Jerusalem's cultural institutions are offering a full slate of programming this week, from Holocaust remembrance to contemporary art, demonstrating the capital's resilience even as venues maintain security measures including bomb shelters. The Jerusalem Post's weekly cultural calendar for April 10 to April 16 showcases events that blend historical memory with modern entrepreneurship, many operated by private citizens and nonprofit organizations rather than government agencies.
Private Enterprise and Community Initiative
On Friday, a pre-order offer launched for Bitul Torah, a tongue-in-cheek party game focused on the humor of observant English-speaking Jews living in Israel. The nonprofit community project includes 180 black prompt cards and 440 white response cards, and patrons can submit their own pitches. The game costs NIS 86 per deck, a Hebrew version is also offered, and pledges can be made at bitultorah.com.
On Saturday, April 11, viewers could watch The Jewish War by Josephus, which begins with the sacking of the Temple by the Roman Empire and ends with the last Sicarii perishing. The work was adapted to the stage by the Mikro Theater, described as a fringe group that generally works from the Jerusalem Theatre. The production is directed by Irina Gorelik, is a 2019 production, and is in Hebrew. The article gave a YouTube link for viewing.
Art and Security Infrastructure
On Sunday, April 12, the column highlighted the Rashuta Gallery, where visitors could explore the works of Ilana Hoffmann in her new exhibition, Absence. The exhibition was curated by Jenny Aharon and was described as an attempt to solidify what is missing. The gallery is at 33 Aharon Rabinovich St. It has a bomb shelter, admission is free, and visitors were told to call ahead to confirm that the gallery would be open during their planned visit at 050-728-4234. The exhibition was on display until Friday, May 1. The gallery is part of the Rashot HaRabim network, whose goal is to foster tolerance in the capital.
On Monday, April 13, the column listed From Darkness to Light, an English-language performance by Gabriella Lev about how her mother survived the Holocaust. The performance was scheduled for 7:50 p.m. at Beit Mazia, 18 Mesilat Yesharim St. The price was listed as NIS 90. After the one-hour show, patrons were invited to stay and discuss the production with its creator. To book, readers were told to call (02) 624-4586.
Preserving Cultural Heritage
On Tuesday, April 14, the column pointed readers to The Shmooze podcast episode 115, in which Eleanor Reissa, who was born to a Yiddish-speaking family of Holocaust survivors, spoke with the Yiddish Book Center's Lisa Newman, director of public programs. The article said Reissa fell in love with the stage after watching a performance of a play by Fernando Arrabal and that she is devoted to promoting Yiddish culture. Readers were directed to yiddishbookcenter.org/language-literature-culture/the-shmooze.
On Wednesday, April 15, the column recommended Fishenzon Bar, described as a venue that always opens in the afternoon and promises to be a safe spot for anyone who needs one. Behind the beer tap was San Francisco native Dan Vered, who made aliyah in the 1980s to enlist in the IDF and built an inspiring life in Israel. The bar also offered Crabbie's Original Ginger Beer, British gluten-free beer, and strong 6% Herzl beer. The address given was 12 Shamai St., and readers were reminded to drink responsibly.
Honoring Fallen Heroes Through Enterprise
Also on Wednesday, the column highlighted Habotke Shel Moshiko, described as Moshiko's bodega, where visitors could enjoy the Botke wrap filled with goat cheese, antipasto, and pesto. The article said Moshiko Doyno grew up in the Katamonim neighborhood and fought and died in Operation Protective Edge, also called Tzuk Eitan, in 2014. The small, intimate eatery is operated by his mother, Rohama, and is at 26 Antigonus St. It is kosher and keeps standard business hours.
On Thursday, April 16, the column promoted an online English-language discussion about how to remember the Holocaust in the age of the artificial image, presented thanks to the Leo Baeck Institute. Berit Zimmerling was to discuss "virtual witnessing" with moderator Daniel Mahla. The discussion would focus on the attempt to generate speaking holograms of Holocaust survivors who could communicate with future generations even after the original survivors are no longer living. The article also said readers who wanted perspectives on the phenomenon might enjoy an article by Jewish American author Dara Horn in The Atlantic, titled "Is Holocaust Education Making Antisemitism Worse?" The event was scheduled for 6 p.m., was in English, was free, and registration was available via shorturl.at/5Q3y3.
Why This Matters:
Jerusalem's cultural calendar reflects how private citizens, nonprofit organizations, and family-run businesses sustain the capital's social fabric without relying primarily on government support. The presence of bomb shelters at venues like Rashuta Gallery underscores the ongoing security challenges that Israeli cultural institutions navigate as part of normal operations. The twelfth year since Operation Protective Edge continues to shape Jerusalem's landscape, with family members of fallen soldiers like Moshiko Doyno building businesses that honor their memory while contributing to the local economy. The variety of privately organized events—from community-created games to independently operated bars and eateries—demonstrates how entrepreneurship and individual initiative drive cultural life in Israel's capital, even as institutions grapple with preserving Holocaust memory for future generations through both traditional performances and emerging technologies.