Editor’s note: Due to the ongoing security situation, events listed below may be postponed or canceled. Check before booking, and stay safe.
FRIDAY, JULY 24
Enjoy the 1957 film Desk Set, directed by Walter Lang, which stars Katharine Hepburn and Spencer Tracy, who attempt to navigate a new, shaky reality.
Richard Sumner (Tracy) is an efficiency expert who wants to replace human workers of a reference library at a broadcasting network with an electronic brain - much like how jobs today are at risk with the rise of AI.
Guess who is the woman who leads the workers on the other side of that fence?
Written by Phoebe and Henry Ephron, this is a highly enjoyable classic that is still quite relevant.
6:30 p.m. NIS 43. Jerusalem Cinematheque, 11 Hebron Rd. In English. Call (02) 565-4333 to book.
SATURDAY, JULY 25
Spend a groovy evening at Mazkeka and enjoy Real Time Composition. A trio of established music teachers, Stephen Hornestein (sax), Steve Peskoff (guitar), and Jean Claude Jones (keyboard) will show you a grand ol’ time.
9 p.m. 3 Shoshan St. NIS 60. Call (02) 582-2090 to book.
SUNDAY, JULY 26
Step into the Bible Lands Museum to enjoy the opening concert of the Lyric Opera festival. Inspired by ancient Mediterranean cultures, the program includes arias from Giulio Cesare in Egitto (Julius Caesar in Egypt) by Handel, Orpheus by Telemann, and Semele by Handel.
The singers, among them Karin Faingold and Noy Shilo, will perform after patrons enjoy a guided Hebrew tour of the museum. The tour will focus on how the exhibitions depict mythology and memory.
11 a.m., 21 Shmuel Stefan Wise St., NIS 70. Call (02) 595-5337 to book. The festival will conclude on Thursday, July 30. For more information, visit blmj.org/en/Event.
✱ WATCH Blue Sun, created by choreographer Amir Kolben, a performance that explores how the human body responds to our age of alternative facts and suggests that, in movement, a measure of honesty and truth will always remain.
8:30 p.m. 11 Bezalel St. NIS 119 to NIS 149. Visit kolbendance.co.il/home-en/ to book.
MONDAY, JULY 27
Jerusalem may not have sea access, but at Fishenchips, in Mahaneh Yehuda, you can enjoy a hearty taste of offerings fresh from the fisherman’s net. The menu includes red tuna with crisps (NIS 47), a fish burger with fries (NIS 47), and fresh salad (NIS 17).
12 Ha’egoz St. Regular business hours. Kosher. Call (02) 624-9503 for more.
TUESDAY, JULY 28
Visit the Valley of Hinnom to enjoy an open-air performance that kicks off the Israel Festival, Jerusalem.
Held by a String is a nod to the past, when French high-wire artist Philippe Petit walked from east to west on a rope over the wadi in 1987.
Patrons can come early, enjoy a game of backgammon, and take part in a music circle. The main event of the evening is a performance by the Jerusalem Orchestra East and West.
Doors open at 4:30 p.m. Main show at 6 p.m. Free. Patrons can bring a mat and are encouraged to bring warm clothes for the evening. For more, visit israel-festival.org/en/2026.
WEDNESDAY, JULY 29
Celebrate a night set by DJ Yaara Haim at the Yad Ben-Zvi courtyard, as part of Tazrif, a new Jerusalem culture festival.
9:45 p.m. to 11 p.m. 14 Ibn Gabirol St. Free. The festival concludes on Friday, July 31. For more, go to festival.ybz.org.il.
THURSDAY, JULY 30
Visit the Jerusalem Theatre for the performance Hear My Voice - A Concert of Liturgical Music. The artistic program includes Jewish piyutim (liturgical poems), spirituals, and canticles.
Conductor Assaf Benraf will lead bass Dmitrii Negrimovskii, soprano Rinatya Nissim, and mezzo-soprano Maya Amir in this memorable evening.
7:30 p.m. 20 David Marcus St. NIS 130 to NIS 160. About 1.5 hours. Call (02) 565-5755 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.