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
Dec 08, 2019 Elected President of Guatemala visits the Western Wall The president-elect of Guatemala, Mr. Alejandro Giammettei, arrived at the Western Wall this morning (Sunday) prior to taking office as president of Guatemala.He was greeted by the rabbi of the Western Wall and holy sites, Rabbi Shmuel Rabinowitz, and by the director of the Western Wall Heritage Foundation, Mr. Mordechai (Suli) Eliav.Rabbi Rabinowitz recited chapter 121 of Psalms with the President-elect and blessed him with the prayer of King Solomon that all his prayers and those of his country be fulfilled.Mr. Giammettei was very moved by the visit and placed a note between the stones of the Western Wall. He requested to watch the worshippers and see how the Jews pray at the Western Wall. The Director of the Foundation told him about Jewish heritage and history and about Jewish yearning for Jerusalem throughout the generations.The President-elect said that “Whoever loves Israel, G-d loves him”, and that he hopes the embassy will remain in Jerusalem. He completed the visit by stating that he “asks G-d for blessings for Israel and Guatemala so that together, we can live in peace, justice, and development”.Enclosed photos, credit: The Western Wall Heritage Foundation Further details
Dec 05, 2019 Chanukah Candle-Lighting 5780 Like in previous years, Chanukah candles will be lit every night at the Western Wall Plaza, the site closest to where the Chanukah miracle took place. The candles will be lit in a magnificent menorah generously donated by George Rohr of the United States.The bronze menorah is over 2 meters high and two meters wide, weighs one ton, and took about seven months to create.The Chanukah candles will be lit with olive oil using special weather-proof utensils allowing the menorah to remain lit throughout the night. The menorah will be placed on a new and lit stage.Chanukah candle-lighting will take place every evening of Chanukah at 4:00pm on Rabbi Getz Sinagogue, at 4:30 pm on Beit Shtraus Roof and at 4:40pm on The Western Wall Plaza. On Saturday night at 7:00 pm, and on Friday at 3:30 pm. DateFirst night, Sunday 24 Kislev (22/12/2019)Second night, Monday 25 Kislev (23/12/2019)Third night, Tuesday 26 Kislev (24/12/2019)Fourth night, Wednesday 27 Kislev (25/12/2019)Fifth night, Thursday, 28 Kislev (26/12/2019)Sixth night, Friday, 29 Kislev (27/12/2019)Seventh night, Saturday night 30 Kislev (28/12/2019)Eighth night, Sunday 1 Tevet (29/12/2019) Read More
Dec 03, 2019 One hundred paratroopers and their families in a reunion of soldiers One hundred paratroopers and their families in a reunion of soldiers who liberated the Western Wall and waved the Israeli flag in the Six Day War. Further details
Dec 02, 2019 A moving bar mitzvah at the Western Wall Plaza this morning Eleven years after losing his parents in the tragic terror attack on Chabad House in Mumbai, Moishie Holzberg celebrated his bar mitzvah. He came with his grandfather and other family members to put on tefillin at the Western Wall. The excitement was huge as memories, joy, and sadness were mixed at this moving event. Mazal tov!! Further details
Notices from the Western Wall Elected President of Guatemala visits the Western Wall The president-elect of Guatemala, Mr. Alejandro Giammettei, arrived at the Western Wall this morning (Sunday) prior to taking office as president of Guatemala.He was greeted by the rabbi of the Western Wall and holy sites, Rabbi Shmuel Rabinowitz, and by the director of the Western Wall Heritage Foundation, Mr. Mordechai (Suli) Eliav.Rabbi Rabinowitz recited chapter 121 of Psalms with the President-elect and blessed him with the prayer of King Solomon that all his prayers and those of his country be fulfilled.Mr. Giammettei was very moved by the visit and placed a note between the stones of the Western Wall. He requested to watch the worshippers and see how the Jews pray at the Western Wall. The Director of the Foundation told him about Jewish heritage and history and about Jewish yearning for Jerusalem throughout the generations.The President-elect said that “Whoever loves Israel, G-d loves him”, and that he hopes the embassy will remain in Jerusalem. He completed the visit by stating that he “asks G-d for blessings for Israel and Guatemala so that together, we can live in peace, justice, and development”.Enclosed photos, credit: The Western Wall Heritage Foundation Further details One hundred paratroopers and their families in a reunion of soldiers One hundred paratroopers and their families in a reunion of soldiers who liberated the Western Wall and waved the Israeli flag in the Six Day War. Further details A moving bar mitzvah at the Western Wall Plaza this morning Eleven years after losing his parents in the tragic terror attack on Chabad House in Mumbai, Moishie Holzberg celebrated his bar mitzvah. He came with his grandfather and other family members to put on tefillin at the Western Wall. The excitement was huge as memories, joy, and sadness were mixed at this moving event. Mazal tov!! Further details Vizhnitz Hassids at the Western Wall last night Today is the festival of Sigd on which the Ethiopian community comes for a special prayer service at the Western Wall in Jerusalem. Here are several facts you might not know about Sigd: The festival.of Sigd takes place every year on the 29th of Cheshvan, exactly 50 days after Yom Kippur. The source of the holiday is a custom established by Ezra and Nehemiah during the days of the Return to Zion. Sigd focuses on community, yearning for Jerusalem, and renewal of the covenant with G-d. It is customary on Sigd to make peace, and break down walls or separations between people. In Ethiopia, the holiday was marked by a mass ascension to a high mountain from which they looked in the direction of Jerusalem. In Israel, many members of the community gather in Armon Hanatziv in Jerusalem. 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.
TodayTuesday 12 Kislev 5780, 12.10.2019Dawn6:28Mid day:11:32Sunset16:41Torah weekly sectionVayishlachTimes 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.