Don’t pass over these events

This year, there is no shortage of cultural activities on offer all around the country during the Feast of Freedom.

By RACHEL F. WANETIK
Beit Hatefusoth Passover activities 311 (photo credit: .)
Beit Hatefusoth Passover activities 311
(photo credit: .)
For many families, the Pessah vacation provides a rare chance to catch up on quality time. This year, an impressive array of festivals and events promising fun for the entire family will help ensure that it is time well spent.
Jerusalem
Today in Ba’ka a pre-Passover fair sponsored by Merkaz Hamagshimim Hadassah and Ruach Hadasha will be held on the grounds of Beit Ar-El (8 Gad St.) from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m.
Put on your walking shoes. Join Jack Cadranel on Mon. at 1:30 p.m. for “When Jews Lived in the Muslim Quarter.” Meet at the bus stop by the Jewish Quarter parking lot. On Wed., 9:30 a.m., meet Jack just inside the Dung Gate for “Via Dolorosa and Church of the Holy Sepulchre.” Call (054) 647-8955 to register for each NIS 60 tour plus NIS 7 for the latter. Carol Caplan will be giving tours starting at the Old Yishuv Court Museum in the Old City. Meet her there for “The Jewish Quarter During the 19th and Early 20th Centuries” on Wed. at 2 p.m. for NIS 45. On Thurs. at 10 a.m. for children ages 4-8 there will be a Passover Story Hour and Tour, free with museum admission. Carol (02) 671-3770.
Today from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. and Tues. and Thurs. from 5-7 p.m., visit the ArtSpace Gallery on 5 HaZefira for Noa Shay’s works entitled, “Mundane Prayers.” The show closes on April 8th (02) 566-2423.
If you haven’t yet had a chance to check out the Off The Wall Comedy Empire on Ben Yehuda 34 (corner of King George-down the stairs, near the Mashbir), now is your chance. With six standup shows in English, two in Hebrew and three music shows, everyone can be entertained during Passover Comedy Week. The kickoff (in English) is on Sat. at 9:30 p.m. Visit israelcomedy.com for the rest of the schedule.
The Hunt is On for the Afikoman! Kids Program in English at 11 a.m. at the Tower of David Museum is NIS 65/80. (02) 626-5333 towerofdavid.org.il.
Entrance is free to the Givat Ram Botanical Gardens on Wed. and Thurs., between the hours of 10 a.m.-5 p.m. and on Fri. and Sun. from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Workshops for a fee.
The Agnon House on 16 Klausner in Talpiot has a Passover family program next Fri. from 10 a.m.-12noon. There will be a tour and a dramatized reading of Agnon’s stories in English as well as a Treasure Trail activity for the family. Entry is NIS 15/20. (02) 671-6498 agnonhouse.org.il.
Other Locales
On Klausner Street near the White City, Beit Hatfutsoth hosts The Afikoman Mystery, a children’s event on Wed. and Thurs. from 10 a.m.-5 p.m., and next Fri., 9 a.m.-1p.m. at the Tel Aviv University Campus in Ramat Aviv (entrance through Matatia Gate 2). (03) 745-7890 bh.org.il.
The Eretz Yisrael Museum in Ramat Aviv will be offering workshops and activities during the intermediary days. Visit eretzmuseum.org.il for details.
Food journalist, cookbook author, and performer Tammy Sirkis encourages us to laugh at ourselves and our zany pre-Passover traditions today at 11 a.m. (requested attendance at 10 a.m.) at the Avner Auditorium, Weizmann Institute, Rehovot. Entry is NIS 75. (08) 946-7890.
The Moshav Mevo Modi’im Country Fair will feature arts and crafts booths, natural healing workshops, a children’s festival and more on Thurs. from 12noon-10 p.m. Suggested donation: NIS 50. Call Leah (052) 324-0789 for extra info.
Herzliya’s Seven Stars Mall welcomes the young ‘uns for all kinds of holiday activities. This upcoming week includes: a Sandpaper Pyramids workshop, Sat. from 12noon; a Musical Pesach Celebration, Mon. at 5:30 p.m.; Chocolate Matzah Cake Young Chef Workshop, Tues. at 4:30, 5:30, and 6:30 p.m., and a Seder Plate Recycling workshop, Wed., from 5:30-7:30 p.m. (09) 951-9898 7star.co.il.
Children ages 4-12 are invited to take a Passover woodworking session at SoosAgala (15 Hadar, Kadima) through April 6th. Workshops begin at 9 a.m., 10 a.m., 12noon, 1, 2 and 4 p.m. and cost NIS 90-120. Pre-register: (054) 471-7286 soosagala.co.il.
Celebrate Passover’s favorite food at the Potato Festival on Thurs. from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. NIS 20 to enter. Visit habsor.co.il
The Haifa Kids Theater Festivalis here: haifakids.co.il/newsite/index.php and the Teatronetto Festivalcelebrates its 20th year in Jaffa. For tickets go torun-art.co.il/teatroneto.asp.
Performing arts venuesthroughout the country will be staging shows as well. Check out theirsites: Jerusalem –  khan.co.il, jerusalem-theatre.co.il,maabada.org.il; Tel Aviv area –  t-g.co.il, tzavta.co.il, zoa.co.il,hth.co.il, lessin.co.il, hasimta.com, porat-theater.co.il; Otherlocales –theatron-hazafon.co.il, israel-theatre.com, ht1.co.il,yiddishpiel.co.il, flamenco.co.il.