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
Oct 09, 2019 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
Oct 06, 2019 Chairman of the Jewish Agency Chairman of the Jewish Agency, Mr. Isaac Herzog, in a special Selichot tour at the Western Wall before Yom Kippur, together with a group of Olim, new immigrants to Israel. Shana Tova and welcome to all. Further details
Notices from the Western Wall 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 Chairman of the Jewish Agency Chairman of the Jewish Agency, Mr. Isaac Herzog, in a special Selichot tour at the Western Wall before Yom Kippur, together with a group of Olim, new immigrants to Israel. Shana Tova and welcome to all. Further details Rosh Hashanah 2019 – Clearing the Notes from the Western Wall Press releaseAs ahead of every Rosh Hashanah, the employees of the Western Wall Heritage Foundation has removed the notes that were put among the stones of the Wall in the last few months by visitors and worshipers. The notes were removed using wooden tools, not iron ones – as was the custom at the ancient Temples.After the removal, the notes were packed and transferred into special Genizah containers that are meant to store holy books and papers. They will later be buried in the Mount of Olives, together with other Genizah items. The notes of prayer were hidden inside the Wall by worshippers both from Israel and abroad, Jews and non-Jews. Many notes were also put there by the employees of the Western Wall Heritage Foundation, who received tens of thousands of prayers through the Foundation's website and mail services.Ever since the previous Rosh Hashanah, more than 32,000 notes were sent to the Wall through www.thekotel.org. Over 1500 of them were sent by people in Israel.The notes came from many countries around the world, including the US, Brazil, Hungary, Mexico, Germany, England, Columbia, Argentina, Ukraine, Canada, South Africa, Russia, Indonesia, Spain, Liberia, Poland, Australia, Ecuador, Switzerland, Nigeria, Uzbekistan, Vietnam, Morocco and Hong Kong.In order to protect the privacy and wishes of the note-writers, the removal area was isolated until the process was over. All of the notes were sealed inside special bags. The rabbi of the Western Wall and the Holy Sites, Rabbi Shmuel Rabinowitz, accompanied the removal process and prayed for the hopes and wishes of all worshippers – to come true for the best.The Western Wall Heritage Foundation continues to offer unique Selichot tours in the Old City that focus on the special atmosphere of the Western Wall during the Selichot prayers. For details, *5859.Attached photos are free to use.Videos on the Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/WesternWall/Credit: the Western Wall Heritage Foundation 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.
TodayMonday 22 Tishre 5780, 10.21.2019HolidaySimchas TorahDawn5:46Mid day:11:24Sunset17:06Torah weekly sectionBereishisTimes 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.