Christmas in Jerusalem: Christmas Market Abroad

At the weekend, a Christmas market is held at Yemka Jerusalem, which includes food stalls, children's activities and of course a Santa and Christmas tree guest performance. In addition, a traditional bell concert will take place at the top of the tower and you can also take a look at one of the special places in the capital

Christmas in Jerusalem: Christmas Market Abroad

If you too have not boarded one of the cheap flights to frozen Christmas destinations in Europe, you can head to our capital this weekend where the traditional YMCA Jerusalem Christmas market will last through the weekend until tomorrow (Sunday).

While this is not Europe, the Jerusalem cold is already beginning to give its signals so that the market is in two in heated tents. You will find traditional food stalls such as chestnut and hot wine, traditional pastries, chocolate, christmas cookies and wine alongside slightly less traditional dishes such as shawarma and hot dogs. The souvenir tent will sell you crafts of East Jerusalem craftsmen such as small fir trees, Santa hats, elk statues, candles, Santa dolls and more. The holiday atmosphere is complemented by children's activities that include Santa Claus performers and actors who roam the hotel grounds, and a snow machine that snows on the fir tree. When the darkness goes down and the lights go on it is already more like the real thing.

Start a year in style

One of the highlights of the festival is the traditional bell concert by Professor Gabi Scheffler, a psychologist by profession, who has been conducting this special ceremony for 40 years. Sheffler, using cable and pedals, is the only terrifying bell system of its kind in the Middle East, with 36 giant bells, the largest of which weighs 1,500 kg. To reach the bells, you will have to climb 214 steps. Ascending will cost you 15 shekels, , A spectacular view of Jerusalem.

Almost like abroad. Santa Claus at Yemka Israel (Photo: PR)

Christmas at the YMCA Jerusalem (Photo: YMCA Jerusalem, PR)

Professor Gabi Scheffler plays 36 giant bells (Photo: PR)

Gabi Sheffler at the YMCA Jerusalem (Photo: YMCA Jerusalem, PR)

The holiday feast. A child wearing a dome over the Christmas tree (Photo: PR)

Christmas at the YMCA Jerusalem (Photo: YMCA Jerusalem, PR)

The bell tower is part of a YMCA inaugurated in 1933 by British General Lord Allenby. The building was designed by Arthur Loomis Harmon, architect of the Empire State Building in New York, and incorporated ornamental elements representing the three religions: 12 cypress trees in the garden Ten tribes of Israel, the disciples of Jesus and the Imams in Islam, as well as captions on the building in several languages.

No longer a hostel

The hotel itself has 54 rooms and four junior suites. Just under a year ago, an entire floor with 28 rooms was renovated. And if the word YMCA makes you think of a youth hostel, you're not alone. Until twenty years ago the hotel did function as a hostel and in 1995 it became a 3 star hotel. The old and new rooms are very simple and clean. You will not find an espresso machine or a stand-up bathtub that has become a standard seal for all luxury and boutique hotels, but simple and functional furniture.

And if you thought it was a coincidence. That's not the case. Yimka's intention is not to compete with the conditions of its luxury hotels, and there are quite a few because of the hotel's central location, but the organization's agenda to create another alternative to a social hotel whose center is to respect all human beings. This explains the fact that on the first floor there is a bilingual kindergarten (take this into account) and that the hotel has various events such as celebrations of holidays of the three religions, concerts of an integrated children's choir and more.

The 12 cypress trees in the garden represent the twelve tribes of Israel. Front of hotel (Photo: YMCA PR)

Jerusalem YMCA (Photo: YMCA Jerusalem, PR)

Colonial magic. Receiving the hotel (Photo: YMCA Jerusalem PR)

Jerusalem YMCA (Photo: YMCA Jerusalem, PR)

A beautiful space that is not properly utilized. The hotel restaurant (Photo: YMCA PR)

Jerusalem YMCA (Photo: YMCA Jerusalem, PR)

Some rooms have been upgraded. Renovated hotel room (Photo: YMCA Jerusalem PR)

Jerusalem YMCA Room (Photo: YMCA Jerusalem, PR)

Overseas hostel atmosphere

On the island the hotel can use the YMCA's fitness facilities, which include a gym, swimming pool (one that does not swim, do not sunbathe, and a Jacuzzi). In addition, there is a non-kosher restaurant located in a full-fledged room, but there is no serious parlor and the food served at dinner must be updated as it still seems stuck in the 1980s. Breakfast is good and standard.

This is not about the kind of hotels they come to do with their backs, or showing off photos on Instagram. This is another experience that incorporates an upgraded overseas hostel atmosphere that may be obtainable in a few places in the country. For example, most tourists here are couples from the US and Europe, and Israelis are boutique hotel enthusiasts, accounting for only about 20 percent of the guests.

This is the opportunity to go on a dream vacation, a loan to clients of all banks

Subject to the terms of financing Ltd. and to the underwriting conditions. Failure to meet the loan repayment may result in a charge on arrears and execution proceedings

Prices and dates

The bell concert will be held Saturday December 7, 19 at 1:00 pm, 4:00 pm and 8:00 pm. On Sunday December 8 at 9 pm and Tuesday, Christmas Eve December 24, 19 at 7 pm and 9:30 pm. This evening, the traditional concert featuring eighty singers and singers will also be held at the YMCA Historical Auditorium. Tickets: NIS 73 on the GOSHOW website or on phone 6119 *

During the winter, room rates range from NIS 800 to NIS 1,200, including breakfast and use of the nearby sports facilities.

The writer was the hotel guest