Editor’s note: Due to the ongoing security situation, events listed below may be postponed or canceled. Check before booking, and stay safe.
FRIDAY, AUGUST 7
Watch the 2025 film The Choral, directed by Nicholas Hytner and starring Ralph Fiennes, depicting a fictitious town in northern England affected by World War I. To keep up their morale, the townspeople form a local choir to perform Elgar’s The Dream of Gerontius, chosen because it was not written by a German.
6:15 p.m. Jerusalem Cinematheque, 11 Hebron Road. NIS 43. Call (02) 565-4333 to book.
SATURDAY, AUGUST 8
Take a guided tour at the Museum for Islamic Art and enjoy its latest exhibition marking 400 years since the birth of Sabbatai Zvi.
Born in Izmir, the 17th-century mystic swayed many in the Jewish world to accept the possibility he might be the long-awaited Messiah. His public conversion to Islam in 1666 was earth-shattering for many Jewish communities, and is described in depth by the late scholar Gershom Scholem.
Curated by Hadar Feldman Samet, who translated previously unknown poems written by believers who clung to the faith in Zvi after his conversion, the exhibition presents this historical figure in the context of Jewish lives during the Ottoman Empire.
11 a.m. NIS 44. 2 Hapalmach St. In Hebrew. Until Saturday, November 7. Call (02) 566-1291 to book.
SUNDAY, AUGUST 9
Join the Musala Useful Things to Know workshop series featuring a sandwich-oriented class. Chef Udi Segal will teach patrons what to put in their fridge to make a tasty sandwich, and guide them on unusual combinations to put between slices.
5:30 p.m.-7 p.m. 97 Jaffa Street. NIS 35. In Hebrew. Sandwiches will be available to patrons after the class. Call (02) 999-6016 to book.
MONDAY, AUGUST 10
Climb to the roof of the Sam Spiegel Film School and watch the 2007 comedy-drama, Juno. Directed by Jason Reitman and starring Elliot (formerly Ellen) Page as the main heroine, this is an indie film about teenage pregnancy that is unflinching, witty, and kind.
8 p.m. Cinema by Sam Spiegel, 3 Menora Street. In English. NIS 35. Visit cinema.jsfs.co.il to book.
TUESDAY, AUGUST 11
Play Jerusalem-developed video games at the 10th anniversary celebrations of Hamiffal. Make Games JLM is a community of gamers and game developers, and “Pixel Pitch” is a free community game development program that this community put together to make gaming dreams real. This evening, patrons will be able to play finished games made during “Pixel Pitch.”
In addition to video games, celebrations include knitting experiences, new artworks, and musical performances.
6:30 p.m.-10 p.m. 3 Hama’aravim Street. Hebrew event. Free.
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 12
Visit Galleria Tarbut for the opening of Eat the Rich, a new exhibition of works by Nastya Haim, Maayan Shalem, and Tohar Jacobson. Curated by Oz Zloof and Rotem Amitai, the exhibiting artists explore the function of money in Israeli society.
This exhibition tackles unusual issues head-on, including a series of interviews conducted by Jacobson with Israelis who placed bets on how last year’s Operation Rising Lion against Iran would end, to paintings about how olim from the poverty-stricken former USSR rebuilt their lives.
7 p.m. 4 Mavo Sam Spiegel Street, 4th floor, Talpiot. Sunday to Thursday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Exhibited until Tuesday, September 8. Free.
THURSDAY, AUGUST 13
Watch The Tempest: In Motion, a new summer Shakespeare in Jerusalem production by Theater in the Rough. Held at Bloomfield Park, this is a chance to enjoy Shakespeare in English.
5:30 p.m. Free; a NIS 40 donation is suggested. Last performance is Tuesday, August 25. Call 052-553-2521 or visit tinyurl.com/TempestIM for more.
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.