FRIDAY, JANUARY 16
Spend an evening at Beit Knesset Hanassi and enjoy a conversation on the values that drive AI and Israel as a Start-Up Nation. The topic will be addressed by South African-born Rabbi Joel Kenigsberg, who serves this Rehavia synagogue, and California-born Rabbi Mois Navon.
Navon was one of the first employees of Mobileye, and thanks to his early mentor – Ray Eshkanazi, an observant Jewish engineer – he built his life in Israel as a religious Jew.
He will merge his perspectives on science and Jewish meanings in modern society, during this shabbaton, which continues tomorrow with an 8 a.m. class on “Autonomous Weapon Systems and Human Dignity.”
Other sessions include “Man Machine and the Meaning of Life,” to be held before the synagogue’s kiddush, and “Technology and the End of Days,” following seudah shelishit.
The unusual weekend will conclude with a Saturday talk on “AI as the New Golem,” at 7:30 p.m.
Friday discussion at 7:30 p.m. 24 Ussishkin St. Free.
SATURDAY, JANUARY 17
Listen to Jerusalem rapper Adi Agai, who scorched social media with her hit single “Jerusalem Girl” (“Yalda Yerushalmit”). Singing in explicit Hebrew about queer life, ditching a hi-tech career, and not fitting in (“How does a girl who likes to read is meant to look like?”).
Doors open at 8:30 p.m. Concert starts at 9:30 p.m. NIS 90. The Yellow Submarine. 13 Harekevim St. Call (02) 679-4040 to book.
SUNDAY, JANUARY 18
Explore My Life at the Moment, a new group exhibition at the Beit Avi Chai Gallery, with works by Meydad Eliyahu, Raya Bruckenthal, Noga Greenberg, Elkana Levi, and Alon Kedem.
The exhibition puts together new works by these Jerusalem-based artists, grouped around the larger theme of artistic creativity during an ongoing war.
44 King George St., Sunday to Thursday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Free.
MONDAY, JANUARY 19
Visit the Van Leer Institute and attend a Hebrew-language discussion on Between the River and the Sea. In this unusual personal graphic novel, Hillel Cohen shares with the reader how his life unfolded from being a religious Jewish nationalist to a proud Israeli scholar fascinated by Arab culture.
The book includes personal histories from his many walks in Judea and Samaria, his appreciation of interfaith dialog, and a fierce faith that the other side is as deeply human, and deeply flawed, as we can be.
7:30 p.m. 43 Jabotinsky St. Hebrew event. Free upon pre-registration. Contact vanleer@vanleer.org.il for more information. An English translation of the book will be published soon.
TUESDAY, JANUARY 20
Enjoy the films of David Lynch in “Forever Lynch,” a special evening of screenings at reduced ticket prices. The movies are Wild at Heart (8 p.m.), Lost Highway (8:30 p.m.), and Twin Peaks: Fire Walks with Me (9 p.m.).
In English. NIS 30 per film. From 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. Wine glasses are sold at a two-for-one price at the bar. Cinema by Sam Spiegel, 3 Menora St. Visit cinema.jsfs.co.il to book.
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 21
Readers who want to restore a dearly beloved, yet worn-out, piece of furniture might try Taam Shel Paam (Taste of Long Ago). The well-established antique store offers many unusual items, from Swiss cuckoo clocks and 1970s Swedish office chairs, to 19th-century English kitchen tables.
17 Tzarat St., Talpiot. Sunday to Thursday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Call (02) 679-7451 for more information.
THURSDAY, JANUARY 22
Visit the Jerusalem Cinematheque to enjoy the Aki-no Japanese Film Festival with a screening of Love on Trial. Directed by Koji Fukada, the film is a funny tale set in the world of Japanese pop.
A young woman, on the brink of becoming a star, meets a partner and falls in love. Her manager drags her to court because, in the contract she signed with him, there is a “no love” clause, forbidding her from tarnishing her naive, girl-like image. Who will win this case?
6 p.m. In Japanese with English and Hebrew subtitles. NIS 43. 11 Hebron Rd. Call (02) 565-4333 to book.
Throwing a special event? Opening an art exhibition or a new bar? Bringing in a guest speaker to introduce a fascinating topic? Email hagay_hacohen@yahoo.com and let In Jerusalem know about it. Write “Jerusalem Highlights” in the subject line. Although all information is welcome, we cannot guarantee it will be featured in the column.