Fun In Jerusalem

Run With the Children of SHALVA at the Jerusalem Half Marathon

This is a great opportunity for your children to participate in a memorable Jerusalem event this month. The Jerusalem Half Marathon on March 18, 2010 will include a special 400m track for the children of SHALVA with mental and physical disabilities. This is the first time in the 18 year history of the marathon that there will be a special track.

SHALVA has invited your children and teens to partner with a SHALVA child, give them a chance to get to know the child at the Har Nof campus in advance and then to run with them on the 400m track.  Help spread the SHALVA message that disabled children should have an equal place in society.

Run hand-in-hand with a SHALVA child and help them achieve their goals. SHALVA is expecting to have over 60 children running on the special track. The event begins at 8:30am and there will be a special end of the race ceremony as well.

SHALVA is a wonderful organization based in Har Nof. To get a full understanding of what they do you only need to walk around their campus. The building is filled with love and joy and you will see children of all ages from babies to teenagers enjoying the facilities. They have special facilities for physically and mentally challenged children including

• Music room
• Sensory room
• Special integrated Gan (which has a long waiting list)
• Arts & Crafts
• Indoor Pool for hydrotherapy
• Me & Mommy Classes
• Support groups for families
• Specially designed park
• Kitchen where children can learn to cook
• Bedrooms for sleepovers 

Children come to the center to enjoy the facilities, have therapy and spend time with friends, counselors and volunteers  in the afternoon.

The most special room in the building is the Beit Knesset where children with special needs can celebrate their Bar Mitzva. SHALVA often receives requests from families abroad requesting to use their Beit Knesset for their spacial needs Bar Mitzvas. For information about Volunteer opportunities for teens at SHALVA please call Talia Simantov 02-651-9555.

Contact marathon@shalva.org and let them know you would like your child to partner with a SHALVA runner. Please make sure to send us your pictures of the race!

Purim in Jerusalem 

Purim celebrations have begun and will continue through Monday. Our Calendar of Events is packed with great activities for the whole family. The following is a taste of what’s available. Keep in mind that the weather report calls for Rain but many of the activities listed below can be enjoyed indoors.

• Purim Carnivals
• Museums
• Theater
• Community Events & Just Plain Fun

Purim Carnivals: for more details visit our Calendar

Mamila Mall 
 
Date: Monday March 1, 2010 (RAIN OR SHINE)
Time: 12:00pm-4:00pm
Activities:
-A colorful Purim Parade at 12pm, 1pm, 2pm, 3pm and 4pm
-A Kids’ Playground: Above Castro store from 12pm-4pm
-The missing midget – mind games on magnetic boards
-Juggling workshop for the whole family
-Circus show at 12:30pm in the amphitheater
-Rap Circus: Juggling show with Rap music at 1:30pm
-Interactive Circus Show at 2:30pm
Price: FREE

PurShalayim – Street Fair on Rechov Hillel 
 
A Large Spectacular Purim Carnival in the Center of the City
-Outdoor Childrens’ Theater
-Learn to Juggle, walk on a rope and more
-Costume Contest
-Don Lenny Gabbay Performs-Children’s Channel and Shminiya star (12:30p-m)
-Avihu Shabat Performs (1:20pm)
-Omar Adam Performs (2:00pm)
Date: Monday 11:00-3:00pm
Price: FREE

Beit Shmuel
Animal Carnival: games, juggling, shows, workshops
Date: Monday 9:00am-2:00pm (Indoors)
Contact: 02-620-3463

Theater:

Jerusalem Theater
“Purim Musical” Monday 9:45am-12:30pm
Ages: 4-10 (Hebrew)
Price: 40 NIS

“Snow White” Monday 5:30pm
Ages: 3+ (Hebrew)
Price: 75 NIS
Contact: 02-560-5755

Binyanei Hauma:
“HOP Live, Purim Carnival”
Date: Sun & Mon 10am-7pm
Activities: Movies, Jumpy castles, games, virtual reality games for teens, shows
Contact:02-623-7000

Khan Theater
“Stolen Dreams”
Date: Sunday 5pm
Ages: 6+ (Hebrew)
Contact: 02-671-8281

Train Theater
Purim Shpiel in the circus
Date: Sat, Sun, Mon
Activities: Professional Photos with magical scenery, craft workshop
Plays: “The Cubes Circus” and “Little Big Man” (ages 4+)
Price: 30 NIS (1 show + workshop + photo)
Dress: Children should come dressed as circus figure
Location:Liberty Bell Park, 1 Jabotinsky St
Contact: 02-5618514

Museums: For more details visit our Calendar

Italian Jewish Museum: Queen Esther’s Italian courtyard
Activities:
-Visit the glorious Italian courtyard of Queen Esther.
-Megilla- The story of the Book of Esther will be read in Italian baroque style in the Synagogue at 8am
-Exhibit- Rare Megillot Esther Manuscripts
Date: Monday 10:00am-3:00pm (Indoors)
Price: Free
Contact: 02-624-1610

Underground Prisoners Museum 
Activities:
-Tours of the Museum including Acting segments at 12pm & 2pm (Hebrew)
-Family mission game – ”Mystery in the Prison Hallways”(Hebrew)
-Workshops: “To inscribe and be inscribed”– inscribing signs and symbols on plaster tiles
-”Weaving time”– create small “boresh” similar to the mats that the prisoners used to sleep on.
Date: Sun & Mon 9am-5pm (Indoors)
Address:1 Mishol HaGvora St. (Russian Compound, near City Hall complex)
Contact: 02-6233166
 
Tower of David Museum 
Activities:
Mayumana, rhythm workshop for parents and children.  Children can use sticks, buckets, tins and their own bodies as surprising musical instruments. Please wear comfortable, light cloths and sport shoes.
Date: Monday 12:00pm (RAIN OR SHINE)
Ages: 7+
Price (including entrance to the museum): 50 NIS (Child) 25 NIS (Adult)
Reservations Required: 02-6265333 www.towerofdavid.org.il 

Bloomfield Science Museum 
Activities:
-Humorist play about Darwin and his voyage on the ”Beagle” (Hebrew) at 1:00pm (15 NIS)
-Tours of the kinetic sculptures, Flight and leaning Tower of Pisa (Hebrew)
-DNA & Building Workshops
Date: Sat 10am-3pm, Sun & Mon 10am-6pm (Indoors)

Old Yishuv Court Museum 
Activities:
-10:30 – guided tour of the ”Why a hat? Why a handkerchief ”?
-11:00 – story time
-Mission game: ”Exhibits in disguise”
-Hat workshop
-Old fashioned costumes and games in the museum
Opening hours in Purim: (Indoors)
Sunday -10:00am-1:00pm
Monday –10:00am–1:00pm
Contact: 02-6284636, 052-4002478

Israel Museum 
Activities:
-Workshop: Create footstools from recycled material.
Date: Sun & Mon (Indoors)
Price: 10 NIS for workshop (free museum admission for kids on Mon)
Contact: 02-6771302
 

Community Events-for details visit our calendar
-Costume Competition at the Garden on Maaglei Yavne (Sunday)
-Magic Show at Ohel Nechama (Sunday)
-Baka Matnas Purim Party (Sunday)
-Toddler Megilla Reading and Games (Sunday)
-Gheppetos Wood Workshop is open for Childrens sessions (Sun & Mon)
-Biblical Zoo Art Workshops and Mishloach Manot for the animals (Sun & Mon)
-Costume Comeptition at Kef Tzuba (Sun & Mon)
-Cinemateque ET & Shrek (Sunday)

Preparing for Purim with Your Kids in Jerusalem

Although Purim is technically a one day holiday, in Jerusalem the Purim fever lasts for a few weeks. Stores have begun to sell Oznei Haman (special Purim cookies), costumes and mishloach manot. It is hard to imagine as the rain continues to fall and the temperatures drop, that we are about to enter the month of Adar.

The following posts will include resources that local Jerusalemites can use, to make their Purim preparation easier. We hope to post new resources each week. We are excited to offer you some great discounts. Make sure to print your coupons. 

Please share your good ideas with us either by adding a comment or emailing us directly at info@funinjerusalem.com

COSTUMES

Rentals: Renting costumes in Israel is not easy. In fact when we researched Costume Rental places in Jerusalem we were very disappointed. 

Tel Aviv: Machsanei Lev is the place to go. They specialize in adult and teen costume rentals and they do have some kids sizes as well. Customers are asked to come into the shop on Rechov Ben Yehuda to take measurements and the costumes range from 100 NIS to 500 NIS for a 3 day rental. Call early because Costumes sell out quickly before Purim. Make sure to tell them you heard about them on Fun In Jerusalem.

Costume Stores: The “Hidden” Gems Revealed

Har Nof: Efronit has been in the costume business for over 25 years. They are an art supply/toy store in Har Nof but as of Monday February 8th their shop transforms into a costume warehouse. They have one of the best selection of infant, child, teen and adult costumes.

Hours: 9:30am-1:30pm, 4:00pm-7:00pm (9:30am-7:00pm Purim Week) 
Phone: 02-651-8273
Address:15 Chai Taib, Har Nof
Coupon: Click here for 5% off all Purim Costumes

Efrat: Anfei Dekel has created a special costume room next to their art/toy store. They have a large selection of masks, hats, children’s costumes, butterfly wings, makeup, swords, crowns, wigs, baby costumes and more. If you are looking for a one stop shop for costumes, then it is worth the drive to Efrat. The store is located in the Dekel shopping arcade.

Hours: Sunday-Thursday 8:30am-7:00pm, Friday 8:30am-1:00pm
Phone: 02-993-3131
Address:Dekel Shopping Mall, Efrat
Coupon: Click here for 10% off all Purim Costumes

Geula: Sifrei Geula has a good selection of Purim Costume Accesories. They have very nice masks, hats, wigs, swords, guns, makeup etc.
         Hours: 9am-8pm
         Phone: 02-537-0485
         Address: Malchei Israel 10, Geula

Emek Refaaim Friday Street Fair: Limonero sells handmade costumes for babies-4 yrs. Costumes include superman, minnie mouse, frogs etc. Costs range between 120 NIS-220 NIS.

         Hours: Friday Mornings
         Phone:1-700-50-57-67
         Address: ICCC 12 Emek Refaaim, German Colony 

The Shuk: We are currently looking into specific shops to recommend in this area.

After Purim

A new Purim Costume Gemach has opened in Ramat Beit Shemesh and they are looking for new costumes. If you would like to donate your costumes to the gemach after Purim then please call Etti at 02-999-7780.

The Maale Adumim Purim Gemach is also accepting costumes after Purim. Please contact Andrea Brownstein at andrea2709@gmail.com

Posts Coming Soon on Fun In Jerusalem…

• Arts & Crafts Ideas for Purim
• Mishloach Manot Suppies and Ready Made Options
• Family Friendly Megilla Readings
• For special Purim activities through out the city please check our Calendar

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

• Creative Jewish Mom: Tu B’shvat Spice Project
• Birkat Chaverim: Learn to make Dried Fruit Trees

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