6 reasons to come to Israel for Sukkot 2016
By Deena Levenstein
Thank you to all the tour guides who helped me with this post!
- Etrogs, one of the four species
It’s currently the holiday of Sukkot for Jews around the world. Sukkot, the Feast of Tabernacles, is the holiday when Jews build temporary structures like these:
- By Effi B.
And live in them, or at the very least, eat and possibly sleep in them, for seven days.
If you’ve never been to Israel for Sukkot, you may not realize how much fun there is to be had throughout the holiday here. And so I’ll give you some examples of things you can do during Sukkot in Israel:
1. Get blessed at the Western Wall
The priestly blessing at the Western Wall
One morning every Sukkot (and Passover), tens of thousands congregate in the Western Wall plaza to receive the traditional blessing from hundreds of priests. This is a powerful religious experience not to be had anywhere else or at any other time. Definitely worth experiencing at least once in a lifetime.
- Photo from goisrael.com
2. Fly a kite at the Israel Museum in Jerusalem
The Kite Festival at the Israel Museum in Jerusalem
For thirty years the Israel Museum has been hosting the beautiful kite festival. You first get to build your own kite and then you get to fly it. The festival takes place in the museum’s picturesque art garden.
- Photo by Barak Aharon
3. Hear beautiful vocal music in Abu Gosh
The Abu Gosh Festival
The Abu Gosh Festival is Israel’s leading vocal music event. It takes place for a few days every Passover and Sukkot in the Abu Gosh village just outside Jerusalem in the Crusader-Benedictine Church and the Kiryat Ye’arim Church.
- Photo by Dani Arad
More about the Abu Gosh Festival
4. Hear amazing concerts while overlooking the Dead Sea
The Tamar Festival
The Tamar Festival is a five day celebration of Israeli music through special and unique musical combinations in scenic natural surroundings. The event is spread over various locations in the Judean Desert at different times of day including a sunrise concert on Masada.
- Photo from Facebook page
5. Reconnect with yourself in a desert ashram
The Zorba the Buddha Festival at the Desert Ashram
Take part in the big Zorba celebration – four days of workshops, concerts, parties, and amazing people, all surrounded by the beauty of the desert.
- Photo from Facebook page
6. Watch hot air balloons take flight
The Hot Air Balloon Festival, Maayan Harod, the Gilboa Region
On Tuesday arrive and set up camp. Enjoy lots of activities for kids and at 10 pm watch the balloons being inflated accompanied by music. At 11 pm is a huge firework display.
At 5:30 am on Wednesday the balloons take off. See beautiful hot air balloons from around the world fly above in the Israel skies.
- Photo from Facebook page
See some beautiful photos here
This is truly only a small fraction of the dozens and dozens of events and festivals that take place throughout the week of Sukkot in Israel. There is nothing like the holidays in Israel and now is a perfect time to talk to us about booking your completely customized tour to Israel for Sukkot 2016 (which begins October 16).
Author
Deena Levenstein
Deena Levenstein is a writer and social-cultural entrepreneur in Jerusalem. She creates and hosts events and runs "Things to do in Jerusalem," a Facebook group of handpicked cultural events in the city. In her spare time she blogs at http://deena.co/.
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