Jerusalem hotels, restaurants, attractions, tours & events. Helping since 2008

The joy experienced by soldiers finding out they will get Thursday night, as well as the whole weekend, off is not something easily duplicated. But for the fifth year in a row, Jerusalem is doing it's darndest to pull off that very feat. Hamshushalayim, a smush together of the words Yerushalayim (Hebrew for Jerusalem) and Hasmhush, army slang for Hamishi, Shishi, Shabbat (or Thursday, Friday, Saturday), is back again with a full lineup of free events, inexpensive eats and more. The festival lasts for the next three weekends, leading directly into the holiday of Chanuka and the Jerusalem Jewish Film Festival.

We would be remiss if we didn't start this off by telling of all that Jerusalem will be throwing at it's loyal denizens and visitors free of charge. These include night tours around the city, both old and new, and a number of educational institutions with special exhibits for free, like sound and light shows at the Herzl Museum and Heichal Shlomo, all three weekends.

Many of Jerusalem's museums will open their doors for free and extend their hours through the night all three Thursdays as well. On top of their regular offerings, a number of special events will be happening, such as opera at the Museum of Italian Jewish Art and a capella at the Israel Museum.

The Jerusalem student organization Ruach Chadasha (New Spirit) will also be sponsoring a number of events, such as an artists market the first weekend (free), a bar hop the second weekend and a Jerusalem apartment hop the third weekend, as part of a "coolest apartment in Jerusalem" contest.

Of course some of the best things in life aren't free, but they are deeply discounted, just for Hamshushalayim. Many attractions that run all year round, such as the Tower of David's Night Spectacular light show and the Time Elevator will offer rock bottom prices. On top of that, a number of venues, as well as the city, are putting on more events for a nominal charge. Tours around different parts of Jerusalem, including Egged's bus 99, the City of David, and a musical tour around town, won't cost you more than a song. There will also be special theater performances, like the Aeterna Opera, "The Mill Owner and the Miller," concerts and dance performances.

The Cinametheque will also offer discounted tickets, and the end of Hamshushalayim will mark the beginning of the Jerusalem Jewish Film Festival. Ah, the chain of life.

Of course, all this doing and seeing can build up a mighty strong appetite. No need to pack a bag lunch, though. One of the most popular Hamshushalayim attractions is the food. Dozens of Jerusalem restaurants will have specials on offer, meaning high end joints like Gabriel, La Guta and Canela, will be made accessible with special 78 NIS menus. The list includes everything from Asain cuisine, like Taiku Sushi, to home cooking restaurants, like Ima and Ochlim B'shuk and all points in between.

You probably won't be able to squeeze everything in, even with three extra-long weekends, but not to worry. With Hamshashalayim as beloved as it is in Jerusalem, it's hard to imagine it not coming back for a sixth year in 2010.