Editor’s note: Due to the ongoing security situation, events listed below may be postponed or canceled. Check before booking, and stay safe.
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 10
Visit the Israel Museum Jerusalem and sit in a sukkah in memory of Eyal Meir Berkovitz and Gal Meir Eisenkot, who served in the General Staff Reconnaissance Unit.
They were killed in December 2023 during a special operation in the northern Gaza Strip to retrieve the bodies of Israelis taken hostage by Hamas during its Oct. 7 mega-terrorist attack. Eisenkot was the son of former IDF chief of staff Gadi Eisenkot.
Berkovitz enjoyed illustrating biblical stories. His artwork often decorated his family’s sukkah in Susya, near Hebron.
The museum’s sukkah will show his works under the theme of unity and tolerance – just as the two men were friends, fought for the same cause, and tragically died during the same battle – despite being from two different spheres of Israeli life.
Visitors to the museum might also inquire about the Deller family sukkah. Smuggled into Israel under the nose of Nazi authorities in 1937, this mid-19th-century sukkah is a testament of Jewish art and spirit. The walls include an homage to the works of Jewish painter Joseph Schwarz, who studied the Land of Israel in that century.
The sukkot will be open to the public until Sunday, October 12 at 11 Ruppin St.
Today at 10:30 a.m., there is a special one-hour tour in Hebrew for children five years and older, revealing the museum’s many treasures. NIS 25 per child; adults are included in the admission ticket to the museum. Meet at the upper information desk.
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 11
Step into the Yellow Submarine to enjoy a performance by Lazer Lloyd. Inspired by Shlomo Carlebach, Lloyd is one of the few Israelis to have hits on American radio, spreading the joy of hassidic rock.
Doors open at 9 p.m.; performance at 10 p.m. NIS 80. 13 Harechavim St. Call (02) 679-4040 to book.
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 12
Visit the Bible Lands Museum for a Hoshana Raba day of study. The sessions begin in the afternoon with a self-guided tour focused on the theme of “Between Water and Heaven: Prayer and Action in Antiquity.” Five study groups will explore topics such as rain, prayer, and fulfillment (guided by Gavri Assouline) or dreaming of Jerusalem in Georgian (guided by Uri Ben Zion).
Enjoy the museum’s sukkah and sample tasty refreshments before attending a discussion about the vision and reality of today’s Jerusalem with artist Meir Appelfeld, poet Rivka Miriam, and tour guide Ilan Abekasis.
21 Shmuel Stefan Wise St. NIS 15. All events are in Hebrew. To book, and for event times, call (02) 561-1066.
• Cross the Sea of Fire with singer Yael Deckelbaum during a special night at Beit Avi Chai. Rabbi and peace activist Hadassah Froman will join Deckelbaum and cellist Maya Belsitzman as the three women discuss, sing, and teach from the Zohar.
11:30 p.m. to half-past midnight. NIS 40. One hour. 44 King George St. Held as part of the Spirits of Change all-night program. Patrons are encouraged to read about additional events by visiting ac.org.il. Call (02) 621-5300 to book. Note: All the events are in Hebrew and do not appear on the English version of the Beit Avi Chai website.
MONDAY, OCTOBER 13
Swim a few laps at the YMCA pool, the first in the city. Half the size of an Olympic pool, it has 10 lanes. There are also two saunas – one for men and one for women. When you’re done, visit the lavish and welcoming YMCA sukkah, which is three times larger than last year’s.
Regain your lost calories with a tasty snack from the Farran Club near the YMCA and marvel, while you sit and observe the urban life around you, just how wonderfully diverse life in Jerusalem can be.
26 King David St. The sukkah is open to the public and is free. To ask about the price of admission to the pool, call (02) 568-6966.
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 14
Visit the Jerusalem Cinematheque and watch Kichka: Telling Myself, a film about cartoonist Michel Kichka, an Israeli cultural hero.
This recent film by Gad Aisen, shown in Hebrew and French, with Hebrew subtitles, is a chance to learn about one of the leading illustrators and visual observers of this country as he reflects on his long and impressive career in the arts.
4:15 p.m. NIS 25. 11 Hebron Road. Call (02) 565-4333 to book.
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 15
Watch Golden Eighties in a special homage to Jewish-Belgian film director Chantal Akerman, who died a decade ago. Via the location of a shopping mall in Paris, this 1986 musical comedy explores Jewish identity, the lives of women, and consumer culture.
8 p.m. In French, with Hebrew subtitles. NIS 35. Cinema by Sam Spiegel. 3 Menora St. Visit cinema.jsfs.co.il to book.
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 16
Watch the play Travel Log at the Aspaklaria Theater. Four tank crew members are invited to visit a villa in Italy, where they turn their war experiences into a stage drama.
Based on dozens of interviews with combat duty soldiers, their partners, and their therapists, the actors are active reserve duty soldiers. One actor plays the role of a psychologist.
8:30 p.m. 1 Jabotinsky St., in Liberty Bell Park. NIS 60. In Hebrew. Call (02) 651-1936 to book.
The official premiere will be on Tuesday, November 25, during the 10th International Jewish Theater Festival, which takes place from November 23 to 27, at Beit Mazia Leteatron, 18 Mesilat Yesharim St.
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.