A tangible wave of relief is sweeping across Israel as the Home Front Command lifts restrictions, signaling a cautious yet determined revival of daily life.
After two weeks of silence and many canceled events, the nation’s cultural pulse is resuming, and many institutions are reopening their doors, embodying the enduring spirit of a people reclaiming normalcy.
The silver screen was the first to welcome audiences back. Lev Cinemas resumed operations on Thursday, June 26, followed by Cinema City, Planet, and MovieLand the next day.
Among the earliest films returning is Hillula 2: The Wedding, whose initial release was abruptly halted by conflict.
Theater life is reigniting across the country. Habima National Theater will resume on June 28 with an outdoor performance of His Name Precedes Him in Modi’in, a production paused weeks earlier.
Theater stages reignite
It's full Tel Aviv lineup, including the musical Priscilla, Queen of the Desert, follows next week. The Cameri Theater reopened June 26 with The Whale and The Indian Patient.
Beit Lessin Theater, led by Tzipi Pines, begins a regional tour June 27 with Jacky’s Freedom in Nahariya, Brighton Beach Memoirs in Kiryat Motzkin, and Datilonim in Yavne.
Its Tel Aviv stage will reopen July 1 with All About Eve and Good Boys. Pines reflected, “Returning to perform for an audience who has endured hardship, to move and uplift them, is deeply meaningful. We hope for quieter, better days ahead.”
Jerusalem Theater reopened on June 26, with CEO Sharon Abramovitch Yardani emphasizing the joy of reuniting with audiences amid ongoing concerns for hostages and soldiers.
All events comply with Home Front Command safety guidelines. That evening, screenings included Changing the Rules and Unlucky Winners. The Khan Theater is set to reopen next weekend, with rehearsals underway for A Simple Story.
Beersheba Theater resumed activity June 26, while Haifa venues continue repairs following damage.
Gesher Theater will return July 6 with The Canceled Wedding and is scheduling postponed shows.
Rehearsals continue for Krum, Hanoch Levin’s play premiering as an opera on July 10. Gesher stated, “Until all hostages return, culture will not be the same.”
Leading dance
Leading Israeli dance companies are gradually returning to activity with adjusted summer schedules.
Batsheva Dance Company will present Ohad Naharin’s acclaimed work, Three, at the Suzanne Dellal Centre in Tel Aviv, with performances scheduled for June 30, July 1, and July 2, all at 7 p.m.
The Suzanne Dellal Centre will also host the second Children’s Summer Festival from July 24 to 26, showcasing dance, theater, and contemporary circus for families, alongside workshops and premieres. While many dance companies are gradually resuming, rehearsals are underway, with performances expected to resume in early July.
Orchestras strike a chord of renewal
As screens flicker, Israel’s orchestras prepare to fill concert halls once more. The Israel Philharmonic Orchestra will kick off its summer season on July 1 at The Charles Bronfman Auditorium (Heichal Hatarbut) in Tel Aviv with A Dream of a Concert – Works and Songs Children Love. Performances will continue throughout July in both Tel Aviv and Haifa.
The Revolution Orchestra, led by Zohar Sharon and Roi Oppenheim, unveiled a full July lineup celebrating Israeli musical heritage.
In the South, the Israeli Andalusian Orchestra Ashdod, under Elad Levy, plans an August jazz series and a poignant selihot program for the upcoming Tishrei holidays, including a special event at the Knesset plaza.
CEO Shalom Lotati expressed a collective yearning: “We long for the return of the hostages, the well-being of the wounded, and the safe homecoming of all IDF soldiers.”
Art and museums reopen
Museums and galleries are welcoming visitors once again. The Israel Museum in Jerusalem reopened June 26, observing safety protocols and inviting the public to explore new exhibitions in a calm atmosphere. The Tel Aviv Museum of Art remains temporarily closed but aims to reopen next week.
Other institutions have resumed activity: the Mishkan Museum of Art in Ein Harod led the way, followed by Haifa museums, the Museum of the Jewish People at ANU, and the Eretz Israel Museum in Ramat Aviv.
Despite minor damage suffered, ANU CEO Oded Ravivi affirmed that cultural continuity is vital for national resilience. Exhibits such as the Sassoon Codex and 20&20 Her Own Lens are on display.
Meanwhile, Tel Aviv’s cultural centers near Bialik Square remain closed for repairs. And Herzliya Museum of Contemporary Art is open for the final days of its Textile-Art-Textile exhibition, closing June 28.
Festivals adapt
Israel’s major festivals are adjusting their schedules. The Jerusalem International Film Festival will proceed on July 17 to 26 at Sultan’s Pool, featuring appearances by Gal Gadot and Lawrence Bender. Organizers describe the event as a “cultural lighthouse” amid ongoing conflict.
Other festivals are rescheduling: The art film festival will announce new dates soon; Jerusalem’s Manofim Festival is set for July 22; and the Israel Festival has shifted from July 1-24 to July 16-August 15.
Director Eyal Sher stated, “In the shadow of war, our mission is more vital than ever: to promote peace, healing, and hope. We call for the end of conflict and the safe return of all hostages.”
The Ashdodance Festival postponed from July 7 to 10 will now run August 25-28, with ticket holders retaining their seats.
For the most up-to-date info, be sure to check directly with the different venues or companies. We’re still getting back to full swing, so a little flexibility goes a long way!