New! Do you speak French? Russian? Spanish?You can join a tour for individuals with an audio-guide in French, Russian, or Spanish!To reserve a tour, call 972-2-6271333*The audio-guide will be given in exchange for an ID left as collateral. More Info
Important Notice Accessibility of the Western Wall Tunnels - Important Message!Due to construction work, wheelchairs will not be accessible in the Western Wall Tunnels. The Fund's management apologizes for the temporary inconvenience. "A Look into the Past" is still wheelchair accessible.We apologize for the inconvenience. More Info
Important notice The Chain of Generations Center is getting a new look!Due to the renovation, the site will be closed to visitors between May 5, 2019 - June 12, 2019.We invite you to come visit when it reopens! visitor information
Important notice Transportation to the Western Wall for Bar Mitzvah familiesThe Western Wall Train and Shuttle bus depart from Jaffa Gate and return every 20 minutes between 08:40 and 13:20 – The travel is free for Bar Mitzvah families.Departure point - Karta Parking Lot B (the bus parking lot parallel to Yitzhak Kariv Street)Destination- Goren Square near the Western Wall. במידע למבקר
Nov 14, 2019 From Poland to the Kotel With a wellspring of emotion, the girls from the Ulpena in Modiin came straight to the Kotel from their journey to Poland. Further details
Nov 11, 2019 Update- Dismantling the Crane at the Western Wall Plaza Update- Dismantling the Crane at the Western Wall Plaza Now that the frame for the Western Wall Heritage Center has been completed, the crane situated in the plaza will be dismantled today between 3 pm and 3 am. For safety reasons, the upper plaza will be closed, and therefore, the entrances to the Western Wall plaza will be closed for short intermittent periods of time. The adjacent parking lot will be closed as well. The Western Wall Heritage Foundation ushers will be available to assist visitors and will do all they can to minimize any disturbance to worshipers and visitors. Further details
Oct 28, 2019 Mr. Jared Kushner, Senior Advisor to United States President visits the Western Wall Mr. Jared Kushner, Senior Advisor to United States President Donald Trump, came with Mr. Avrahm Berkowitz Deputy Assistant to the President and US Ambassador to Israel Mr. David Friedman to pray at the Western Wall during his visit to Israel. They were greeted by the rabbi of the Western Wall, Rabbi Shmuel Rabinowitz, and by the director of the Western Wall Heritage Foundation, Mr. Mordechai (Suli) Eliav. Ivanka Trump shared her husband's visit to the Western Wall Read More
Oct 27, 2019 Construction Work at the Western Wall Plaza- Update Following the completion of the Western Wall Heritage Center frame, the Western Wall Heritage Foundation, in cooperation with the Israel Antiquities Authority, has begun work on connecting the Roman Cardo road exposed over a decade ago at the Western Wall Heritage Center with the findings uncovered under Strauss House in the Western Wall Tunnels. The Western Wall Heritage Foundation is continuing to develop the Western Wall Plaza for the benefit of the visitors coming to the Western Wall. The Western Wall Heritage Foundation ushers are there to serve the public and do all they can to minimize any disturbance to worshippers and visitors. Read More
Notices from the Western Wall From Poland to the Kotel With a wellspring of emotion, the girls from the Ulpena in Modiin came straight to the Kotel from their journey to Poland. Further details Update- Dismantling the Crane at the Western Wall Plaza Update- Dismantling the Crane at the Western Wall Plaza Now that the frame for the Western Wall Heritage Center has been completed, the crane situated in the plaza will be dismantled today between 3 pm and 3 am. For safety reasons, the upper plaza will be closed, and therefore, the entrances to the Western Wall plaza will be closed for short intermittent periods of time. The adjacent parking lot will be closed as well. The Western Wall Heritage Foundation ushers will be available to assist visitors and will do all they can to minimize any disturbance to worshipers and visitors. Further details Over two million visitors came to the Western Wall during the month of the holidays Approximately 2.5 million people came to the Western Wall during the Hebrew month of Tishrei – a significant rise over the past several years.During the month, hundreds of thousands participated in the slichot (penitential prayer) services that took place toward the end of the month of Elul and during the Aseret Yemei Tshuva between Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur. Furthermore, an additional million people came to visit Jerusalem and the Western Wall during the Succot (Tabernacles) holiday in commemoration of the historic pilgrimage and participated in the traditional Birkat Kohanim (Priestly Blessing) in which hundreds of kohanim raised their hands and blessed the mass of people using the triple blessing written in the Torah.Thousands came to the Western Wall plaza during the evening of Hoshana Rabba, as well as for Simchat Torah and for the second hakafot that have become a yearly tradition in Jerusalem, with mass dancing together with approximately one hundred Torah scrolls.The Western Wall Heritage Foundation reported a yearly rise in the number of people coming to the Western Wall during this time of year from all around Israel and from around the world, and from different segments of society.The Western Wall Heritage Foundation expressed its appreciation of the dedicated staff and security and police forces who worked hard to make it possible for over two million people to come to the Wall this past month, keeping them safe and secure. The Rabbi of the Western Wall, Rabbi Shmuel Rabinowitz, noted that the masses who visited the Western Wall served as impressive and inspiring evidence of the unifying connection we all have with the Western Wall. He said that it is hard not to be amazed by the sight of so many people visiting the Wall, pointing to the real power of the Jewish nation. Further details Birkat Kohanim (Priestly Blessing) Chol HaMoed Succot Read More Mi K’Amcha Yisrael Mi K’Amcha Yisrael Rabbi Shmuel Rabinowitz, Rabbi of the Western Wall and the Holy Sites The Talmud describes that even the Ruler of the Universe puts on His own tefillin. And the verse “וּמִי כְּעַמְּךָ יִשְׂרָאֵל גּוֹי אֶחָד בָּאָרֶץ” - And who is like Your people Israel, one nation in the world – is written in these tefillin. Rabbi Levy Yitzhak of Berditchev, of blessed memory, would quote the Talmud while standing to pray for Am Yisrael and plead to Hashem “A Jew who drops his tefillin, immediately picks them up, kisses them and strokes them. See that Your tefillin, Am Yisrael, are falling – will You not pick them up immediately, kiss them and stroke them?” I am sure that Rabbi Levy of Berditchev envisioned the entire Jewish Nation standing together in prayer. And here, we have merited that two hundred years later we are living – not envisioning – the tens of thousands of Jewish People standing together in prayer. More than one million people came from all over the world to say Selichot at the Western Wall. Men and women, young and old - one nation in the world, as one man in one heart. This picture, taken on the last night of Selichot, on the eve of Yom Kippur (credit: Yisrael Bardugo), speaks of a greater truth than thousands of words. This picture describes the true and deep connection between Am Yisrael and Hashem, together with His heritage and Holy City. I am placing this picture before the Divine, and pleading that which King Solomon did in his time: “That Your eyes may be open toward this house … to listen to the prayer.” See, Lord of the Universe, see Your sons and daughters, standing united at the Western Wall and calling out Your name with one heart. This is the true heartbeat of the Jewish People, and it is deeper than any fight or dispute. Forgive us, pardon us, and bless us with a good year. Chag Sameach. Further details
The Western Wall We all know that the Western Wall, the Kotel, is the most significant site in the world for the Jewish people. We know that it is the last remnant of our Temple. We also know that Jews from around the world gather here to pray. People write notes to G-d and place them between the ancient stones of the Wall. Read more
Bar Mitzvah at the Kotel The Western Wall Heritage Foundation invites you to celebrate a Bar Mitzvah at the Kotel, in a unique atmosphere of unity and holiness, and at no charge. Read more Registration Form
Western Wall Sites The Western Wall Plaza is home to some of the most interesting historical tourist sites in the world, which offer a unique perspective on the genealogy of the Jewish people and the history of Jerusalem. We invite you to visit the sites and enjoy an empowering and unforgettable experience.
The Journey to JerusalemAbout The Journey to Jerusalem A Look into the PastAbout A Look into the Past Behind the ScenesAbout Behind the Scenes The Western Wall TunnelsAbout The Western Wall Tunnels The Chain of Generations CenterAbout The Chain of Generations Center The Ohel Yitzchak SynagogueAbout The Ohel Yitzchak Synagogue The Journey to JerusalemAbout The Journey to Jerusalem A Look into the PastAbout A Look into the Past The Core ExcavationsAbout The Core Excavations The Western Wall TunnelsAbout The Western Wall Tunnels The Chain of Generations CenterAbout The Chain of Generations Center The Ohel Yitzchak SynagogueAbout The Ohel Yitzchak Synagogue
Interesting Facts The Western Wall Plaza hosts approximately 60,000 people. It symbolizes the Jewish link to Jerusalem and serves as the synagogue closest to the remains of both Holy Temples. The Western Wall's visible stones tell of its history from the time of the Holy Temples' ruin. The original Herodian stones are distinct from the others in size and in their unique borders. The building style of "grading" used when layering the Western Wall's stones, teaches us that the Temple Mount's walls were not perpendicular but marginally sloping.
TodayFriday 17 Heshvan 5780, 11.15.2019Dawn6:07Mid day:11:24Sunset16:45Candle Light16:05Torah weekly sectionVayeraTimes are according to Standard Time
The Western Wall Heritage Foundation is a non-profit organization that works to preserve the heritage of the Western Wall in the capital of Israel, and supports a courteous response to every traveler and visitor. We bring you up-to-date information such as events, tours and celebrations related to the Western Wall in Jerusalem and many activities for children, Bar / Bat Mitzvah celebrations and more useful services to assist you to convey an empowering and sacred experience.