Ramallah is a small city with a population of approximately 57,000 in the Palestinian Territories, located within the West Bank region, some 15 km (10 miles) north of Jerusalem.
Since the inception of the Palestinian National Authority, Ramallah has acted as the de facto capital city of the Palestinian administration and commercial capital.
Modern Ramallah was founded in the mid-16th century by the Haddadins, a Jordanian tribe of brothers descended from Ghassanid Christian Arabs. The Haddadins, led by Rashid Haddadin, arrived from east of the Jordan River near the Jordanian town of Shoubak.
The Haddadin migration is attributed to fighting and unrest among clans in that area. According to modern living descendents of original Haddadin family members, Rahid's brother Sabra Haddadin was hosting Emir Ibn Kaysoom, head of a powerful Muslim clan in the region, when Sabra's wife gave birth to a baby girl.
According to custom, the Emir proposed a betrothal to his own young son when they came of age. Sabra believed the proposal was in jest, as Muslim-Christian marriages were not customary, and gave his word. When the Emir later came to the Haddadins and demanded that they fulfill their promise, they refused.
This set off bloody conflict between the two families. The Haddadins fled west and settled on the hilltops of Ramallah, where only a few Muslim families lived at the time. Today although town has a Muslim majority, Ramallah retains it's title as a historically Christian Palestinian town
Ramallah is known for its religiously relaxed atmosphere alcohol flows freely and movie theaters are well attended—and the cafes along its main streets. Ramallah is, without question, the cultural capital of the West Bank, with a highly educated and fashionable population. It is also the hub of Palestinian feminist activity; the city’s women frequently attend university rather than marry early, and several cafes run exclusively by women are used to fund local feminist organizations.
While there, it is easy to make small talk with the locals. Unless you are firmly anti-Israeli occupation, it is advisable that you do more listening than actual talking yourself, however. For the most part, Palestinians are glad to share their problems and plight to any western visitors.
Visiting Ramallah
Tourists with passports outside the Middle East have no problem entering or exiting Ramallah. Make sure to have your passport and visa stamp with you. Even though you will probably not need your passport to enter, you will be required to show your passport and stamp in order to re-enter Israel. Once through the checkpoint, it is a short drive to downtown Ramallah. Bear in mind that it is illegal for Israelis to enter Ramallah, under Israeli law.
On the way back, if you have an Israeli visa stamp or visa paper with your passport from when you arrived in Israel, then just stay on the bus as it arrives at Kalandia. Many passengers will get off here to go through a different security check. A couple of border guards with huge guns will come on to the bus to check passenger ID documents. They will probably speak English well and may ask some questions about where you are from,even though they can read it on your passport.
There is 1 one bus station on Al-Nahder St. that serves buses from/to Nablus, and probably other destinations north. There are at least three other bus stations in the city which also serve various destinations. Nevertheless, they are all pretty close to each other.
From Jerusalem the best connection to Ramallah is bus/sherut/serves 218 or 219. It departs from the Nablus Road station close to Damascus Gate on Nablus Rd (aka Derech Shchem) and will take you all the way to before mentioned bus station near the central square of al-Manara. It takes around 45 minutes.
From Bethlehem take a shared taxi (Sherut/serviis) from the Bethlehem bus station at Manger St. in the center. The trip takes 45 min all the way around Jerusalem..
From Jericho take a shared taxi (Sherut/serviis) from the central roundabout with the garden in the middle. The taxis are waiting on the western side of the roundabout. To increase your luck, you can also wait at the roundabout out of the city with the mosque. Even hitchhiking from there makes sense. The trip to Ramallah takes less than an hour. The exact price is listed in the tourist information on the central roundabout in Jericho centre.
From Nablus the trip takes about an hour. Ask around from which bus station in Nablus the correct bus starts.
It is worth asking the drivers before you get on to double-check the bus is going to the right destination. You might be surprised how many of them can speak basic English. There are two main types of buses. There are small ones with about 20 seats, and biggers ones that look more like coaches and are much more comfortable. They all cost the same, and there is usually a rush of passengers pushing their way onto the buses.
From Jerusalem's Damascus Gate you can find taxis to Ramallah for approximately ₪80-100 depending on your bargaining skills. You can also take a taxi to Kalandia checkpoint and walk through, picking up another taxi on the other side. It costs about ₪30 from Kalandia to Ramallah centre.
Heading north from Jerusalem on road #60, you will arrive to Ramallah very quickly. You will have to pass one Israeli checkpoint on the way: Kalandia.
As the Kalandia airport is not accessible for civilian passengers anymore, the only nearby passenger airports are Ben Gurion in Tel Aviv and Queen Alia in Amman then heading towards Allenby Bridge aka King Hussein Bridge and passing through it - Visa on arrival for Israel is available for most common nationalities.
It is easy to find a taxi to get around Ramallah for ₪10 fixed charge, or the amount specified by the fare-meter. Car rentals are also available, but seldom needed. As the city center is relatively small, it is not hard to walk to most destinations downtown,including the old city.
Service shuttles orshared taxis are also available from downtown to most suburbs and to the outskirts of the city at relatively low prices ₪2.5 inside the city and up to ₪6 to nearby towns and villages. Make sure to confirm a price before getting into a taxi.
The city is one of the most vibrant ones in the West Bank. In Ramallah, a few historic and religious sites are present. However, the downtown streets are a must see during the day, as the city is often really congested.
Hisbeh produce market, see below.
1 Old City. While not resembling any Medina-style old city, several churches and mosques can be found that may be of interest to visitors.
The Friends Schools. One of the oldest schools in the region, are also a must visit as there is one near the old city, and another in the entrance of the downtown coming from Jerusalem.
2 Yasser Arafat's mausoleum 700 m northwest of the central roundabout. 10am-5pm, except Mondays. The mausoleum is the only part of the Mukata'a two-block complex tourists can visit. You will be asked by the armed guards at the gate to leave any bags large or small with them but they will allow you to take your camera with you to visit the tomb.
Inside you will find a couple of soldiers standing guard over the tomb. This seems to be a ceremonial guard and they will not object to your taking photos inside there, even of yourself or others next to the marble gravestone. Next to the mausoleum is the museum building where Arafat was held under siege by the Israeli Army in 2002.
The museum is interesting in a way that it displays the Palestinian, sometimes a little questionable but interesting view of the difficult past. Mausoleum is free - Museum is ₪5.
3 West Bank headquarters of the Palestinian Authority. Closed for public. The Mukata'a is a two-block compound with a white tower that is lit up at night and visible from most parts of the city. It contains some government offices and conference rooms, as well as the above mentioned Yasser Arafat's mausoleum.
4 Dar Zahran Heritage Building 750 m west of the central roundabout. Mon-Sat, opens 11am. A protected and family-owned building and one of the top sights in Ramallah, displaying the history and art of Ramallah's past and present. A nice and helpful host takes care of the place with over 200 years of history. It is also a hotel and you can buy souvenirs.
5 Al Tireh. A fortress from the 12th century.
Activities
Tourism, in the traditional sense, is almost non-existent in Ramallah compared to other cities in the region. If you are visiting Ramallah, it is probable that you are doing so for political, business, and/or humanitarian reasons, expect to have lots of staring, curious but always friendly eyes looking at you as you walk though town.
Join a protest, e-mail: info@hostelinramallah.com. Many international visitors to Ramallah come to get taxi rides to see the protests in the neighboring villages like Nabi Saleh and the world famous Bil'in protests against Israel's separation barrier. Hostel in Ramallah has different tours, twice per week they organize trip to one of the protests and hebron city.
Turkish bath In the twin-city of El-Bireh. A good destination for foreigners wanting to relax for the day.
Ramallah is the home of the Friends School in the Palestinian Territories. The school has two campuses, one for grades 1-6 and is located near the old city. The other is for grades 7-12 and is located near the old police station destroyed by an Israeli air strike. The schools are famous for their international learning environment, intensive English language focus, and liberal learning atmosphere. The schools are private and have a number of notable Palestinian alumni.
The city also has a number of public and private schools that serve a good number of the West Bank youth population. Private schools with specific religious affiliations can also be found.
In the twin city of El-Bireh, there is also a school for the blind that also serves as a vocational center.
Birzeit University, which is in the neighboring town of Birzeit, is one of the Palestinian Authority's leading educational institutions. The University offers a large number of study options and at different levels for students. It also has several links with international institutions, and often has a number of international students attending it. The PAS (Palestinian and Arab Studies) program is popular with internationals visiting or working in the West Bank who want to learn Arabic and take classes on the history and politics of the Palestinian Authority.
The city also has branches for Al-Quds Open University, which offers continuing education opportunities to many Palestinians.
There are a number of vocational training centers in the city, neighboring towns, and refugee camps.
Work
Ramallah is a vibrant Palestinian business hub, especially as most international agencies and governmental offices are located in the city. However, with the immigration of Palestinians from other cities in the West Bank to Ramallah, there is a highly competitve job market and many Palestinians, especially young men come to the city seeking work. The most popular career portal In Ramallah and Palestine is Jobs in Palestine .here you can find most jobs advertised by INGOs,NGOs,and local companies
Major working opportunities in Ramallah include information technology, pharmaceuticals, development cooperation, and the public sector. Restaurant and coffee shop jobs are also available, mainly during the summer. Agricultural jobs are minimal in the city, but a few can be sought in neighboring villages.
For foreigners, work opportunities tend to include consultancies in certain private sector markets - IT is most common. The vast majority of foreigners working in Ramallah are doing development or humanitarian work. A significant number are focused on human rights and advocacy. A number of UN agencies work directly in the West Bank and many, such as the UNDP, maintain office in Ramallah.
Volunteering opportunities are common in small and medium sized Palestinian NGOs as well as some international NGOs. Volunteering is an excellent way to get to understand an organisation and the field they operate in. Most local NGOs will appreciate foreign volunteers, particularly if they have good written English skills, enabling them to support fundraising work.
Volunteers are often paid small sums to cover basic travel costs but this varies. If you are planning to volunteer, have enough money to support yourself as Ramallah is not a cheap place to live. you could also volunteer in some new small projects as the first youth hostel in the city (HOSTEL in RAMALLAH) and through the hostel there are some other projects as an organic farm or refuge camps http://hostelinramallah.com
Shopping
There's not a huge amount to do in Ramallah if you are just visiting. A great way to spend your time could be to dip in and out of shops. Shop-keepers are among the most ready-to-talk and many have colourful lives. It gives you a good reason to walk around and take your time.
You will never find everything under one roof, but for a basket of common necessities, you will need to visit a baker, grocer, butcher, pharmacy and mini-market. Ramallah city centre, despite the development and growth of some new stores retains a small-town feel due to the protections for tenants that mean many shops have been in the same location for decades,rent agreed at the outset cannot be increased, so in many cases is only a few USD per year.
1 Hisbeh produce market (Souq) located near the main bus station and the central mosque, about 150m away from al-Manara Square (the centre of Ramallah. A great place to visit. Fresh fruits and vegetables can be found at reasonable prices. Produce is a mixture of Palestinian, Israeli and imported goods. Prices are basically fixed although bargaining is possible if you buy more than a few kilos.
2 Noora Heritage House, Al masion area. Traditional palestinian handcraft can be found here.
Butchers in Ramallah normally sell meat (Beef/Lamb) or chicken. If they sell both, they are separated and attended by different people. One of the best butchers is on Tireh Street about 1km from Al-Manara. The butcher will cut the meat to your specification and will mince it for you while you wait for no extra charge. If you ask for barbeque meat, you will also get a mix of coriandar, garlic and spices ready for BBQ.
Dining
The bakery on Al-Quds street where the buses emerge from the bus station is one of the best in town. The staple is 'kmaaj' or pitta bread. A bakery in the Old City (Ramallah Tahta) produces brown kmaaj and sliced bread.
Also the Arabic variety of ice cream in many places in Ramallah is worth trying - a very different and more gooey and sticky version of what is available in the west. Regular ice cream can be found everywhere also. Try Rukab's and Baladna ice cream shops on the main street.
There are a huge number of Falafel and Shawarma places on all of the main streets. A filling falafel or hummous pita sandwich with a drink should run you around ₪4-6 from any of the common downtown restaurants. At nicer restaurants, such a combination will run you a bit more.
A large Shawerma, Kebab, or Chicken sandwich goes for around ₪10-15 in most restaurants. A hamburger, fries, and a drink go for around ₪15-25 depending on the restaurant. Abu Alabed is an excellent Shawerma place located in the old city next to fish and chips restaurant. Big Bite located at the end of the main street offers a wide range of hot and cold sandwiches.
Nazareth Restaurant, Tireh Street (at the end of the main street). Popular for locals and serves really great (but hummousey) Falafel.
Saba, Tireh Street on the main street across the road from the famous "Rukab" Ice-Cream shop. Falafel.
Abu Khalil, Tireh Street. Another delicious Falafel.
Fish and Chips restaurant located in the old city. You can have a delicious dish of fresh fish or other seafood dishes. You can choose your favourite fresh fish from Palestine Fishery and ask the chef to prepare that fish for you in the way you like. They also prepare very delicious fish sandwiches at reasonable prices.
Angelinos on the left at the end of the main street. Another place to eat. Go with friends and you will like sandwich with turkey, stuffed pigeon and pizzas. Price/quality is very satisfactory.
Tomasso'spizza. For a nice pizza dine-in or take-out.
Checkers. For those who want more American/Western food, this place is a fast-food joint in the mini-mall and on the main street.
Chicago Cheese Steak a little south-east from Manara Square. American/Western
The city has a number of upscale restaurants. A nice steak or seafood dish will cost around ₪80. "Darna", "Angelo's", "Azure" are all nice options for upscale dining.
Ziryab, Main Street,just past the Jawwal office. 12-midnight. Ziryab is great in winter with a large open fireplace and good food. The prices are average. Alcohol is available. ₪50-100.
Tropicana Massyoun, behind the Quds Bank. A moderately-priced gourmet restaurant. Especially in summer, you can sit in the garden, and apart from the traditional Arabic food, they also serve European and Armenian dishes.
Drinking
Although predominately Muslim, Ramallah is still a Christian town, hence Ramallah's large restaurants usually serve alcohol. Expect a selection of imported beers (Heineken, Corona, etc.), spirits, and perhaps red or white wine. Do not display public intoxication, as at best, it is rude and inconsiderate to your Muslim hosts. At worst, it could be dangerous.
The city's active nightlife and its relatively liberal culture makes it a hot destination for visitors from other cities including Jerusalem during the weeknights and weekends.
During the night, a good number of shops are still open, especially during the summer. A common habit of the citizens of the city is going out for a drink, dinner, or a 'Argila' (flavoured tobacco waterpipe.) The cities various coffee shops, bars, and restaurants are a must see/visit. The nicer ones are often available closer the older city, and on the road going to Betunia, while some good ones can also be found outside the city center.
Palestinians seem to love fresh fruit-juice. For under ₪10 you can get a large juice with a mixture of anything from Pomegranate to Orange juice.
1 Silwadi (on Al-Manara square). This juice shop is the most famous and has been around for decades. Silwadi's something of a purist serving only pure juice.
2 Alsham Cafe (on Al-Manara square just below Stars & Bucks.). This one also serves a cocktail which includes ice-cream, nuts and dried fruit as well as chocolate sauce. ₪7-15.
Coffee shops
Ramallah offers a wide variety of coffeeshops ranging from the local low-scale ones serving Arabic Coffee for ₪2, to those fancy places serving the same item for ₪10-15. Try the Arabic drinks (arabic coffee, mint tea, sahleb, etc ), cappucinos and lattes, and fresh juices and cocktails at the numerous cafes around downtown and in the suburbs.
'Coffee shops' are places to drink coffee and smoke waterpipes. The term Argila is often used in Ramallah to describe the waterpipes, while Shishah is also used at some places. You might even see 'Hookah' or 'Hubbly Bubbly'. You can also smoke Arghila in almost any restaurant, although some have special areas for them.
You can order normal ('aadi') or fresh ('fresh'). Fresh means the tobacco is placed in a piece of fruit like an orange (or even a watermelon). It has a smoother flavour but is more expensive. You should also choose your flavour. Common flavours are double-apple ('tufateen') and lemon and mint ('limun-w-nana').
Depending on the location and type of restaurant of cafe, the price of smoking a nice and soothing tobacco waterpipe costs anywhere between ₪8-30. The cheapest places do have an unwritten men-only rule, however.
A mobile coffee stand (usually found at Rukab street two blocks west from Manara Square). Serving the arguably best sahlab in town. ₪4.
Baladna (next to Rukab icecream). a cheap 'Coffee Shop' with an un-written men-only rule. It is packed every day for most of the evening. A normal Arghila is about ₪8.
Tarwee'a (Main Street/Tireh Street near the Arab Bank). A midrange 'Coffee Shop' which accepts men and women
Also try "European" and "Karameh" on main street.
Pubs
Popular local places to get served alcohol are Zan's, Zryiab, Stones, Angelo's, and Sangria's. They all serve food as well and the local Palestinian beer "Taybeh" (which can challenge most European beers). For more robust beer lovers, Taybeh also comes in a delightfully rich tasting dark version although this isn't as widely sold as the lighter ale.
Most neighborhoods, particularly traditionally Christian ones have a couple of stores that sell beer, wine and spirits.
Silwadi Juice Shop, al-Manara Square (Right on the central square in Ramallah). 7am to midnight. Silwadi juice shop is the most famous juice shop in Ramallah. It has been in the same place for decades. They only serve fresh juice. Choose from a variety of seasonal fruits and vegetables. Under ₪10.
Snobar, Masaif (al-Irsal) 10 minutes from the centre off the left from al-Irsal street. Evenings. Snobar is an open-air summer bar about 5 minutes in a taxi from the centre of the city. Snobar means pine tree in Arabic and the area is enclosed by tall pines. There is an outdoor swimming pool which is open in the afternoons. Food and alcohol available. ₪20 for a beer.
Radio, Al-Masyoun Area,Turn left at the lights next to the HSBC on Beitunya Road. Beit Anisa was the name now it is radio is Ramallah's latest addition to the nightlife and feels more like a bar in London's Soho. It attracts a mixture of locals, foreigners and others. Alcohol available. ₪25 for a Beer.
Orjwan, Al-Masyoun Area (Near the Sakakini Centre). Evenings. Orjwan is Ramallah's premium nightspot attracting the higher echelons. Holiday-snaps from Orjwan might not look out of place with those from New York or London. ₪20-30 for a Beer.
Taybeh Beer Brewery Taybeh village, negotiate a wage for taxi ride from Ramallah's bus station or catch a serveese to Taybeh. Run and operated by the Palestinian-American Khoury family, this is one of only a handful of micro-breweries in the Middle East.
It creates the famous Palestinian beer called "Taybeh" and gets it's name from the village that it is made in,the only 100% Palestinian Christian village in Palestine. They offer a tour of their factory and have a gift shop and fresh and very, very, very cheap beer on sale. The village of Taybeh also hosts it's very own Oktoberfest-style festival on the first week of October in Taybeh village ₪5 per beer.
Fiego (in the old city). An upscale and very cosy place in an old city building, with great lights, a warming fireplace for cold winter nights, friendly staff and excellent drinks. small beer ₪17, cocktails ₪35.
Accomodation
Hostel in Ramallah, Arafat square al-nuzha street (Almaktaba) 12 (from Ramallah bus station walk 5 min to Arafat square (ask at silwadi juice at al-manara square) Check-in: any time, check-out: 12:00. The first youth hostel in Ramallah. Including breakfast and city tour, political yours and introduction to Palestine, roof terrace and bar local beers cooking Palestinian food great city view. Close to night life in a safe zone in the city at night. Hiking, mountain biking, rock climbing and many other activities can be organised. If you stay here you can collect a stamp for the AubergInn in Jericho for a steep discount of ₪100 to ₪60 (dorm bed). Also, the Nablus Youth Hostel offers a discount of ₪70 to ₪60 if you get recommended by Hostel in Ramallah. Dorm bed ₪50.
Al Wehdeh Hotel, Al Nahdah Street,Great Hotel, but a little run down but the cheapest in town.. single ₪150.
Merryland Hostel, 3rd floor of Al Ramoni building close to al-mactaba, No dormitories, so not really a hostel.Single ₪150, Double ₪180.
Al-Hajjal (on Jaffa Road),
Area D Hostel, Top Floor, Maliki Building, between Jerusalem bus station (#18) and main mosque al-bireh (At the bus station arriving from Jerusalem, take street towards big mosque and enter the second building on your right. Take the elevator to the top floor. You will see our sign on the building from the bus station. At night, enter via the parking garage using the doorbell there.), Check-in: 24/7, check-out: 24/7. Area D was recently selected as the Lonely Planet editor's top choice in town, and it focuses on the political situation, with lots of information and tours. A place to relax for a few days, get to know the city and its people, and learn more about this fascinating part of the world. Dorms for 70 NIS, Private rooms for 200 NIS/room, Apartments for 400 USD/month.
Mid-Class
City Inn Palace.
Best Eastern.
Rocky Hotel.
High Class
Grand Park Hotel. The most common destination in the city for businessmen and government officials. Room prices vary according to season, but often exceed the US$80 per night.
Royal Court Suites Hotel. An all-suites hotel where every room has a kitchenette and A/C. Daily and monthly rates in a tourist area close to restaurants and bars. Prices US$50-140, depending on type of suite.
Safety
Generally speaking, Ramallah is safe for non-Israeli foreigners. The Palestinian residents are usually quite happy to have foreign nationals visit them. Theft is relatively rare, although do not interpret that statement as an OK to let your guard down.
Bear in mind that although Ramallah has been under military occupation for a long time, the city is relatively stable. However, very rarely the Israeli military enters the city to arrest wanted Palestinians. This usually only happens in the dead of night, and they disappear before anyone realizes that they were there.
However, the Israeli military can enter Ramallah bluntly, and in large numbers. If this should happen while you are staying in Ramallah, do what the majority of Palestinians do, and stay inside until they leave and away from any soldiers or military vehicles. Do not assume that just because you are a foreign national that you will be safe.
That said, Ramallah hasn't seen any widespread violence since 2006 and it is highly unlikely to happen,unless there are escalations with Israel, which will be very apparent via international media. In the cases where the Israelis enter, it is usually to arrest a wanted Palestinian in an outskirts refugee camp in the middle of the night. They will rarely enter the city centre, so as to avoid an unnecessary confrontation with large crowds of civilians.
There are at least four bus stations in Ramallah. Simply ask around or at your accommodation which one is the relevant one for your next destination.
Jerusalem – Besides the Dead Sea, a central focus for most people coming to this region.
Nablus – One of the oldest cities in the world and famous for its kunafa/kenafeh.
Bethlehem – The biblical birthplace of Jesus and hometown of David, surrounded by Mar Saba Monastery and Herodium (Herodion) Park.
Jericho – One of the oldest settlements in the world and the Middle East, and a great starting point for Kalya Beach at the Dead Sea.
Tourism, Travel, Hospitality, Conservation: News,Stories And Experiences From Allover The World
Showing posts with label Tourism In Palestine. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Tourism In Palestine. Show all posts
Saturday, 10 June 2017
Sunday, 28 May 2017
PALESTINE: Atractions In Jerusalem
Modern Jerusalem
West Jerusalem, the area to the west of the Old City, where the new city has been built recently, is home to a number of interesting places including Yad Vashem, Israel’s Holocaust Memorial. the Israel Museum, and the Knesset (Israeli parliament building.) More on the museums page.
Jerusalem’s newest trendy area is the Old Train Station Compound. On the city’s outskirts, this area has recently been transformed with a fashionable selection of restaurants, and bars, alongside a courtyard hosting cultural events. This is also fast becoming THE place to go for nightlife in Jerusalem.
Also worth a visit is Emek Refaim, Jerusalem’s Sheinkin Street, and it isn’t far off. With Templar Period buildings, housing chic boutiques, and trendy cafes, this is well worth a visit.
Undiscovered Jerusalem - City of Gold
Because Jerusalem is built over so many layers of civilization, the city has countless known, as well as yet-to-be-discovered tourist attractions literally at the front door of every resident of the capital.
The same could probably be said about the rest of Israel. But even forgetting about those antiquities which have thus far not been unearthed, most of us regularly walk or drive past places that are filled with historical or other interest without even realizing what they have to offer.
During the summer, Jerusalem’s Beit Avi Chai, working together with the Society for the Protection of Nature in Israel, launched a series of inner-city walking tours that were held on Fridays, primarily for weekend visitors from other parts of the country, but also for locals driven by curiosity.
You can read the remainder of this article at Jerusalem Post. Apologies for the lack of images in this article – with these neighborhoods being so far of the tourist trail, and photographers trail for that – its proved hard to find anything – we’ll try and take some to illustrate it when we are nearby.
Emek Refaim Street and Jerusalem's German Colony
Emek Refaim Street is the heart of Jerusalem’s German Colony the city’s most fashionable neighborhood, just a few minutes from the heart of downtown modern and ancient Jerusalem.
The street represents a segment of Jerusalem culture and society – modern in nature within an ultimately historic and religious city, and is lined with restaurants, cafes, and boutique stores within the German Templar style buildings characterizing the area. A unique neighborhood in a unique city.
The German Colony, HaMoshava HaGermanit in Hebrew, was established in the second half of the 19th century by members of the German Temple Society. One of many colonies across the land of Israel, the Jerusalem neighborhood is characterized by mansions built in Ottoman, Bauhaus, and Templar styles and now often divided into expensive apartments.
Emek Refaim Street is probably the trendiest street in the whole of Jerusalem – an oasis of modern and almost Tel Aviv-esque culture among conservative Jerusalem. The street is lined with fashionable boutiques and cafes, and there is even a cinema in the back in one of the restaurants just off the street. The street regularly closes to traffic and hosts events, ranging from book fairs to markets.
The neighborhood and Emek Refaim are a great place to visit, to stroll through the streets, to stop in the cafes and have a coffee, and experience life here.
Machane Yehuda Market
The Machane Yehuda Market, or shuk, is the largest market in Jerusalem with over 250 vendors selling everything from fruit and vegetables to specialty foods, and clothing to Judaica. The market is the main ‘traditional’ marketplace of Jerusalem contrasting with the supermarkets that are found across this city, just as any other advanced city. Machane Yehuda is, however, an experience for a tourist of a traditional Middle Eastern style shuk, a fascinating array of sounds, sights, and smells.
The Machane Yehuda Market is set between Aggripas and Jaffa Streets, with two main aisles and then many further small walkways once inside. It is a maze and myriad of sights, sounds, and smells, an intense sensory experience and memorable life experience! Just a ten minute walk from the center of Jerusalem, the market is a fascinating place to stroll whether you are interested just in observing the magnificent sculpted displays of spices, mouthwatering array of foods, and stunning energy of the place, or if you want to get involved in real-market buying, negotiating and tasting!
The shuk is open every day apart from Shabbat, and is particularly busy on Thursdays and Friday mornings with shoppers preparing for the Sabbath. If you are particularly interested, it is possible to take a walking tour followed by a cookery class every week – read more about the Machane Yehuda Market tours.
Old City of Jerusalem
The Old City of Jerusalem is one of the most intense places on Earth! At the heart of the Jewish, Islamic, and Christian religions, this walled one kilometer area in the center of Jerusalem is beyond words and cannot be missed. The Old City is home to the Western Wall (aka Wailing Wall and in Hebrew Kotel). This is the last remaining wall of what was the Jewish Temple, and is today the holiest site in the world for Jews.
Above the Western Wall lies the Dome of the Rock important for Muslims as the site where the prophet Muhammad is said to have risen to heaven.
And, just a few minutes walk away, lies the Church of the Sepulcher, where some believe Jesus was crucified and buried.
One of the best ways to experience the Old City is with a tour. Consider joining the Half-Day Old City Tour or the Jerusalem Day Tour to get a fully guided experience.
The Old City of Jerusalem is divided into four quarters; The Jewish Quarter, The Armenian Quarter, The Christian Quarter, and The Muslim Quarter. The walled city is entered by one of seven entry gates, although the busiest for tourists is the Jaffa Gate next to which is the Tower of David Museum, providing the history of Jerusalem within the Old City Walls. Each quarter has its own unique atmosphere and observations, sites and smells, and experiences.
In the Jewish Quarter, for instance, the narrow alleyways are lined by the homes of Ultra-Orthodox (Haredi) Jewish families, and Yeshivas (schools for Torah study). Walking and observing the residents of the Jewish quarter rush about on their daily life, whether teenage students in the Yeshivas who are often here from around the world for extended periods of time, children as they walk with school between lessons, or the men, as they rush around between places of worship, and the Western Wall. The houses of the Old City, and the Jewish quarter in particular, are for good reason, hotly contested real estate, and command spectacular prices when they rarely trade hands.
The Jewish Quarter’s narrow alleyways open up as you reach the Western Wall Plaza and the wall itself. At times of Jewish festival the wall can be crowded, and observing the tourists brushing alongside daily prayers here is an interesting site. Anybody can go up to the wall, although men and women have separate areas, and men should cover their heads (there are paper kuppels available), and women wear modest clothing. It is customary to place a small prayer on a piece of paper within a crack on the wall. Amazingly the vast Western Wall represents just a tiny percentage of this elevation of the Temple, and the Western Wall Tunnels accessed via the plaza, allow visitors to see even more of the wall underground. Also interestingly, within the Muslim Quarter is whats known as the Little Western Wall where the wall is once again exposed and visible. This is argued to be holier than the iconic section of wall because it is closer to the ‘Holy of Holies’ – the holiest part of the Temple.
The Muslim Quarter is a huge contrast to the Jewish Quarter its streets are busier, more crowded, with vendors, especially within the famous Shuk selling all varieties of products. In contrast to the other quarters where shops are generally selling religious or tourist-appealing products, here the Shuk is literally an ancient shopping mall in the 21st century where one can practicing their bartering skills and buy almost anything imaginable. As in the Jewish Quarter, and the rest of the Old City, tourists wondering the streets of the Muslim Quarter find it hard to imagine how the locals go about their everyday business so normally in what is such an intense and looked upon place. Kids play in the street, and men sit out in cafes smoking nargila (hookah or shisha).
The Dome of the Rock sits above the Western Wall Plaza and whilst non-Muslims are not allowed to enter the building itself, tourists are able to tour the compound and nearby Al-Aqsa Mosque.
Moving into the Christian Quarter of the Old City of Jerusalem, there is yet another change. Home to about 40 holy sites to Christians, in the streets here you will see priests and pilgrims from around the world. This quarter was constructed around the Church of the Holy Sepulchre where Jesus is said to have been crucified and buried. Within this hot patch of real estate, even the Church is divided, with different parts controlled by different Christian sects, meaning that there are often disputes over maintenance and some parts are in poor condition.
The smallest quarter of the Old City is the Armenian Quarter. This area is home to some 2,500 Armenians, an ancient community who have resided here for over 2,000 years.
For a great overview of the Old City, walk along the Ramparts Walk – along the walls of the Old City.
Yemin Moshe, Jerusalem
Yemin Moshe is a beautiful neighborhood of Jerusalem constructed of quaint stone buildings and built in the 1890’s by Moses Montefiore in response to overcrowding within the walls of the Old City. The first set of houses were known as Mishkenot Shaananim, which were the first Jewish properties to be built outside the Old City. The neighborhood was expanded dramatically, and its landmark, the Montefiore Windmill was built with the intention of being a source of income for the residents. Today, the neighborhoods quaint alleyways are a popular place to stroll and explore.
Mishkenot Shaananim
Mishkenot Sha'ananim or Mishkenot Shaananim was the first Jewish neighborhood to be built outside the Old City of Jerusalem. Built directly across from Mount Zion, above the Sultan’s Pool, Mishkenot consisted of two long buildings. The upper building was designed to be the commercial and community center – housing a hospital for the poor of the city in light of a cholera epidemic, as well as two synagogues, workshops and a bakery. The lower building contained 28 one-and-a-half room apartments. The neighborhood wasn’t especially popular as it was perceived to be dangerous, however, the impact it has had on future development of Jerusalem and the establishment of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital is unmeasurable.
Mishkenot Shaananim has been extensively renovated. Today, the upper building houses the Jerusalem Music Center, whilst the lower building is used to house guests of the Jerusalem Municipality.
Yemin Moshe
Yemin Moshe is an extension of Mishkenot Shaananim also built by Moses Montefiore (and named for him). It contains properties larger than Mishkenot Shaananim but still fairly modest in nature. These beautiful stone buildings were home to 900 people by 1920, and its position directly across from the Old City’s Walls have made it iconic and historically important (it was a frontier during and after Israel’s War of Independence in 1948). Following Israel’s re-capture of Jerusalem in 1967, Yemin Moshe was extensively restored with the properties bought by artisans and private individuals dedicated to maintaining the neighborhood’s unique character.
The best way to explore Yemin Moshe is to stroll around the narrow cobbled streets – you cannot drive. It is just a short walk from the Old City as well as the main city center, and German Colony. Yemin Moshe is one of the most interesting places to visit in Jerusalem.
Montefiore Windmill
The Montefiore Windmill is the iconic landmark of Yemin Moshe. The original windmill was constructed by Montefiore with the intention of providing a source of income for residents of the neighborhood. In reality, this never came to fruition due to a lack of wind, however nonetheless this unique structure which is highly visible from around Jerusalem, is somewhat of a landmark.
Jewish Quarter, Jerusalem
The Jewish Quarter of Jerusalem’s Old City is one of the four quarters of the walled city. The quarter is home to around 2,000 people and covers about 0.1 square kilometers. It is also the location of many tens of synagogues and yeshivas (places of the study of Jewish texts) and has been almost continually home to Jews since the century 8 BCE. Today, the Jewish Quarter of Jerusalem is a fascinating place to explore with museums, synagogues, and of course, the Western Wall its main attractions. As well as these, however, just walking through the alleyways and watching the religious inhabitants go about their daily lives is just as fascinating.
The Western Wall
The Western Wall (in Hebrew the Kotel) is the number one attraction of the Jewish Quarter and probably the whole of the Old City of Jerusalem. The holiest site in Judaism, this iconic wall is actually the last remaining wall of the courtyard which surrounded Second Temple towards where Jews around the world face to pray. Dating from the Herodian period Jews from around the world come to the wall to pray. You don’t have to be Jewish to go up to the Western Wall – you just need to be dressed modestly and have your head covered if you’re a man (there are skullcaps available at the entrance). One traditional act which is undertaken at the Western Wall is placing a prayer written on a small note in a crack in the wall (in case you aren’t actually able to visit the Western Wall in person, there is a free service allowing you to send your prayers to Jerusalem).
The iconic image of the Western Wall with the large plaza in front is actually just a portion of the remnants of the wall – with much more continuing underground in the Western Wall tunnels (which can be visited by joining a tour) and the Small Western Wall which is above ground in the Muslim Quarter.
Hurva Synagogue
The Hurva Synagogue is one of the crown jewels of the Jewish Quarter in Jerusalem. Originally constructed in the 18th century, it was destroyed only a few years later, remaining an empty ruin for over 140 years (this was when it was given the name ‘Hurva’ which means ruin). It was re-built in 1864 and named officially the Beis Yaakov Synagogue (but informally still referred to as the Hurva) and became the main Ashkenazi synagogue for Jerusalem (Ashkenazim are Jews who descend from medieval communities in Central and Eastern Europe). The reconstructed Hurva Synagogue stood until 1948 when it was destroyed by the Arab Legion. Plans to reconstruct the Hurva Synagogue began when Israel re-gained control of the Jewish Quarter in 1967, however it wasn’t until 2000 when the construction began.
The new Hurva Synagogue was completed in 2010 and is a truly incredible gem of the Old City. It’s vast dome makes the synagogue totally unique and a truly impressive place to visit. Visiting the Hurva Synagogue must take place either as part of a tour, or by joining the group tour which leave throughout the day.
The Cardo
The Cardo in Jerusalem was the main thoroughfare of the city from Roman times. Starting at the Damascus Gate (in the Muslim Quarter) and running right across the city to the Zion Gate (in the Jewish Quarter). The section of Cardo in the Jewish Quarter actually dates from Byzantine times and has been beautifully excavated and restored, with the original shops now functioning as gift shops and cafes. It is a fascinating place to stroll.
The Herodian Quarter – Wohl Museum of Archaeology
The Herodian Quarter – The Wohl Museum of Archeology is a fascinating underground museum in which visitors descend to the street level of the Herodian era. The museum features a six-house compound which would have been occupied by aristocratic families and families of Temple Priests (Cohenim). Set on the slope of the hill which descends to the Temple Mount all of these homes would have featured uninterrupted views across to the Temple, and from underneath the current street level of the Old City, you can get a great idea of what life might have been like in the era of the Second Temple in Jerusalem.
The Burnt House
The Burnt House is an interesting exhibition which is also set beneath the streets of Jerusalem, in the basement of the home of the Katros family who lived here 2,000 years ago. The home tells the story of the burning of Jerusalem by the Romans in the first century, and an interesting audio-visual show brings the story to life for visitors. It provides another interesting insight into what life in Jerusalem was like 2,000 years ago.
Nachlaot, Jerusalem
Nachlaot is one of Jerusalem’s most interesting areas. A cluster of neighborhoods in the center of the city, Nachlaot is characterized by its narrow, windy lanes, quaint, stone houses, and pretty, hidden-away courtyards, and was originally built in the 1870’s by Jews looking to escape the increasingly crowded and noisy Old City. In recent years, Nachlaot has grown to become one of Jerusalem’s most popular neighborhoods having been hugely gentrified over the past thirty or so years, and taking an hour or two to stroll through the streets, you can understand why.
Ein Kerem
Ein Kerem is a beautiful tranquil village and neighborhood in the west of Jerusalem. Surrounded by beautiful natural groves and the breathtaking landscape provided by the Jerusalem Hills, Ein Kerem is worlds away from the bustling center of Jerusalem which is just minutes away. The pretty houses made of local Jerusalem limestone, cobbled narrow streets, sit in the shadow of pretty churches whose bells sound down the streets. An important site for Christians as the birthplace of John the Baptist, Ein Kerem is incredibly popular with Israelis seeking to escape the city.
Many tourists choose to take a guided walking tour around Ein Kerem, although it is just as possible to do it yourself. The center of the village and location where all the walking tours begin is at the well. The breathtaking beauty, the elegant simplicity and the charm of this place are especially touching. There is grace in every fence, wall and path, and you can wander through the alleyways for hours, enjoying every moment. Modern developments have not yet reached this scenic neighborhood, and it remains a pastoral village, cut off from the bustle of the city.
Ein Kerem is a pilgrimage site for many Christian visitors, as the village is believed to be the place where Elizabeth, the mother of John the Baptist, miraculously became pregnant and gave birth. Tradition teaches that during her pregnancy, Elizabeth was visited by a family relative – Mary, who was also pregnant, with Jesus and for this reason the village well is now called Mary’s Well. The village around the well grew and its waters are considered holy. Many pilgrims come to drink from the well and take the holy water away with them in bottles. Today Ein Kerem has a number of active churches and monasteries.
Ein Kerem is an important gem in Israel’s tourism crown, and will capture the heart of any visitor. There are many fine restaurants for connoisseurs and quaint guest rooms offering relaxing hospitality in authentic surroundings. Artists inspired by Ein Kerem’s beauty have settled here to paint and display their works to the public. Ein Kerem is truly a place worth visiting, with many charming treasures to enjoy.
Musrara, Jerusalem
Musrara is a small neighborhood bordered by the Russian Compound, Meah Shearim and the Old City. You can come in by taking the light rail to Damascus Gate and crossing the large highway to Haneviim Street, and then turning left into Haayin Het, or by walking up Heleni Hamalka (off Jaffa Street), all the way uphill and then downhill. It is sometimes marked on city maps as ‘Morasha’.
Musrara is a unique neighborhood in Jerusalem, a fascinating microcosm of the city’s history and its various population groups. Walking through the streets, you’ll notice that every house is built differently, and houses have been joined, expanded, cut up and renewed throughout the years of its turbulent history. The municipality has tried to change the name of the neighborhood to Morasha, and you’ll see this name on official maps, but Jerusalem residents proudly continue to use its old name.
Musrara was built at the end of the nineteenth century, as an Arab aristocratic neighborhood outside the walls of the Old City. During the fighting in 1948, it was the site of many battles, and the ceasefire line was eventually drawn through the middle of the neighborhood. The side closest to Damascus Gate became Jordan, and the northern side was part of Israel (you can really feel this today as you cross the big highway which used to be no-man’s land). In the 1950s, the neighborhood was populated with immigrants from North African countries, especially Morocco and Iraq. Because of it’s proximity to the border, it was considered a dangerous neighborhood (you can still see bullet holes in some of the houses), and it become a kind of slum. In the 1970s, a protest movement called the Israeli Black Panthers formed in this neighborhood, and swept across the country. Recently, the neighborhood has experienced a revival, and is now considered one of the coolest parts of the city to live in.
In recent years, a number of artists have moved to the neighborhood, and three art schools have opened up: a religious film school called Maaleh; Musrara, an edgy photography, animation and sound school; and the School for Oriental Music, which occasionally has open concerts in the evenings, and is lovely to walk past as the musicians practice during the day. These last two are both on Ayin Het street, and there is another gallery next to them. An artists’ collective called Muslala has sprung up, and they engage in artwork in the public domain, involving longtime local residents and social activists from East and West Jerusalem.
There are a few tours of the neighborhood, including a Hummus and Art free tour (tip-based) every Saturday, and occasional Black Panthers history tours. You can also wander around alone, taking in the beautiful area by yourself.
West Jerusalem, the area to the west of the Old City, where the new city has been built recently, is home to a number of interesting places including Yad Vashem, Israel’s Holocaust Memorial. the Israel Museum, and the Knesset (Israeli parliament building.) More on the museums page.
Jerusalem’s newest trendy area is the Old Train Station Compound. On the city’s outskirts, this area has recently been transformed with a fashionable selection of restaurants, and bars, alongside a courtyard hosting cultural events. This is also fast becoming THE place to go for nightlife in Jerusalem.
Also worth a visit is Emek Refaim, Jerusalem’s Sheinkin Street, and it isn’t far off. With Templar Period buildings, housing chic boutiques, and trendy cafes, this is well worth a visit.
Undiscovered Jerusalem - City of Gold
Because Jerusalem is built over so many layers of civilization, the city has countless known, as well as yet-to-be-discovered tourist attractions literally at the front door of every resident of the capital.
The same could probably be said about the rest of Israel. But even forgetting about those antiquities which have thus far not been unearthed, most of us regularly walk or drive past places that are filled with historical or other interest without even realizing what they have to offer.
During the summer, Jerusalem’s Beit Avi Chai, working together with the Society for the Protection of Nature in Israel, launched a series of inner-city walking tours that were held on Fridays, primarily for weekend visitors from other parts of the country, but also for locals driven by curiosity.
You can read the remainder of this article at Jerusalem Post. Apologies for the lack of images in this article – with these neighborhoods being so far of the tourist trail, and photographers trail for that – its proved hard to find anything – we’ll try and take some to illustrate it when we are nearby.
Emek Refaim Street and Jerusalem's German Colony
Emek Refaim Street is the heart of Jerusalem’s German Colony the city’s most fashionable neighborhood, just a few minutes from the heart of downtown modern and ancient Jerusalem.
The street represents a segment of Jerusalem culture and society – modern in nature within an ultimately historic and religious city, and is lined with restaurants, cafes, and boutique stores within the German Templar style buildings characterizing the area. A unique neighborhood in a unique city.
The German Colony, HaMoshava HaGermanit in Hebrew, was established in the second half of the 19th century by members of the German Temple Society. One of many colonies across the land of Israel, the Jerusalem neighborhood is characterized by mansions built in Ottoman, Bauhaus, and Templar styles and now often divided into expensive apartments.
Emek Refaim Street is probably the trendiest street in the whole of Jerusalem – an oasis of modern and almost Tel Aviv-esque culture among conservative Jerusalem. The street is lined with fashionable boutiques and cafes, and there is even a cinema in the back in one of the restaurants just off the street. The street regularly closes to traffic and hosts events, ranging from book fairs to markets.
The neighborhood and Emek Refaim are a great place to visit, to stroll through the streets, to stop in the cafes and have a coffee, and experience life here.
Machane Yehuda Market
The Machane Yehuda Market, or shuk, is the largest market in Jerusalem with over 250 vendors selling everything from fruit and vegetables to specialty foods, and clothing to Judaica. The market is the main ‘traditional’ marketplace of Jerusalem contrasting with the supermarkets that are found across this city, just as any other advanced city. Machane Yehuda is, however, an experience for a tourist of a traditional Middle Eastern style shuk, a fascinating array of sounds, sights, and smells.
The Machane Yehuda Market is set between Aggripas and Jaffa Streets, with two main aisles and then many further small walkways once inside. It is a maze and myriad of sights, sounds, and smells, an intense sensory experience and memorable life experience! Just a ten minute walk from the center of Jerusalem, the market is a fascinating place to stroll whether you are interested just in observing the magnificent sculpted displays of spices, mouthwatering array of foods, and stunning energy of the place, or if you want to get involved in real-market buying, negotiating and tasting!
The shuk is open every day apart from Shabbat, and is particularly busy on Thursdays and Friday mornings with shoppers preparing for the Sabbath. If you are particularly interested, it is possible to take a walking tour followed by a cookery class every week – read more about the Machane Yehuda Market tours.
Old City of Jerusalem
The Old City of Jerusalem is one of the most intense places on Earth! At the heart of the Jewish, Islamic, and Christian religions, this walled one kilometer area in the center of Jerusalem is beyond words and cannot be missed. The Old City is home to the Western Wall (aka Wailing Wall and in Hebrew Kotel). This is the last remaining wall of what was the Jewish Temple, and is today the holiest site in the world for Jews.
Above the Western Wall lies the Dome of the Rock important for Muslims as the site where the prophet Muhammad is said to have risen to heaven.
And, just a few minutes walk away, lies the Church of the Sepulcher, where some believe Jesus was crucified and buried.
One of the best ways to experience the Old City is with a tour. Consider joining the Half-Day Old City Tour or the Jerusalem Day Tour to get a fully guided experience.
The Old City of Jerusalem is divided into four quarters; The Jewish Quarter, The Armenian Quarter, The Christian Quarter, and The Muslim Quarter. The walled city is entered by one of seven entry gates, although the busiest for tourists is the Jaffa Gate next to which is the Tower of David Museum, providing the history of Jerusalem within the Old City Walls. Each quarter has its own unique atmosphere and observations, sites and smells, and experiences.
In the Jewish Quarter, for instance, the narrow alleyways are lined by the homes of Ultra-Orthodox (Haredi) Jewish families, and Yeshivas (schools for Torah study). Walking and observing the residents of the Jewish quarter rush about on their daily life, whether teenage students in the Yeshivas who are often here from around the world for extended periods of time, children as they walk with school between lessons, or the men, as they rush around between places of worship, and the Western Wall. The houses of the Old City, and the Jewish quarter in particular, are for good reason, hotly contested real estate, and command spectacular prices when they rarely trade hands.
The Jewish Quarter’s narrow alleyways open up as you reach the Western Wall Plaza and the wall itself. At times of Jewish festival the wall can be crowded, and observing the tourists brushing alongside daily prayers here is an interesting site. Anybody can go up to the wall, although men and women have separate areas, and men should cover their heads (there are paper kuppels available), and women wear modest clothing. It is customary to place a small prayer on a piece of paper within a crack on the wall. Amazingly the vast Western Wall represents just a tiny percentage of this elevation of the Temple, and the Western Wall Tunnels accessed via the plaza, allow visitors to see even more of the wall underground. Also interestingly, within the Muslim Quarter is whats known as the Little Western Wall where the wall is once again exposed and visible. This is argued to be holier than the iconic section of wall because it is closer to the ‘Holy of Holies’ – the holiest part of the Temple.
The Muslim Quarter is a huge contrast to the Jewish Quarter its streets are busier, more crowded, with vendors, especially within the famous Shuk selling all varieties of products. In contrast to the other quarters where shops are generally selling religious or tourist-appealing products, here the Shuk is literally an ancient shopping mall in the 21st century where one can practicing their bartering skills and buy almost anything imaginable. As in the Jewish Quarter, and the rest of the Old City, tourists wondering the streets of the Muslim Quarter find it hard to imagine how the locals go about their everyday business so normally in what is such an intense and looked upon place. Kids play in the street, and men sit out in cafes smoking nargila (hookah or shisha).
The Dome of the Rock sits above the Western Wall Plaza and whilst non-Muslims are not allowed to enter the building itself, tourists are able to tour the compound and nearby Al-Aqsa Mosque.
Moving into the Christian Quarter of the Old City of Jerusalem, there is yet another change. Home to about 40 holy sites to Christians, in the streets here you will see priests and pilgrims from around the world. This quarter was constructed around the Church of the Holy Sepulchre where Jesus is said to have been crucified and buried. Within this hot patch of real estate, even the Church is divided, with different parts controlled by different Christian sects, meaning that there are often disputes over maintenance and some parts are in poor condition.
The smallest quarter of the Old City is the Armenian Quarter. This area is home to some 2,500 Armenians, an ancient community who have resided here for over 2,000 years.
For a great overview of the Old City, walk along the Ramparts Walk – along the walls of the Old City.
Yemin Moshe, Jerusalem
Yemin Moshe is a beautiful neighborhood of Jerusalem constructed of quaint stone buildings and built in the 1890’s by Moses Montefiore in response to overcrowding within the walls of the Old City. The first set of houses were known as Mishkenot Shaananim, which were the first Jewish properties to be built outside the Old City. The neighborhood was expanded dramatically, and its landmark, the Montefiore Windmill was built with the intention of being a source of income for the residents. Today, the neighborhoods quaint alleyways are a popular place to stroll and explore.
Mishkenot Shaananim
Mishkenot Sha'ananim or Mishkenot Shaananim was the first Jewish neighborhood to be built outside the Old City of Jerusalem. Built directly across from Mount Zion, above the Sultan’s Pool, Mishkenot consisted of two long buildings. The upper building was designed to be the commercial and community center – housing a hospital for the poor of the city in light of a cholera epidemic, as well as two synagogues, workshops and a bakery. The lower building contained 28 one-and-a-half room apartments. The neighborhood wasn’t especially popular as it was perceived to be dangerous, however, the impact it has had on future development of Jerusalem and the establishment of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital is unmeasurable.
Mishkenot Shaananim has been extensively renovated. Today, the upper building houses the Jerusalem Music Center, whilst the lower building is used to house guests of the Jerusalem Municipality.
Yemin Moshe
Yemin Moshe is an extension of Mishkenot Shaananim also built by Moses Montefiore (and named for him). It contains properties larger than Mishkenot Shaananim but still fairly modest in nature. These beautiful stone buildings were home to 900 people by 1920, and its position directly across from the Old City’s Walls have made it iconic and historically important (it was a frontier during and after Israel’s War of Independence in 1948). Following Israel’s re-capture of Jerusalem in 1967, Yemin Moshe was extensively restored with the properties bought by artisans and private individuals dedicated to maintaining the neighborhood’s unique character.
The best way to explore Yemin Moshe is to stroll around the narrow cobbled streets – you cannot drive. It is just a short walk from the Old City as well as the main city center, and German Colony. Yemin Moshe is one of the most interesting places to visit in Jerusalem.
Montefiore Windmill
The Montefiore Windmill is the iconic landmark of Yemin Moshe. The original windmill was constructed by Montefiore with the intention of providing a source of income for residents of the neighborhood. In reality, this never came to fruition due to a lack of wind, however nonetheless this unique structure which is highly visible from around Jerusalem, is somewhat of a landmark.
Jewish Quarter, Jerusalem
The Jewish Quarter of Jerusalem’s Old City is one of the four quarters of the walled city. The quarter is home to around 2,000 people and covers about 0.1 square kilometers. It is also the location of many tens of synagogues and yeshivas (places of the study of Jewish texts) and has been almost continually home to Jews since the century 8 BCE. Today, the Jewish Quarter of Jerusalem is a fascinating place to explore with museums, synagogues, and of course, the Western Wall its main attractions. As well as these, however, just walking through the alleyways and watching the religious inhabitants go about their daily lives is just as fascinating.
The Western Wall
The Western Wall (in Hebrew the Kotel) is the number one attraction of the Jewish Quarter and probably the whole of the Old City of Jerusalem. The holiest site in Judaism, this iconic wall is actually the last remaining wall of the courtyard which surrounded Second Temple towards where Jews around the world face to pray. Dating from the Herodian period Jews from around the world come to the wall to pray. You don’t have to be Jewish to go up to the Western Wall – you just need to be dressed modestly and have your head covered if you’re a man (there are skullcaps available at the entrance). One traditional act which is undertaken at the Western Wall is placing a prayer written on a small note in a crack in the wall (in case you aren’t actually able to visit the Western Wall in person, there is a free service allowing you to send your prayers to Jerusalem).
The iconic image of the Western Wall with the large plaza in front is actually just a portion of the remnants of the wall – with much more continuing underground in the Western Wall tunnels (which can be visited by joining a tour) and the Small Western Wall which is above ground in the Muslim Quarter.
Hurva Synagogue
The Hurva Synagogue is one of the crown jewels of the Jewish Quarter in Jerusalem. Originally constructed in the 18th century, it was destroyed only a few years later, remaining an empty ruin for over 140 years (this was when it was given the name ‘Hurva’ which means ruin). It was re-built in 1864 and named officially the Beis Yaakov Synagogue (but informally still referred to as the Hurva) and became the main Ashkenazi synagogue for Jerusalem (Ashkenazim are Jews who descend from medieval communities in Central and Eastern Europe). The reconstructed Hurva Synagogue stood until 1948 when it was destroyed by the Arab Legion. Plans to reconstruct the Hurva Synagogue began when Israel re-gained control of the Jewish Quarter in 1967, however it wasn’t until 2000 when the construction began.
The new Hurva Synagogue was completed in 2010 and is a truly incredible gem of the Old City. It’s vast dome makes the synagogue totally unique and a truly impressive place to visit. Visiting the Hurva Synagogue must take place either as part of a tour, or by joining the group tour which leave throughout the day.
The Cardo
The Cardo in Jerusalem was the main thoroughfare of the city from Roman times. Starting at the Damascus Gate (in the Muslim Quarter) and running right across the city to the Zion Gate (in the Jewish Quarter). The section of Cardo in the Jewish Quarter actually dates from Byzantine times and has been beautifully excavated and restored, with the original shops now functioning as gift shops and cafes. It is a fascinating place to stroll.
The Herodian Quarter – Wohl Museum of Archaeology
The Herodian Quarter – The Wohl Museum of Archeology is a fascinating underground museum in which visitors descend to the street level of the Herodian era. The museum features a six-house compound which would have been occupied by aristocratic families and families of Temple Priests (Cohenim). Set on the slope of the hill which descends to the Temple Mount all of these homes would have featured uninterrupted views across to the Temple, and from underneath the current street level of the Old City, you can get a great idea of what life might have been like in the era of the Second Temple in Jerusalem.
The Burnt House
The Burnt House is an interesting exhibition which is also set beneath the streets of Jerusalem, in the basement of the home of the Katros family who lived here 2,000 years ago. The home tells the story of the burning of Jerusalem by the Romans in the first century, and an interesting audio-visual show brings the story to life for visitors. It provides another interesting insight into what life in Jerusalem was like 2,000 years ago.
Nachlaot, Jerusalem
Nachlaot is one of Jerusalem’s most interesting areas. A cluster of neighborhoods in the center of the city, Nachlaot is characterized by its narrow, windy lanes, quaint, stone houses, and pretty, hidden-away courtyards, and was originally built in the 1870’s by Jews looking to escape the increasingly crowded and noisy Old City. In recent years, Nachlaot has grown to become one of Jerusalem’s most popular neighborhoods having been hugely gentrified over the past thirty or so years, and taking an hour or two to stroll through the streets, you can understand why.
Ein Kerem
Ein Kerem is a beautiful tranquil village and neighborhood in the west of Jerusalem. Surrounded by beautiful natural groves and the breathtaking landscape provided by the Jerusalem Hills, Ein Kerem is worlds away from the bustling center of Jerusalem which is just minutes away. The pretty houses made of local Jerusalem limestone, cobbled narrow streets, sit in the shadow of pretty churches whose bells sound down the streets. An important site for Christians as the birthplace of John the Baptist, Ein Kerem is incredibly popular with Israelis seeking to escape the city.
Many tourists choose to take a guided walking tour around Ein Kerem, although it is just as possible to do it yourself. The center of the village and location where all the walking tours begin is at the well. The breathtaking beauty, the elegant simplicity and the charm of this place are especially touching. There is grace in every fence, wall and path, and you can wander through the alleyways for hours, enjoying every moment. Modern developments have not yet reached this scenic neighborhood, and it remains a pastoral village, cut off from the bustle of the city.
Ein Kerem is a pilgrimage site for many Christian visitors, as the village is believed to be the place where Elizabeth, the mother of John the Baptist, miraculously became pregnant and gave birth. Tradition teaches that during her pregnancy, Elizabeth was visited by a family relative – Mary, who was also pregnant, with Jesus and for this reason the village well is now called Mary’s Well. The village around the well grew and its waters are considered holy. Many pilgrims come to drink from the well and take the holy water away with them in bottles. Today Ein Kerem has a number of active churches and monasteries.
Ein Kerem is an important gem in Israel’s tourism crown, and will capture the heart of any visitor. There are many fine restaurants for connoisseurs and quaint guest rooms offering relaxing hospitality in authentic surroundings. Artists inspired by Ein Kerem’s beauty have settled here to paint and display their works to the public. Ein Kerem is truly a place worth visiting, with many charming treasures to enjoy.
Musrara, Jerusalem
Musrara is a small neighborhood bordered by the Russian Compound, Meah Shearim and the Old City. You can come in by taking the light rail to Damascus Gate and crossing the large highway to Haneviim Street, and then turning left into Haayin Het, or by walking up Heleni Hamalka (off Jaffa Street), all the way uphill and then downhill. It is sometimes marked on city maps as ‘Morasha’.
Musrara is a unique neighborhood in Jerusalem, a fascinating microcosm of the city’s history and its various population groups. Walking through the streets, you’ll notice that every house is built differently, and houses have been joined, expanded, cut up and renewed throughout the years of its turbulent history. The municipality has tried to change the name of the neighborhood to Morasha, and you’ll see this name on official maps, but Jerusalem residents proudly continue to use its old name.
Musrara was built at the end of the nineteenth century, as an Arab aristocratic neighborhood outside the walls of the Old City. During the fighting in 1948, it was the site of many battles, and the ceasefire line was eventually drawn through the middle of the neighborhood. The side closest to Damascus Gate became Jordan, and the northern side was part of Israel (you can really feel this today as you cross the big highway which used to be no-man’s land). In the 1950s, the neighborhood was populated with immigrants from North African countries, especially Morocco and Iraq. Because of it’s proximity to the border, it was considered a dangerous neighborhood (you can still see bullet holes in some of the houses), and it become a kind of slum. In the 1970s, a protest movement called the Israeli Black Panthers formed in this neighborhood, and swept across the country. Recently, the neighborhood has experienced a revival, and is now considered one of the coolest parts of the city to live in.
In recent years, a number of artists have moved to the neighborhood, and three art schools have opened up: a religious film school called Maaleh; Musrara, an edgy photography, animation and sound school; and the School for Oriental Music, which occasionally has open concerts in the evenings, and is lovely to walk past as the musicians practice during the day. These last two are both on Ayin Het street, and there is another gallery next to them. An artists’ collective called Muslala has sprung up, and they engage in artwork in the public domain, involving longtime local residents and social activists from East and West Jerusalem.
There are a few tours of the neighborhood, including a Hummus and Art free tour (tip-based) every Saturday, and occasional Black Panthers history tours. You can also wander around alone, taking in the beautiful area by yourself.
Saturday, 27 May 2017
PALESTINE: Taybeh Beer And Wine Now Exported To The USA
In 1994 Taybeh Brewing Company was the Middle East's first microbrewery; today, the family-owned business produces 600,000 litres of beer annually and is selling to the United States for the first time.
The convoluted journey to the US market involved a 40-foot container, 40,000 bottles of beer and wine, Israeli port bureaucracy and countless checkpoints, but the owners were undeterred.
Now, Taybeh beer and wine were on the shelves of two US liquor stores for the first time.
Selling to North America has been a long-held dream for the Khoury family, who established their microbrewery in the small Palestinian village of Taybeh more than two decades ago.
Their products are made from grapes found in vineyards near the West Bank town of Birzeit and from hops and malt brewed in Taybeh, about 10km northeast of Ramallah.
People thought I was crazy, to come to the end of nowhere or Palestine and open a brewery, founder Nadim Khoury says.
Nadim recently travelled to the US city of Boston to oversee the arrival of the Palestinian wine and beer, which travelled from the commercial port at Ashdod, Israel.
We are very excited and happy to have finally been able to bring the beer to Boston, Nadim's son, Canaan said. My father spent more than 15 years living there, and there is a lot of sentimental value in this accomplishment.
His friends in the area have been ecstatic, waiting to try the beer since 1994.
Taybeh is a family enterprise, While Nadim and Canaan managed the US expansion, daughter Madees handled the brewery, with some help from her younger sister, Raneen, who is training to be a lawyer.
Brewing beer in Palestine is not like brewing beer anywhere else in the world, says Nadim, who opened the business with his brother, David, under the guidance of their late father.
From occupation to local ports, which we don't have, getting ingredients, the wall - Israel's separation barrier - you name it.
On the first day of sales at Foley's Liquors in the town of Brookline, Massachusetts, bottles of Taybeh's Cabernet Sauvignon were accompanied by a sign reading: "Conceived in Boston; created in the Holy Land; just hit US ground".
The Brighton Gourmet and Wine Cellar in the town of Brighton, Massachusetts, was also stocking Taybeh beer and wine and offering tastings.
Boston resident Nicholas Croce said that he sampled Taybeh beer on a previous visit to Israel and the occupied West Bank, and rushed to buy it two days after he heard it had become available in the US.
I had been waiting since I moved to Boston a few years ago to hear this news. I immediately told other friends, near and far, who have a connection to Israel and Palestine.
I do hope the beer grows in popularity in the US, he added. Perhaps it can start important conversations. I've always thought that peace is possible when we take the time to know each other, and if beer can facilitate that, I support Taybeh all the more.
Since the US launch, Taybeh's Facebook page has been flooded with scores of comments from US residents, asking for expanded distribution from Nevada, to Washington, to Colorado.
But exporting to the US from the occupied Palestinian territories comes with inevitable challenges. Under the US Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau's rules against making false or misleading statements on labels, Taybeh was told it had to remove the word "Palestine" from the "Product of" description on the beer label.
We export the beer to many countries all over the world with the words 'Product of Palestine', such as Denmark, Italy, Switzerland, Sweden, Japan, Belgium, UK and even Israel," Canaan said.
However, the beer label was only approved for the US after Taybeh changed the wording to "Product of West Bank".
In addition, the high cost of shipping due to checkpoints and other constraints posed by Israel makes it extremely difficult to compete in the US market, Canaan says.
The container got sent back twice and couldn't pass the checkpoints until it finally went through. These unforeseen costs make the situation even harder.
Nadim follows on export trips to Israeli ports, to convince officials at checkpoints that his cargo contains nothing illicit.
Despite the limitations imposed by Israeli authorities, however, Israel and the occupied West Bank make up 60 percent of Taybeh's current market. Their products are not sold in Gaza.
Meanwhile, Madees, 31, points out that she is among the few if not the only female brewers in the Middle East region: When I started, I was 21, and then the older generation of distributors and suppliers were used to dealing with my father and uncle.
But now they are much older, so their sons are taking over, and they would rather talk to me, not my dad and uncle. So it's changing, and that makes me feel better.
She believes the family product is helping to shape the view of Palestine in the region and internationally.
With Taybeh, you are getting the name Palestine, and a high-quality product, to Israelis and you are changing the way they see Palestinians.
Our global expansion resembles hope, determination, and success; not just for us, but for Palestinians in general.
Goodluck, Taybeh Beer and Wine.
The Taybeh Brewing Company has been welcoming people from all corners of the world to celebrate Oktoberfest every year since 2005 when David Khoury become the first democratically elected Mayor of Taybeh.
The Taybeh Oktoberfest is a dream come true for Nadim Khoury, master brewer, who inspired the Taybeh Municipality and all local civic organizations to collaborate in boosting the collapsed local economy and placing Taybeh on the international map.
This unique event has been called the highlight of Palestine reaching over sixteen thousand visitors annually. The exquisite hills and valleys of the village offer the perfect escape from any busy schedule for all international and local people who come to support local products and boost the economy while celebrating the deep cultural heritage offered by one of the most ancient spots in Palestine also known by its Biblical name, Ephraim.
The two-day celebration usually happens on the first Saturday and Sunday of October (excluding religious holidays) and gives venue to local music groups to celebrate their talent and skills in promoting a different face of Palestine.
Artists from Brazil, Germany, Greece, Spain, England, Sri Lanka, and Japan have performed in the last eight years in Taybeh.
We bring you fresh beer directly from the Taybeh Brewery within hours of packaging because we are a small local brewery with a limited market area. Below is a list of places that sell and serve Taybeh Beer
Jerusalem:
Andrea Karkar, Distributor. Tel: 02 656 7460
R&R, Rami Jubran, Distributor. Tel: 02 625 0006
Avi Ben (Shop) West Jerusalem. Tel: 02 625 9703
Frieg Supermarket, Beit Hanina. Tel: 02 585 4115
Bulghourji, Old City, Armenian Quarter. Tel: 02 628 2080
Mehbash Restaurant (Nablus Road). Tel: 02 628 9185
Sierra Bar, West Jerusalem. Tel: 02 625 6022
Uganda Bar, West Jerusalem. Tel: 02 628 6087
YMCA, West Jerusalem. Tel: 02 569 2692
Al Zahra Hotel. Tel: 02 628 2447
Ambassador Hotel. Tel: 02 541 2223
American Colony. Tel: 02 627 9777
Jerusalem Hotel.. Tel: 02 628 3282
Legacy Hotel Tel: 02 627 0800
Notre Dome Hotel. Tel: 02 627 9107
St. George Landmark Hotel. Tel: 02 627 7232
Jaffa/Tel Aviv
ENOTECA, Andrew Hinnawi, Distributor. Tel: 03 683 2810
Wine and More Shops. Tel: 03 683 2810
Puaa Bar, Jaffa. Tel: 03 518 6763
Minzer Bar, Tel Aviv. Tel: 03 517 3015
Joz o Loz Bar, Tel Aviv. Tel: 03 560 6385
Nazareth
Shamshoum (Store). Tel: 04 656 8393
Haifa:
Fatoush (Restaurant). Tel 04 852 4930
Suidan (Store). Tel 04 866 3047
Zoom (Café). Mobile: 0526224014
The Colony Hotel Haifa, 28 Ben-Gurion Boulevard, Telephone: 04 8513344
Website: www.colony-hotel.co.il
Tiberias, Sea of Galilee:
Scotch Hotel. Tel: 04 671 0713
Pilgerhaus, Tabgha. Tel: 04 670 0100
Bethlehem area:
Bir Ouna (Beit Jala). Tel: 02 274 2778
Jumbo Supermarkets. Tel: 02 275 8685
George Rabee (Beit Jala), Distributor. Mobile: 0599 030 688
George Musallam. Tel: 0599 212 709
Sabat, Distributor. Tel: 02 274 3885
Paradise Hotel. Tel: 02 274 4543
Afteem Restaurant Tel: 02 274 7940
Grotto Restaurant. Tel: 02 274 8844
King Gaspar Restaurant. Tel: 02 276 5301
Salam Restaurant. Tel: 02 275 8122
Tent Restaurant, Beit Sahour. Tel: 02 277 3875
Ramallah:
Arak Ramallah, Distributor. Tel: 02 295 6776
Jubran Marketing, Distributor. Tel: 02 295 3201
Jeries Dalou, Distributor. Tel: 02 295 6673
Philip Dalou, Distributor. Tel: 02 295 7826
Al-Habash Shop. Tel: 02 295 6052
Al Hambra Palace. Tel: 02 295 6226
Ankars Suites and Hotel. Tel: 02 295 2602
Beauty Inn (Hotel). Tel: 02 296 6477
Movenpick Hotel Ramallah. Tel: 02 295 5888
Royal Court Suite Hotel. Tel: 02 296 4040
Azure Restaurant. Tel: 02 295 7850
Bet Aniseh. Tel: 02 295 2991
Darna. Tel: 02 295 0590
Level 5 Tel: 02 298 6868
Pronto Resto-Café. Tel: 02 298 7312
Sangria’s. Tel: 02 295 6808
Sinatra Café. Tel 02 297 1028
Stones. Tel: 02 296 6038
Zarour Restaurant. Tel: 02 295 6767
Ziryab. Tel: 02 295 9093
Birzeit (Old City) Hoash Il’iliyet Restaurant Mobile: 0599 868 914
Ramla:
Samir’s Restaurant,Tel: 08-922-0195 www.samir1948.co.il
Acre (Akka):
Savida Bar , Old City Tel: 04-901-9062
Worldwide
Taybeh Brewing Company aspires to have Taybeh Beer in the UK and in the United States.
JAPAN
Save the Olives
#B-03, Belute Yoyogi 2, 2-21-11 Yoyogi Shibuya-ku Tokyo, Japan
Tel:+81-3-6383-4514 & Tel: +81-3-6856-4662
Email: taybehbeer@frvl.com
http://savetheolive.main.jp/taybehbeer.htm
SWEDEN
First Signs of Water, Stockholm
www.firstsigns.se
Henrik Bergquist
+46 707 442 050
Email: henrik@firstsigns.se
USA
Imported by Taybeh USA
Boston
email: canaand@taybehbeer.com
Tel: 617 415 8766
Taybeh Beer & taybeh Winery boutique Palestinian wins available at:
Foley’s Liquors
228 Cypress St.
Brookline, MA 02445
Tel 617 277 6100
Brighton Gourmet
569 Washington St.
Brighton, MA
Tel: 617 987 0123
DENMARK
+45 4061 3896
www.taybeh.dk
ITALY
Zefiro-Group Srl
via Camozzi 55
25126 Brescia – Italy
p.iva 03356820989
www.zefiro-group.com
www.labirrapalestinese.com
SPAIN
Ziryab Fusion Tapas Bar, Barcelona
SWITZERLAND
Palestine Grill, Zurich
The convoluted journey to the US market involved a 40-foot container, 40,000 bottles of beer and wine, Israeli port bureaucracy and countless checkpoints, but the owners were undeterred.
Now, Taybeh beer and wine were on the shelves of two US liquor stores for the first time.
Selling to North America has been a long-held dream for the Khoury family, who established their microbrewery in the small Palestinian village of Taybeh more than two decades ago.
Their products are made from grapes found in vineyards near the West Bank town of Birzeit and from hops and malt brewed in Taybeh, about 10km northeast of Ramallah.
People thought I was crazy, to come to the end of nowhere or Palestine and open a brewery, founder Nadim Khoury says.
Nadim recently travelled to the US city of Boston to oversee the arrival of the Palestinian wine and beer, which travelled from the commercial port at Ashdod, Israel.
We are very excited and happy to have finally been able to bring the beer to Boston, Nadim's son, Canaan said. My father spent more than 15 years living there, and there is a lot of sentimental value in this accomplishment.
His friends in the area have been ecstatic, waiting to try the beer since 1994.
Taybeh is a family enterprise, While Nadim and Canaan managed the US expansion, daughter Madees handled the brewery, with some help from her younger sister, Raneen, who is training to be a lawyer.
Brewing beer in Palestine is not like brewing beer anywhere else in the world, says Nadim, who opened the business with his brother, David, under the guidance of their late father.
From occupation to local ports, which we don't have, getting ingredients, the wall - Israel's separation barrier - you name it.
On the first day of sales at Foley's Liquors in the town of Brookline, Massachusetts, bottles of Taybeh's Cabernet Sauvignon were accompanied by a sign reading: "Conceived in Boston; created in the Holy Land; just hit US ground".
The Brighton Gourmet and Wine Cellar in the town of Brighton, Massachusetts, was also stocking Taybeh beer and wine and offering tastings.
Boston resident Nicholas Croce said that he sampled Taybeh beer on a previous visit to Israel and the occupied West Bank, and rushed to buy it two days after he heard it had become available in the US.
I had been waiting since I moved to Boston a few years ago to hear this news. I immediately told other friends, near and far, who have a connection to Israel and Palestine.
I do hope the beer grows in popularity in the US, he added. Perhaps it can start important conversations. I've always thought that peace is possible when we take the time to know each other, and if beer can facilitate that, I support Taybeh all the more.
Since the US launch, Taybeh's Facebook page has been flooded with scores of comments from US residents, asking for expanded distribution from Nevada, to Washington, to Colorado.
But exporting to the US from the occupied Palestinian territories comes with inevitable challenges. Under the US Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau's rules against making false or misleading statements on labels, Taybeh was told it had to remove the word "Palestine" from the "Product of" description on the beer label.
We export the beer to many countries all over the world with the words 'Product of Palestine', such as Denmark, Italy, Switzerland, Sweden, Japan, Belgium, UK and even Israel," Canaan said.
However, the beer label was only approved for the US after Taybeh changed the wording to "Product of West Bank".
In addition, the high cost of shipping due to checkpoints and other constraints posed by Israel makes it extremely difficult to compete in the US market, Canaan says.
The container got sent back twice and couldn't pass the checkpoints until it finally went through. These unforeseen costs make the situation even harder.
Nadim follows on export trips to Israeli ports, to convince officials at checkpoints that his cargo contains nothing illicit.
Despite the limitations imposed by Israeli authorities, however, Israel and the occupied West Bank make up 60 percent of Taybeh's current market. Their products are not sold in Gaza.
Meanwhile, Madees, 31, points out that she is among the few if not the only female brewers in the Middle East region: When I started, I was 21, and then the older generation of distributors and suppliers were used to dealing with my father and uncle.
But now they are much older, so their sons are taking over, and they would rather talk to me, not my dad and uncle. So it's changing, and that makes me feel better.
She believes the family product is helping to shape the view of Palestine in the region and internationally.
With Taybeh, you are getting the name Palestine, and a high-quality product, to Israelis and you are changing the way they see Palestinians.
Our global expansion resembles hope, determination, and success; not just for us, but for Palestinians in general.
Goodluck, Taybeh Beer and Wine.
The Taybeh Brewing Company has been welcoming people from all corners of the world to celebrate Oktoberfest every year since 2005 when David Khoury become the first democratically elected Mayor of Taybeh.
The Taybeh Oktoberfest is a dream come true for Nadim Khoury, master brewer, who inspired the Taybeh Municipality and all local civic organizations to collaborate in boosting the collapsed local economy and placing Taybeh on the international map.
This unique event has been called the highlight of Palestine reaching over sixteen thousand visitors annually. The exquisite hills and valleys of the village offer the perfect escape from any busy schedule for all international and local people who come to support local products and boost the economy while celebrating the deep cultural heritage offered by one of the most ancient spots in Palestine also known by its Biblical name, Ephraim.
The two-day celebration usually happens on the first Saturday and Sunday of October (excluding religious holidays) and gives venue to local music groups to celebrate their talent and skills in promoting a different face of Palestine.
Artists from Brazil, Germany, Greece, Spain, England, Sri Lanka, and Japan have performed in the last eight years in Taybeh.
We bring you fresh beer directly from the Taybeh Brewery within hours of packaging because we are a small local brewery with a limited market area. Below is a list of places that sell and serve Taybeh Beer
Jerusalem:
Andrea Karkar, Distributor. Tel: 02 656 7460
R&R, Rami Jubran, Distributor. Tel: 02 625 0006
Avi Ben (Shop) West Jerusalem. Tel: 02 625 9703
Frieg Supermarket, Beit Hanina. Tel: 02 585 4115
Bulghourji, Old City, Armenian Quarter. Tel: 02 628 2080
Mehbash Restaurant (Nablus Road). Tel: 02 628 9185
Sierra Bar, West Jerusalem. Tel: 02 625 6022
Uganda Bar, West Jerusalem. Tel: 02 628 6087
YMCA, West Jerusalem. Tel: 02 569 2692
Al Zahra Hotel. Tel: 02 628 2447
Ambassador Hotel. Tel: 02 541 2223
American Colony. Tel: 02 627 9777
Jerusalem Hotel.. Tel: 02 628 3282
Legacy Hotel Tel: 02 627 0800
Notre Dome Hotel. Tel: 02 627 9107
St. George Landmark Hotel. Tel: 02 627 7232
Jaffa/Tel Aviv
ENOTECA, Andrew Hinnawi, Distributor. Tel: 03 683 2810
Wine and More Shops. Tel: 03 683 2810
Puaa Bar, Jaffa. Tel: 03 518 6763
Minzer Bar, Tel Aviv. Tel: 03 517 3015
Joz o Loz Bar, Tel Aviv. Tel: 03 560 6385
Nazareth
Shamshoum (Store). Tel: 04 656 8393
Haifa:
Fatoush (Restaurant). Tel 04 852 4930
Suidan (Store). Tel 04 866 3047
Zoom (Café). Mobile: 0526224014
The Colony Hotel Haifa, 28 Ben-Gurion Boulevard, Telephone: 04 8513344
Website: www.colony-hotel.co.il
Tiberias, Sea of Galilee:
Scotch Hotel. Tel: 04 671 0713
Pilgerhaus, Tabgha. Tel: 04 670 0100
Bethlehem area:
Bir Ouna (Beit Jala). Tel: 02 274 2778
Jumbo Supermarkets. Tel: 02 275 8685
George Rabee (Beit Jala), Distributor. Mobile: 0599 030 688
George Musallam. Tel: 0599 212 709
Sabat, Distributor. Tel: 02 274 3885
Paradise Hotel. Tel: 02 274 4543
Afteem Restaurant Tel: 02 274 7940
Grotto Restaurant. Tel: 02 274 8844
King Gaspar Restaurant. Tel: 02 276 5301
Salam Restaurant. Tel: 02 275 8122
Tent Restaurant, Beit Sahour. Tel: 02 277 3875
Ramallah:
Arak Ramallah, Distributor. Tel: 02 295 6776
Jubran Marketing, Distributor. Tel: 02 295 3201
Jeries Dalou, Distributor. Tel: 02 295 6673
Philip Dalou, Distributor. Tel: 02 295 7826
Al-Habash Shop. Tel: 02 295 6052
Al Hambra Palace. Tel: 02 295 6226
Ankars Suites and Hotel. Tel: 02 295 2602
Beauty Inn (Hotel). Tel: 02 296 6477
Movenpick Hotel Ramallah. Tel: 02 295 5888
Royal Court Suite Hotel. Tel: 02 296 4040
Azure Restaurant. Tel: 02 295 7850
Bet Aniseh. Tel: 02 295 2991
Darna. Tel: 02 295 0590
Level 5 Tel: 02 298 6868
Pronto Resto-Café. Tel: 02 298 7312
Sangria’s. Tel: 02 295 6808
Sinatra Café. Tel 02 297 1028
Stones. Tel: 02 296 6038
Zarour Restaurant. Tel: 02 295 6767
Ziryab. Tel: 02 295 9093
Birzeit (Old City) Hoash Il’iliyet Restaurant Mobile: 0599 868 914
Ramla:
Samir’s Restaurant,Tel: 08-922-0195 www.samir1948.co.il
Acre (Akka):
Savida Bar , Old City Tel: 04-901-9062
Worldwide
Taybeh Brewing Company aspires to have Taybeh Beer in the UK and in the United States.
JAPAN
Save the Olives
#B-03, Belute Yoyogi 2, 2-21-11 Yoyogi Shibuya-ku Tokyo, Japan
Tel:+81-3-6383-4514 & Tel: +81-3-6856-4662
Email: taybehbeer@frvl.com
http://savetheolive.main.jp/taybehbeer.htm
SWEDEN
First Signs of Water, Stockholm
www.firstsigns.se
Henrik Bergquist
+46 707 442 050
Email: henrik@firstsigns.se
USA
Imported by Taybeh USA
Boston
email: canaand@taybehbeer.com
Tel: 617 415 8766
Taybeh Beer & taybeh Winery boutique Palestinian wins available at:
Foley’s Liquors
228 Cypress St.
Brookline, MA 02445
Tel 617 277 6100
Brighton Gourmet
569 Washington St.
Brighton, MA
Tel: 617 987 0123
DENMARK
+45 4061 3896
www.taybeh.dk
ITALY
Zefiro-Group Srl
via Camozzi 55
25126 Brescia – Italy
p.iva 03356820989
www.zefiro-group.com
www.labirrapalestinese.com
SPAIN
Ziryab Fusion Tapas Bar, Barcelona
SWITZERLAND
Palestine Grill, Zurich
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