Archive for January, 2010

Monthly Archive

Sun 31 Jan 2010

Kids and Balloons in Jerusalem

Posted by Shebet under Chugim/Classes, Just Plain Fun, Pre School, School Age, Shopping
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Last week Kibbutz Ramat Rachel hosted the annual Balloonland Convention for Balloon artists from around the world. The event is put on each year by Elisa from www.balloonland.co.il. Balloon artists from around the country come to Jerusalem to enjoy workshops and classes. Some of the guests included Medical Clowns, who use their talents to entertain sick children in the hospital.

This year the local children from the community were given a chance to enjoy the spoils. Children lined up in the lobby of the Ramat Rachel Hotel for the Grand Finale Raffle. Balloons from the workshops including masks, crowns, flowers, columns, walls and more were raffled off to lucky children. The event was a huge success and the lobby was packed.

At the end of the event those who were still around even got to see some tricks of the trade as Elisa took down the balloons she had hung in the lobby with a long pole using magnets.

Balloonland offers balloon services for kids parties, bris, Bar/Bat Mitzva parties, centerpieces and more.

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Wed 27 Jan 2010

Tu B’Shvat for kids in Jerusalem

Posted by Shebet under Be A Tourist, FREE, Just Plain Fun, Monthly Events in Jerusalem, Parks, Pre School, School Age, Teenagers
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Tu B’Shvat for Kids in Jerusalem

In Jerusalem and through out Israel, Tu Bshvat is a celebrated holiday. Not only because it fills the gap between Chanukka and Purim but because planting trees, plants and flowers in Israel is such an important part of Israeli culture.

Many communities host Tu Bshvat Seders, community planting and you can find dried fruit on every street corner. The following are a list of events happening around town that children and teenagers can enjoy.

Community Gardening

Most of the weekly community gardening projects including Halafta “Ginot Shimrit” and the garden in the Nature Museum are hosting special Tu Bshvat parties with planting, music and food. 

  • Ginot Ha’ir: Thursday January 28 at 10:00am-12:00pm join Nir Barkat and Naomi Tsur as they celebrate Tu Bshvat at the community garden in Gonenim on Maaglei Yavne. 
  • Community Garden Events
  1. January 27, 2010
    10:00am – Ramat Eshkol, Ha’hamisha Asar garden, Tzofim forest, Ramat Ha’golan St.
    3:00pm – Talpiot Mizrach, Derech Hevron garden, Derech Hevron 148 St.
    4:00pm – Ramot, Ha’shavshavot garden, Karni St. corner of Reuven Mas.
  2. January 28, 2010
    10:00am – Ramot, Ya’ar Ramot, Derech Ha’choresh St.
  3. January 29, 2010
    9:00am – Kiryat Yovel, Bustania, near the Tree garden
    10:00am – Ramot, Ya’ar Ramot, Derech Ha’choresh St.
  4. January 31, 2010
    3:00pm – Kiryat Yovel, Ulsvanger garden, Ulsvanger st.
  5. February 2, 2010
    4:30pm – Sh’muel Ha’navie, Shkediot garden, Eretz Hefetz 102 St.

Tu Bshvat Events

  • Jerusalem Biblical Zoo: January 29 11:00am-2:30pm. Plant flowers and plants. Art workshop. Taste fruits of the land.
  • Jerusalem Botanical Gardens: January 28 & 29 at 4:00pm. Be a part of planting a carpet of 12,000 flowers and hear special tree stories. Friday January 29 12:30pm-2:30pm Trees and storytime. 1:30pm Storytime Hike around the gardens. Saturday January 30 12pm& 2pm family storytime and hike. Check our calendar for more details.
  • Municipality Events: Friday January 29 10:00am-3:00pm Join Pepe Alalou at Kikar Zion in the center of town with music, street theater, artists and a Tu BShvat seder. FREE
  • Keren Kayemet L’Israel: Call their hotline for information on hikes and planting in Jerusalem and through out the country 1-800-350-550
  • Tu B’Shvat at Shai Agnon’s House (Talpiot): Storytelling, art workshop and a short video. Thursday January 28 from 4:00pm-6:00pm and Friday January 29 from 10:00am-12:00pm. For more details visit our calendar. 
  • SPNI Tu Bshvat: Celebrate the plans to build a nature park in Deer Valley “Emek Hatzabaim”. Friday January 29,  12:30pm-2:30pm. Music, Art workshops, Recycling workshop, bake pita and tour the valley.  
  • Bloomfield Science Museum: Friday January 29 and Saturday January 30. Celebrate Tu Bshvat by learning about the connection between Global Warming and planting trees.

Tu B’Shvat Arts & Crafts Ideas

If you know of an additional event or have a creative art project you would like to share feel free to email us at info@funinjerusalem.com

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Sun 3 Jan 2010

Winter Break Family Guide to Jerusalem

Posted by Shebet under Be A Tourist, Cultural Events & Sites, Historical Sites, Just Plain Fun, Monthly Events in Jerusalem, Museums, Parks, Pre School, School Age, Teenagers
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Winter Break in Jerusalem: January 2010

Visit our Calendar of Events for a daily listing of Children’s events in Jerusalem.

Special Event:
Yeshiva Break Chocolate-and-Charity Tour in Jerusalem: Tuesday Jan. 26, 2010
A delicious and meaningful Chocolate-and-Charity Tour.  The day’s program includes a fabulous (and delicious) hands-on chocolate workshop in the morning, and a volunteer tzedaka project in the afternoon.  Price include all fees, including transportation, and a chocolate ‘treat’ and snack at the end of the day.
Ages: Tour is ideal for children, and best for kids 6 y.o. and over.
Prices (per person): $125 adults, $115 children (deposit is required at time of reservation)
Contact: Adina Mishkoff Kischel at holycook@netvision.net.il or at 972-50-633-7462

Nature:
Jerusalem Bird Observatory: Offers nature walks and hikes in the Gazelle Valley and Jerusalem Hills. Learn about Bird Ringing and the natural inhabitants of Jerusalem. Call Alen to arrange a nature walk or hike in English. 052-386-9488 
Jerusalem Parks: Jerusalem has a variety of neighborhood parks and themed parks. Click here for a full list and a map. Kids love the Monster Slide Park, Porcupine Park and Gan Sacher which includes an exercise equipment area and a skateboard park.

Self Guided Tours/Games for Kids (with Parental Help)
Botanical Gardens Treasure Hunt: using your phone and a treasure map, walk through the Gardens and SMS your answers to find the next clue (Hebrew)
Museum of the Underground Prisoner: “Mystery in the Prison Hallways” Interactive game that takes you through the Museum  (Hebrew)

Museums
Wolfson Museum at Hechal Shlomo:“Jewish Identity”. The Museum has wonderful dioramas of stories from Tanach (Bible) and a moving multimedia Vilna exhibit. Call to confirm 02-588-9010.
Bank of Israel: For kids ages 9+. Call ahead to request Interactive Video Games in English including “Find the Counterfeit Money” “Foreign Currency Exchange” and more.
Bloomfield Science Museum: Daily workshops usually starting at 4pm with topics including DNA, Fingerprints and Building. Call to confirm times.  
Israel Museum: Model of Jerusalem During the 2nd Temple (outdoors), Youth Wing includes a Recycle Workshop on Tuesday and Art Workshops on Mondays. The Museum is under construction and certain areas can only be reached via steps. Check our Calendar for activity times.
Islamic Museum: Magnificent watch exhibit (older children will enjoy), armor and weaponry exhibit.

Other Activities
City of David (Ir David) Just Dig It:Take part in a historic archaeological dig as you sift through dirt from the Temple Mount looking for remnants of pottery, ancient weapons, jewlery and more. This activity is free but requires a reservation. It takes place outdoors under a tent. Call *6033. 
Jerusalem Zoo: The Biblical Zoo is a MUST SEE activity. They recently opened a new Wet Side Story Exhibit featuring fish and marine life. On Fridays you can feed and ride the elephants. There is also a 3D movie called BUGS which is shown every 40 minutes until March. The movie is in Hebrew but if you call in advance they will show the movie in English for a group.

Theater
Jerusalem Theater:January Shows include “My Party” “Apartment to Rent” “King Ferdinand” . Shows are in Hebrew. Visit our Calendar for details.
Train Theater:Children’s Theater in Gan Hapaamon (next to the Inbal Hotel). They have story theater and plays each week in Hebrew.
Tower of David Light Show: Great sound and light show about the history of Jerusalem. 45 minutes. Dress warmly. Not for young kids.

Toddler
Yankuta:Wonderful and clean indoor play area for toddlers. Yankuta also has a variety of daily classes including baby yoga, baby movement and music classes. Its close to the hotels and a great place for parents to have a break as their young kids play.
Mall shows:Hadar Mall in Talpiot, Malcha Mall and HaPisga have a full list of kids shows, art workshops and baking workshops throughout the week. Check our calendar for details. The shows are in Hebrew but young children can enjoy the magic, music andlaughter even if they cant understand the Hebrew. Best of all its FREE.

Teens
For a full list of TEEN activities in Jerusalem visit our Teen post.
Segwayz, Rock Climbing, Bowling, Billiards, Paint Your Own Ceramic, Go Karting

The city has begun filling up with out of town guests, enjoying their winter vacation in Jerusalem. If you are a tourist then this post is meant for you. If you are a local then you can print this list and save it for the next time you have out of town guests. For a full list of Museums, Parks and Attractions in Jerusalem for Kids, please see our FUN LIST.

The following is a list of events and attractions for kids and teens in Jerusalem that are a little out of the ordinary. Since January is not an Israeli school vacation time, make sure to call in advance to confirm tour and exhibit hours. Ask for an English tour; most museums and attractions will try to comply.

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