The Jewish Sabbath
Shabbat (Sabbath) begins on Friday at sun down, and ends the following night. For more information about the Jewish day of rest:
Most banks, businesses and public institutions are closed for Shabbat. In major cities, many restaurants, movie theaters, nightclubs and shopping malls remain open. Please note that in Jerusalem, certain neighborhoods have restaurants and movie theaters open but shops are closed, except for eastern Jerusalem.
Shabbat (Sabbath) and all Jewish holidays begin at sun down, and end the following night when it gets dark. Banks, businesses and public institutions are closed at these times. In major cities, many restaurants, movie theaters, nightclubs and shopping malls remain open. Please note that in Jerusalem, certain neighborhoods have restaurants and movie theaters open but shops are closed, except for eastern Jerusalem. On the holiday of Yom Kippur in the fall, taxi service is available – all other public transportation is not. The eve of Yom Kippur is traffic-free in most areas of the country, leaving the roads open for kids on bicycles and skates and pedestrians.
Hospitality: Kehillat Yedidya and Shira Hadasha Synagogues offer hospitality to visitors for Sabbath Meals.
Restaurants in Jerusalem Open on Saturdays
1 . Colony – lunch or dinner
7 Days a week, 12:00 midnight until last customer
Beit Lechem Rd. 7, Baka Phone: 02-672-9955
Getting to Colony can be a bit tricky – to reach the club from Beit Lechem St., walk down the small path next to the meeting of the old railroad tracks, 50 meters away from the Paz gas station.
2 . Café Smadar – Lev Smadar – more for breakfast/brunch/lunch
Lloyd George St. 4, German Colony Phone: 02-566-0954
3. Focaccia Bar
Rabbi Akiva 4, Phone: 0579443123
Note: On the High Holidays (Jewish New Year, Yom Kippur Fast, etc.) these restaurants will be closed, but several are open on the edge of East Jerusalem, across from the Damascus Gate to the Old City.
On the holiday of Yom Kippur in the fall, taxi service is available – all other public transportation is not. The eve of Yom Kippur is traffic-free in most areas of the country, leaving the roads open for kids on bicycles and skates and pedestrians.
Supermarkets in Jerusalem Open on Saturday
1 . Supermarket Esrim V’Arba (24), 19 Shamai St.
2. Super 24, 41 Hebron Rd.
Tourist Attractions in Jerusalem Open on Saturday
The Tower of David Museum – Ask for the DVI combination ticket discount!
Jerusalem Walking Tours: Art and Hummus Tour, Shivtei Yisrael St. Tour, Ethiopia St. Tour, and more!
Some dentists take advantage of the day of rest to tour Israel – Egged Tours offers day tours from Jerusalem across the country.
