Out and About June 6-12, 2014: A Festival of Light, a Celebration of Hebrew Literature

Tel Aviv and Center

Pride Expo

LGBT culture is celebrated this week at the Pride Expo, with a drag parade, LGBT film screenings, a seminar on LGBT parenting, fashion and accessories sales, meetings with LGBT public figures, anonymous HIV testing, live music and much more. Sun-Thur, 10.00-22.00. Dizengoff Center, http://expo.mouse.co.il

Treasures of the Titanic

Go back in time to 1912 and experience the luxurious environment, the artifacts, the human dimensions and the stories of heroism and tragedy that filled the doomed passenger ship “Titanic.” The exhibition arrives in Israel, where it will stay throughout the summer, and includes engaging and informative contents, recreated spaces and genuine items that were salvaged from the ocean floor. Opens Saturday. Fri 09.00-16.00, Sat-Thur 09.00-20.00. Maxidome, Exhibition Grounds. Tickets: www.eventim.co.il

Fresh Agro Exhibition

The international fresh produce summit and exhibition - a mostly professional event - also provides the opportunity to meet growers, a variety of animal farmers, seed-sellers and agricultural experts, and to get acquainted with new agricultural specimens and curiosities. Find newly developed Israeli fruit and veggies, and new varietals from abroad to tempt your palette and enrich your garden and table. Tues, Wed, 10.00-18.00. Exhibition Grounds. www.agro.mashovgroup.net/en

Magical Night at the Safari

The Zoological Center Tel Aviv-Ramat Gan (“The Safari”) celebrates 40 years of activity with after-dark tours of the open air animal enclosures and specially-created lighting and sound experiences. Daily, 19.00-23.00; Regular offerings: The 250-acre park is home to 200 species of wild mammals, birds and reptiles, and offers tours and activities. Opening hours: Fri and Holiday eves 09.00-16.00, Sat-Thur 09.00-18.00 (last entry 2 hours before closing). 1 Sderot Hatzvi, Ramat Gan (03) 630-5305, www.safari.co.il

Modi’in Region Events

Reap wheat, milk goats, make cheese, take part in culinary workshops, taste wine and partake of many other agriculturally-related tours and activities. For the entire family. Fri, Sat, in locations throughout the Modi’in region. (03) 972-8999, www.thm.org.il

Hatachana: The Station

Model Cars and Trains Extravaganza A multitude of miniature Mercedes car models and over a kilometer of miniature tracks with rare train models in European landscapes. With creative areas and activities. For the entire family. Fri 10.00-16.00, Sun-Thur 16.00-21.00. Tickets:  www.bimot.co.il  • Hatachana Compound, Hamered St. corner of Koyfman St. www.hatachana.co.il

Man and the Living World Museum

An Ocean of Life Exhibition of ocean-themed paintings by artist Olga Soslova; Leah Goldberg - The Poet who Loved to Draw Exhibit of the renowned children’s author’s books, illustrations and drawings; Regular events: The natural history museum has permanent and special exhibits for the entire family. Sat 10.00-17.00; Sun-Tues 09.00-14.00; Wed 10.00-17.00; Thur 10.00-16.00. National Park, Ramat Gan. (03) ‏631-7016, www.adamvechai.org.il

Beit Hatfutsot ‏(Museum of the Jewish People‏)

Dreyfus – The Story of a Jewish French Family Exhibit; Forging the Melting Pot Different aspects of Israeli reality, through photography. A joint project with the WIZO Haifa Academy. Closes Friday; Island within the Island A look at the Jews of Cuba; A-B-See Do Arts and crafts at the family gallery. Ages 4-12. Fri 09.00-13.00; Sat-Tues 10.00-19.00; Wed 09.00-13.00. • Opening hours: Fri 09.00-13.00, Sun-Tues 10.00-16.00; Wed-Thur 10.00-19.00. 2 Klausner St., Tel Aviv University Campus, Ramat Aviv ‏(03‏) 745-7800

Jerusalem and Area

Bloomfield Science Museum

Maker Fair 2014 Exhibition and workshops: Build, create, combine play with design and technology, and view dozens of entertaining new inventions from Israel and around the world (June 5-6). For adults and children. Fri, 10.00-17.00; 2014 The Sand Bricks Box Make sand bricks, workshop. Ages 3+; The Blue Bricks Learn basic engineering and teamwork by building with huge blue sponge bricks; Why Don’t Buildings Fall? Scientific demonstration of the history of human construction; Sandal in the Desert Design and make sandals, then take them home; Science Theater: Fun in the Lab Dr. Molecule in “Moments Hovering,” a wacky presentation on air and hovering. Fri 10.00-14.00; Sat 10.00-16.00, Mon-Thur 10.00-18.00. www.mada.org.il

Bible Lands Museum

Samson in Stone Guest lecture by Jodi Magness, University of North Carolina, on new discoveries from the ancient village and synagogue at Huqoq. In English. Wed at 19.30; Weekend Treasure Hunt for Families Tour the exhibitions and solve codes and riddles while traveling through ancient cultures in search of hidden treasures ‏(ages 6-12‏). Sat at 10.00-14.00; The Book of Books Exhibition, tracing 2,000 years of the Bible through rare texts (this week, closed on Friday). Daily guided tours in English at 10.30, with additional tours. Wed at 17.30 • Guided tours: Sun-Thur 10.30, Wed 17.30 ‏(in English‏) • Sun-Tues, Thur 9.30-17.30; Fri, Sat and holiday eves 10.00-14.00. 21 Stefan Wise St. Registration: ‏(02‏) 561-1066

Tisch Family Zoological Gardens (Biblical Zoo)

Taste of Summer Welcome the summer with outdoor music workshops, juggling and soap bubble activities. Thur, 16.30-19.00; Wildlife - World on the Verge of Extinction Wildlife photography exhibit, by Dafna Ben-Nun. During opening hours; Regular offerings: Guided feedings, petting zoo and elephant training • Fri and holiday eves, 09.00-16.30; Sat and holidays, 10.00-18.00; Sun-Thur, 9.00-19.00. Biblical Zoo‏, Aharon Shulov Rd., Malha (02) 675-0111. Details: www.jerusalemzoo.org.il/english

Mini Israel

Over 350 miniature replicas of historical, religious, archaeological and modern sites and buildings from around the country. Also, “3Discovering Israel,” a 3-D film at the park’s cinema which shows landscapes of Israel as never seen before. • Guided tours: Fri, 11.30; Sat-Wed, 12.00, 15.00, 17.30; Thur, 12.00, 15.00, 19.15 • Fri, 10.00-14.00; Sat-Thur, 10.00-18.00. Latrun 1-700-559-559; www.minisrael.co.il

Monkey Park

Guided tours, workshops, feedings, rides, wall climbing and other activities. • Fri, 10.00-16.00; Sat-Thur 10.00-17.00 (last entry two hours before closing); Ben Shemen Forest (near Kfar Daniel) (08) 928-5888, park.monkeypark.co.il

Yad Vashem

Holocaust Memorial Museum with exhibitions and commemorative sites. • Fri and holiday eves, 9.00-14.00; Sun-Wed, 9.00-17.00; Thur, 9.00-20.00. Mount Herzl, Jerusalem. Details: www.yadvashem.org

Haifa and the North

Milk and Honey Festival

Live music, arts and crafts shows, tours, Israeli dance, music and song events and more. For the entire family. Fri, Sat, at locations throughout the Jezreel Valley. (04) 652-0734, www.eyz.org.il

Jezreel Valley and Ramat Menashe Events
www.emektour.org.il (04) 652-0013

Dairy Trail Tour of a dairy farm, activities and storytelling, flour grinding and bread making. Fri, Sat, 09.00-19.00. Bethlehem of Galilee. 052-327-5682; Organic Experience Organic dairy and cow tending, chicken feeding and egg gathering, vegetable harvesting and meal preparation. Fri-Sun, throughout the day. Kibbutz Harduf. Register in advance: 052-725-0000, www.harduf.net; Agricircus Pick organic vegetables, pot a plant to take home, walk through the wheat field, ride unicycles and play water games; then stay for a circus show, featuring fire and acrobatics. For the entire family. Sat, 10.00-14.30. Moshav HaYogev. 054-550-0274, www.agricircus.com; Zack You-Pick-It Gather blackberries, raspberries and mulberries, decorate baskets and engage in other creative activities. Fri, 08.00-17.00. Zack Farm, Sde Yaakov. 050-553-0862

The South

From the Field to the Plate

The agricultural food festival returns for two weekends (May 29-31, June 5-7), with a wide array of experiences and activities, including fruit and vegetable picking, visits to sheep and goat farms, culinary workshops and tours, a farmers’ market, and much more. The northern Negev’s regional produce, along with wines, cheeses and other local delicacies take a place of honor, alongside activities and creative workshops for kids and adults. For the entire family. Fri, Sat, in locations throughout the northern Negev. www.habsor.co.il

Hebrew Book Week

This annual event will be held in 11 cities and 40 different locations throughout Israel and includes book fairs, meetings with local and international authors, book readings, book signings, book launches, outdoor libraries and reading corners, panel sessions, workshops and screenings of films inspired by literature. A variety of activities for children are on offer, including plays, creative corners and workshops, storytelling hours, live music and more. June 11-21. In Kikar Rabin in Tel Aviv, The First Station in Jerusalem and at venues around the country. Wed, Sun-Tues 18.00-23.00, Thur 18.00-00.00, Sat 20.30-00.00. Full schedule available at www.sfarim.org.il

Festival of Light in Jerusalem

The 6th annual international event transforms the Old City of Jerusalem using special lighting to create a different atmosphere in the streets and alleyways, presenting amusing, challenging and pleasing artworks, light shows from Israel and abroad, and three-dimensional displays on landmark buildings and on the city’s walls. Experience the festival on your own, or follow one of four designated routes. The festival includes a lamps and lighting fair offering intriguing, one-of-a-kind wares produced by local artisans. June 11-19. Wed, Thur, 20.00-23.00. Jerusalem’s Old City. For full details, see http://en.lightinjerusalem.org.il/2014

Daily walking tours

Tel Aviv and Center

Experience Tel Aviv Tours Registration: (03) 725-3873 tourism@mail.tel-aviv.gov.il

Taste and Color in South Tel Aviv A tastings tour of Levinsky Market. Fri at 09.00; Trumpeldor Cemetery Tour of the historic cemetery. Fri, 10.00; Sarona Tour the former Templer agricultural settlement in central Tel Aviv. Fri at 10.00, Sat at 10.00, 19.00, Thur at 20.00; Graffiti and Street Art of South Tel Aviv Tour of Florentin neighborhood: art, society and the environment in which we live. Fri at 16.00; The White City Architecture and history on Rothschild Blvd. Sat at 10.00; Made in Israel In the footsteps of Arik Einstein’s songs and life. Tues at 19.00; Gay Vibe Nightlife tour of Rothschild Blvd and LGBT-friendly venues in the area, includes entrances to bars and alcohol tastings. Tues at 22.00; Out of the Closet LGBT community-themed tour of central Tel Aviv. Thur at 20.00

Jerusalem and Area

Yad Ben Zvi Tour Marathon Registration: (02) 539-8855

The research and educational institute offers its annual, festive, three-day tour “marathon,” with over 85 guided walking tours exploring Jerusalem and its various historical, personal, ethnic, cultural, archeological and religious aspects (June 5-7). Fri, Sat, throughout Jerusalem. Details and registration: http://marathon.ybz.org.il

Tower of David Tours Registration:
(02) 626-5333, www.towerofdavid.org.il

Outpatient - Hospitals in the Old City Tour, following the development of hospitals in the 19th century and the challenges faced by medical pioneers in the face of poor hygiene and sanitation in the city. From Misgav Ladach, through the first Jewish Hospital and the English Mission Hospital, to the abandoned leper colony. In conjunction with the museum’s exhibit “Jerusalem: A Medical Diagnosis.” Fri at 10.00

Beit Shmuel Tours Registration: (02) 620-3461 dress modestly

Window to the Religious World Through the Haredi neighborhoods of Jerusalem. Fri at 21.30; Light Festival: Rooftops and Alleyways Tour of the Old City with views of architecture sacred to Judaism, Islam and Christianity, with special lighting. Wed at 20.00; Light Festival: Secrets and Symbols A new look at the hidden messages and meanings in the Old City, From Jaffa Gate to the New Gate, during the Festival of Light (see above). Thur at 20.00

Getting to Know the Shuk The ins and outs of Mahane Yehuda market. In English. Sun and Mon at 10.00. With Sybil Kaplan (02) 671-5135

The Jewish Quarter During the 19th and Early 20th Centuries Historical tour of the Jewish Quarter. Wed at 13.00. Registration: Carol Caplan, 054-522-1665, (02) 671-3770

Old Talpiot (Arnona) Tour the 1920s neighborhood. In English. Tues at 09.30; Musrara Historical tour of the neighborhood. In English. Thur at 09.30. With Miriam Simon. Registration: 054-521-6933

The Kidron Valley In English. Sat at 10.00. Meet at Safra Square, 26 Jaffa Rd., with the Jerusalem Development Authority. Details: 106

Haifa and the north

Ein Hod: Off the Beaten Track Visits to artists’ studios and to hidden corners of the artists’ colony. Sat at 10.00. Ein Hod artists’ colony 054-698-3760, ariel2359@gmail.com