Jerusalem's Old City Welcomes Tens of Thousands During Festival Week

Tens of thousands of families are visiting Jerusalem's Jewish Quarter during the intermediate days of the Sukkot festival. A new "Chazon Ish" Sukkah, claimed to be the world's largest at 444 square meters, has been erected in the plaza of the historic Hurva Synagogue. The Sukkah, open throughout the festival, offers seating, refreshments, and a family-friendly area. Its construction adhered strictly to Halachic (Jewish law) requirements, with a new canopy imported specifically for the occasion. Rabbi Eliyahu Zilberman of the Jewish Quarter oversaw the meticulous construction.

Additionally, a new, spacious observation point has opened free of charge on the roof of Yeshivat HaKotel. This vantage point overlooks the Temple Mount and allows hundreds of visitors to view the site without long waits. Accessible by elevator, it is designed for comfort and is inclusive of people with disabilities and families with strollers.

These attractions are part of the "Moadim LeMishpacha" (Festivals for the Family) initiative by the Ministry of Jerusalem and Tradition. The broader program includes free entry to the Hurva Synagogue, guided tours of the "Priestly Courtyard" neighborhood every half hour, information and water stations throughout the quarter, Klezmer music processions, and "Simchat Beit Hashoeva" celebrations.

Shimon Album, Director General of the Ministry of Jerusalem and Tradition, stated that the "Moadim LeMishpacha" initiative was expanded this year with unprecedented investment to meet the needs of the many visitors. He highlighted the accessibility of the Temple Mount observation point and the large, ornate Sukkah as examples of the enhanced offerings, inviting the public to visit Jerusalem with comfort and joy.