HaShomer HaChadash's annual Sukkot harvest festival. |
This Sunday, October 23, the holiday of Sukkot begins at sundown, ushering in a week of festivities in Israel. Here's a comprehensive list of JNF tours, as well as partners open during the week. If you're traveling in Israel, come tiyul and celebrate with us!
The JNF Weekly Tour will run on Wednesday, October 19th, and will include lunch in a sukkah.
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Harvesting olives at HaShomer HaChadash's annual festival. |
Participants will learn about olive growing, harvest olives, be invited to volunteer for agricultural work, and much more. And it's all free of charge. Participants will also learn about HaShomer HaChadash and its activities all over Israel.
Reservations required: 050-881-8217, kvutzotshomer@gmail.com
Makom
Ethiopian youth opening the new year
October 19, 4 p.m. Sattaf nature reserve
About 100 youth from several Makom communities will be hiking in the Jerusalem mountains during Sukkot, and will conclude with this festive event at the Sattaf nature reserve to celebrate the upcoming new year.
Communal open sukkahs in the Galilee
October 18-19, Hatzor HaGelilit and Kiryat Shmona
An open sukkah with activities for the entire family operated by Makom's tarbut ("culture") community.
Afuli'z Festival
October 21-22, Afula
A local arts and culture festival featuring exhibitions, performances, activities for all ages, and great food.
Open Day at the "Beita Israel" Ethiopian village
October 22, Kiryat Gat
"Beita Israel" presents a unique mini-replica of an Ethiopian village in the heart of Israel. In if, you can see and experience authentic Ethiopian huts, farming, and culture. Come join us for a day with the family, get your hands dirty and your heart excited.
Cross-denominational peace in the sukkah
October 17, 8 p.m., Sha'ar HaNegev
October 20, 9 p.m., Shuva
Members of Garin Shuva, an Orthodox eco-community on the Gaza border, will be hosted by the Reform community of Sha'ar HaNegev to talk, think, and sing about how totally different communities can work together to bring life to this area battered by conflict. Later that week, Shuva will host a "return match."
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Come play at the Sderot indoor rec center. |
Sderot Indoor Recreation Center
Open October 18-20.
Abraham's Well
Open October 18-20. Call to reserve: 08-623-4613.
Central Arava
The Vidor Visitor Center will be open October 18-21.
The artist village Zuqim will be open on Thursday, October 27 in the evening and Friday, October 28 in the morning.
Green Horizons
The youth organization invites those interested to join one of their many Sukkot camps around the country, spend time with the kids and even spend the night outdoors. Coordination through Ido Eisikovits.
Project Baseball
Baseball clinics for kids at Tel Aviv Sportek, Kibbutz Gezer, Baptist Village near Petach Tikva, and more. Click here for more info.
Some options in Eastern Gush Etzion:
**Herodian, site of King Herod's ancient palace, as well as the Charitun Cave near Tekoa –National Parks authority. Call to reserve at 02-563-6249.
**Sde Bar Cheese farm. Call to reserve at 052-5255710.
**Sde Bar Horse Ranch: Call Dvora at 054-905-9376 or Yonatan at 054-237-6651.
In Central Gush Etzion:
**Visit the Beiar water tunnel, an ancient water tunnel that funneled water to Jerusalem during the Second Temple period. A historical tour allows visitors to learn about ancient Israel's water economy and take a dip in the cool waters of the tunnel. Call the Kfar Etzion Field school to reserve: 02-993-5133.
**Lone Oak Tree
**Gaya indoor playground and activities for young children located in the Kfar Etzion industrial area: 02-940-2010.
**Deer Land Farm offers various attractions, including the longest "Omega" zip line activity in the country (1,312 feet long); ATV tours to the "back country;" rock climbing; a petting zoo; picnic tables; and a dining room. Call to reserve at 02-5709768.
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Take a moment to pause at the Wall of Honor at Ammunition Hill. |
**The New Visitors Center in Kfar Etzion, for those 12 years and older, offers a moving historical presentation on the final days of Gush Etzion in 1948 and a memorial to the brave defenders. Call to reserve at 02-993-5160.
**Caliber shooting range:Call to reserve at 02-673-4334.
**Pat Bemelach in the Rosh Tzurim Industrial area. Make sourdough bread and pretzels and more. Call to reserve at 02-502-0262.
**Various stores and restaurants: Houmous Haretz, Kfar Etzion, Hachamima, Kfar Etzion,
New Gush Etzion Junction.
**Gush Etzion Winery: 02-930-9220.
Ammunition Hill
October 18-20: "The Battle for Jerusalem," a 3D, audio-visual presentation.
Plus interactive guided tours of the battle site, the Wall of Honor and the new Commemoration Hall. Adventure complex, including zip-line, rope and height course and more. Arts and crafts workshops.
Contact: 02-582-9393 (ext. 1), info@g-h.org.il
Western Galilee Now
More than 30 attractions all over the Western Galilee invite the public to taste, discover, and experience the magic of one of the most beautiful areas in the country. Also, the new JNF Tourist Information Center in Akko will host performances in English as part of the Akko Festival. Call 050-292-0800 for more information or visit their site.
Society for Preservation of Israel Heritage Sites (SPIHS)
More than 100 historic sites all over Israel invite you to discover important chapters in the country's struggle for independence. Visit the website for more details.
JNFuture Israel
Thursday October 20
Social in the sukkah, a JNFuture Israel signature event benefitting lone soldiers. Exclusively for JNFutures and their friends in their twenties and thirties.
Timna Park
Plenty of activities for the whole family: hiking, biking, rappelling, pedal boats, and more.
Agamon Ha'Hula (Hula Little Lake)
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Enjoy some nature with our partners. |
Valley of Springs
Ever heard of "slow tourism"? Probably not, but at Valley of Springs they'll be happy to tell you all about it, as well as show you all the amazing tourist opportunities they've got.
Tor HaMidbar
Invites the public to Ahuzat Negev's 10th annual bike festival, which will be held in Ofakim on Wednesday, October 19.