FRIDAY, MAY 22
Take the time to appreciate the diversity of Jerusalem by visiting the Ein Ya’acov bookstore. Tucked away in Mea She’arim, this is the perfect place to pick up the long out-of-print hagiography of Rabbi Yochanan Jannian, “the myrtle distributor,” who was one of the righteous men of his generation, according to some.
An orphan, Jannian was taught by Rabbi Shlomo Goldman of Zvhil and lived in a ruin on Ezra Street. After Reb Arele (Rabbi Aharon Roth) told Jannian he could earn a living by selling myrtles in honor of Shabbat, he began collecting the shrubs on Mount Meron.
His spiritual gifts were recognized by the greats of his generation, who bought the myrtles from him, fulfilling Reb Arele’s advice and helping Jannian eke out a living.
Those seeking a wonderful tale of a tzadik will greatly enjoy their visit.
31 Ein Ya’acov St. Call (02) 582-9171 for more. Hebrew and Yiddish books only.
SATURDAY, MAY 23
Watch the 2023 film Freud’s Last Session, directed by Matthew Brown, starring Anthony Hopkins as Sigmund Freud and Matthew Goode as C.S. Lewis. The film explores the relationship between the famous neurologist and the well-known author. Lewis, who penned The Chronicles of Narnia, was also a deep theologian and was crushed by the early death of his wife, Joy Davidman.
6:30 p.m. Jerusalem Cinematheque, 11 Hebron Rd. NIS 43. Call (02) 565-4333 to book.
SUNDAY, MAY 24
Watch Marty Supreme at Cinema by Sam Spiegel. Directed by Josh Safdie, the 2025 film stars Timothée Chalamet as a Jewish American table-tennis maverick who is self-destructive and highly driven. The film is loosely based on athlete Marty Reisman but departs from realism to explore the larger myth of Jewish American acceptance and success in America.
8:30 p.m. 3 Menora St. NIS 35. 150 minutes. In English with Hebrew subtitles. Visit cinema.jsfs.co.il to book.
MONDAY, MAY 25
Visit the Holding the Gaze exhibition, curated by Keren Zaltz. The title of the exhibition is a play on words, as in Hebrew it can also mean “fraud” (ahizat eynaim). The exhibition departs from the first-known attempt to depict reality using light and chemicals, View from the Window at Le Gras by Nicéphore Niépce in 1827, to explore the various ways in which images manipulate our gaze.
The opening event includes a discussion between the curator and art collector Doron Sabag. Follow-up visual clues with literary ones with a conversation with thriller writer Joseph Finder, who will discuss writing gripping tales with author Jonathan de Shalit.
4:30 p.m. reception followed, by a Hebrew panel discussion (5 p.m.) about the exhibition. Mishkenot Sha’ananim, 4 Yemin Moshe St. Free.
The English conversation between de Shalit and Finder is at 7 p.m. NIS 65. For more, visit fest.mishkenot.org.il/2026/events/a/main.
TUESDAY, MAY 26
Watch a theater adaptation of the acclaimed 2024 film Pink Lady. Based on a script by Mindi Ehrlich, the play deals with the lives of a haredi couple, Battie and Lazer, who must face some dark aspects of their shared life.
Lazer is being blackmailed by a criminal gang that presents his wife with photographs suggesting that he has another relationship outside their marriage – with a man.
Are these fake photographs, and is the couple being manipulated by thugs? Or is Lazer a closeted gay man who uses Battie as a facade to hide his true orientation?
8:30 p.m. NIS 110 to NIS 220 per ticket. The Jerusalem Theatre, 20 Marcus St. Performed by the Beersheba Theater, in Hebrew, with English surtitles. Call (02) 560-5755 to book.
WEDNESDAY, MAY 27
Catch the play Be More Chill, set in a US high school, with the plot focusing on Jeremy Heere, who wants “More than Survive” (one of the songs in the performance). He agrees to have a chip downloaded into his brain to make him say and do all the right things so he can be well liked. This Starcatcher theater production is based on the 2004 novel by Ned Vizzini, with music composed by Joe Iconis.
8 p.m. Incubator Theater, 18 Mesilat Yesharim St. In English. NIS 99; NIS 85 for students and seniors. Call (02) 654-3001 to book. Last show on Thursday, June 4.
THURSDAY, MAY 28
Grab a few local beers at Jerusalem Capital Brewing (5 Hasadna St.). Their good selection of Holy Roller IPA, Amber and Golden Ales, and Jerusalem Syndrome Stout makes it a good place to begin your Shabbat purchases.
Consider booking a tour of the production site and getting a guided tasting experience of the various beers.
Visit jerusalembrewing.com for more, or call 053-357-5105.
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.