Sukkot Celebrations in Hevron
Sukkot Celebrations in HevronHezki Ezra

Approximately 25,000 people visited the city of Hevron in the Judea region for a two day Sukkot festival. Activities included music concerts, events for children and tours of the ancient Ma'arat HaMachpelach, or Cave of the Patriarchs.

Israel National News's own Hezki Ezra was there to cover the popular Jewish musicians who performed at the event. A photo essay follows as well.

The featured musicians included hassidic Mizrachi singer Haim Israel, local Hevron area rocker Udi Davidi, a new duo called Ya Ba Ye featuring Yishai Lapidot and Amiran Dvir, Rabbi Shlomo Katz who performed the music of Rabbi Shlomo Carlebach and his own compositions, the Miami Boys Choir Mizrach, the new Israeli contingent of the popular boys singing group, Yosef Haim Shwekey, the up-and-coming brother of the popular Yaakov Shwekey, the newly discovered youth singing sensation Avishai Rosen, and Avishai Amizur and the Lechatchila Band. The concert was hosted by long-time Arutz Sheva DJ Kobi Sela.


During Chol HaMoed, or the intermediate days of the Sukkot and Passover holidays, restricted areas of the Cave the Patriarchs are open to all visitors. The rest of the year, these areas are usually restricted to Muslim visitors only.

The Cave of the Patriarchs is the ancient burial place of the Jewish forefathers and foremothers Abraham and Sarah, Isaac and Rebecca, and Jacob and Leah. The massive fortress built by King Herod the Great sits atop the underground tombs. Guided tours of the Cave of Othniel Ben Kenaz and the historic Jewish Quarter took place as well.

A children's play entitled “Tomorrow is Tomorrow” was performed by Asi and Tuvia from the Machon Meir children's TV channel and website.

Other children's activities kids included donkey rides, a Hebron artwork corner, pottery making with a potter’s wheel and baking pita bread.

Ben Bresky is a music journalist and host of the Israel Beat Jewish Music Podcast on Arutz Sheva - Israel National Radio. For show archives click here. Hezki Ezra is a video-journalist with Arutz Sheva's Hebrew language new service.