The Wonders of Jerusalem
Jerusalem Syndrome is a mental illness that strikes hundreds of visitors to the holiest city in the Holy Land each year. Some people just get swept up in a messianic rapture, inspired by the names and places so familiar in the Bible. Israel inspires that sort of emotion. Jerusalem’s storied yellow stone and labyrinthine Old City will resonate with bucket listers of all religions. Bustling markets, historical and religious landmarks, three major religions and a thriving culinary and nightlife all converge in modern Jerusalem. There’s truly no place on Earth quite like it.
Length of Trip : 3-4 Days
Cost : Most must-see sights in the Jerusalem area are free, although some museums and attractions require tickets.
Best time to go : April-May or October- November. Keep Jewish holidays in mind when planning your trip.
Wheelchair friendly : Yes
Family friendly : Yes although the must-see Yad Vashem Holocaust Memorial Museum is not recommended for young children.
Where to eat : For the best hummus in the the Old City, try Ta'Ami, located on Rehov Shamai 5, Jerusalem Pasha's Restaurant (Traditional Middle Eastern)
Official Site : Go Israel iTravel Jerusalem
Where to Stay : Budget: Abraham Hostel Jerusalem Mid-Level: The American Colony Hotel High-End: Mamilla Jerusalem Hotel
Getting There : Most major European hubs, as well as major East Coast airports in North America, have flights to Tel Aviv's Ben Gurion Airport. Jerusalem is a short 45-minute drive from Ben Gurion by taxi or rental car.
Note from Robin : Most Jews feel a deep connection with Jerusalem, and in particular the Western Wall, the holiest site in Judaism. Located in the Old City, it is all that remains of the outer wall of the Second Temple, destroyed by the Romans in 70 AD. For Jews, it is a physical link to their 4000 years of history. It was called the Wailing Wall by historians in the 1800’s, to describe the Jews who wept beneath it, mourning the loss of their temple, and awaiting the promised messiah. Today, young boys gather from around the world to say their Bar Mitzvah. Students and rabbis pray reverently, and Jews and non-Jews write wishes and prayers on small pieces of paper that are placed in cracks of the wall. Above the Western Wall on Temple Mount sits the Dome of the Rock, a sacred Islamic Shrine built on the site of the Second Temple. Two major religions converge, so similar and yet seemingly at war with each other. Jerusalem has known too much conflict in its long, storied history. But together, we can pray for peace.
