Shabbat Experience Walking Tour

The Jewish Shabbat introduced the world to the idea of the weekend - learn about the origins, history and curiosities of the holy day on this walking tour of Jerusalem's historic centre.

Shabbat Experience Walking Tour

At the scheduled time, we'll meet at the Jaffa Gate to discover the meaning of Shabbat for the Jews. This holy day begins at sunset on Friday and ends at sunset on Saturday. Torah reading, rest, and prayer are common practices during Shabbat.

First, we'll explore the Jewish quarter and discover the Four Sephardic Synagogues: Eliahu Ha-Nav, Yochanan Ben-Zakai, Istanbul, and Kahal Tsion. We'll discuss each synagogue and examine their ornamentation.

Then, we will walk through the centre of the Old City of Jerusalem to the Hurva synagogue, a temple built by Sephardic Jews from Spain and other European countries. We will learn about the events following the fire caused by Arab actions.

This Shabbat tour includes a visit to the Western Wall, significant for the Jewish people mourning the destruction of their holy area. Participants can insert a wish into the wall. The activity will conclude about two hours after departure, returning to the starting point.