The Jewish holiday of Chanukah is behind us but holiday spirit and
winter cheer continue to light up winter in Jerusalem with lots of great
events in store for everyone, from Christmas celebrations to Ethiopian-Israeli performances to science shows for kids. Read on for our top picks.
winter cheer continue to light up winter in Jerusalem with lots of great
events in store for everyone, from Christmas celebrations to Ethiopian-Israeli performances to science shows for kids. Read on for our top picks.
- Ethiopian-Israeli performing arts take center stage with a collection of theatre, dance, and music performances at the Hullegeb Festival. Song of the Dessert, the festival’s opening performance at Beit Shmuel
on tonight, brings together three Israeli artists who, through
songs and melodies, recreate the atmosphere surrounding the life of
desert nomads. - Soak up the atmosphere of Christmas in Jerusalem with the Tower of David’s “Hallelujah” concert and guided tour
in the Old City on Friday. The Bel Canto Choir conducted by Noah
Burstein will perform liturgical works by Purcell, Mozart, Mendelssohn,
American Gospel, accompanied by a Hebrew tour in the Old City exploring
the different Christian traditions. - Alongside the new “Other Lives” exhibit, and the museum’s other exhibits, the Bloomfield Science Museum offers a variety of workshops and demonstrations for kids
on Saturdays in December. Make a mirror calculator, learn ciphering
techniques, watch a mathematical magic demonstration, and don’t miss Dr. Molecule’s weekly performance. - After having spent decades based in New York, world-class guitarist
Yossi Piamenta recently returned to live in Israel and has set up shop
at Jerusalem’s Blaze Bar, where his weekly Sunday night gig
has already caught the eye and ear of local music enthusiasts. His
performance rounds out the schedule of live nightly music and lends it
some veteran flash. - Savor a delicious Christmas eve meal at the American Colony Hotel
on Monday evening with local and international guests from around the
world. The gourmet menu draws inspiration from traditional winter
holiday fare, and adds a unique touch to every dish. Among the items
offered are duck liver mousse and wine, roasted duck in orange sauce,
and more. - When it’s cold outside, cozy up with some winter culinary specials. On Tuesday night, choose between an Israeli music sing along with Kaya and Moti, Kol Haneshama at Spaghettim and wine tastings at Ein Kerem’s Brasserie. Then end off the week in Ein Kerem with Greek Thursdays at Brasserie, with a Tapas menu featuring over 20 selections.
- Head over to the Israel Museum on Wednesday to check out “Fields of Vision: Landscapes by Israel Hershberg.” The new exhibit by one of Israel’s preeminent realist painters, on display for two months only, presents three large-scale landscapes and a preparatory study, produced
in Italy and Israel, representing a pivotal chapter in Hershberg’s
oeuvre.
And check out our full events section for everything else happening around town.
