Winter solstice celebration fever pitch, and so much more, this week in Jerusalem

Jerusalem

Tours

> Winter solstice celebration fever pitch, and so much more, this week in Jerusalem

Winter solstice celebration fever pitch, and so much more, this week in Jerusalem

The winter international tourist season, dominated by Christmas and New Years, is neigh. Jerusalem is filling up with visitors of all stripes this week, be they pilgrims in search of once-in-a-lifetime Christmas experiences, Birthright kids exploring the country over their winter break, or families enjoying vacations together. For those lucky enough to get here despite the recent blizzards in Europe, Jerusalem has lots in store this week.

Thursday is your last chance to catch this year's Machol Shalem dance festival, featuring some of the best choreographed moves this side of the Super Bowl. On tap is What on Earth by Matanikola, which consists of the Israeli-Italian duo of Matan Zamir and Nikola Masha.

In the minds of many, science and movies go together like chocolate and ketchup: they don't. Well, those people are wrong, as visitors to the Jerusalem Cinematheque will find out on Friday, with a screening of the new Cameron Diaz vehicle My Sister's Keeper in an event hosted by the Bloomfield Science Museum, which also presents a discussion on parenting issues raised by the movie.

Saturday is Christmas. If you aren't planning on staying up and waiting for Santa, or attending Mass at a local church, then Beit Avi Chai has got a show for you. Noam Rotem (pictured), an influential Israeli rocker who has done his time in the band Kerah 9, returns to the venue to play a mix of old and new songs. Elsewhere, dance bar HaTza'atzua is hosting a Christmas party for Jerusalem's international university students, diplomats and journalists.

The written word hasn't always been as ubiquitous as it is today. The Tower of David Museum, which has a track record of offering interesting temporary exhibits that go beyond its home turf of archaeology, this time presents the story of the alphabet. The exhibit opened earlier this month and continues until mid-march. But why wait?

All this month, the trendy Jerusalem mainstay Lavan has been going green, with environmentally friendly dishes designed to spruce up its already well-regarded menu. Get there before the special runs out at the end of the month to enjoy specialties like organic vegetable anti pasti, broccoli quiche with whole wheat crust, or steamed salmon fillet.

Gilbert and Sullivan's Ruddigore is not a community theater undertaking. The massive show, being put on at Beit Shmuel with 40 actors and a live orchestra, is a comic opera about ghosts, curses and weddings.

If you're into the whole "movie and another thing" type events (see Friday's recommendation above) then indie dance spot Uganda should be your destination Wednesday night, when they pair up the offbeat 1968 movie Candy with a set by DJ Marky Funk, whom we assume bears no relation to Marky Mark and the Funky Bunch. Even better, entrance is free.

'Tis also the season to check out the rest of what is on offer at our full events section, here.

Jerusalem City Guide

2000+ tips and recommendations

Top things to do in Jerusalem this winter

Alright, we'll be the first to admit it. Jerusalem's often chilly and often damp winters don't exactly exude...
The top five ancient landmarks in Jerusalem

In a region known for being one of the first in which early humans settled after leaving Africa, and in a city populated...
Breakfast Buffet at the American Colony Hotel

Looking for a place to begin your morning in luxury and style? Look no further than the American Colony Hotel, which offers...

The top five luxury hotels in Jerusalem

Jerusalem, the city where kings ruled and sultans sat is no stranger to luxury. Today, even the visiting yeoman can find...
The top five underexposed hotels in Jerusalem

Jewish tradition holds that in the times of the First and Second Temples, all the Jewish people would gather in Jerusalem...
The top five hotels near the Old City of Jerusalem

Technically, it's possible to visit Jerusalem without going to the Old City, but it would be hard to say you'd...

Breakfast Buffet at the American Colony Hotel

Looking for a place to begin your morning in luxury and style? Look no further than the American Colony Hotel, which offers...
40 things you have to eat in Jerusalem

The faithful may rhapsodize about the spiritual highs to be reached in the Old City; culture cognoscenti groove on the...
Top Five Desserts in Jerusalem

Once upon a time, options for eating out in Jerusalem were limited to local common phenomena such as falafel and schwarma,...