Jerusalem's cultural calendar for the week of April 10 to April 16 offered residents and visitors a series of events centered on Holocaust remembrance, community resilience, and the preservation of cultural memory—programming that takes on added significance as the city navigates ongoing security challenges and the need for spaces of tolerance and reflection.
Holocaust Memory and Community Healing
On Monday, April 13, From Darkness to Light, an English-language performance by Gabriella Lev about how her mother survived the Holocaust, 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.
On Thursday, April 16, an online English-language discussion about how to remember the Holocaust in the age of the artificial image was 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 event was scheduled for 6 p.m., was in English, was free, and registration was available via shorturl.at/5Q3y3. 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?"
Spaces of Tolerance and Artistic Expression
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 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.
Historical Reflection and Community Gathering
On Saturday, April 11, the column said 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 piece said the work was adapted to the stage by the Mikro Theater, described as a fringe group that generally works from the Jerusalem Theatre. It said the production is directed by Irina Gorelik, is a 2019 production, and is in Hebrew. The article gave a YouTube link for viewing.
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 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.
On Friday, April 10, the column listed a pre-order offer 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.
Why This Matters:
Jerusalem's cultural programming this week underscores the city's role as a site of memory, resilience, and community-building in the face of ongoing conflict and loss. The Rashuta Gallery's commitment to free admission and its explicit mission to foster tolerance through the Rashot HaRabim network reflects the importance of accessible public spaces dedicated to dialogue and understanding. Holocaust remembrance events—from personal testimony to discussions of emerging digital preservation technologies—highlight the urgency of passing collective memory to future generations as the number of living survivors dwindles. The presence of venues like Habotke Shel Moshiko, operated by a mother who lost her son in the twelfth year since Operation Protective Edge, and spaces that promise safety and community, reflect how cultural institutions can serve as anchors for healing and solidarity. These events demonstrate how art, memory, and public gathering can sustain democratic values and human connection even amid security challenges.