Things To Do In Israel Master Thread

[ckmk47]

planning 3 week summer stay in Aug iyh with fam (4 kids ages 8,7,4,1). I've been to Israel many times just now with kids and mainly spent time going to family, yeshivas and chilling in Yerushalim (kotel, shuk, gan soccer ect).
This trip i want to explore/tour Israel and enjoy with the kiddos. I know summer time its very hot so not sure if hiking the masada is ideal (as much as i would love to do that) but if anyone has any must do-recommendations id greatly appreciate it!

Look at what the tour groups do.  That should give you a framework of the must-sees.
My recommendation.
A few day stay in the North.  I stayed in an apt in Tzfat.  Do all the Holy and other things. Maybe have it as the first or last days, so the Yerushalayim apt stay is contiguous.
Yerushalalim:
Kever Rochel.  Kotel tunnels - even with kids.
zoo - I hear is worthwhile
Walking around Meah Shearim and Geula.  walking the Machane Yehuda market.
Massada, Dead sea, Ein Gedi.  Instead of rushing it all in 1 day, maybe stay over night in a local hotel.  that will also break up the heat a bit.
We like history.  We did Beit Guvrim.  They have a 'map' of ancient things to walk to and then read about when you get there. 
We did these in the intense heat of summer.  But we're motivated fanatics. 
Israel Museum - 'mini Israel'. Pieces of shuls moved from other countries.
Playing in local playgrounds and  eating different foods will also be a memorable experience for the kids.

[Kabrams1618]

I would add the science museum in Jerusalem.  Perfect for that age.  Both the zoo and science museum have sand areas that the kids can really enjoy.  The zoo sand area also has playground equipment.  I would pass on mini Israel.  Gan sachar has a great playground as well as plenty of room for a picnic etc although parking is tough.

[Moshe26]

Look at what the tour groups do.  That should give you a framework of the must-sees.
My recommendation.
A few day stay in the North.  I stayed in an apt in Tzfat.  Do all the Holy and other things. Maybe have it as the first or last days, so the Yerushalayim apt stay is contiguous.
Yerushalalim:
Kever Rochel.  Kotel tunnels - even with kids.
zoo - I hear is worthwhile
Walking around Meah Shearim and Geula.  walking the Machane Yehuda market.
Massada, Dead sea, Ein Gedi.  Instead of rushing it all in 1 day, maybe stay over night in a local hotel.  that will also break up the heat a bit.
We like history.  We did Beit Guvrim.  They have a 'map' of ancient things to walk to and then read about when you get there. 
We did these in the intense heat of summer.  But we're motivated fanatics. 
Israel Museum - 'mini Israel'. Pieces of shuls moved from other countries.
Playing in local playgrounds and  eating different foods will also be a memorable experience for the kids.

thanks thats great!

[Luvtotravel]

im not sure this is the best thread for this but where can i find number of a reputable driver from tlv?

[cozmohoot]

im not sure this is the best thread for this but where can i find number of a reputable driver from tlv?

https://forums.dansdeals.com/index.php?topic=1885.msg2657708.msg#2657708

[quote name="shmoe joe" post=2657695 timestamp=1669742406]
Any good drivers?
[/quote][quote name="aygart" post=2605195 timestamp=1657548003]
Yigal 052-393-0279
[/quote][quote name="elihak7" post=26040......

[jose34]

im not sure this is the best thread for this but where can i find number of a reputable driver from tlv?

If your looking for an American, there is a guy Langdon he advertises in the Mir….

[mevinyavin]

If your looking for an American, there is a guy Langdon he advertises in the Mir….

Used him, very happy. Can try to get his number if you are interested. He does charge a bit more than a taxi, but hey, you get to speak English + American customer service.

[Luvtotravel]

Used him, very happy. Can try to get his number if you are interested. He does charge a bit more than a taxi, but hey, you get to speak English + American customer service.

yes please

[jose34]

If your looking for an American, there is a guy Langdon he advertises in the Mir….

Referring to this guy.

[Luvtotravel]

tx

[Yehudaa]

Just got back from a quick trip to Israel, first time that I've gone with kids that are old enough to need constant activities. I don't think much has to be added to this thread, but I'd add a few specific points that I found helpful with kids:

- On rainy days in Yerushalayim (like every day in the past week), the Bloomfield Science Museum is a great option for kids. Can probably keep kids busy there for 1-3 hours, depending on the kid. It's less sophisticated than many science museums elsewhere, but much more exciting for kids as everything is interactive and touchable. My kids loved it. Tickets are 50 ILS per person over 5 years old (though there's some sort of family maximum), but entry is free if you have a membership to any science center/museum in the ASTC Travel Passport Program which includes many museums in the US. (Full list here as of Feb 2023.) I have a membership to one of those, so I took my kids twice on rainy days and they loved it. They have a little art for kids to do, and some little shows.

- Also a rainy day tip: apparently it only rains ~10 days a year closer to the Dead Sea, so we went to Ein Gedi and it was totally sunny and 10+ degrees (celcius) warmer while it was pouring in Yerushalayim

- On another rainy day we were going to go to the beach to find some sunshine, but we were stuck in traffic near Rishon L'tziyon so we found Gan B’Ivrit – Rishon LeTsiyon Park and my kids loved it. It's a huge park for kids, with endless playground areas, a fish pond, and some sort of water play area and litlle amusement park in the summer. Good stop if you're on the road near there. We spent like 3 hours there.

- Lastly, the new playground area in Gan Sacher is amazing for kids. It's massive. (And I'm not sure I've ever seen a taller slide anywhere.)

[Sam 77]

Referring to this guy.

Highly recommend him had a great experience

[yshad]

I see this has been asked before, but I would like to know if anyone has more up-to-date info.
Any recommendations for interesting Shiurim in Yerushalayim that are open to the public? Preferably English, but Hebrew is OK. Unfortunately Yiddish isn't going to work.

[jose34]

I see this has been asked before, but I would like to know if anyone has more up-to-date info.
Any recommendations for interesting Shiurim in Yerushalayim that are open to the public? Preferably English, but Hebrew is OK. Unfortunately Yiddish isn't going to work.

What kind are you looking for?

R' Sharagi Kallus is always good.

[mevinyavin]

RY Berkovits open to the public:
Leil Shabbos after the seudah: currently Shir Hashirim with Malbim (30 minutes or so)
Shabbos afternoon (usually 2:20 before shkia) during the summer: hashkafa topics (1 hour)
Motzei Shabbos during the winter (ranges between 7:30 and 8:30 starting times): topics in halacha, except Shovevim when there is between 1 and 5 shiurim on hashkafa depending on the year. Shovevim this year is mostly Sholom Bayis. (1 hour- often overtime)
Shabbos morning before Shacharis: Hilchos Loshon Hora (10-15 minutes, depending on the zman for netz)
Shabbos morning after Mussaf: on the Parsha (20 minutes)
(Only for young avreichim in their first few years of marriage: between Kabalas Shabbos and Maariv) 

The shiurim are all in English. I recommend all of them (though I never attended the last one on the list) but note that the Shir Hashirim shiur and the Shabbos afternoon shiurim often have lots of questions, and you may need a lot of patience to sit through them.
The shiurim are all in the shul.

[yshad]

RY Berkovits open to the public:
Leil Shabbos after the seudah: currently Shir Hashirim with Malbim (30 minutes or so)
Shabbos afternoon (usually 2:20 before shkia) during the summer: hashkafa topics (1 hour)
Motzei Shabbos during the winter (ranges between 7:30 and 8:30 starting times): topics in halacha, except Shovevim when there is between 1 and 5 shiurim on hashkafa depending on the year. Shovevim this year is mostly Sholom Bayis. (1 hour- often overtime)
Shabbos morning before Shacharis: Hilchos Loshon Hora (10-15 minutes, depending on the zman for netz)
Shabbos morning after Mussaf: on the Parsha (20 minutes)
(Only for young avreichim in their first few years of marriage: between Kabalas Shabbos and Maariv) 

The shiurim are all in English. I recommend all of them (though I never attended the last one on the list) but note that the Shir Hashirim shiur and the Shabbos afternoon shiurim often have lots of questions, and you may need a lot of patience to sit through them.
The shiurim are all in the shul.

What kind are you looking for?

R' Sharagi Kallus is always good.

Thanks! I am open for any interesting Shiurim, but especially Parshah/Machshavah shiurim.

[Ploni3]

The OU center has a whole range of shiurim every day.

[nonstoptravel101]

Are there trains from TLV to Jerusalem early Friday morning?

[sorotzkin9]

Are there trains from TLV to Jerusalem early Friday morning?

First train is at 545am  this is the website to see full schedule https://www.rail.co.il/en

[Shirabira]

Is it convenient to use the train from Ben Gurion to Jerusalem if one has suitcases? Can we buy a paper ticket in the train station?