What to Do for Jerusalem Day, From Interfaith Prayer for Peace to Street Parties

Enjoying a week of special cultural events, concerts and activities, the city celebrates the 50th anniversary of its reunification on Jerusalem Day. A peek at what’s in store

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The opening event in celebration of the 50th anniversary of the reunification of Jerusalem will take place at the Tower of David on Sunday at 16.00, in the presence of President Reuven Rivlin, Knesset Speaker Yuli Edelstein, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Jerusalem mayor Nir Barkat and other dignitaries. It will include an audiovisual display featuring advanced technology, and performances by some of the country’s top singers. An audiovisual show will be projected on the Old City walls between Jaffa Gate and IDF Square, on the following five evenings. Free.

White night

A concert with popular singers Miri Mesika, David D’Or and Kobi Aflalo, accompanied by the Jerusalem Symphony Orchestra, will take place in Safra Square at City Hall on Tuesday at 9 P.M. Free.

On the president’s lawn

Israel’s finest artists will entertain the audience on the lawn of the President’s Residence with new arrangements of songs about Jerusalem. Tuesday at 8 P.M.

Students Day

Celebrate with students in a rock concert in Sacher Park, Tuesday from 19.00. An alternative event for ultra-Orthodox students will take place at Mitchell Garden from 10 P.M. Varying ticket prices for both events.

Street parties

The Mahane Yehuda market gets into the act with celebrations – culinary and musical – beginning at midnight on Tuesday. Three hours later, a street party will kick off in Zion Square, downtown Jerusalem. Both events are free.

Dawn’s early light

Accompanying himself on the piano, Idan Raichel gives a concert for early risers at 4:30 A.M. on Wednesday at Safra Square. Tickets at Bimot agency, phone *6226.

Dancing with flags

The traditional Jerusalem Day march, including performance stages in the city center and a rally at the Western Wall, will take place Wednesday, beginning at 16.30. Dancing for women on King George St. and for men at the plaza of the Great Synagogue. The march will begin at 6:30 P.M. with two different routes for men and women, both beginning on Agron St. and ending (via Damascus Gate for men and Zion Gate for women) at the Western Wall.

Community walk

Jerusalem communities will go on a walk together in Jerusalem’s Train Track Park, situated between the old train station near the German
Colony and Malcha, Wednesday at 4 P.M. Free.

Jerusalem Syndrome

The annual marathon of Jerusalem tours under the auspices of the Yad Izhak Ben Zvi Institute will take place May 24-27. Details at www.ybz.org.il (Hebrew only). Free.

Praying for peace

An interfaith prayer meeting for the peace of Jerusalem will be held in three languages at the First Station on Wednesday at 8 P.M. Free.

Mosaic of women

The Women and Tales in Jerusalem project invites the public to visit the homes of women taking part in a social tourism enterprise that works for women’s empowerment. Also on offer are a variety of performance workshops being held Monday through Thursday at 10.00 at the First Station, 4 David Remez St. Further details at www.women-jerusalem.com/about-1.html.  

Cantorial congratulations

The Jerusalem Cantors’ Choir will appear in a special concert saluting the city’s unification at Hechal Shlomo Jewish Heritage Center on Thursday at 20.00. Details at www.eng.hechalshlomo.org.il. Tickets 60-70 shekels from www.ticks.co.il/e/DYEAKOnfnx1.

Tours of City Hall

To mark Jerusalem Day, tours of Safra Square will be held; they will include a visit to a Jewish National Fund exhibition of photographs from the city in 1967. Participants will also see the view from the Mandate-period City Hall and visit a scale model of the city. The tour takes about 90 minutes. Wednesday, 10.00 (Hebrew), 11.00 (English, Russian), 12.00 (Hebrew). Meet at the entrance to Building 3, Safra Square.