56 New York Family | November/December 2018 www.newyorkfamily.com

TRAVELhome&awayhome&away

a beautiful pool area, which includes a shallow wading pool as

well as a regular pool with unrivaled views of the nearby Old

City. Plus, the David Citadel features an adorable Children’s Play

Center. Designed by noted interior designer Sarit Shani Chai,

the Center is decorated to incorporate play versions of Jerusa-

lem landmarks, and it’s outfi tted with games, toys, and activities

that little ones will love. While the kids enjoy their own special

space, parents can explore the hotel’s spa, Lobby Lounge,

Seasons Restaurant, and more. Both hotels have a range of

guest rooms and suites that range from standard to ultra-luxe.

Mamilla Hotel offers a Family Suite option that accommodates

a family of four, while David Citadel has a variety of suites at

different price points. Both hotels also offer premium toiletries

from Bvulgari and extensive mini bar options, as well as stun-

ning views. Both, naturally, keep Kosher and offer special menus

for Shabbat.

A big draw for family travel to Israel is celebrating a Bar or

Bat Mitzvah. For any young person crossing this milestone, the

spiritual backdrop of the Holy City couldn’t be more perfect.

Both Mamilla and the David Citadel (which are both a stroll

away from the Kotel and Old City) offer all the services you

might need to make your Mitzvah celebration a reality. Mamilla

can host Mitzvahs in the Ballroom (up to 250 guests), as well

as in their bars and restaurants (from 150-300 in their Roof-

top Restaurant and Happy Fish Restaurant, or a more intimate

number in their Mirror Bar) or on their sundeck. Mamilla can

also assist families in booking any chefs, sound systems, and

children’s activities and performers they might desire. Plus, if

you’re celebrating a Mitzvah with 100 or more guests, Mamilla

Hotel extends a complimentary double room to the family of

the celebrant. The David Citadel has a beautiful Grand Ballroom

(which can be divided to tailor the room to your event size,

from 100-500 guests), Gates Banquets (up to 150 guests), and

Terrace (which features views of the Tower of David and can

accommodate 180 guests). Plus, their on-site chef is available to

craft your Mitzvah menu from local and seasonal ingredients.

Israel’s Unique Mix Of Culture, Spirituality & History (Plus Amazing Hummus) Makes It A Truly Memorable Family Travel Destination

By Mia Weber

This spring, I got the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to travel

to beautiful Jerusalem and experience the city fi rsthand. From

world-class accommodations and museum experiences to awe-

inspiring historical and religious sites to transcendent hummus at

every turn, Jerusalem proved a destination for travelers looking

for many different things. Though the portrait of the region varies

in the media—it’s undeniable that Israel sees plenty of political

and cultural controversy and confl ict—as an American tourist, I

found the city itself to be warm and welcoming, and, in the Old

City especially, quite diverse.

Whether your family is Jewish and traveling for a Bar or Bat

Mitzvah, or if you’re simply looking for an adventure in a historic

region with beautiful scenery and delicious food, Jerusalem deliv-

ers a very special mix of culture, fun, and education.

Within easy walking distance of both the New and Old Cit-

ies, the Mamilla Hotel (mamillahotel.com)—situated on historic

Mamilla Road, which is home to upscale shopping options—and

the David Citadel Hotel (thedavidcitadel.com) offer comfort, styl-

ish aesthetics, and impressive amenities (not to mention attentive

and knowledgeable staff) with plenty of family-specifi c services.

Mamilla Hotel could be compared to American properties

like the Ace, and I recommend it more for families with older

children (9 and up), though younger kids are certainly welcome.

Sophisticated and modern design elements abounded, from the

lobby to the rooms to the breathtaking Rooftop Outdoor Lounge

& Restaurant (with views of the Old City, Instagram-worthy décor,

and a fresh locally-inspired menu). Notable features at Mamilla in-

clude a luxe sun deck on the roof, and an outdoor patio with lush

plantings and hanging wicker chairs (the perfect place to enjoy

Mamilla’s mouthwatering breakfast spread). There’s a sleek indoor

pool that adults and kids alike are sure to enjoy; for mom and dad,

there’s the high-end Akasha spa and the chic Mirror Bar.

For a more traditional hotel experience, travelers can check in

to the David Citadel, which exudes classic elegance, top-tier hos-

pitality (President Barack Obama reportedly stayed there when he

was a senator), and plenty of fun for younger children. They offer

The David Citadel Hotel poolThe David Citadel Hotel poolThe David Citadel Hotel pool

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The blending of the modern and historic is a hallmark of

Jerusalem, where the New City and Old City thrive in close prox-

imity. In the same afternoon, you can make your way through the

Israel Museum (imj.org.il), where the Shrine of the Book exhibit

showcases the Dead Sea Scrolls. There’s also a sculpture garden

on-site which includes large-scale renderings of weather-worn

trees by famed artist Ai Weiwei.

After you’ve checked out the Shrine of the Book, the

museum also has art and artifacts from just about every era of

Jewish history and culture. From the Israel Museum, it’s a nice

walk North through Sacher Park to the bustling Machane Yehuda

market. The market can be a sensory overload, but it’s truly an

only-in-Israel experience. Stalls upon stalls sell everything from

souvenirs (looking for a yarmulke with the What’s App logo or

an Angry Bird on it? Sure! Hello Kitty hookahs? Yep!) to every

kind of regional culinary delight you could think of, usually freshly

made or in bulk (challah, halva, candy, nuts, spices, and a rainbow

of local fruits).

Families looking for more history and education in the New

City should be sure not to miss Yad Vashem (yadvashem.org),

the World Holocaust Remembrance Center.

When it comes time to explore the Old City, I’d recommend

a guided tour. The concierge at the David Citadel connected

me with a fantastic guide and he walked me through all four

Quarters—Christian, Jewish, Armenian, and Muslim—dispens-

ing historical facts at every turn. For religious families, the Old

City has an undeniable spiritual appeal, given that it holds sites

like the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, the Tower of David, the

Western Wall, the Jaffa Gate, the Zion Gate, and the Last Supper

Room, as well as many other holy landmarks and houses of wor-

ship, and a view of the Dome of the Rock. Not only is the history,

art, and architecture incredibly engaging, but there are endless

opportunities to purchase gifts and souvenirs from local vendors

and artists.

I will make no secret of the fact that hummus is my all-time

favorite food. Though I identify as agnostic, the trip to Israel

was indeed a spiritual one: Israel is the holy land of hummus, no

question! My top pick was Ben Sira Hummus (facebook.com/

pages/Ben-Sira-Hummus)—so cheap, so luscious, and so fl avor-

ful. Plus, the pita that came with it was so warm, thick, and fl uffy,

you could have made a tent out of it and napped for a week. The

Muslim Quarter of the Old City also offered some great hummus.

There are little hole-in-the-wall spots throughout the bazaar that

don’t really even have busformal business names but you can

watch them making the hummus right in front of you. If you’re

looking for something sweet post-hummus in the Muslim

Quarter, seek out Jafar Sweets for baklava and knafeh.

For those in search of local cuisine beyond the chickpea,

Mamilla’s Happy Fish restaurant, with its chic outdoor seating

area, is a must. The menu is upscale but still appropriate for

younger diners. The falafel and tzatziki was delicious, as were

the fi sh shawarma, cucumber salad with onions and black

olives, and all of the mezze options.

FOR MORE FAMILY TRAVEL RESOURCES, VISIT NEWYORKFAMILY.COM!

Ben Sira Hummus

The Children’s Play Center

at the David Citadel Hotel

The Western Wall & Dome of the Rock

The Mamilla Hotel sun deck

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