ByHAGAY HACOHENJUNE 26, 2026 20:49Editor’s note: Due to the ongoing security situation, events listed below may be postponed or canceled. Check before booking, and stay safe.FRIDAY, JUNE 26Enjoy a special Shabbat welcoming event at the Museum of Tolerance Jerusalem, as sax player Shlomi Alon and the Retro Kings perform on the museum’s balcony. This is a nice way to begin a groove-rich, musical weekend.2 p.m. 32 Hillel St. 119 NIS. Call *9839 to book.SATURDAY, JUNE 27Attend a bold Hebrew opera that explores love and Alzheimer’s disease as Groundwater (Mei Tehom) returns to a one-night-only show at the Nissan Nativ acting studio.Composed by Tamar Shalit James for the 2023 Holiday of Music, tenor Adi Ezra and bass Yuri Kissin return to the roles of David and Rafael, a couple that must face David’s decline due to the cognitive illness.‘Wandering Stars’ (see Thursday). (credit: YOSSI ZWECKER)9 p.m. 3 Menora St. In Hebrew. NIS 150. Visit h1.nu/1s6EO to book.SUNDAY, JUNE 28Stay tuned to young, gifted pianists as you enjoy a festive concert at the Jerusalem Music Center. Eight young pianists who graduated from the summer program under master pianist Murray Perahia will play works by Chopin, Bach, Berg, and Ravel.7:30 p.m. 3 Yemin Moshe St. Tickets NIS 85-NIS 100. Call (02) 623-4347 for more.MONDAY, JUNE 29Enjoy a cup of Joe at Cafe Basimta (Coffee in the Ally), a new specialty caffeine spot nestled in the inner yard of 6 Agrippas St. For those seeking a quiet spot to finish a novel or clear out their inbox, this might be a new home away from home.Sunday-Thursday, 8 a.m.-4 p.m.; Friday, 8 a.m.-2 p.m. TUESDAY, JUNE 30Visit the Bible Lands Museum Jerusalem to watch the new Hebrew musical, New World, Take 2, a site-specific production. Written by Nadav Ruziewicz, the plot entails Noah’s three sons as they leave the ark and begin to remake humanity after the flood.The performance moves among the museum’s various galleries, and is a novel way to discover and engage with the exhibitions.7 p.m. 21 Shmuel Stefan Wise St. In Hebrew. 75 minutes. NIS 80. To book, call (02) 595-5337. WEDNESDAY, JULY 1Visit the exhibition Melisende, Queen of Jerusalem, at the Israel Museum in Jerusalem, and view the remains of a painted portrait of the Virgin Mary that survived the destruction of the church where the portrait had been located. In 1191, stones from the church were used by the new Muslim rulers to rebuild the city’s walls. The stone with the portrait was found during an excavation in Mamila.The exhibition explores the life of the Crusader Queen Melisende, who ruled between 1131 and 1153. She is buried in the Church of the Sepulcher of Saint Mary, in the Kidron Valley.Until March 13, 2027. 11 Derech Ruppin. Hours: Wednesday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Same for all other days except Tuesday, when the hours are from 4 p.m.-8 p.m.; and Friday, when the museum closes at 2 p.m. NIS 62. Free on Tuesdays and Saturdays.THURSDAY, JULY 2Take a step back in time to the pre-Holocaust Jewish world and its Yiddish stage, with a new adaptation of Wandering Stars.Penned by Sholem Aleichem and printed by Warsaw’s Yiddish newspapers in the early 1900s, the collected chapters depict Leibel, who takes on the stage name Leo Rafalesco and becomes an actor, and Raizel, who follows a similar path to the opera, calling herself Rosa Spivak. Their stories were an instant hit among readers.Published in 1911 and adapted to the stage by Richard Nelson for this production, this much-beloved tale is directed by Yotam Gotal.8:30 p.m. Khan Theater, 2 David Remez St. NIS 220. In Hebrew. Call (02) 630-3600 ext. 1 to book. Throwing a special event? Opening an art exhibition or a new bar? Bringing in a guest speaker to introduce a fascinating topic? Email hagay_hacohen@yahoo.com and let In Jerusalem know about it. Write “Jerusalem Highlights” in the subject line. Although all information is welcome, we cannot guarantee it will be featured in the column.Follow us on Google