Culture News

Everything written about art, music and the celebration of holidays in Israel is published in culture news. Innovative artists, chefs and musicians from around the world that are inspired by the Judaism and the holy land are also featured in culture news. This is the best source on the web to read about Jewish creativity.

Yaakov Israel expertly and lovingly conveys his intimate knowledge of everyday surroundings
Beauty in the everyday: A loving look at southwest Jerusalem

Yaakov Israel began documenting the less-than-palatial edifices in his home patch back when he was a student at the Bezalel Academy of Arts and Design.

17/09/2020
Bridge: A mental sport or a physical one?

Is bridge a cure for eating and drinking or an additional cause of gaining pounds?

By MATTHEW GRANOVETTER
17/09/2020
Actor Tzachi Halevy and TV anchor Lucy Aharish at their wedding, October 10, 2018
Lucy Aharish and Tsahi Halevi announce they are expecting a baby

The announcement of their marriage generated controversy, with an outpouring of congratulations mixed with messages of hate.

ODED ZAIDEL 'US' 2020
Mundane becomes out of the ordinary at Jerusalem Artist's House

The most expansive exhibition at the Jerusalem Artists’ House at present takes in several dozen monochromic works by Talia Israeli.

17/09/2020
Beehives
Painting the beehive of a lively home

Empty hive syndrome

By ORI J. LENKINSKI
17/09/2020
Issa Rae has a Zoom conversation with a fellow boarding school graduate.
Bette Midler, Sarah Paulson and Issa Rae star in HBO’s ‘Coastal Elites’

Dispatches from the hell of early 2020

By MICHAEL PHILLIPS/CHICAGO TRIBUNE/TNS
17/09/2020
The Duchess: Canadian comedian Katherine Ryan with Steven Raskopoulos who plays the boyfriend.
Emmy's nominees are in good company

There are series about people we love to hate, but there’s a new trend: series featuring difficult and self-absorbed but eccentric, charming people we hate to love.

MICHAEL ALONI in his role as Akiva in the hit TV series ‘Shtisel’
‘Shtisel’ Season 3 has a trailer

The show aired originally in Israel in 2013 and ran for two seasons. The new season picks up four years after the end of the second season.

By MARCY OSTER/JTA
17/09/2020
Popular Israeli reality show ‘Goalstar’ to film its next season in the UAE

“Goalstar,” a popular Israeli reality show that features celebrities playing soccer, will film its 2021 season in the UAE.

By CURT SCHLEIER/JTA
17/09/2020
Hit Israeli series ‘Fauda’ will be back for 4th season

“Fauda” focuses on an undercover commando unit of the Israeli army whose members embed themselves in the Palestinian community, gathering intelligence and preventing terror attacks.

By MARCY OSTER
17/09/2020
Beit Lessin gives holiday bonus for all employees

Amid the novel coronavirus crisis, theaters across the country have been shut down, unable to put on productions nor to consequently pay employees from a wide range of functions.

16/09/2020
NORA GOLD – the driving force behind the Jewish Fiction.net web site.
Booking the Jewish trend with Nora Gold

“There are all sorts of articles and blogs that I saw about how many Jewish publications around the world are folding, and not just because of the coronavirus.”

15/09/2020
FROM LEFT: Dr. Noa Regev, CEO of the Jerusalem Cinematheque and Israel Film Archive; Hila Abraham, I
Israel Film Archive website gives access to historical treasures

The Artistic View includes feature films, shorts and documentaries from throughout Israel’s history.

‘The Beauty Queen of Jerusalem’ will debut on Yes TV in 2021.
Yes unveils new TV lineup for 2021

Musician Amir Benayoun will be making his acting debut on the coming-of-age crime drama, Children of the Light.

Evangelical Christians and Israel: Divisive issue explored in new film

The documentary focuses on what motivates American Christians to support Israel and what form their support takes.

Shooting Israel’s tourism industry in the foot

Israel’s slow response has led to losses in the billions of dollars, and tens of thousands of jobs in the tourism industry have been wiped out.

By URI SHARON
14/09/2020
Canaanite palace may have been destroyed in earthquake

“It’s very exciting when your work comes to fruition,” Dr. Assaf Yasur-Landau the Post. “And this research could be very influential in how we look for signs of earthquakes in archaeology."

Amos Gitai film premieres at International Venice Film Festival

This is the seventh time that one of Gitai’s films has taken part in the main competition at Venice, which awards the prestigious Golden Lion prize.

Choreographer Rony Ben Hamou presents new solo at Intimadance Festival

Ben Hamou, 23, is one of the more powerful members of a new generation of choreographers afoot in Israel today.

By ORI J. LENKINSKI
15/09/2020
Flying high - Hilary Swank’s new space series has all the right stuff

You don’t have to be a sci-fi fan to get caught up in the personal crises.

By TNS
10/09/2020
TV highlights of the week: Ending, Middle and a first

The first three seasons of The Good Fight, the topical and very enjoyable Good Wife spinoff, will be available on Hot 3 starting September 15 on Sundays through Thursdays at 9:30 p.m.

What to do this Rosh Hashanah? Activites for all the family

Despite COVID-19, Israel’s national parks all over the country are offering festive activities for all ages. Below you’ll find a list of some of the most interesting ones.

By MEITAL SHARABI
10/09/2020
Rosh Hashanah - Gifts for the new Jewish year

Sit back, enjoy the best possible food you can cook, raise your glasses and let us all pray for a good and healthy new year.

By NERIA BARR
10/09/2020
Music in Jerusalem's Mahaneh Yehuda amid coronavirus outbreak, July 2020
Israeli musicians failing to meet COVID-19 guidelines during concerts

Singer Rotem Cohen was seen walking into his largely-unmasked crowd during his performance, shaking hands and even kissing some of his fans on the cheek.

Cinema South Festival takes off in Sderot

Of late, there has been a surge of popularity in such outdoor entertainment facilities around the globe, due to COVID-19 and social distancing constraints, including over here.

09/09/2020
Beit Avi Chai launches online High Holy Day-themed series

The series is designed to enable wide and diverse audiences and age groups around the world to connect with the uniqueness of the coming Jewish holiday period from their own homes.

YASMEEN GODDER’S ‘Exercising Empathy.’
Dancing amid the pandemic at the Israel Festival 2020

In the past months, we became Zoom experts.

By ORA BRAFMAN
07/09/2020
Israeli underwear brand to shoot first Israeli campaign in UAE

The company said that the chance to shoot in the UAE is a "dream come true."

Safe & Sound performance space in Haifa
Haifa International Film Festival to take place during Sukkot as planned

Some directors, actors and other film professionals will take part in the festival, both in person and via ZOOM meetings.

Israel Festival blasts off with tribute to Eric Siday

His name may not be instantly recognizable, but some of his work is considered an important milestone in the marketing world and, indeed, what we listen to across the musical soundboard.

06/09/2020
Guy BRAUNSTEIN
Israel Philharmonic Orchestra opens season on Sunday

“This is a moment we have been planning for many months,” says Avi Shoshani, the orchestra’s director general.

By SARAH HERSHENSON
06/09/2020
New York’s Bowl  Hashanah goes online
New York's Bowl Hashanah goes online

All services will be broadcast for free, live from New York’s Brooklyn Bowl, without an audience, via Fans.com.

By HOWARD BLAS
06/09/2020
THE MOHAU MODISAKENG installation at Tel Aviv’s Braverman Gallery.
Traversing consciousness with artist and photographer Mohau Modikaseng

Modikaseng's inspiration is often drawn from dreams, from baffling scenes or stunning images projected by his mind’s eye.

By ORI J. LENKINSKI
06/09/2020
YEHORAM GAON
Yehoram Gaon releases album of ‘piyutim’

Proceeds from sales of the album will go to support nonprofit organizations for lone soldiers.

The Israeli roots of Bruce Springsteen's 'Born to Run'

Israeli studio engineer recalls being in the trenches with the Boss when he recorded his rock & roll masterpiece ‘Born to Run,’ released 45 years ago

03/09/2020
Tal Mashiach joins pianist Gadi Lehavi, drummer Ofri Nehemya at Jerusalem Jazz Festival

Together they make up the GTO Trio, which is due to perform at the museum at 9 p.m. on Wednesday.

03/09/2020
Ori Lenkinski brings ‘Jackie’ to Mahaneh Yehuda

SINCE MAKING aliyah in 2007, Canada-born, New York-bred Tel Avivian Lenkinski has become a fixture on the local dance scene.

03/09/2020
TV highlights: Streaming the cinematheques, girls gone bad, ‘Love Fraud’

Launched in late August, Yes Cinematheque features a great many movies you’ll love, including classics that you can never watch too many times.

El Al Israel Airlines planes are seen on the tarmac at Ben Gurion International airport in Lod
Israelis should take advantage of 'staycation' amid COVID-19 pandemic

There is neither a Hebrew word that is its equivalent nor is there such a concept in Hebrew.

By HEDDY BREUER ABRAMOWITZ
03/09/2020
New theatrical performance revisits Eichmann trial 60 years on

Each member of the core performance triad approached the court case from a very different angle, thereby providing Dekel-Avneri with plenty of room for interpretive maneuver.

03/09/2020
The 92-year-old ongoing story of a ‘brissing gown’

In future generations, seven grandsons, and 10 great-grandsons would also have their brit in the gown.

By JONATHAN HOMA
03/09/2020
'The Convert' - A conversion into the unknown

Though The Convert is far from a happy story, it is refreshing to read a new novel about European Jewish life outside of the context of the Holocaust, and this refugee tale still resonates strongly.

By BEN FISHER
13/09/2020
Michael Oren's 'Night Archer' hits the bulls-eye

Oren is a master of the short story. He grabs your attention and carries you along to a conclusion that is often an emotional shock.

What is the lure of travel?

The trip to Tilbury Docks in London took six weeks – the holiday of a lifetime.

Jerusalem's Inbal Hotel: Homey and high-end

An exceedingly pleasurable stay at Jerusalem’s renovated and corona-ready Inbal Hotel.

By ERICA SCHACHNE
06/09/2020
The Story of Pesach - the double entendre exhibition in September

It was, true to its name, originally scheduled to open for Passover 2020, to mark a year since the passing of the esteemed Israeli artist Pesach Slabosky, who died on the eve of the holiday.

By SHARON FEIEREISEN
03/09/2020
Hazorfim - Creating original silverware for your Yom Tov table

An elegantly arranged holiday table, the gleam of new silverware – all at affordable prices. Hazorfim, now celebrating 70 years in business, is preparing for the holiday season with new collections.

By AILEEN KRAUS
03/09/2020
Night safaris in the Negev show Israel's diverse desert wildlife

“There is a whole world out here in the Negev Desert. When people think of the desert, they think it is something dead and lifeless."

By ANAV SILVERMAN PERETZ
03/09/2020
Two new streaming services filled with Israeli and Jewish movies and shows

Both ChaifFlicks and Izzy have excellent arthouse Jewish movies, short films and documentaries. As for television content, it’s not as ample at the moment, though both services are working on it.

By LIOR ZALTZMAN/JTA
03/09/2020
People at the movies (Illustrative)
Culture Ministry gives NIS 16 million to Israeli film industry

The budget will enable the Israeli filmmaking to continue and will provide jobs for an estimated 10,0000 for film industry professionals.

Flow(er) by HStern - earrings in Noble Gold with diamonds
HStern launches a new Collection

And at its center, the flower: FLOW(er)

SHULI RAND appears in ‘Rabbenu.’
‘Rabenu’ looks at Rabbi Nahman and his followers

More than 200 years after his death, Rabbi Nahman still wields an enormous influence over his followers.

QUARTER TO AFRICA – multicultural roots music
Quarter to Africa deliver a pick-me-up with 'Falafel Pop'

“People know what falafel is, not just in Israel,” he explains. “But you can also mention it in England, or France or wherever and people know what it is and actually enjoy it. So why not?”

31/08/2020
International Music Showcase in Israel to be broadcasted to venue of ants

Amid the coronavirus pandemic, the 11 international music festivals decided to hold a safe and interesting (to say the least) performance by organizing Antyfest, which will host around 8,000 ants.

Jerusalem Sam Spiegel Film School
Jerusalem Sam Spiegel Film School on list of top institutions

Well-known JSFS graduates include Talya Lavie (Zero Motivation), Nadav Lapid (Synonyms), Rama Burstein (Fill the Void) and Nir Bergman (Yona).

Blue Zone to premiere at Israel Festival next month

In the work, the 12 dancers question and explore their perception of Zionism and of the role of the female Zionist. Their musings are accompanied by an original score by Avi Belleli.

By ORI J. LENKINSKI
27/08/2020
Tel Aviv documentary festival Docaviv 2020 goes online

The festival will open on September 2 with the premiere of Gad Aisen’s Rockfour: The Time Machine, the story of one of Israel’s most important bands for the past 30 years.

Poets Festival - Betting on life and love

This year’s program takes in slots devoted to the 110th anniversary of Natan Alterman’s birth and the 50th of his death.

27/08/2020
Vertigo Dance Company presents 'Shape on Us'

'Shape on Us' is not just a dance piece, it is a breathtaking lesson in listening, sharing and connection.

By ORI J. LENKINSKI
27/08/2020
Flowers for the people brighten Jerusalem

A group of artists finds a unique answer to what a florist can do with all their extra flowers when most weddings and events are canceled.

By BEN BRESKY
28/08/2020
Beit Guvrin cave transforms into first-of-its-kind art installation

Italian contemporary artist Ivo Bisignano is showing his first solo exhibition, “Human Forms,” in the Southern Cave, one of the many caves located in the Beit Guvrin National Park.

By SHARON FEIEREISEN
27/08/2020
Soloist in the key of coronavirus in Jerusalem

I’m not a natural pick for a solo. While wide-ranging and reliably on-key, my voice is not rich, textured or sweet.

By CAROL UNGAR
28/08/2020
The pros and cons of Grandparents Camp

Last week The Wife and I held our first grandparent’s camp, hosting our two grandsons – ages 2½ and 1 – for three days, two nights.

27/08/2020
The Enigma of family secrets

In 53 years of marriage, Goldman never reveals being a member of Alan Turing and Gordon Welchsman’s team that built and perfected the machine called the Bombe that cracked the Nazi Enigma Code.

Summer treats - To new beginnings

Take a moment to relax, peel off the old and look for the new.

By NERIA BARR
27/08/2020
Dear Matchmaker: Harassing behavior, photo shoots & multiple setups

We welcome you to submit your questions about dating, online profiles, dating etiquette, relationships and more.

By ELANA VIVAT
27/08/2020
Rob Lowe (left), Allison Janney and Martin Sheen in ‘The West Wing.’
‘The West Wing’ cast to reunite for special

The special is expected to be released before the November US presidential elections.

Netta Barzilai: The melody is caged

Barzilai reflected on how human connections had been ruptured, and the role that art and music can play in helping millions across the world live through the shock of change.

By REUTERS
26/08/2020
An image from 'Moonscape,' the final project by Bezalel Academy 2020 graduate Mona Benyamin.
Bezalel academy graduates try to shine in final exhibition: Review

Myriad works show what the new generation of Israeli artists have to offer. Varying in quality, some prove the students cultivated their own creative voice.

27/08/2020
A scene from ‘I am From the Jews.’ August 2020.
Heritage takes center stage at 'A Stage for Arab-Hebrew Culture'

Ana Min el-Yahud (I Am from the Jews) at the Jaffa Theater blends Iraqi heritage with Israeli life

24/08/2020
Music stars turn up for 3-day Jerusalem Rooftop Festival

The variegated three-dayer kicks off on the roof of the Jerusalem Music Center this Monday evening, overlooking the Old City walls.

23/08/2020
Aviva Doron receives lifetime achievement award for Hebrew poetry research

Her studies changed the picture of research of Hebrew poetry in Spain and gave Doron an international reputation in the study of Spanish culture.

Mideast meets East meets West during the global coronavirus pandemic

The film’s creators and collaborators, who come from different worlds, brought together their artistic points of view to find new ways to make art and to communicate amid COVID-19 lockdowns.

Israeli police officers patrol on Jaffa Street in Jerusalem, June 25, 2020.
Historic Asian artwork stolen from museum on Israeli kibbutz

Among the stolen works were a Chinese Tang Dynasty sculpture, a 14th-century bronze Buddha, a stone Bodhisattva dating to the 2nd or 3rd century and a 12th-century Cambodian Buddha.

Amid coronavirus, Peter Himmelman presses on with new album

On his new album, the world’s second-best Jewish singer/songwriter finds cracks of light and hope amid the pandemic’s cloud.

20/08/2020
Online New Orleans-Israel Festival: Funking down from New Orleans

As we have all have had our fair share of challenges to contend with in recent times, it stands to reason to arrange a music festival that may help us to offload some of the emotional detritus.

20/08/2020
TV highlights: A miserable marriage, a criminal cult and great gamers

If you’re looking for a movie you can watch with your tween, try Steven Spielberg’s Ready Player One on Hot Cinema 1 at 10 p.m. on August 27, and starting August 30 on CinemaTime.

Mama’s language: The survival and revival of Yiddish in the 21st Century

New Zoom event featuring a panel discussion and the world premiere screening of an emotive and entertaining documentary called Leah, Teddy & the Mandolin.

20/08/2020
Sixth annual Jerusalem Jazz Festival to go online amid coronavirus

For tickets and more information: www.jerusalemjazzfestival.org.il

19/08/2020
Walking through the Talmud and the land of Israel

How could I, a middle-aged, not-particularly-learned, not-particularly-athletic mother of six find the time, the energy, the drive and the understanding to learn Talmud and hike the Israel trail?

By ROMI SUSSMAN
19/08/2020
Reflections on my micro-garden and myself

Had my plants contracted the botanical world’s equivalent of COVID?

By CAROL UNGAR
19/08/2020
Guy Niv to be first Israeli cyclist to participate in the Tour de France

Niv's background is mostly in mountain climbing, with only three years of experience in competitive cycling, making him an interesting pick.

Famed Israeli actress Gila Almagor joins the Habimah Theater in announcing the return of Israeli per
Habimah to offer 7 new corona-era shows

“We chose the path of artistic endeavor and called for theater actors, creators and employees, and we decided together that Habimah’s performances cannot be stopped."

18/08/2020
Tel Aviv dance offerings will include Renee Sheinfeld’s ‘I Saw a Butterfly’ and the Shaden Dance Ens
Suzanne Dellal Center launches online platform to stream dance festival

“In my opinion, it is a miracle that in such a difficult time we managed to put up all of these premieres,” Naomi Perlov, artistic director for Suzanne Dellal Center, admitted.

19/08/2020
The scene at last year’s Arava Film Festival
The show will go on for Israeli film festivals

Docaviv, the Tel Aviv International Documentary Festival, the Cinema of the South Festival in Sderot, and the Arava Film International Festival are all set to go ahead.

A family-oriented and friendly base in Acre

The 125-room Palm Beach Hotel has a lot going for it.

A montage of political cartoon faces drawn by Itamar Daube.
Animix’s 20th animation, comics and caricature festival to go online

The festival normally takes place at the Tel Aviv Cinematheque. Everything that can be moved online will be moved online this year.

Mamilla Hotel brings luxury to the present

It was chosen because it is a very modern lifestyle and design spa hotel that overlooks Jerusalem’s Old City with a breathtaking panoramic view.

16/08/2020
A family-oriented and friendly base in Acre for a vacation

The Palm Beach Hotel took advantage of the COVID-19 closure to renovate its rooms and facilities including the lobby, which sports a huge screen with real-time footage of the beachfront.

By L.C.
15/08/2020
A tour of Acre's attractions and hidden gems

A tour of the former British (and Ottoman) prison, located at the top of the 12th-century Crusader fortress complex was a great way to start the trip of the ancient city of Acre.

Second annual Jerusalem Community Woodstock to take place this weekend

This Thursday and Friday will see the aforesaid vegetarian café-restaurant host the second annual Jerusalem Community Woodstock festival with a bunch of afternoon Anglo and Israeli bands.

13/08/2020
New Israeli TV series explores life of pop star Ofra Haza

Haza’s life helped change the Israeli music industry’s perception of Mizrahi music, had a huge international career and died tragically young, at age 42, from AIDS.

Load more
Subscribe for our daily newsletter
Subscribe for our daily newsletter

By subscribing I accept the terms of use