Jerusalem Day 2012: A week-long celebration

Jerusalem Day 2012: A week-long celebration

Jerusalem marks 45 years of reunification with a week of events for everyone from May 17-21, 2012.

Thursday-Friday, May 17-18: Jerusalem Syndrome: a celebration of arts, culture, and community, taking place at various stations around the Rehavia neighborhood - click here for more details.

Thursday, May 17:
10:00-20:00: "Go up to Jerusalem": youth movement conference with several events taking place around the city. 7,000 youth from around the country are expected to participate.
10:00: arrival in Jerusalem
10:00-16:00: tours and visits
18:30: main event at Sultan's Pool

Friday May 18:
"Touring Hebrew U": Tours of Hebrew University
Enchanting tours and fascinating lectures on a variety of subjects will take place at the Mount Scopus and Givat Ram campuses of Hebrew University, led by Hebrew University lecturers. The tours will take place from morning to evening and are free of charge.

Jerusalem Day, Sunday, May 20:

15:00-16:30: Meet and Greet with Mayor Nir Barkat at the Tower of David Museum. The event is open to the public.

20:00: Notable People of Jerusalem ceremony at the Tower of David Museum: 12 people will be recognized this year. The award is given to people who have influenced and contributed to the city as a whole. By invitation only.

10:00, 12:00, 14:00: Free tours of Safra Square: The municipality invites the public to free tours of Safra Square. Meeting point is at the palm trees in the entrance to the square. The tours include a tour of historical buildings, the city council hall, a lookout point that provides a breathtaking view of the city, a miniature reproduction of the city center. The tours will be accompanied by an actor who will spice up the experience.

Layla Lavan (White Night) in the Capital-Student Day in Gan Sacher: Inbal Hershkowitz will open the festivities, followed by performances by Aviv Gefen and his band, Idan Reichel Project, Hadag Nachash, Sarit Hadad, Berry Sakharof and Mosh Ben Ari. For more information click here. When the sun comes up, enjoy discounted breakfast at a slew of restaurants around town. For more information click here.
Tickets: for students: aguda.org.il. For guests: bimot.co.il.

Jerusalem Day events in neighborhoods around the city:
20:00: live performances in Gan Dalia in Ramot
21:00: Dancing in Beit Sefer Ramon in Har Homa
21:00: Dancing in Yeshivat HaOrot in Mount Scopus
21:00: Dancing at Yeshivat Har Hamor in Kiryat Yovel

Central ceremonies and events:

9:00: Festive government session at Givat Hatachmoshet. By invitation only.

12:00: Memorial ceremony for the Ethiopian community at Har Herzl

14:00: National memorial ceremony at Har Herzl for soldiers that fell in the Six Day War.

18:00: National memorial ceremony at Givat Hatachmoshet marking 43 years of unification, with attendance of the President, Prime Minister, MKs, Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat, commander in chief of the Israel Defense Forces, Police Commissioner, and bereaved families.

Yad Yitzchak Ben Zvi: Yad Yitzchak Ben Zvi opens its doors to the public.
11:00: Exhibit viewing and gallery talk at the "A House for the Hebrew Woman" exhibit. Free.
10:00-14:00: guided tours at the historical platform of Israeli presidents. Every hour on the hour. Free.

21:30: Sun on my city: a Jerusalem performance in story, song, and humor about the scents from the Jerusalem Spanish courtyard, the sights of Shuk Machane Yehuda, the voices from the synagogues, and seeing the glass half full. By Batya Hermon. 50 NIS at the door, 45 NIS in advance. Email had@ybz.org.il or call 02-539-8855.

16:00-23:00: "Flag Dance" parade: the yearly Jerusalem Day parade will begin in the afternoon, with thousands of participants from around the country and abroad. The parade ends at the Western Wall with a festive ceremony and prayer service at the plaza.

Central ceremony at Yeshivat Merkaz Harav: the festive ceremony will be attended by Mayor Nir Barkat as well as other community members and the public. The event will culminate with a march through Jerusalem to the Western Wall.

Monday, May 21:
20:30: Israeli Dancing in Safra Square: The Jerusalem municipality invites residents and visitors to celebrate Jerusalem Day in Safra Square. The program includes live performances by Avihu Medina, Sagiv Cohen, and Orit Atar, Israeli dancing with dances led by Avner Naim, Yaron Carmel and Gadi Biton (guest). The public is welcome and entrance is free.