After the great success last year, the Jerusalem Ice Festival is back in town at the Old Train Station Compound.

February 20-April 30, 2013

 

                       

 

This year's theme is the Far East, The Ocean and Children's Wonderland.

The Ice Festival tent will be cooled to -10 degrees Celsius in order to ensure that the ice activities remain frozen. The sculptures are being created by over 20 Chinese artists flown in specially for the festival and this is a "must see" event. If you live outside of Jerusalem it is worth the drive!

The Isracard-Jerusalem "Ice City" journey beings upon entering an airplane made of ice, where you can see the view of ice-sculpted Jerusalem. The visitors land in a magical world of ice, starting with the magnificent views of India, unique animals and one of the seven wonders of the world- the Taj Mahal. The course of the journey includes forests, tunnels, rivers, bridges and mazes, onlooking the marvelous views of China and Japan through famous sites such as the Great Wall of China and the Pagoda in Japan. Along the road symbols of Asian culture are entwined, accompanied by decorations such as animals (Panda bears, Cheetahs) and authentic characters. At the end of their journey, visitors will arrive at a rich sushi bar made entirely of ice... The sushi is edible and delicious!

 

         

Purchase Tickets: Tickets are sold based on specific times and visitors are asked to arrive 15-20 minutes before scheduled ticket time. Tickets to the ice sculpture exhibit can be purchased through Bravo! Ice sculpture exhibit click here and tickets to the Acrobatic show can be purchased through Bravo! Click Here

**Please make sure to note that there are separate tickets for the Ice Festival Sculpture Exhibit and the Acrobatic Ice Show. There is an option to buy a joint ticket.  If you are a tourist then you can enter your drivers license number or passport number where it requests your Teudat Zehut. Just make sure to bring the ID with you to pick up the tickets at the box office***

Children ages 3+ must have a ticket. Children under 3 can not enter the exhibit. 

Festival Activities:

• Ice sculptures: Travel to the Far East, see beautiful ice sculptures and ride the ice slide.

• Ice Sushi Bar: edible and delicious

• Ice Show: acrobatics and gymnastics with fabulous costumes and a breathtaking show. The show is 1 hr and recommended for ages 2+ Review from our reader M. H. "It is a circus on ice. Fabulous costumes, talents and skills. The grown ups and kids all enjoyed it." Tickets purchased separately

Dates: February 20-April 30, 2013
Hours: 10am-11pm Sun-Thurs, Friday till 2pm and Saturday 7pm-10pm
Prices:  Isracard-Jerusalem "Ice City" Festival:

• Entry to the Ice City Exhibit: 70 NIS
• Entry to the Ice Skating Show: 70 NIS
• Combined Entry (Exhibition +Show): 120 NIS

 

 

 

 

 

 

Discounted Tickets for Isracard Customers Only (purchase through Isracard):

• Entry to the Ice City Exhibit: 40 NIS (Previously: 70 NIS)
• Entry to the Ice Skating Show: 40 NIS (Previously: 70 NIS)
• Combined Entry Exhibition + Show 75 NIS (Previously: 120 NIS)
• 10% Discount at the coffee houses, restaurants, ice skating rink and gift shop at the arena. 

  

**Please make sure to note that there are separate tickets for the Ice Festival Sculpture Exhibit and the Acrobatic Ice Show. There is an option to buy a joint ticket.  If you are a tourist then you can enter your drivers license number or passport number where it requests your Teudat Zehut. Just make sure to bring the ID with you to pick up the tickets at the box office***

Location: Old Train Station Compound 

Buses: 75, 74, 71, 72, 38, 30, 21, 13, 12, 12A, 8, 7, 4, 4A

This Tuesday January 22, 2013 is election day in Israel. Although its important to know who you are voting for, its more important to know what you have planned to do with your kids, who will be home from school. Most offices are also closed for Election Day but many of Jerusalem's attractions will be open and there are even some special deals out there.

For a full list of events please visit our calendar.

Election Themed Events:
Biblical Zoo: Vote for your favorite animal to run the zoo.
Botanical Gardens: Vote for your favorite tree

Fun Activities that require advanced reservations:
Jeeping: Jeep through the hills of Jerusalem, Gush Etzion or the desert and learn about the history of the area. This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Snappling & Ropes Course: This is a great family activity that is fun for all ages. Ages 4+. Learn to tree climb with a rope ladder, rappel, tight rope walk, sky swing and more. Ideal for 3 or 4 families to do together. This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Shows:
Chelm Show: at the Jerusalem Theater
Mix: a world renowned dance show at the Jerusalem Theater
"The Salad" Beit Yehudit Winter Play in honor of Tu Bshvat at 5pm

Museums:
Tower of David Museum: "The Kaiser is Coming" and other exhibits. Don't miss the Night Spectacular sound and light show. Special Election Day Price!
Beit Avi Chai: storytime and kids activities

Nature Events:
Gan Hahursha Garden Event: Planting, art activity and Tu Bshvat Seder.

Fun In Jerusalem will be running our own elections on our facebook page on Tuesday. Vote for your favorite Jerusalem attractions, favorite oznei haman flavor and more.

As Operation Pillar of Defense continues and the rockets continue to fly into the South, many local Jerusalem attractions have opened their arms to families from the South. Here is a list, that will be continuously updated, of events and attractions with special programs for families from the South.

Jerusalem Bird Observatory: 052-386-9488
Friday Nov 23 from 8:00am-1:30pm 
The activities will be free to all families from the south and families whose fathers (or mothers) have been called up to reserve duty.  Come and learn about the birds that migrate through Israel, learn to do bird ringing, kids crafts and more. Activities are in Hebrew and English. The Jerusalem Bird Observatory is located between the Knesset and the Supreme Court.

Saturday Nov 24 8:00am-12:00pm
There will be a bird ringing activity for families in Park Jerusalem

Tower of David: 02-626-5333
The Tower of David Museum, has been thinking about the residents of the south and they would like to invite you to come to the Tower of David Museum with free entrance during the day.
Night Spectacular at the Tower of David: Families from the South are invited to enjoy the Night Spectacular with special entrance tickets of 30 NIS per person instead of 55 NIS.

Museum of the Underground Prisoner: 02-623-3166
At the Museum of the Underground Prisoner the entrance is free for families from the South. Come and learn about the brave men and women who fought for the establishment of the State of Israel. Ask about their English scavenger hunt.

Jerusalem Natural History Museum
Nature Museum in Jerusalem, opens its doors and hearts for residents of the South for free. There are museum exhibitions on various subjects, a large park for visitors, and in the museum there is a petting zoo for children.
The museum is located on Mohaliber 6, German Colony, Jerusalem.

Jerusalem Botanical Gardens: 02-679-4012
Come and see the beautiful gardens in the fall. Children will enjoy riding the Flower Train. Entrance is free for families from the South but reservations are required in advance 073-2438914

Temple Institute: 02-627-6569
Families from the South are invited to visit the museum for 18 NIS (instead of 25 NIS) and 15 NIS for children (instead of 20 NIS). Come and see the sacred vessels designed according to Jewish tradition accompanied by 70 canvas paintings that capture life during the Temple here in our exhibition.

Bible Lands Museum: 02-561-1066
Children from the South can enter for free and parents can receive a discount of 1+1. Exhibits include exploring the peoples, cultures and civilizations of the ancient lands of the Bible, the Pure Gold exhibit and the Date Palm exhibit.

Bloomfield Science Museum: 02-654-4888
The Science Museum is a great hands on museum for kids and adults. It is open for free to residents of the South.

Jerusalem Train Theater: 02-561-8514
Bring your young kids and enjoy a puppet show at the Train Theater in Gan Hapaamon, next to the Inbal Hotel. The theater is offering free tickets to families from the South and a special rate of 1+1 for the show Where is Mrs Gabbai? & Dream Trackers.

Old Yishuv Court Museum: 02-627-6319
Free entrance for residents from the South. Call in advance to schedule a tour. 

Ein Yael:
There will be tours of the Ein Yael Living Museum as well as Olive Oil workshops. Groups must be arranged through the Iriya 02-629-5835

Jerusalem Zoo: 02-675-0111
This is a great place to relax and enjoy the beautiful landscaping and animals. The zoo is offering a discounted entrance ticket of 25 NIS for residents form the South.

Israel Museum: 02-670-8811
Free entrance for children from the South to the Israel Museum. 50% discount for adults. Guided tours for groups from the south can be organized at a special discounted price of NIS 25 (via the Jlem municipality).

Kotel Tunnel Tours and Generations Exhibit: 02-627-1333

The Western Wall Heritage Foundation invites families from the South to visit the Kotel Tunnel Tours at a discounted price of 15 NIS per person. Reservations are required in advance. 

 

You can find more information about events and activities for families from the South by calling the Jerusalem hotline at 02-629-5835

Please make sure to visit our important post about Keeping Your Family Safe in Jerusalem.

If you are visiting Jerusalem this week then you may have been very surprised to hear a siren go off on Friday afternoon. Truth be told, even those of us who live here were very surprised. The government has given us very clear guidelines for what to do in case of an emergency siren and we would like to share them with you.

1. Sirens in Jerusalem are sounded to warn residents of an incoming missile attack. People in Jerusalem have 90 seconds (1.5 minutes) to get themselves into a "safe room". If you are prepared in advance then 90 seconds is plenty of time to get into the room.
2. A safe room is called a "Miklat" or a "Mamad". These rooms are built with special concrete reinforcements to protect people from rocket attacks. All hotels have a miklat or mamad so make sure to ask the front desk in advance where it is. If you are renting an apartment then make sure to ask your rental agent which room is the safe room.
3. In a case where you can not get to a mamad or miklat in time then head to the closest staircase (preferably one without any windows).
4. You must stay in the safe room for ten minutes before coming out. If you hear a second siren then start your ten minutes from the beginning.
5. If you are driving then pull your car over to a safe place to park. Get out of the car and try to enter the closest building (look for a miklat or central staircase). If you do not have enough time to get inside then get out of your car and lie on the ground while covering your head.

***Do not congregate outside after a siren. It is human nature to go out and find neighbors and find out what has happened but it is safer to tune into any radio station and remain indoors till you know that there is an all clear.***

Preparing your Mamad
These are the items you should make sure to have in your safe room especially if you have children with you.

• First aid kit (can be purchased at any pharmacy)
• Water Bottles
• Toys
• Flashlight with batteries
• Radio with batteries 93.9 FM (Army Radio) or download the TuneIn Radio app for live radio
• Some snacks
• Diapers and wipes if you have babies

More Information:

You can find more information on the Home Front Command website www.oref.org.il . You can see the latest IBA English news here.

You can also follow the IDF spokesperson directly on twitter at @IDFSpokesperson for up to date information.

Phone Numbers:

Police 100
Ambulance  101
Fire Department 102
Electric Company 103
Home Front Command – Pikud HaOref 1207  (the IDF branch responsible for Civilians)
Jerusalem Hot Line 106

We pray for our brave soldiers and hope that Operation Pillar of Defense will end quickly with a complete cessation of rocket attacks on Israel from Gaza.