Community Magazine October 2014

56 COMMUNITY MAGAZINE T his past summer, as you know, our brothers and sisters in the Holy Land were once again under seige, as hundreds of thousands of Israelis were hunched in bunkers and shelters for weeks to protect themselves from relentless rocket fire. During those very difficult weeks, they received comfort and solace by the knowledge that they were not alone, that their fellow Jews across the world were thinking of them and praying for their safety. Nevertheless, one of the biggest ways – or perhaps the most important way – we can show them that we stand with them is to visit. Over the course of the recent war, flights were cancelled, planes were grounded, and Israeli tourism took a nosedive. Now is the time to reconnect with the Land, to support Israel, to bring our smiles to our fellow Jews, and spend your much-needed shekels. Here are some of the top travel destinations in Eretz Yisrael that you won’t want to miss: At the Davidson centre and archeological park, you can experience 5,000 years of history, from the era of the Canaanite settlers, through the First Temple monarchy, the Second Temple, King Herod, and the end of the first century BCE. The Temple Mount excavations can be found near the Dung Gate (Sunday to Thursday 8am to 5pm, Friday 8am to 2pm; guided tours can be booked in advance). Visit the Tower of David Museum , in the Citadel near the Jaffa Gate, to learn about the history of Jerusalem – from the first settlement in the second millenium BCE to the modern capital city of Israel. Or climb the Citadel’s towers for a 360 degree view of the city. (Sunday to Thursday, 9am to 4pm, Friday 9am to 2pm.) Visit at night for a musical show of light, played out in the Citadel’s courtyard. In a thousand-year-old building lies King David’s Tomb , on Mount Zion near the Zion gate. The tomb is covered with a velvet cloth, and is surrounded by a synagogue and yeshiva. Spend a full day visiting the resting places of our ancestors and the current home of supporters and defenders of our Biblical home. Tour Hebron (www.hebron.com ) on protected buses, with local tour guides, to see Tel Hebron, Beit Hadassah, Avraham Avinu Synagogue and the Cave of the Patriarchs, as well as Rachel’s Tomb in Bethlehem. The Sephardic Synagogue of the Ari is Safed’s oldest synagogue (www.safed.ci.il/synagogues/ari_sepharadi.html ). Originally dedicated to Elijah the Prophet, 300 years later, in the 16 th century, it became the synagouge of the Ari (Rabbi Isaac Luria). An alcove off the bimah is the legendary place where the Ari communed with Elijah. The building has been restored by the Israel Antiquities Authority, and its main features include blue accents that hail from Moorish Spain, three arks on the southern wall closest to Jerusalem, and a central, raised bimah. In the 1948 war, the Haganah used the roof of the synagogue for defense, during which time the Torahs were removed and firing slits were cut into the wall. In the heart of the old city of Jerusalem lies the building containing the Four Sephardic Synagogues , adjoining structures that were built from the 17 th century. The Istanbuli Synagogue, built in 1764, is used by a Spanish-Portuguese congregation, and also for Sephardic Chief Rabbi inaugurations. The Yochanan Ben Zakkai Synagogue was the first synagogue built in the old city after a long period in which no synagogues were allowed there. The Eliyahu Hanavi Synagogue is mainly used as a study hall and for holiday prayer services. The Emtsai or Middle Synagogue was a courtyard, also used for a sukkah, but was covered in the 18 th century when more space was needed. The area was captured by the Jordanians in 1948 after the residents hid there for two weeks. The Arabs sacked and looted the synagogues, and then turned them into horse stables. They were refurbished after Jerusalem was reunified in 1967, with ritual objects from the Nazi-destroyed communities of Italy. Put away the strollers and put on your walking shoes for the Western Wall Tunnel Tours (english.thekotel.org) . Guided tours, Planning for the Holy Land Tips for a Family Vacation in Israel If you are thinking of going on a vacation with the family, why not consider seeing the land of our forefathers – Israel? These days, especially, it is so important to show our fellow Jews our support, and to stand with them shoulder-to-shoulder, even if it’s for just a brief sojourn. DAVE GORDON