My name is Dorit Barak, I am the granddaughter of one of the founding families of the city of Bnei-Brak and an investigative researcher of the cities' history.

As my guests, I will guide you through the streets of Bnei-Brak, along the paths of my forefathers and reveal to you the secrets and wonders of my beloved city.

About "My Bnei-Brak" tour

My tours of Bnei-Brak deal with the history of the city, its' current day residents and the lifestyle that unites the different religious sectors of the city: secular, observant- Zionist and orthodox.

We will visit Bnei-Braks' unique sites such as synagogues and seminaries, sites that commemorate turning-points in both the lives of the Jewish people and the citizens of the city and also spectacular observation-points.

We will learn to identify and distinguish between the different orthodox groups and their characteristics.

We will hear and discuss a wide variety of subjects including:

• the connection between the citizens of Bnei-Brak, the Halacha  and the style of building
• the concentration and spread of the population of the city, life-style and real-estate prices
• and even about medical tests required for Shiduchim (match-making) and weddings

Throughout the tour we will meet and speak with authentic characters representative of citizens of the city and of course we will snack on some of the traditional foods from the Shteitel –the Jewish Eastern European village.

Who?

My tours are suitable for

• individuals
• family groups
• Groups such as clubs, employees committees, volunteer groups etc.
• Teenagers
• Students
• Adults
• Pensioners

When?

• On holiday eves and mid-holidays (Chol Ha'Moed)
• On Thursday afternoons and evenings and during Friday morning preparations for the Sabbath.
• During the Summer towards evening and earlier in the day during Winter
• Any day that you are free to enjoy new experiences!

The tours may be taken on foot or by vehicle according to the requirements of the group.

The length of the tour is determined by the group.

Please visit our tour photo gallery »

Contact Details

For further information and booking:

Kay Levin: 972-(0)54-8111549

Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

About Dorit Barak

My name is Dorit Barak, tour-guide to my birthplace, the city of Bnei-Brak.

My grandparents knew, loved and dreamt about the land of Israel through their Torah studies.

They made Aliyah (immigrated to Israel) in 1924 with my father Yakov and were among the founders of the religious Zionist agricultural settlement of Bnei-Brak.

The stories that I heard at home revolved around the establishment of Bnei-Brak and the adventures and challenges involved in the settlement and building of Israel.

My father was a member of the Haganah paramilitary group that was later to become the core of the Israeli Defense Forces.

He was injured and lost his arm during the riots of 1938.

Despite his injury he never lost his optimism and continued to dream of a bright and peaceful future in the land of Israel. When asked about the different underground groups of this period with their conflicting political and religious views, he would say "These are all good Jews who all love Israel and the Jewish people. We all dreamt of a Hebrew state where all Jews could safely live"

When my beloved father passed away I was left with many questions.

I started to investigate the history of Bnei-Brak from the establishment of the settlement to the formation of the city and the state of Israel.

And so, "My Bnei-Brak" tours were born.

In my tours I wish to share my knowledge and my deep feelings with others and thus fulfill my aims:

• To bring together, through understanding, the many different streams and groups within the people of Israel.
• To enrich the knowledge concerning the founders and settlement of Israel.
• Through all of the above, to perpetuate the memory of my parents who raised me in a home bathed in Zionism and human values and educated me to love my fellow man and the land of Israel.