People often ask me what I am doing for Pesach. With my work life in tourism, they think I have the magic answer.

Maybe I do? As a family we have done it all in the last 14 years since we made Aliyah. My family enjoys staying at home and participating in local events, going away to a hotel on our own or joining an organized Pesach program.

The Pesach that kept all of my family entertained was the one where we joined (as regular paying guests) an organized program run by David Walles of Kosher Travelers in the “Riviera of the Middle East” at the Ramada in South Beach Netanya. Being part of a program, there were activities for everyone and I was able to sit back by the pool and relax with a few trips inside to the delicious tea room!

When choosing a Pesach program for your family these are the questions you need to ask yourselves.

GROUP SIZE – First things first, do a head count, who is joining you this Pesach? Is it just your family, your extended family or do you want to meet up with friends from abroad?

Pesach is a great time to meet up with friends who live in other parts of the world. In Netanya, I watched my 5 year old cartwheeling and somersaulting with the daughter of one of my oldest childhood friends. Since she lives in NY now, it was a great opportunity for us to catch up as our kids formed a new friendship with each other. Planning ahead to be at the same program worked out well.

LOCATION – Where would you like to be? Is there a city that you love or one you have never been to and would like to explore?

Pesach programs can be found across the country in Eilat, the Dead Sea, Tel Aviv, Galil/Golan, Netanya and even in Jerusalem. Each region of the country has its own weather, attractions and vibe. Are you looking to relax by a pool or enjoy family hikes in nature? Plan what type of activities you want to do and then choose the right location.

SEDER NIGHT – Do you want a program that provides a private room for your Seder?

This has always been a very important factor for my family since our kids like to be the “star of their own show” and have a family centered seder. Pesach programs offer lots of options from private seder rooms to larger communal seders or semi private seders. Just make sure to mention it when you make the reservation and ask for the additional cost of a private option.

KIDS CLUB – Do you want kids and teen programming in English?

For families visiting from abroad this can be a lifesaver. Teen counselors who speak english can entertain your kids in the kids club while you relax by the pool or enjoy the other activities of the program. Make sure to check that the program you are reserving has an english kids program.

LECTURES – Are Scholar in Resident speakers or Shiurim an important part of your Pesach experience?

Most of the American-style programs have an in house Rabbi and lecturers who provide daily shiurim and lectures in English. For example at the Kosher Travelers program this year you can hear Rav Moshe Taragin, Rav Zev Shandalov, Rabbi Shmuel Goldin, Rabbi Dr Laibl Wolf. & Rabbi Lapin. It is a great opportunity to enjoy learning from some of Israel’s education superstars.

FOOD – What type of food are you looking for? Do you need a hotel that provides gourmet meals that are Glatt or do not have Kitniyot?

When we first moved to Israel 14 years ago, finding an Israeli hotel that didn’t serve Kitniyot was nearly impossible.  Today there are many more options but make sure to ask.

In Israel when you book a hotel you always need to decide in advance if you would like B&B (Bed & Breakfast), Half Board (Breakfast & Dinner) or Full Board (Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner). The same is true for a Pesach program. Each family needs to decide what works for them. For my family, we find that after a large and delicious breakfast buffet the kids enjoy light snacks at the pool during the day and then a full dinner buffet at night – so we choose half board.

Check if your hotel has a pool bar or lobby cafe in case you get peckish.

ENTERTAINMENT – Do you want a program that provides evening entertainment?

The best parts of our vacation in Netanya were the exciting evening performances. We enjoyed a show by a mind reader, a Solomon Brothers Band concert, a magician and an interactive show with a local HOP tv personality for kids. They made sure to have entertainment that excited the kids, teens and adults.

FAMILY TOURS – Do you want organized tours and tiyulim?

Taking a family on a “tiyul” (hike) in Israel can be daunting if you don’t know where to go but it is a local pastime. That’s why many of the Pesach programs offer group tiyulim where they can take you on a hike or adventure with an English speaking trained guide, who can bring the story alive for adults and kids. They also offer self drive itineraries that help you see the local attractions.

FACILITIES – Does the hotel have facilities to keep us busy? Pool, spa, gym, beach?

Have you heard of the expression “beten gav”? It’s the local Israeli expression for R&R (rest & relaxation) and refers to a person who likes to sit by the pool or beach. Make sure you check out the facilities of the hotel you are choosing. Will the pool be mixed family swimming, separate swimming or have both? Is the beach walking distance?

TEA ROOM – Is there a Tea room for hungry kids & adults during the day?

As a kid growing up in Los Angeles, the first Pesach program I ever visited was in Palm Springs. I was wowed by the concept of a tea room. Now the tea room has become a “must have” part of any Pesach program. On a Kosher Travelers program, we enjoyed an afternoon tea room with ice cream, fresh fruit, candy, marshmallows, cookies and cake. For my kids it was the highlight of the day and worth getting out of the pool for.

If this is your first year away, or your 15^th I hope some of my Pesach program planning tips help you find an incredible getaway for your whole family.

Are your kids interested in innovation, engineering, design and technology? Do they love new challenges?

Zomet, the Gush-based high-tech Institute which specializes in creating technology designed to meet halacha, has just launched a special technology workshop, ideal for inquisitive kids.

This is the perfect project to transition your child into Bar/Bat Mitzvah.  It unlocks the secrets to using everyday technologies in a halachically-accepted way, showcasing how innovation and engineering are used to enhance a modern religious lifestyle….and your child plays an important role!

Your Zomet-themed Bar/Bat Mitzvah workshop is tailored to your group.  So, whether you’re planning a multi-generational family celebration, or a special activity for your child’s friends, Zomet will ensure that your event is pitched just right.

During the workshop you will build a small-scale, fully-functioning Shabbat elevator from lego!

If your party includes younger children, Zomet will arrange a separate, age-appropriate activity for them, where they will learn how build batteries.

The event

Your visit will start with a free guided-tour, in either Hebrew or English, of the Zomet Experience, the Institute’s fantastic hands on visitors center led by a Zomet engineer followed by a two-hour, hands-on tech workshop.

Using computer programming and electronic components, Zomet’s engineers will introduce your kids to Arduino development tools which are used to operate many of Zomet’s adapted innovations.

The workshop is divided into two parts.  You’ll start by learning the halacha relating to the use of electricity on Shabbat.  The Zomet team will then introduce you to the basics of electric circuits, command techniques and how to build sensors, engines and bells.  Then comes your introduction to computer programming, when you will learn to write the code to give the commands to the different components. All of these incredible activities are geared towards inquisitive kids and teens.

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During the workshop you will learn:

• What is captive current change?
• What is it used for?
• How to use programming to amplify sounds and dim lights?
• How to program a “Shabbat command” ?

At the end of the workshop you will apply your knew-found knowledge and construct a scaled-down, model Shabbat elevator!

A Zomet-themed Bar/Bat Mitzvah is a truly unique experience, combining innovation, technology and teamwork.

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What a meaningful way to celebrate a special occasion and to bring the theory to life.

This special workshop is also available to schools.

Workshops cost between 1,800 NIS – 3,000 NIS (depending on the number of participants).  There’s a 5% discount for all bookings through Fun In Jerusalem, so be sure to mention us!

Here are some fun family highlights, to give you a taster of what’s on offer.

The Train Theater Puppet Festival

We’re excited to announce that the Train Theater, Jerusalem’s premier puppet theater for kids, is re-opening in its new location on November 15 in Liberty Bell Park South! There are fantastic outdoor performances and workshops for all the family, every day over Hanukkah. Experience the magic and excitement for yourselves, at their new state-of-the-art venue. Purchase tickets in advance.

Little Mermaid

This Hanukkah, enjoy a live musical production of Disney’s The Little Mermaid and festive candle-lighting. The Beit Hillel Theater Workshop at Hebrew University, at the Rachel Simon Hillel Theater includes a superb cast of gifted performers, who bring this Disney classic to life. This is a real treat for all the family. Reserve your seats.

Glass Blowing Dreidel Workshop

If you are looking for a really exciting experience then making glass dreidels at the special Hanukkah Glass Blowing and Flame workshop is just for you! Learn about the art of Glass Blowing and Flame Working from Yael, a Bezalel graduate. Yael will introduce you to the science and art of the craft and then gives you a hands-on experience to create your own pieces of art. This is a really unique workshop that both kids and adults can enjoy together. Reservations – glass@funinjerusalem.eladwp-dev.co.il

Sun Printed Dreidel Workshop

Come learn the magic of sun printing in this hands-on workshop with Liana from Studio Kliche.

Experiment with a variety of tools and materials and create your own unique blueprints. Each participant comes out with a sun printed greeting card and wooden dreidel. studiokliche@funinjerusalem.eladwp-dev.co.il

Candle-lighting at the Kotel

It is an annual tradition to watch the candle lighting ceremony at the Kotel, the site closest to the Hanukkah miracle. The candles will be lit in a magnificent menorah made entirely of bronze casting, more than 2 meters high and about 2 meters wide, weighing about one ton.

Laser Tag in Latrun

Re-enact the ancient Maccabean battle with the Greeks this Hanukkah with a modern-day laser tag war for all the family! Enjoy a challenging game, in the picturesque grove in the heart of the Yad Lashiriyon museum in Latrun. The state-of-the-art technology allows you to play outdoors, making it the perfect activity to avoid Corona this Hanukkah. No mess, no pain, just extreme fun! We recommend that you combine the laser tag with a guided tour by soldiers on the site. Reservations – lasertag@funinjerusalem.eladwp-dev.co.il

Yvel Jewelry Factory Experience

If you’re searching for a unique experience and still struggling to find that special Hanukkah gift for a loved-one, then book a visit to the Yvel Jewelry Factory and Visitors Center and factory store. It’s the perfect place to learn about jewelry making with pearls & precious stones.

Take a tour of the factory, watch the artists while they work and learn more about the Megemaria Program and the Ethiopian immigrants who are learning the trade of jewelry making. Walk through a replica of an Ethiopian craft village with a student of the program and learn more about Ethiopian culture and their incredible journey to Israel. This is a great activity to do with your teenagers. Yvel@funinjerusalem.eladwp-dev.co.il

Olive Oil Harvest Festival in Shilo

• Harvest Olives in the fields of Bikurei Shiloh
• Ride on cart pulled by a tractor
• Make your own olive oil in the ancient press
• Make a roasted pita to dip in your olive oil
• Tour Ancient Shiloh including 3 amazing digital presentations
• All this in a combined ticket for both sites! – Bekurei Shiloh + Ancient Shiloh

Concerts

After a challenging couple of years, the Jerusalem Pais Arena is open again and hosting some fabulous family events this Hanukkah. For us, the highlight’s got to be Avraham Fried and Yishai Ribo in concert, together and solo. These two fantastic artists will be performing together for one night only on December 1st. Tickets sell out fast!

J-Clay workshops

This Hanukkah introduce your family to JClay – in the brand new studio in the Center of Town or ask JClay to come to you. You don’t need any experience to participate in a pottery painting workshop at J-Clay! The friendly staff are happy to show you inspiring ideas and easy techniques. This is a great multi-generational activity. jclay@funinjerusalem.eladwp-dev.co.il

Authentic Ethiopian Coffee Ceremony & Storytime

Join Sara Arnold for an authentic ethiopian coffee ceremony and storytime over Hanukkah at Gursha, an Ethiopian restaurant in Jaffa Street, Jerusalem.  Includes a short workshop for parents and special reading for kids, from Sara’s new children’s book, The Big Buna Bash, which is now available in Hebrew.  Illustrated by Roberta Malasomma, the book celebrates the dignity of difference and teaches the importance of respecting and understanding people from other backgrounds and cultures.

Check out the full list of Hanukkah events and activities here.

After a busy holiday season filled with special events and fun activities, one would expect things in the city to slow down in early Fall.  After all, everyone is taking a breath after the holidays and getting back into routine.  But even now, as we struggle to find ways to resume normal life in the shadows of the Corona pandemic, there is so much happening this Fall in Jerusalem!

Kids are back at school and after-school activities, chugim, have resumed under the Green Pass system.  Take a look at our Chug Guide listing what’s on offer across Jerusalem.  Whether its sports, arts & crafts, science, nature, music or technology, there is still time to sign your kids up for some fantastic after-school fun.

If street festivals for the whole family are your thing, why not check out 360JLM or the First Talbiyeh Festival which celebrate the magic of Jerusalem through dance, mime, theatre, puppeteering, musical workshops, cultural experiences and walking tours.

If indoor theater is more your style the Psik Theater is home to a series of special children’s shows including Ali Baba and the 40 Thieves, Yehiyeh Be’Seger and a virtual workshop with Argentina’s Shadow Delight Theater – part of “Circles 2021” the multi-disciplinary international festival.

Looking for some virtual fun for your kids? Sign them up for a Beit Avi Chai Comics Workshop with Nadav Nachmani. Classes take place on Mondays and always have a different theme.

This Fall the Museum of Islamic Art is celebrating Jerusalem’s legendary coffee culture, with a series of special monthly Saturday walking tours of Jerusalem cafes with have shaped the city’s character.

Or perhaps you would like to step inside some of Jerusalem’s most beautiful and unique spaces and find out more about what inspired their design and creation? For one weekend a year, every Fall, Jerusalem hosts Houses From Within – Open House.  Inspired by sister events in London and New York, Open House Jerusalem opens up private spaces – designer lofts, urban villas, unique synagogues, architecturally significant public buildings, curious construction sites, plazas and gardens. During this weekend the public is invited to visit, explore and discuss these sites.

Continuing on the outdoor theme, the City of David is hosting Friday’s on the Farm a hands-on workshop where you will learn the secrets of picking herbs, pickling olives and farming crops in season using ancient agricultural techniques.  Families are invited to a classic Israeli brunch, against the breathtaking background of the Himna Valley, overlooking the ancient walls of Jerusalem’s Old City.

And, of course, there’s still just enough time to sign up for the Jerusalem Winner Marathon! The vibe in Jerusalem is amazing on the day of the marathon. Whether you run competitively or just for fun or prefer to be a spectator, come out and cheer on the runners.  One of the aspects we love the most is how the marathon draws in kids and gets them excited about exercising. And there are special family tracks and running groups.

Looking ahead to Hanukka, we know that there will be some great festivals and activities which we look forward to sharing with you on our Calendar of Events. One of our favorite Hanukka highlights is the Beit Hillel Theater Workshop Musical. This year’s family performance will be Little Mermaid  Make sure to purchase tickets in advance since the shows begin at the end of November!

There really is loads of #FunInJerusalem for kids, teens and adults this Fall!

The annual tradition returns as the Botanical Gardens hosts another special family festival this summer.

They have chosen the perfect theme – SNOW – a welcome distraction during our hot summer in Jerusalem.

The Snow Show Festival brings the magic of snow, ice inspired fairytales and fun family activities to the beautiful Botanical Gardens. The event which began on July 25 will continue till the end of August and takes place each evening starting at 5pm (closed on Friday and Saturday).

Guests will enter the gardens and follow a special path of activities. You will be greeted by costumed actors and have the opportunity to enjoy many ice and snow related activities.

Looking for the real thing? The Snow? You can find that at the Ice Tent.

As you follow the colorful path around the garden you will see fun interactive stations where you can…

• Meet Olaf in the snow hut
• Learn about snow
• Hammer a bloc of ice to find gems
• Explore the fun white life size maze
• Assemble a puzzle under the frozen ice
• Watch a movie about snow and global warming with Udi & Aviad (Hebrew)
• Experience the Ice Tent ( you may see a snow fight or two)
• Great selfie spots for pictures from the Ice Ages
• Purchase some food treats at the food trucks located near the lake

Tickets can be purchased through Bimot online. Make sure to check out the special credit card offers 1+1 but these need to be done in advance so that you can receive a special code from your credit card company.

Thank you to the Rubin family and the Botanical Gardens (Tom Amit) for sharing their pictures with us. 

Nachliel agreed to write a guest post and we jumped at the chance.

Before he begins let me tell you a little about Nachliel also known as the “Museum Guy”. Nachliel Selavan, works with museums around the world and is now based in Jerusalem. He runs in person and zoom tours for all sorts of groups but has a special knack for entertaining kids and families. His tour topics are always timely and the tours are interactive. Find him on www.museumtours.co.il and social media platforms.

Book a tour with Nachliel this summer!

Now let’s get back to the blog post…

Museums that will provide your family with lots of fun and learning

By: Nachliel Selavan

I know you might think “Museums are boring” – lots of old masterpieces, modern art, or ancient archaeology. An adult lecture or rainy day, not a kid’s summer dream!

Well, not on my watch! After all, I’m the Museum Guy, and I get kids’ attention in the classroom, in camp, and outdoors- I make the museum come alive for them.

Museums are the perfect place for a family activity, escape room, scavenger hunt and to learn a lot without noticing! And I don’t just mean the Biblical Museum of Natural History – an absolute must! I mean museums with art and archaeology as well.

My goal here is to help you visit five major museums where you can spend 2 hours or more with your kids (so not Yad Vashem or the Rockefeller). I will also add some basic info about a few additional museums and sites you may enjoy.

The Israel Museum

Israel’s Crown Jewel – our first National Museum, founded in 1965, before the Six Day War. That alone is a great story! It was Mayor Teddy Kollek’s vision of putting Israel culturally on the world’s map; and it worked!

During the summer in August the Israel Museum will be open on Sundays as well.

An encyclopedic museum with multiple exhibitions and shows per year, massive archives and research centers – it is truly world-class. It is also so large you can get lost – which is where a guide can be very helpful – and the museum offers many free tours. But that’s all interesting for adults.

What about kids and family time that doesn’t involve just looking together at ancient rocks or French paintings? How do we get the kids engaged?

As a museum guide, my first piece of advice is to plan your visit. Coming to a large museum with a family is tricky enough –  you want to have a plan of action. Lucky for you, the museum is set up just for that!

• Some of the galleries have pamphlets for kids, selfie challenges, and drawing activities. Ask at the information desk.
• An Israel Museum app offers some virtual and audio guided tours; best for teenagers and up.
• The Children and Youth Wing offers numerous activities. Some require registration or purchasing a kit, some are available on certain days, some are only in Hebrew. For example, the Archaeological Mound that teaches kids about excavations; the Recycle Room; and the new Scavenger Hunt. The Children’s Art Library offers readings and its own activities.
• Scavenger hunt? Bring it on! Teddy Kollek’s Code (in Hebrew) connects kids to the story of the museum’s founding, and I have seen kids roaming the galleries and having a good time with it. There is an extra charge for the kit.

• Recycling Workshop – Definitely one of my own personal fun childhood memories. In the Recycling Workshop, you can make anything from plastic, metal and wooden parts, rummage through piles of colorful buttons, and take your creations home. Open on Tuesdays, it has an extra charge of 15-20 NIS per child.

Food Tip: Due to Covid restrictions, the cafeterias and restaurants sell drinks, pastries and prepared sandwiches but there are no sit down options.

The Bible Lands Museum

Located across the street from the Israel Museum is another one of Jerusalem’s treasures: The Bible Lands Museum (BLMJ). This museum is small, but its collections are unique, and the quality of some of its artifacts even surpasses that of the British Museum’s collections.

The new exhibition and summer activity is called Early Birds. It opened on July 27.

If you visit the museum, you will see bird footprints running through the galleries. This is part of the special exhibition, which includes:

• Build-a-bird games;
• Impressive bird stamps inspired by ancient coins
• Fun2C – a VR-AR experience
• Mosaic puzzles
• Bird costume corner
• Self-guided activities decoding bird symbols in ancient hieroglyphs.

The permanent 20-section main exhibition and others can be a bit tricky to navigate without a guide (they have audio guides and VR activities). Their special exhibitions like Babylon are always fantastic. Their warm and lovely staff will be happy to help you with children’s programming – just ask!

Summer activities for families and kids ages 5-10 are already running, and some will begin in August.

The Bloomfield Science Museum

The Science museum is, without a doubt, a great choice for family activities. With over a dozen permanent and temporary exhibitions for adults, kids and the whole family, they tackle subjects such as:

• How will humanity sustain itself with its exponential population growth?
• Why don’t buildings fall?
• Human reflexes & mechanics
• Ways in which science, math and computers impact and improve our lives.

The Museum of Islamic Art

An overlooked and underrated treasure of Jerusalem – I highly recommend this gem. The Museum of Islamic Art is as important as it is fun. It was founded by Vera Bryce Salomons in 1974, a Jewish woman with vision, and patron of culture and art.

This museum has great educational value that is key to understanding the Middle East and the Islamic culture, which shaped a lot of Judaism, and the Middle East. They offer art workshops and activities for all ages, as well as educational enrichment for school teachers.

Activities for families and kids include:

• calligraphy
• paper-folding
• create a traditional Islamic garden
• kaking tiles and mats
• making personal clocks with arabesque and floral designs
• decorating musical instruments

The museum has three stories of permanent exhibitions which go through the different periods of Islam throughout the world, a fourth floor with activity rooms and downstairs – where the magic happens.

There are two temporary exhibitions which are the hype of the summer in the museum. Let’s get into it.

Code name: Hands of Fate – Escape Room

Based on a true story of a museum heist, this escape room takes place in the museum’s exquisite collection The Secret of Watches. The collection itself is fascinating with many golden, gem-studded and enamel-laid pocket watches with tiny figures and scenes inside them. And this extra activity for kids will really make you tick. The escape room is available for younger and older kids. You need to book this activity.

Coffee, East and West

This fun exhibition is about how coffee shaped civilization. I visited there yesterday, and it was very enjoyable. It includes the history of coffee in the East and the West, documentation of coffee, how it’s made, costumes, pictures, Jewish responsa and more. If you like fancy coffee mugs, look for the handmade sand mugs from Dubai. If you like nostalgia, you’ll find a 1956 Olympic game coffee machine. This exhibition should not be missed!

The Tower of David Museum

To end things on a high note – here is something really exciting you can do in Jerusalem’s Old City: The Tower of David Museum. This is the one museum on this list that is mostly outdoors.

The Hype of the summer is the Towers in the Air – Climbing Rope Adventure.

To quote their site: “A historical and hysterical summer experience – the first of its kind in Jerusalem: A Challenging Rope Course Adventure at the Tower of David in Jerusalem!”

This activity is good for ages 9 and up, and as with everything in these quasi-Covid days, book in advance and don’t just show up.

The museum itself has rampart walks and tours, musical and other exhibitions, light-and-sound experiences at night, and other things going on, so see what works for your family.

This is an activity you can include in your visit to the Old City and the Kotel, Mamilla Mall, or the new Teddy Park across the street. Teddy Park has interactive dancing fountains, and is a great place for a picnic. As always – best to plan your trip.

A few extra museum tips for this summer…

If you want to visit all of Jerusalem’s many historic museums, it will take several weeks to visit.

Among them are the…

• U. Nahon Museum of Italian Jewish Art in town on Hillel St.
• The Museum of Underground Prisoners near the Russian Compound
• Mount Zion Trench which just opened, and you can call the Mount Zion Hotel to ask to see the cable car that is connected to it.
• New Herzl Museum on Mt. Herzl
• The Hebrew Music Museum in Kikar haMusica in town

If you live in Jerusalem make sure to sign up for the Yerushalmi Card which can get you discounts for most of the museum entrances.

Thank you Nachliel for this informative post. The most important message of all is “Enjoy Jerusalem” & feel free to contact Nachliel directly if you would like him to lead your family on a fun tour & bring the museum alive. 

Whether you’re looking for a solution for those long August vacation days, if you’re planning a family get-together, or if it’s Bar/Bat Mitzvah season for you – here are some great reasons to choose a scavenger hunt to entertain your family.

1. Get everyone out and about in the fresh air!

Let’s face it, we have all spent too much time indoors this past year and a half. It is time to get out into the fresh air.  Whether you want to do a ScaVenture in Jerusalem, Tel Aviv or Tzfat – ScaVentures will get the family out and about discovering the secrets of a new location. Choose whether you want to explore the ancient alleys of the old city, the vibrant booths in the Shuk, or the colorful streets of Tzfat – you’ll discover streets and stories that are fun and fascinating and a complete change from the scenery (or should we say screenery) at home.

2. Don’t tell the kids…. ScaVentures are educational!!

We know, the older kids will roll their eyes at this – they don’t need to know that on a ScaVenture they will engage with the amazing stories of the history of Israel’s alleys, streets and markets, the story of the inspiring people and remarkable events. We promise you; they will be so busy having fun completing missions, finding photos and taking team selfies that they won’t even realize how much they are learning!

3. There is no “I” in teamwork!

When you play a ScaVenture, each family member is important – you’ll need a team detective, navigator, note keeper and more. From the youngest participant to the oldest participant, you’ll be collaborating to solve missions and reach the final station.

Did you know? If you are in the States, the UK or anywhere else in the world, you can play a ScaVenture too! ScaVentures are great for connecting families, for school kids, youth movements, camps, Hebrew school and more! Tell us about your group so we can see how we can provide a taste of Israel and a fun activity!

4. Making memorable moments!

ScaVentures are not just a way to keep your kids occupied, they create memorable and bonding moments with your family, and you’ll be talking about your ScaVentures for ages afterwards!

5. There’s a ScaVenture just for you!

• If you are looking for a tour game with friends or with the extended family – the classic ScaVenture is for you.
• If you’re looking for a low-key activity for just the immediate family at your own time and pace – the ScaVentures City Dash is what you want.
• If you’re looking to customize a game for a special occasion – we can do that for you too.
• If you’re reading this from outside Israel, and you wish you were here… you can play on online ScaVentures with friends and family WHEREVER they are in the world!

ScaVentures options depend on the size of your group

For 5-7 people – City Dash Mobile App is for you:

You can play the ScaVentures City Dash in Nachlaot (Jerusalem) or Neve Zedek (Tel Aviv) or  Tzfat (or if you can’t leave your house, you can even play the online ScaVentures City Dash). A small group ScaVentures City Dash costs 250 NIS.

For bigger groups – Classic Scaventure is for you:

You can play a classic ScaVenture in the Old City, Nachlaot, Yemin Moshe, the Shuk, Neve Zedek, Jaffa and Tzfat. This costs 1420 NIS for up to 15 participants, 1970 NIS for up to 25 participants, 2200 NIS for up to 35 participants.

For customized ScaVentures, tell them about your occasion so they can help you plan the perfect event almost anywhere in the world!

Start your adventure now…contact Israel Scaventures to find the right activity for you.

No need to have a car…Jerusalem has lots of accessible workshops that you can book in advance for small groups. All of the following places follow the Corona guidelines which have started to open up businesses in Jerusalem with certain precautions.

Special thanks to my childhood friends Liora & Sarah, who both have daughters here for the year, for inspiring this post. 

Just Announced – Pre Pesach Concerts

Green passport holders can enjoy some of Israel’s best musical talent at the Jerusalem Arena.

• Tuesday March 16 – Amir Daddon
• Wednesday March 17 – Moshe Peretz
• Thursday March 18 – Hanan Ben Ari
• Friday March 19 – Rita
• Saturday March 20 – Nasrin Kadari
• Sunday March 21 – Eden Hasson

Tickets are limited to 1500 per show. Tickets cost 95 NIS. Find out more

Art Workshops in Jerusalem

There is nothing cliche about this workshop. Lianna invites you into her Studio Kli’Che for three creative DIY Workshops – Workshops take place across the street from the Mt Zion Hotel. Choose a Candle Making Workshop, Cement Planter Workshop, or Sun Printing – or request all three. Sun printing is my personal favorite, especially the blue throw pillow cases with nature designs studiokliche@funinjerusalem.eladwp-dev.co.il

Learn to blow glass with Yael Vloch’s Glass Blowing & Flameworking Workshop. Yael uses torches and guides you in the art of glass blowing and flamework. Totally hands on experience. glass@funinjerusalem.eladwp-dev.co.il

Hand building clay workshops are a great place to feel creative and have a good time with friends at Hadara’s Ceramic Studio. Hadara gives you the clay and all the supplies you need to express your own creativity. Learn to mold ceramic clay and to create your own individual piece of art. Pieces are left to dry in the kiln and can then be painted by you or by Hadara. Email Hadara to reserve a time to come in. hadara@funinjerusalem.eladwp-dev.co.il

Looking for a unique paint your own ceramic experience? You will find Jerusalem and Jewish themed pieces at Jclay a paint your own pottery place in the Geula neighborhood. Open till late at night. Contact them for pre pesach hours. The studio is available for private groups or they can come to your seminary for a special event at your place. jclay@funinjerusalem.eladwp-dev.co.il

Have you heard about the new Creative Crafts Cafe at First Station? All the great Creative Crafts activities at one outdoor Jerusalem location. Prefer to craft at home? Order a Mosaic Name Plaque in a Box. It is a fabulous activity for the whole family. Dana from Creative Crafts delivers everything you need in a box to create your own beautiful mosaic. You can request pre cut pieces of glass or the tolls to cut them yourself. Choose from a name plaque, chessboard, hanging ornaments and more. creativecrafts@funinjerusalem.eladwp-dev.co.il

Experience the Rave Mosaic Studio in Jerusalem. Roochie Sinai, a Glass Mosaic Artist in Jerusalem invites you to come into her studio and experience an exciting creative workshop filled with color. Glass Mosaic Art is made with a technique of taking broken glass and creating beautiful pieces of artwork. Roochie guides her guests into creating their own unique pieces and provides tools, Italian glass and wood substrate. Some pieces can be made in one session and others require multiple sessions. rave@funinjerusalem.eladwp-dev.co.il

Activities in Jerusalem

Nachliel Selavan from Museum Israel Tours offers special Jewish History and Tanach tours at some of Jerusalem’s best museums. He has begun to offer them in person again for small groups. Nachliel has a unique and engaging approach which brings museums and Jewish history to life, connecting Torah, history, art, geography, archaeology and all in a fun and exciting way. nachliel@funinjerusalem.eladwp-dev.co.il

Choose from one of the best ScaVentures in Jerusalem – guided scavenger hunt games (The classic game FOR BIG GROUPS instead of guided scavenger hunts) OR
The ScaVentures City Dash – Nachlaot, Old City or Neve Tzedek (For your capsule of friends, download and play!) scavenger@funinjerusalem.eladwp-dev.co.il

For some real adventure book the Jerusalem Ropes Course at Ammunition Hill – Swing on the rope swing, zoom down the omega and climb the rope ladder. Open with advanced reservations. snappling@funinjerusalem.eladwp-dev.co.il

Get ready for a challenging experience in the Jerusalem Forest when you book an Extreme Paintball Experience. Compete against your friends and family in this exciting game as you race through the forest trying to catch your opponents. Your group will split into two opposing teams and you will use your strategy and determination to compete. Your equipment can shoot paintballs up to 35 meters away at a speed of 100 meters per second. paintball@funinjerusalem.eladwp-dev.co.il

Looking to venture out a bit more?

If you have a group of friends and want to head out of town to find some fun in the Jerusalem Hills, Gush Etzion or Maale Adumim then here are some great ideas. We recommend reserving a mini bus with Avraham VIP Car who is a reliable & trustworthy driver, who can also give you a bit of a tour on the way. vipcar@funinjerusalem.eladwp-dev.co.il

Kakadu & Nekudat Motsa are a great way to enjoy the Ella Valley just past Beit Shemesh. Experience a Kakadu art workshop as you are guided by Reut to create works of art in the “Kakadu” style. Then walk over to Nekudat Motsa to rent some bikes and ride in the blossoming fields and past archeological sites. Take a guide with you from Nekudat Motsa and you can even go caving and learn about the history of the place.  kakadu@funinjerusalem.eladwp-dev.co.il hikebike@funinjerusalem.eladwp-dev.co.il

King David Stables Horse Back Riding in the Jerusalem Hills. Enjoy the incredible views and beautiful scenery as you horseback ride with a guide. All experience levels are welcome. kdstables@funinjerusalem.eladwp-dev.co.il

Grab a couple of friends and head out on an adventurous jeep ride with Nir from Hidden Valley Jeeping. Explore the Judean Hills or the Judean Desert. Nir has some great stories to tell and can arrange for food stops along the way. jeeping@funinjerusalem.eladwp-dev.co.il

Enjoy Jerusalem!

At Fun in Jerusalem, we’re lucky to work with some of the most talented and creative people in Jerusalem. Many of our vendors stepped up immediately as Corona restrictions tightened, and refocused their physical or onsite activities to virtual, remote and online platforms. Whether it’s an art kit or food delivered to your doorstep, or virtual tours of your favorite Jerusalem spots – we’re here to inform you and keep you updated!

As more vendors explore new options, we will continue adding ideas and activities to this post!

Ideas for Families – In Israel or Abroad

Inspiring family fun is one of the most special parts of my job. Here are some activities you can enjoy as a family, from anywhere in the world!

Nachliel Selavan from Museum Israel Tours offers special Jewish History and Tanach tours in museums in Israel and around the world, both in person, and in zoom. He has a unique and engaging approach which brings museums and Jewish history to life, connecting Torah, history, art, geography, archaeology and all in a fun and exciting way.

Nachliel knows his stuff…he creates a unique blend of the ancient and the modern, as he tickles your imagination at the Museum.

Beit Avi Chai have taken the plunge, and have launched a series of live shows for kids on Zoom, as well as a rich online archive of speeches, shows and more. The upcoming shows can be found in our calendar.

The Biblical Museum of Natural History have launched a series of fascinating, LIVE online tours with Rabbi Natan Slifkin. The tours are perfect for a fun family gathering – you can even book a private family tour for your family around the world (just make sure it’s not midnight somewhere!). In person tours are also available for small private groups.

Quarantine Quest 2021 by Israel ScaVentures is sure to provide hours of fun! This team-based virtual scavenger hunt allows you to join forces with family and friends from around the globe, and reconnect with your loved one in an unconventional, entertaining way! Israel ScaVentures have developed a specialized app for the game and can customize the content for your family or a specific holiday. Contact Tali to get started.

Families Unite to Support Jerusalem & Israel-Based Businesses!

Perhaps one of the better outcomes of the lockdown is the fact that many art studios have started DIY kits delivered to your doorstep!

Hadara’s Clay Studio delivers complete clay kits including clay, sponges, tools and instructions, stamps for decoration and detailed tutorials which allow kids and adults to create stunning ceramic art! The studio even offers a pick-up option which means they pick up the painted ceramics, take them to the studio for firing, and bring them back for a long-lasting souvenir! Hadara travels across the country delivering so be in touch with her to see the next time she will be in Beit Shemesh, Raanana or Modiin. You can WhatsApp Hadara to place an order or email her with your questions.

We recently ordered a Mosaic Name Plaque in a Box. It was a fabulous activity for the whole family. Dana from Creative Crafts delivered everything we needed in a box to create our own beautiful mosaic. We requested precut glass pieces but she can also provide you with the tools to do that on your own. Choose from a name plaque, chessboard, hanging ornaments and more.

Do you miss the “Paint Your Own Pottery” experience? JClay can deliver it to your door. All the ceramic pieces, paints and supplies you need. Then they come to pick them up and fire them at JClay. Want to do a family event for a small group in your home? – they can do that too.

Nina Brenner’s Paint Parties have been a hit in Israel for quite a while. Well, guess what? The newest paint parties are VIRTUAL, meaning you can paint with your cousins in New York, London and Jerusalem simultaneously! Make sure you all sign up for the same paint party here or request a private event for just your family or community. and enjoy online quality time! The online paint parties can also include paint kits for pickup or delivery, making it perfect for virtual birthday parties, celebrations and more! Contact Nina for more information about this amazing service.

Perfect for the upcoming summer or as a special birthday gift, Studio Kliche is offering a variety of sun printing kits and materials, allowing you to DIY your very own prints in your very own home! Contact Lianne at Studio Kliche to hear about the different options and kits, and to find out what suits your family most!

After all these tours and crafts – who has time to make dinner? Think ahead and order some delicious family meals from Naomi Catering. I can tell you that knowing I have some back up healthy meals in my freezer has kept me sane in the kitchen. Give yourself a break and enjoy some fun with your kids.

As we enter into the beginning of Winter in Jerusalem, it’s hard to believe that we are still dealing with Corona.

Jerusalem Tourism has been as flexible as possible creating virtual events, stay at home activity boxes and adjusting in person activities to fit the Purple Badge restrictions.

So What’s Open?

As the guidelines change so often, we recommend that you call ahead to check open hours and if locations require reservations. Many of the locations listed are FREE.

Special Hanukka Events

Check out our calendar to find in person events and virtual events to keep your family entertained this Hanukka.

Attractions

• Rampart’s Walk (South) – take a walk on the walls of the Old City with some incredible views
• Ammunition Hill – run through the Bunkers and see the museum exhibits
• Botanical Gardens – stroll through the beautiful gardens
• Live the Bible – take pictures of your family in Biblical Dress in the Old City (by reservation)
• City of David – outlook and upper level
• Smart Tours Bike Rentals at First Station – bikes for all ages

Workshops – Food and Art

Most workshops listed on our site can be reserved for private small groups. Contact each activity directly. See the full list of art workshops and food workshops.

Public Parks & Nature Activities

• Jerusalem Biblical Zoo & Israel Aquarium have reopened as of November 19. Reservations are required in advance through their website.
• Gazelle Valley
• Jerusalem Bird Observatory
• Park Hamesilla – bike and walking path from First Station all the way till Malcha.
• Gan Sacher, Gan Haatzmaut, Gan Hapaamon, Park Teddy, Bloomfield Park, Yemin Moshe

Food & Markets

• First Station (restaurants are open for take out)
• Mahane Yehuda – Shuk
• Hutzot Hayotzer – visit the individual galleries and studios in the Artist’s Colony

Enjoy Jerusalem From Outside the Country

Looking to enjoy Jerusalem from outside the country? Check our Zoom Educational Resources from Jerusalem.

Celebrating in Jerusalem

If you have a Bar/Bat Mitzvah or wedding to celebrate this fall, many party venues have remained open by adapting their spaces to fit the purple badge requirements. Or plan ahead and put your simcha date on hold for next year. For a full list of venues visit our Jerusalem Party Guide.

We wish you all a healthy winter and for those of you outside of Israel…continue to Dream of Fun In Jerusalem.

You will be back soon and we will be waiting for you.