! Uncover clues based on sites and symbols of Jerusalem in order to learn how to open the box and solve the mystery! Send the box to friends or family and enclose gift cards for visits to fun activities in Jerusalem!

Family Tours

Take a family walk through the Jewish Quarter of Jerusalem, to view menorahs in the windows and doorways, learn about Chanukah customs in Jerusalem, and the customs and medleys of Chanukah in the ancient city.

All activities held in accordance with Ministry of Health regulations. Just as in National Parks, there is no need to present a Green Permit – Tav Yarok.

You will learn how …

• To detect dirt using UV light
• How to transfer, remove, filter and vacuum dirt
• Understand how masks filter dirt and how does a vacuum cleaner robot operate without human hand contact?

This coming Hanukkah, the museum will become a celebration full of dirt!

The show “The Bing Bang” will take place daily at 12pm for an additional fee of 10 NIS per participant.

A special event for children with special needs “quiet time” will be held on December 5 from 10am – 12:30pm.

Tickets are required so that limited number of people are in the museum at one time to comply with Corona guidelines.

Ropes course stations include an omega zipline, rope ladder, skyswing, wall climbing, rappelling and more. Contact us for more details. Ropes Course stations are for ages 6+.  

Ask us about adding on an interactive guided tour of Ammunition Hill in English + 3d audio visual display.

Ammunition Hill Safety – Ammunition Hill is a gated outdoor museum with security near Ramat Eshkol. There is free parking outside and paid street parking.

Explore the parallels between the Hanukkah story and modern Zionism.

Before the lantern tours visitors can also take an additional tour of the Herzl Museum, exploring the life of Theodor Herzl at 4:30pm.

Grandma and Grandpa are finally here? Cousins have managed to make it from overseas? Just want to understand every word the tour guide says?

The Tower of David Museum has opened a guided tour in the Old City on November 29th, the 2nd night of Chanukah.

Start at 4:30pm and follow the flickering lights from chanukiot from the Tower of David down to the overlook of the Western Wall Plaza with stories and chocolate coins along the way!

(Tour is being filmed and photographed, participants must sign permitting filming)

Please note all kids events are in Hebrew. 

Bird Tales

Who is the Anzu eagle? What do sirens sing? What role did the dove play in the Biblical flood story? What do storks bring? What does a rooster have to do with Jewish holidays? Who is the real king of birds? And what is a griffin?  Discover the answer to all these questions and more in their story time, featuring a variety of bird tales. The theatrical story time is guided by storyteller Rivka Shabtai. Meet a cast of colorful characters and see legends come to life through museum artifacts and drama. Every child will be given a personal booklet to take home.

Activity Pack 5 NIS (Ages 5+)

Longgalbanda and the Anzu eagle | October 20

Whilst searching for his warrior brothers, Longgalbanda stumbles across the hungry chicks of Anzu the Eagle.  He gives them food and drink and takes them back to their loving mother who is frantically looking for her lost little ones.  In return for his kindness, Anzu grants Longgalbanda magic powers!  Join us to find out what happens next in this heroic tale of fantasy and friendship.

Daedalus and Icarus | October 27

Daedalus, a greek artist, seeks to break free from the shackles of the earth and to raise it to the heavens with the help of wings.  Before taking-off, his father, Icarus, warns him not to fly too high towards the sun, or too low over the sea.  But will the two succeed? Come and find out.

Utnapishtim and the Flood | November 3

Two gods – the weather-god and the sky-god – devised a plan to destroy the world in a flood and to put an end to everything that exists. But another god, the god of wisdom, learned of the plan and revealed it to his human devotee, Utnapishtim, whom he commanded to build a boat and to bring into it two specimens of each living creature, a male and a female.

What happened to the boat and to the living creatures inside it, and which special role did birds play in all of this? Come and hear about it in our story, “Utnapishtim and the Flood.”

Two Birds to Jerusalem – a special story for the Sigd | November 10

“One night, little Tigist dreamed about a white bird – a stork – calling her to climb on its back and to take a flight to Jerusalem, the holy city.”

Did the dream of the little girl from Ethiopia come true? Come and hear about it in our story, “Two Birds to Jerusalem.”