The hustle and bustle of Jerusalem suddenly quiets as the sun sets and the Sabbath approaches in the ancient city of Jerusalem. You’ll hear a siren as the sun is setting as the signal that the Sabbath is beginning. For the next 25 hours, offices and stores will be closed, city buses stay parked, people attend services in synagogues and enjoy family meals, and tourists may wonder what to do. [Read more…] about Spending the Sabbath in Jerusalem
Holidays
Sukkot in Israel with Israel Celebration Tours
Visit Israel during the holiday of Sukkot!
If you plan your trip to Israel in the early autumn, you could be given a very special treat: the holiday of Sukkot!
Sukkot (Hebrew: סוכות or סֻכּוֹת, sukkōt), is a biblical Jewish holiday celebrated on the 15th day of the month of Tishrei (begins between late September to late October, based on the Jewish Lunar calendar). It is an annual reminder of the forty years during which the Israelites lived in the Sinai desert living in temporary shelters, which is called a sukkah or sometimes a “booth.” Sukkot is sometimes referred to as the Festival of Booths. As it turns out, this is also the time of year when certain agricultural crops are harvested, so the seven-day festival (eight days for Jews who live outside of Israel) is also known as [Read more…] about Sukkot in Israel with Israel Celebration Tours
Wishing you a Shana Tovah for 5778 – a Happy Jewish New Year for 2017!
Rosh HaShanah is a time of reflection, a time of participation in a community, a time of rebuilding, and a time of growing. May this Rosh HaShanah 5778 be a time of blessings, kindness, friendship, love, and growth for you. Thank you to our associates, friends, supporters, and fellow travelers for your partnership with Israel Celebration Tours.

Wishing you a Shana Tovah for 5778 – a Happy Jewish New Year for 2017!
Spending the Sabbath in Jerusalem
The hustle and bustle of Jerusalem suddenly quiets as the sun sets and the Sabbath approaches in the ancient city of Jerusalem. You’ll hear a siren as the sun is setting as the signal that the Sabbath is beginning. For the next 25 hours, offices and stores will be closed, city buses stay parked, people attend services in synagogues and enjoy family meals, and tourists may wonder what to do.
Wander down to the Western Wall – also known in Hebrew as the Kotel – and experience the prayers of the Friday night Sabbath service. Certain activities go against the grain of Jewish tradition, so this is one time you won’t bring your camera or write a note to stuff into the crevices in the wall. Despite the day of rest, you can still find plenty to enjoy in Jerusalem. [Read more…] about Spending the Sabbath in Jerusalem