Al Salwa - Jerusalem’s Hidden Gate
Jerusalem’s Hidden Gate Parent and Teacher Guide
Jerusalem’s Hidden Gate is a story that weaves fantasy and reality seamlessly, inviting children to discover the beauty and significant heritage of Jerusalem. offering an exciting adventure that showcases the significance and importance of Jerusalem. It demonstrates how the city represents a symbol of identity and history, while also taking children on an extraordinary journey to discover the beauty and heritage of the ancient city of Jerusalem.
The story begins with Karim, Amjad, and Noura gazing at a painting called “The Camel of Burdens” in an art gallery in Palestine, wishing they could visit Jerusalem for once in their lives.
The Camel of Burdens is a picture of an old man, a porter, who is carrying the city of Jerusalem on his back – never putting it down, for fear he might lose it again.
Suddenly the painting comes to life! The old man in the painting extends a rope to the children transporting them immediately to the heart of Jerusalem, to Bab Al’Amood. In Jerusalem, the children experience the most magical day of their lives. They explore the city’s ancient markets and iconic landmarks, from the Church of the Holy Sepulchre to the Dome of the Rock.
Running through the Spice Market and the narrow alleys, they play hide and seek, make new friends, and join a game of football. Their adventure is filled with joy and discovery, topped off with delicious ka’ak and sweet treats. It’s a day they will never forget!
After spending the most incredible day in Jerusalem, the children feel the pull to return home as the sun sets. They exit through the same hidden gateway, but this time they carry with them the sounds, tastes, and scents of their beloved city. Standing once again before the painting of “The Camel of Burdens,” the children watch as the old man bends down to lift the city back up only to find that it is now much lighter in weight.
The old man is alarmed at first but soon realizes that the children are now carrying a piece of Jerusalem in their hearts, sharing the weight which symbolically means that the new generation is sharing the steadfastness of the old Palestinian man to the right of their land. From that moment onward, the painting now travels the world allowing children from all over the world to enter the city of Jerusalem freely through this hidden secret portal.