Jewish Heritage Sites

Travel back in time to the period of the biblical kings in the City of David where you can see the ruins of King David’s palace and walk through an ancient water tunnel built by King Hezekiah. Ascend into the Old City to place a note in the Western Wall, the ruins of the Second Temple that are closest to the Holy of Holies, the ancient Temple’s most important site. Explore the beautiful Ashkenazi and Sephardi synagogues in the Jewish Quarter, each replete with their own legends. We also very much recommend a Shabbat experience in Jerusalem. Shabbat at the Kotel (Western Wall) is an unforgettable experience, with everyone from Hasids to soldiers singing and dancing together to welcome in Shabbat. We are pleased to offer Shabbat home hospitality with families from a variety of Jewish backgrounds – a wonderful way to engage with Jerusalemites and hang out with some real Israelis.

The modern city of Jerusalem also has much to offer by way of inspiration. A visit to Yad Vashem, the national Holocaust memorial, is a sobering but powerful experience. Next to it lies Mount Herzl, the memorial site for many of the great modern Jewish leaders without whom Israel would not exist. Here your tour guide will relate the stories of figures such as Theodore Herzl, Yitzchak Rabin and Golda Meir, individuals who lived out their dreams, and made possible the impossible.

A lesser known fact is that following the destruction of the Second Temple 2000 years ago, the centre of Judaism in the Promised Land moved to the north. A visit to the areas of the Galilee and the Golan reveals a plethora of impressive ancient synagogues, many replete with beautiful mosaics. It is almost possible to feel the presence of the ancient communities, praying for a return to Jerusalem.
Also in the north is the city of Tzfat, home of Jewish mysticism, known as the Kabbalah. The city is replete with legends, and a visit to its many beautiful synagogues is highly recommended. The artists’ quarter is home to artists who draw on the Kabbalah for inspiration, leading to some remarkable creations. We are well acquainted with local artists and scholars, and can arrange private meetings for those looking to delve a little deeper into the subject.