+ Use VRBO to rent an apartment near Mamilla Mall - this is a central area within walking distance of the Old City and Jaffa Street. 

EXPERIENCING ISRAEL:
A BAT MITZVAH ITINERARY

Fly into Ben Gurion International Airport, rent a car, and drive into Jerusalem. Read Isaiah 62:6-7 as you approach the city. 
Have dinner at Kazze or Noctorno on Betzalel Street (tip: pick up sandwiches for the next day's lunch!)


Walk to the Kotel for morning prayers, then stop at Aroma Espresso for a light breakfast. 
If political conditions are calm, take a drive into Hebron to visit the Tomb of Ruth & Jesse (a beautifully restored historic site) and the Cave of Machpelah (a holy place where the patriarchs, including Adam and Eve, are said to be buried!). You can also arrange a tour with the Hebron Fund. Bring tzedakah (small bills and coins for charity) and a Bible or prayer book. 
Back in Jerusalem, walk to the Machene Yehuda shuk to pick up groceries for the week and get dinner at Crave (the BEST beef burgers and tahini milkshakes!)


Walk to the Temple Mount (bring your passport) and walk around Al-Aqsa mosque, the original site of the Temple. A great chance to pray for the restoration of Zion!
Drive toward Tel Aviv and stop at Klara for Israeli "fast food" - try the shwarma & fries! 
Spend the afternoon volunteering at Leket (an Israeli charity that gathers extra crops and distributes them to the poor) in Rishon Letzion.
Head back to Jerusalem and get dressed up for an incredible meal at the King David Hotel Grill Room.


First, stop at Megiddo National Park (potentially the place where Armageddon will happen one day), and read from Revelation. 
Next, visit the Church of the Transfiguration (at the top of Mount Tabor, the highest mountain in Israel). Read about the transfiguration from Matthew 17. 
If there's enough time, stop at Cana Catholic Wedding Church, where Jesus performed His first miracle. 
Pick up falafel from a street vendor in Tiberias and then stop at Golda Glida for gelato!
Visit Hamat Tiberias National Park (there's a small admission fee) to swim in the natural hot springs there.
For a fancy dinner back in Jerusalem, go to Roza - or just pick up burgers!


Walk to the Kotel for morning prayers, then stop at Aroma Espresso for a light breakfast. 
Take a taxi to the top of Mount of Olives, then walk to the Garden of Gethsemane. Optional: continue to the City of David (about 15 minutes further, walking).
Have lunch at Cafe Rimon in Mamilla Mall, then pick up any other groceries you need for Shabbat. 
Enjoy an Erev Shabbat meal with friends! 


Don't miss this chance to attend Shabbat services at a famous Jerusalem synagogue like the Great Synagogue, Hurva Syngagogue, or the Italian Synagogue. This article explains a little more about the different options. For an authentic experience, make sure you walk there!
After havdalah, go to Ben Yehuda Street for dinner and shopping. 


Try an authentic shakshuka for breakfast at Coffee Nadi. 
Visit Yad VaShem for a personal tour (their bat mitzvah twinning program is fantastic!) 
Have lunch afterward at Cafe Shalva, and learn about their charitable work. 
Continue on to Ben Gurion to catch your flight home! 

DAY THREE: VOLUNTEER WORK & TEMPLE MOUNT

DAY FOUR: DAY TRIP TO GALILEE

day fIVE: OLD CITY

DAY SIX: SHABBAT

DAY seven: YAD VASHEM

EXPERIENCING ISRAEL:
A BAT MITZVAH ITINERARY

+ Use VRBO to rent an apartment near Mamilla Mall - this is a central area within walking distance of the Old City and Jaffa Street. 


Fly into Ben Gurion International Airport, rent a car, and drive into Jerusalem. Read Isaiah 62:6-7 as you approach the city. 
Have dinner at Kazze or Noctorno on Betzalel Street (tip: pick up sandwiches for the next day's lunch!)



Walk to the Kotel for morning prayers, then stop at Aroma Espresso for a light breakfast. 
If political conditions are calm, take a drive into Hebron to visit the Tomb of Ruth & Jesse (a beautifully restored historic site) and the Cave of Machpelah (a holy place where the patriarchs, including Adam and Eve, are said to be buried!). You can also arrange a tour with the Hebron Fund. Bring tzedakah (small bills and coins for charity) and a Bible or prayer book. 
Back in Jerusalem, walk to the Machene Yehuda shuk to pick up groceries for the week and get dinner at Crave (the BEST beef burgers and tahini milkshakes!)

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DAY ONE: ARRIVE

DAY TWO: SIGHTSEEING IN JERUSALEM