Cultural Activities

The Jerusalem Symphony performs frequently at the Jerusalem Theater on David Marcus and Chopin St. (tel. 61 14 98 after 4pm); the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra plays Binyanei haUmma. The Jerusalem Theater also hosts numerous plays, dances, lectures, and concerts. Similar events are held at the Israel Museum (tel. 63 62 31), at Binyanei haUmma (tel. 25 24 81) across from the central bus station, and occasionally at both Hebrew University campuses. The Gerard Bakhar Center at 11 Beza-lel St. (tel. 24 21 57) hosts a variety of concerts, including occasional Israeli folk music and jazz. Asaf s Cave, in the Mount Zion Cultural Center (tel. 71 68 41), near David’s Tomb, stars the Diaspora Yeshiva Band; wish Shabbat good-bye each week at 9pm (in winter 8:30pm) with Hasidic dancing and English, Hebrew, and Yiddish music-a unique Jerusalem experience (cover NIS20, students NIS10; call to make sure there is a performance).

Built by Ottoman Turks in the 1880s as a caravan stop, the Khan (tel. 71 82 83 or 72 17 82), across from the railway station in Remez Sq., contains an intimate theater, cafe, art gallery, and Jerusalem’s first nightclub (open until 2am). It’s rarely frequented by tourists, but its concerts and plays, most only in Hebrew, are critically acclaimed. Israeli folklore show every night at 9:30pm (NIS31 includes wine). (Egged buses #6, 7, 8, and 30 or Arab buses #21 and 22 pass by the railway station.) Seize any opportunity to attend a rock, jazz, or classical performance at Sultan’s Pool (Brekhat haSultan), a grassy outdoor amphitheater named for Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent, the Ottoman ruler who repaired the ancient aqueduct in 1536. The theater is open in the summer only. Tickets for American or British rock stars cost about NIS50 and up.