Culture in Israel

From Lorenz Hart to Mel Brooks: Two Jewish lives now available on Israeli screens

TV TIME: Two movies present a strong contrast in both their subjects and their styles. Blue Moon, about lyricist Lorenz Hart on Apple TV+, and Mel Brooks: The 99-Year-Old Man on HBO Max.

ETHAN HAWKE and Margaret Qualley star in Blue Moon, Richard Linklater’s drama about composer Lorenz Hart.
Artist Tamar Aluf with her exhibit ‘Painting Longing’ in the Jerusalem  Theatre’s Sherover Foyer. Paintings behind her from L, clockwise: ‘Horizon  of a House,’ acrylic (2025); ‘The Fabric of Life’ (2025); ‘Longing’ (2025).

Painting longing: Journey through loss, memory, and renewal

ORPHANED LAND, celebrating 35 years.

Heavy metal peace in the Mideast: Orphaned Land frontman asks if unity through music can survive

Meat.

Passador in Tel Aviv: A meat lover’s paradise - restaurant review


Israeli crime drama 'Borders' explores gritty reality of border police

A young border policeman walks the line between law and crime in this gritty Israeli drama that makes The Wire look tame, starring Ben Sultan as a rookie caught between his past and present.

 THE CAST of 'Borders'

Bridging gaps: Bamizrach! 'In the East' festival offers the interface for healing

The last day of the four-dayer includes the annual gathering of the World Federation of Tunisian Jewry and the community’s Eid al-Banat festivities.

 GIL RON SHAMA (center) and his Diwan Halev ensemble.

Sunny, southern sounds: The 14th winter edition of Red Sea Jazz Festival mixes things up

The wider-ranging areas of the festival itinerary include stellar singer-songwriter Tamir Grinberg, high-energy African groove from Tama Rada, and more.

 MIRI MESIKA joins up with the 12-strong Israeli Jazz Orchestra.

Annual Hullegeb Israeli-Ethiopian Arts Festival to showcase vibrant culture, arts, and music

As he will perform the character in Amharic, Tehila Yeshayahu-Adega will offer a Hebrew translation on stage, bridging the linguistic gap.

 HANNY MESELE sings Hebrew hip hop.

Israeli rock icon Corinne Allal dies at 69 after cancer battle

 “Corinne was a rare and remarkable individual who fought for her beliefs and left a powerful mark as a true force in Israeli music.”

 ALLAL AT the start of her career

'Red Alert': Keshet to make series on Oct. 7 massacre

The series will focus on five people who found themselves fighting for their lives against a heavily armed enemy – a fight they never anticipated – and will tell stories of their tragedy and heroism.

 A PROMO photo from ‘Red Alert.’

Asif Culinary Institute: Using food's 'incredible power to heal' during Israel's war

Asif recognized that food could also be a form of healing. “We connected people through food, one kitchen at a time.”

 CHEF DUTY: Cooking for combat soldiers while supporting the restaurant industry

Top ten events to go out to in Israel: Botanical Gardens, classical klezmer

Top ten reasons to go out next week

 1. ‘THE DRUMMER,’ by artist Ofra Zimbalista.

2024 Sapir Prize longlist: Israel’s top authors compete for prestigious award

12 authors vie for the 2024 Sapir Prize, Israel's top literary honor, with winners set to be announced in January.

 AUTHORS NATALIE MESSIKA and Eshkol Nevo are two of the nominees.

Israeli music icon Yair Klinger to be honored with lifetime achievement award

The iconic Israeli songwriter's career spans six decades, with a number of popular hits and hundreds of songs.

 LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT for Yair Klinger.