Your guide to exhibits, tours and other attractions around Israel

Jerusalem and Area
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Tower of David Museum

From Herod’s Palace to British Prison Tour of the museum’s newly opened moat and impressive excavation of the Kishle building, whose history spans the days of the First Temple to the establishment of the State of Israel. Fri at 10.30; Tues at 11.00; Thur at 17.00; Jerusalem: A Medical Diagnosis Exhibition. A broad and original look at the city’s “medical record” and the space between miracles and medicine. A guided tour of the exhibition, with a focus on the connection between the city’s water and its health, will be held on Fri at 10.00; The Night Spectacular - Jerusalem Lights the Night A night show presenting the history of Jerusalem, with images projected onto walls, bridges and hidden pathways of the ancient citadel. Check website for times. • Sat 09.00-14.00; Sun-Thur 09.00-16.00. • Registration: (02) 626-5333, www.towerofdavid.org.il

Bloomfield Science Museum

The museum holds permanent exhibits dealing with light and shadow, construction, levers, illusions, electricity and more, for the entire family. Temporary offerings: Fly with the Wind Seasonal exhibit and activities about wind and autumn, including: PHOTAGE Autumn Impressions Photo-montage work, of natural scenes, by Tami Rishona Ellison; Making Wind Activity Center Constructing objects that fly and hover, utilizing wind power, paper planes and more; The Power of Wind Scientific demonstration, with audience participation. Subjects: Seeing wind; wind and music; flight, and more; Shavshavruach Weathervane building workshop. • Fri and holiday eves 10.00-14.00; Sat and holidays 10.00-15.00; Mon-Thur 10.00-18.00. www.mada.org.il

Bible Lands Museum

On the Origins of Christmas and Hanukkah A lecture (in Hebrew) by Ofir Jacobson, Haifa University. Wed at 19.00; Weekend Treasure Hunt for Families Tour the exhibitions and solve codes and riddles while traveling through ancient cultures in search of hidden treasures (ages 6-12‏). Sat at 10.00-14.00. Museum hours: Sun-Tues, Thur 09.30-17.30; Fri, Sat and holiday eves 10.00-14.00. 21 Stefan Wise St. (02) 561-1066

Jerusalem Botanical Gardens

Winter Weeks A variety of weekly activities for the public: Physical activity for ages 55+, plus botanical lectures (Sun); Gymboree (Mon); Moms and babies social meet and activities on the lawn (Wed); Young Explorer backpack tour - activity for kids (Thur); Flower Train tours for the family (Fri) 10.00-13.00, on the hour; Creative activities in nature, for the family (Sat). This week: Seasons workshop in the Europe section (Sat at 10.00, 11.30, 13.00); Hebrew University Givat Ram Campus: Israel’s biggest plant collection, organized geographically, plus Bible Plant Trail and Herb and Medicinal Plant Garden. For children: Savannah grass maze and Young Discoverer Activity backpacks. Tropical conservatory closed for renovations. Entrance: Fri 09.00-17.00; Sat 09.00-18.00; Sun-Thurs, 09.00-19.00; 073-243-8914. www.en.botanic.co. 1 Zalman Shneor St. (via Nayot Petrol Station). Shabbat entry from 1 Burla St.

Tisch Family Zoological Gardens (Biblical Zoo)

Natural exhibits of over 160 species of mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, fish and invertebrates originating from around the world, with a focus on conservation of regional wildlife. Also, a children’s zoo with petting corner and educational activities and the Noah’s Ark sculpture garden. • Fri and holiday eves, 09.00-16.30; Sat and holidays, 10.00-18.00; Sun-Thur, 09.00-18.00. Biblical Zoo‏, Aharon Shulov Rd., Malha (02) 675-0111. Details: www.jerusalemzoo.org.il/english

Mini Israel

Winter Tales: The Nightingale Play, based on Hans Christian Andersen’s classic tale. Ages 3-9. Sat at 13.00; Regular offerings: The site offers over 350 miniature replicas of historical, religious, archaeological and modern sites and buildings from around the country. Also, site-specific gaming apps and “3Discovering Israel,” a 3-D film at the park’s cinema which shows landscapes of Israel as never seen before. • Guided tours: Fri, 11.30; Sat-Wed, 12.00, 15.00, 17.30; Thur, 12.00, 15.00, 19.15 • Fri, 10.00-14.00; Sat-Thur, 10.00-18.00. Latrun 1-700-559-559; www.minisrael.co.il

Monkey Park

Guided tours, workshops, feedings, rides, wall climbing and other activities. • Fri, 10.00-16.00; Sat-Thur 10.00-17.00 (last entry two hours before closing); Ben Shemen Forest (near Kfar Daniel) (08) 928-5888, park.monkeypark.co.il

Yad Vashem

Holocaust Memorial Museum with exhibitions and commemorative sites. • Fri and holiday eves, 09.00-14.00; Sun-Wed, 09.00-17.00; Thur, 09.00-20.00. Mount Herzl, Jerusalem. www.yadvashem.org

Sharon Area
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Florentine Circus

The modern circus group Florentine Circus presents family fun Saturdays, with “Mayhem in the Circus,” a performance that includes juggling, aerial acrobatics, dance and more for all ages, followed by circus workshops for kids. Sat at 11.00. Performance hall, Hakfar Hayarok, Ramat Hasharon (off Hakfar Hayarok junction). Tickets: (03) 524-7373, www.florentinecircus.co.il

Haifa and the North
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Polish Culinary Week

The Polish Institute in Israel hosts a week of culinary events. Over 35 culinary and cultural events will be held throughout the country, including meals made by Israeli and Polish chefs and bakers, herring-and-vodka parties, culinary tours, workshops, talks and more, focusing on bread, dough and baking and on the strong historical and cultural connection between the Israeli kitchen and Eastern European food. Nov 28-Dec 6. Downtown Haifa and locations around Israel. Details: www.pcw.co.il/eng

Haifa Zoo and Educational Center

The zoo, located in a park overlooking the lush Carmel, is home to local, regional and global species of birds, reptiles and mammals, including Israel’s only white tigers (Fri 09.00-14.00, Sat-Thur 09.00-16.00). A petting corner and kids’ activities are on site, which is shared by the Biological Institute, an educational center for school groups dealing with zoology, nature and ecology. The educational center also houses the Prehistory Museum, which holds permanent exhibits on man’s early development, with displays including dioramas and prehistoric findings found in Israel (Fri, Sat, Mon-Thur, 10.00-15.00). 124 Hatishbi St. (04) 837-2390, www.haifazoo.co.il

Gan Guru

The park is home to wildlife including kangaroos, koalas, flying foxes, emus and more. Guided feedings and a petting zoo. Every Saturday: Aboriginal face-painting, and guided koala and bat feedings. Fri, 09.00-15.00; Sat, 09.00-17.00; Sun-Thur, 09.00-16.00. Australia Park, Kibbutz Nir David (04) 648-8060

The Bahai Gardens

Holy to the Bahai faith, the site includes the impressive golden-domed Shrine of the Bab. The gardens are made up of a staircase of 19 exquisitely crafted terraces which look over the Haifa bay, with meandering paths through local flora, hedges and flower beds that change with the seasons. Panorama Tours Guided tours, on the gardens and the Bahai community, for able walkers. Fri-Tues, Thur (see website for changing times). Starting point: 45 Yefe Nof St. • Visiting hours: Inner gardens: daily, 09.00-12.00; outer gardens: daily, 09.00-17.00. Details:
(04) 831-3131, www.ganbahai.org.il/en

Mordechai Anielewicz Museum

Honoring one of the leaders of the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising, the museum exhibits various artifacts depicting life in the ghetto. • Sun-Thur, 08.00-16.00. Kibbutz Givat Haviva (near Pardes Hannah) (04) 630-9201

The South
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Ben Gurion March

The annual, traditional march through the desert takes place in honor of Israel’s first prime minister and following his favorite paths, with a focus on nature and Israeli folklore and trivia. Three routes are on offer: 7k, 15k and 22k. A huge happening for the whole family, sporting events, an arts and crafts creative activities area, and more at the finishing line. Sat from 07.30. This year, the march is preceded by a fun and competitive sports-and-games event: Double Challenge in the Desert A two-person team event incorporating bicycling, running and activity/trivia challenge stops you must complete correctly. Fri (start times between 09.00 and 10.30).Midreshet Ben Gurion, Sde Boker. Details: (074) 701-3301, www.zaadatbg.org

Around Hazerim Bike Ride

A 27km desert bike ride through Hazerim Forest’s Statues Road (children: from age 12, with accompanying adult). Fri at 07.30. Start at the Negev Zoo, Kiryat Batz 5, Be’er Sheva. Details and registration: http://events.shvoong.co.il/neviot

Eilat Bird-Watching Park

The ornithological park is situated in a critical spot for both local desert birds and birds migrating from Europe, Asia and Africa. The park offers unique bird watching opportunities, as well as educational activities, guided tours in nature and up-close and personal workshops for the entire family. Open daily, at all times. North of the city of Eilat, off Route 109 (east from Route 90). ibrce.office@gmail.com, 050-767-1290, http://eilat birds.com

Underwater Observatory Marine Park, Eilat

The park sits upon the coral reef of the Red Sea, providing an up-close introduction to the fauna of the Gulf of Eilat, including over 800 species of fish, corals, mollusks, turtles, rays and others. The park’s newly opened Sharks Pool is home to 18 shark species, and offers an underwater observation tunnel, activities and displays. Additional attractions include the open-sea underwater observatory, aquariums, the Amazon Cabin (featuring fauna from the Amazon River), animal feedings, glass-bottomed boat cruises, 3D educational films, activities for the entire family and more. Daily, 08.30-16.00. Coral (Almog) Beach, Eilat (08) 636-4200, www.coralworld.co.il/en

Weizmann Institute of Science

Fun Labs Saturdays Fun experiments with tastes, sound waves and colors, plus new games, activities, workshops and displays, and an autumn-themed experience at the Eco-Sphere. For the family. Sat, 09.00-17.00; Work Your Brain! Interactive exhibit on the human brain. Includes a huge inflatable model, demonstrations and contents on sensory perceptions and illusions, brain structure, brain function and malfunctions, as well as recent discoveries in the field. Also, thematic creative workshops. For the entire family. Fri 09.00-14.00, Sat-Thur 09.00-20.00. (08) 934-4528; Regular offerings: Tour the institute and The Weizmann House, home of Chaim Weizmann, the first president of Israel and founder of the institute. In Hebrew/English. • Sun-Thur 09.00-16.00. Registration: (08) 934-4499. 234 Herzl St., Rehovot. Details: www.weizmann.ac.il