Jerusalem—Three times in a year shall all of the [Jewish] people appear before G-d in the place that God will choose (Jerusalem)” (Deuteronomy 16:16)

Since biblical times, hundreds of thousands of Jews made their way to the holy city three times a year, with festivities and activities taking place during the seven days of Pesach and Sukkot, and two days of Shavuot. Millennia later, this has not changed, with thousands of tourists, both Jewish and non, pouring into Israel to celebrate the seven day Festival of the Booths and to enjoy holiday-themed activities around the country. JLBC has compiled a guide to some of the different events and activities taking place in Israel during the holiday:

COMMUNAL PRIESTLY BLESSING (Birkat Kohanim Hamerkazi) at the Kotel

Sunday, 22 September; Tefilah begins 08:15. Thousands of Kohanim join together to bless the Jewish people. This event, which has taken place biannually since 1971, is known to be one of the highlights of the holiday. The entire Kotel plaza is filled with Jews, joined together in their desire to receive the blessing originally given by Aaron. It is recommended to arrive at least an hour earlier than services as the entire Old City becomes congested. The two blessings, during Shacharit and Mussaf, take place at 9:00 a. m. and 10:00 a. m. respectively. The ceremony concludes after services with prayers and blessings from Israel’s Chief Rabbis David Lau and Yitzchak Yosef.

For more information, www. english. thekotel. org or contact +972 2 6271333

HEBRON FESTIVAL

Monday, 23 September, 13:30/1:30PM (Ma’arat Hamachpela), Hebron. Twice every year, during Sukkot and Pesach, the Hebron Fund sponsors a festival on the courtyard of the Ma’ara, with activities ranging from free on-site concerts to tours of the historical surroundings. This year, the festival will be on Monday of Chol Hamoed, and while the schedule of activities hasn’t been released as of this writing, you can celebrate the holiday in one of the four holy cities of Israel. Additionally, Sunday and Monday of Sukkot are two of the ten days that the entire tomb is open to Jews (and only Jews), giving visitors the unique opportunity to pray in Heichal Yitzchak, where Isaac and Rebecca are buried, usually opened only to Muslims. The Ma’ara itself will be open to Jews Sunday-Monday 04:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m. Ma’arat Hamachpeila is a one hour drive from Jerusalem, or take Egged 160 line from Jerusalem-Central Bus Station and other key points in Jerusalem.

For more information, visit the Hebron fund website: www. hebron.com/english/, or contact +972 2 9965333.

NEOT KEDUMIM

Neot Kedumim, the Biblical Landscape Reserve of Israel, has a host of varied activities for the entire family. They will be offering an English tour of the grounds Sunday-Tuesday at 12:00, which includes all of the biblical activities on the grounds. For those who are more adventurous, there will be a bike tour of the area, given in Hebrew only, every day of Chol Hamoed at 11:00 (Ages 8+ only, biking background required). An early morning bird sighting will be held on Wednesday morning, 07:00-11:00. Neot Kedumim is located on Route 443, between Modi’in and Lod, about a 40 minute drive from Jerusalem, and can be accessed by the Connex 110 line (to Modi’in junction).

Visit http://www. neot-kedumim. org. il/ or contact +972 8 9770777.

TOWER OF DAVID MUSEUM (MUZEON MIGDAL DAVID)

The Tower of David, inside Jaffa Gate, was built in the second century BCE and stands testament to various struggles that have taken place in the Old City. A crucial stop during any tour of Jerusalem, for Sukkot, the museum extended hours and scheduled special holiday activities. Its landmark Sukkot activity, making a film called “A Street in Jerusalem,” lets visitors help in the making of the film, including acting and production. Afterwards, visitors get to watch it. Yair Lehman will be telling stories in the museum’s sukkah for visitors of all ages, and no visit would be complete without a stop at the interactive “build a tower” activity exhibition.

For more information, visit http://towerofdavid. org. il or contact +972 2 6265333.

Whether one will be making the pilgrimage to Israel for the holiday, or spending it here at home, the staff of the Jewish Link of Bergen County wishes all of its readers a Chag Sukkot Sameach

Tzvi Silver, Israel Correspondent