For three summer evenings, music filled the air on the roof of Mishkenot Sha’ananim, as artists and audiences gathered under the open sky for The Jerusalem Music Centre Rooftop Festival. Each of the three scheduled concerts was fully booked, and due to high demand, an additional performance was added on the final evening.

At the heart of the festival is a meaningful connection between the Bavarian State Chancellery, Germany and Jerusalem. Through its generous support to the Jerusalem Foundation, the festival creates a meeting place for different musical traditions, cultures and voices in the city.

The festival opened with Jerusalem’s Marsh Dondurma, celebrating the release of its new album, Maybe Someday. The sixteen musicians brought the rooftop to life with an energetic mix of Mediterranean sounds, New Orleans brass, Yemenite rhythms, klezmer melodies and funk.

The following evening, Yagel Haroush and his ensemble presented Songs in the Light of Night. Moving between Jewish liturgical song and Hebrew poetry, tradition and renewal, memory and hope, the performance accompanied the city as evening slowly turned to night.

The festival concluded with a musical encounter between Israel and Germany. The Jerusalem Street Orchestra welcomed German violin soloists Georg Pfirsch and Klément Kourtin, alongside Gilad Hildesheim and Mark Karlinsky. The musicians came together for Vivaldi’s The Four Seasons and Concerto for Four Violins.

Across languages, traditions and borders, music has the power to bring people together. The Festival gave this connection a voice, creating shared moments of beauty, creativity and hope in this iconic location in Jerusalem.

The Jerusalem Foundation is deeply grateful to the Bavarian State Chancellery for its generous partnership and continued support of Jerusalem’s cultural life.

הפוסט The Jerusalem Music Centre Rooftop Festival הופיע לראשונה ב-.

Held each year during August and September, in the lead-up to the Jewish High Holidays, SidraTarbut offers 40 days and nights of cultural events across Jerusalem.

Now in its sixth year, SidraTarbut (CultureSeries) was launched in 2021 as Jerusalem emerged from the Covid-19 pandemic. Since then, particularly in the years following October 7, the city has faced new challenges, making SidraTarbut’s role in supporting Jerusalem’s cultural life and bringing people together more important than ever. Created by the Jerusalem Foundation with the support of the Jack, Joseph and Morton Mandel Foundation, SidraTarbut strengthens the city’s cultural institutions, supports its communities and audiences and provides a platform for Jerusalem’s artists.

What makes SidraTarbut unique is the way it brings together different sides of Jerusalem’s cultural scene. Established institutions and major productions sit alongside neighborhood events, fringe and underground culture and experimental work in less conventional spaces. Each year brings new collaborations, artists and ideas alongside established events that have become part of the SidraTarbut tradition.

This year is no exception, with programs ranging from a fresh take on the work of legendary Jerusalem artist Yossi Banai to dance, technology, contemporary art, theater and music unfolding throughout the city.

Six years after it began in response to a moment of crisis, SidraTarbut continues to show how culture can strengthen a city: supporting the people who create here, bringing audiences together and making space for Jerusalem’s many voices to be seen and heard.

Jerusalem Theatre Credit: Yakov Buta

Beit Hakerem. Photo credit:  Meital Izbicki

Khan Theatre. Photo credit: Yakov Buta

הפוסט 40 Days of Culture in Jerusalem הופיע לראשונה ב-.

Museums and galleries offer some of the best ways to discover Jerusalem, and summer is the perfect time to step inside. From an ancient citadel and interactive science museum to contemporary art and hidden cultural gems, each opens a different window into the city.

Bloomfield Science Museum

The Bloomfield Science Museum is a place where curiosity leads the way. Created through a partnership between the Jerusalem Foundation and the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, its interactive exhibitions invite visitors of all ages to explore, experiment and learn.

Museum on the Seam

In a historic building that once stood on Jerusalem’s dividing line, art becomes a starting point for conversation. The Museum on the Seam brings together contemporary works of art that explore identity, society and the world we share, inviting visitors to pause, reflect and see things from a different perspective.

Tower of David Jerusalem Museum

Step through the gates of the ancient citadel and into thousands of years of Jerusalem history. At the Tower of David, archaeology, storytelling and technology come together in the very place where so much of the city’s story unfolded. The Jerusalem Foundation founded the Museum together with legendary Mayor of Jerusalem Teddy Kollek, the Israel Museum and philanthropic support of the Clore Foundation.

Natural History Museum

Surrounded by a beautiful garden in the heart of the city, the Natural History Museum feels like a small escape within Jerusalem. Inside its historic home, exhibitions exploring wildlife, geology and the environment reveal the natural world that exists alongside the city we know.

Studio of Her Own

Walk into the former home of painter Pinchas Litvinovsky and you’ll find a new generation of creativity within its walls. Studio of Her Own, the first center of its kind in Israel, is dedicated to women in contemporary art, especially from marginalized communities, with exhibitions, workshops, a gallery, café and shop. With the support of the Jerusalem Foundation, it is also creating a research archive dedicated to women artists in Israel.

Museum on the Seam. Photo credit: Jerusalem Foundation

Tower of David Jerusalem Museum. Photo Credit: Tower of David Museum

Tower of David Jerusalem Museum. Photo credit: Michal Fattal

Bloomfield Science Museum. Photo credit: Bloomfield Science Museum

הפוסט Summer in Jerusalem: Discover the City’s Museums and Galleries הופיע לראשונה ב-.

Each evening featured a headline performance by one of the legends of Israeli rock, preceded by an opening act from an emerging female musician. By sharing the stage, established performers and rising stars created moments of inspiration.  This was an incredible opportunity for new artists to perform before live audiences and connect with Jerusalem’s vibrant cultural community.

The festival is a great example of the long-standing commitment of the Jerusalem Foundation to strengthening Jerusalem’s independent cultural scene and expanding opportunities for artists to create, perform and grow. The Foundation ensures that Jerusalem remains a city where creativity flourishes, emerging voices are nurtured and culture continues to bring people together.

Photo credit: Nocturno

הפוסט Women in Rock Festival הופיע לראשונה ב-.

For generations, the Jerusalem Foundation has helped create the parks where Jerusalem childhood unfolds. They’re the places where toddlers splash through fountains, teenagers meet friends after dark, grandparents unpack picnic baskets and families from every corner of the city make summer memories together. Whether you’re visiting Jerusalem or grew up here yourself, these five parks are part of the city’s soundtrack every summer.

Teddy Park, Mitchell Parks and Gardens

On a hot afternoon, few sights capture a Jerusalem summer quite like dozens of children darting through the Hassenfeld Family Fountain, laughing as 256 water jets dance to music and light. Set beneath the walls of the Old City, Teddy Park welcomes families from every neighborhood and community in Jerusalem, making it one of the city’s most joyful shared spaces. Established in memory of legendary Jerusalem mayor and Jerusalem Foundation founder Teddy Kollek, the park sits just outside Jaffa Gate, where the city’s ancient history meets everyday life.

The Richard & Rhoda Goldman and Walter & Elise Haas Promenades

The promenades offer one of Jerusalem’s quintessential summer rituals: watching the sun set over the Old City. Couples linger on benches, photographers wait for the golden light, families stroll with ice cream in hand and friends gather simply to enjoy the breeze. Residents from nearby Arnona and Sur Baher mingle with visitors from across the city, sharing one of Jerusalem’s most spectacular views. This open landscape remains just that after architect Louis Kahn persuaded Teddy Kollek to preserve it as a public space rather than allow hotel development.

The Wohl Rose Park

Hidden between the Knesset, the Supreme Court and the Israel Museum, the Wohl Rose Park feels like a secret oasis in the heart of the capital. It wasn’t always this welcoming. Originally known as the President’s Park, it was intended solely for state ceremonies and was closed to the public, however, after public protest, it is today a site where families spread blankets beneath the trees, children weave through the gardens and office workers escape for a peaceful lunch break. Following the Jerusalem Foundation’s extensive restoration of the park in 2023, it continues to welcome Jerusalem’s wonderfully diverse mix of residents as a place to relax, learn and simply enjoy being outdoors.

Liberty Bell Park

Few parks offer something for every generation quite like Liberty Bell Park. Established in 1977 following the U.S. Bicentennial celebrations, the park was inspired by the gift of a replica of Philadelphia’s Liberty Bell, donated by supporters from across the United States. Today, younger children race between playgrounds, skateboarders perfect new tricks, fitness enthusiasts make use of the exercise stations and families end the day with a performance at the beloved Train Theater. One of Jerusalem’s favorite gathering places, the park naturally brings together people from every part of the city, united by the simple pleasures of a summer afternoon.

The Jack, Joseph and Morton Mandel Gazelle Valley

For those looking to escape the bustle of the city without leaving it, the Mandel Gazelle Valley offers a rare chance to experience Jerusalem’s wild side. Home to a herd of around 80 Israeli gazelles, along with dozens of species of birds, insects and native plants, the park is a haven where nature thrives in the heart of the capital. Families wander along streams and lakes, children peer through observation points in search of wildlife and walkers enjoy the peaceful trails winding through orchards and Mediterranean landscapes. Throughout the summer, the Jerusalem Foundation, in partnership with the Jack, Joseph and Morton Mandel Foundation, fills the park with activities for every age, from children’s theater and nature film screenings to yoga, dance and bi-lingual (Hebrew-Arabic) community events in partnership with Kulna, welcoming Jerusalem’s diverse communities to connect with nature together.

The Wohl Rose Park photo credit: Arnon Bossani

The Jack, Joseph and Morton Mandel Gazelle Valley photo credit: Jerusalem Foundation

The Jack, Joseph and Morton Mandel Gazelle Valley photo credit: Kulna

Teddy Park, Mitchell Parks and Gardens photo credit: Jerusalem Foundation

הפוסט Summer in Jerusalem: The City’s Best Parks Await הופיע לראשונה ב-.

Shai passed away before he could see this vision materialize, but with the help of friends of the Jerusalem Foundation worldwide, the first cohort of the Shai Doron Leadership Fellows was launched in 2025 and the next cohort is set to join them in 2027.  The program continues Shai’s vision of leadership and diversity and honors his memory.

The Jerusalem Foundation is further honoring Shai’s legacy by establishing the Shai Doron Center for Leadership and the Humanities at Mishkenot Sha’ananim. Mishkenot, an iconic Jerusalem landmark symbolizing renewal and advancement of society, carries huge potential as a spiritual and cultural bridge that addresses 21^st century needs. In memory of Shai z”l, it will become a home and platform for the next generation of leaders, artists and thinkers in Israel; a place for training and enriching dedicated future leaders who will transform the face of modern Jerusalem, alongside continued thought provoking, meaningful cultural and intellectual programming.

Following an extensive renovation of the facility, the Center will host all leadership programs initiated and established by the Jerusalem Foundation, including the Shai Doron Leadership Fellows, as well as local and national initiatives such as community center staff development and youth movements, creating a shared space for cultivating civil leadership citywide. Mishkenot’s array of cultural, thought-provoking, interdisciplinary programming and events will continue, enhanced by the infrastructure renewal, and allow Mishkenot to continue to lead the way as a Center for ideas, creativity and local Jerusalem leadership.

These two outstanding initiatives represent Shai’s spirit, vision and legacy, and continue the remarkable role that Shai fulfilled in Jerusalem. While Shai Doron z”l is no longer with us, his memory lives on and his work will continue to impact the future generations of the city.

Photo credit: Jerusalem Foundation

הפוסט Shai Doron z’l in memorium הופיע לראשונה ב-.

Beit Hofmann is a unique center for the elderly in Jerusalem, devoted to their physical, intellectual and emotional wellbeing as well as fostering community involvement. About 40% of the participants come from neighborhoods adjacent to the center, while the rest come from neighborhoods all around Jerusalem. The Jerusalem Foundation has built most of the elderly centers in the city over the last 60 years and continues to support programs for the elderly. In 2012, the Jerusalem Foundation renovated Beit Hofmann with the support of Swiss friends and has since backed the center’s activities. 

The guiding principle is how to support people as they end their working lives and enter retirement and throughout all the stages of aging. At Beit Hofmann, they find meaningful activities, both physical and cultural, and social contact, appropriate for all stages of aging – all of which are vital to elderly health. There are age-appropriate sports activities, guidance in nutrition and managing personal finances, intellectual stimulation through lectures and discussions, as well as volunteering in the community. Beit Hofmann organizes lectures, clubs for various interests, performances, concerts and trips. About 1,100 people attend various programs. All this is led by a staff of two women and a corps of volunteers.

Many activities and lectures are initiated and led by Beit Hofmann’s elderly participants themselves, who range from those with minimal education to university professors. Current elderly-led activities include a book club, a circle for Holocaust survivors and a men’s group. Staff supports them in bringing their ideas to fruition. Programming is guided by feedback from the participants. There is a minimal charge for participating in activities, with solutions sought for those who cannot afford even that.

Beit Hofmann aims to keep the elderly part of the weave of community life. One day a week, their courses in history, Bible and art are held at a nearby school to provide a different setting and atmosphere. Some Beit Hofmann elderly work one-on-one with students at the school who have educational difficulties. Some also volunteer at local nursery schools, supporting young children who have difficulty adjusting. 

A new community involvement program brings the elderly who have live-in help and rarely leave home for one day of age-appropriate exercise, art classes, breakfast and a discussion circle at Beit Hofmann. The next phase is to pair the “younger,” more active and independent elderly for home visits to those of more advanced age and limited ability to get out at all. There is also a support group for family members who care for the elderly. 

Says Director Sivan Etz Haim, “The people who come to Beit Hofmann feel at home here.” Staff and volunteers aim to get to know them personally and call them when they haven’t been seen at the center for a while. A recent study by the Joint Distribution Committee showed that people who come regularly to Beit Hofmann feel healthier and are more involved in social and community life.

Director Etz Hadar emphasizes, “Society must realize that the elderly have a contribution to make and should be valued for that. This is essential as the retirement period is now much longer than it used to be. Society can benefit, and so do the elderly whose sense of self-worth is enhanced.”

Photo Credit: Shiran Itach

הפוסט BEIT HOFMANN – encouraging elderly activism and involvement הופיע לראשונה ב-.

The East Jerusalem Women’s Leadership Forum was established by the Jerusalem Foundation in 2025, and has grown into a professional home for women leaders and entrepreneurs across East Jerusalem. Through networking, workshops, events and knowledge sharing, it fosters professional and personal growth, peer support and collaboration while working to improve services and opportunities throughout East Jerusalem. In addition, through an open call for proposals, the forum supports three community initiatives that advance social cohesion and create meaningful local impact.

Set in the rural landscape surrounding Jerusalem, Ein Yael, the retreat’s site, is a unique hub spanning over 40 acres, established by the Jerusalem Foundation as a multipurpose site combining archaeology, history and nature with creativity, self-exploration and personal growth. Through hands-on workshops and by the recreation of ancient crafts once practiced in the area, children, youth, adults and families from diverse backgrounds come together to create, explore and grow. The site also offers unique Nature Therapy treatments to youth at risk and groups affected by the past war.

The retreat featured six experiential sessions focusing on movement, mindfulness, creativity, identity, professional presence and resilience, stemming from the belief that effective leadership begins with a strong connection to oneself. The program was aimed at strengthening participants’ sense of capability, confidence and purpose while building meaningful connections with fellow women leaders. It included activities for some 20 children as well, allowing mothers to fully engage in the day’s workshops.

The day opened with a shared gathering and concluded with lunch, music and informal networking, creating opportunities for conversation, collaboration and new partnerships.

Participant feedback was overwhelmingly positive, reflecting a strong sense of inspiration, belonging and personal growth. Beyond the individual experience, the retreat highlighted the role of the East Jerusalem Women’s Leadership Forum as a vibrant community that nurtures female leadership, encourages collaboration and empowers women to advance initiatives that benefit communities across East Jerusalem.

Photo credit: Aliph – Creative Agency

הפוסט East Jerusalem Women’s Leadership Forum Holds Inspiring Retreat הופיע לראשונה ב-.

Presented by the Jerusalem Foundation, the Haggiag Family Award was established by the Haggiag family in memory of Robert Nissim Haggiag, whose contribution to the film industry left a lasting mark on European and international cinema. Since its inception, the award has become one of the Jerusalem Film Festival’s most prestigious honors.

This year’s ceremony was made even more meaningful by the presence of Simone Haggiag, who traveled to Jerusalem to meet all the filmmakers shortlisted for the award, participate in the celebratory dinner, and personally present the prize to the winning director in memory of his father.

Selected from six competing films, Where To? is set against the backdrop of Berlin’s nightlife. The film follows Hassan, a 55-year-old Palestinian Uber driver, whose chance encounter with Amir, a young Israeli navigating a complicated romance far from home, develops into a series of meetings over two years. As Hassan witnesses Amir’s attempts to salvage the relationship that brought him to Berlin, he embarks on a deeply personal journey of his own, confronting his past for the first time. Told in English, Arabic, German and Hebrew, Where To? is a poignant exploration of displacement, identity, and the unexpected connections that shape our lives.

Through the Haggiag Family Award, the Jerusalem Foundation continues to celebrate exceptional filmmaking while investing in the future of Israeli cinema.

Photo Credit: Dana Bar Siman Tov

Poster credit: Maayane Bouhnik

הפוסט Honoring Cinematic Excellence: The Haggiag Family Award הופיע לראשונה ב-.

Over five days (14-18.7.2026), in collaboration with more than 30 contemporary art galleries, leading cultural centers and hundreds of independent artists and creators, the Festival celebrates Jerusalem’s artistic scene and diverse communities. It offers dozens of new exhibitions and a variety of original events and performances created especially, alongside ‘Manofim Tours’ – guided tours of the city’s artistic venues, and live music performances.

Manofim relates through multidisciplinary art to the human, public, historical and contemporary complexity of Jerusalem, combining high art with community boosting activities and welcoming audiences from the city’s diverse populations.

The 2026 Festival’s opening has three starting points, and the program continues with a rich array of art and community events, including a bi-lingual (Hebrew & Arabic) screening of the semi-finals of the FIFA World Cup on ‘Bustana’ – the recently renovated Art Cube Rooftop; Saturday morning art programming for the whole family, providing quality family time for young families away from daily routines, and various exhibition openings, performances and explorations of the 2026 central theme – Recognition.

The Jerusalem Foundation is proud to partner with this vibrant, avant-garde production, supporting Jerusalem’s artists, art-lovers and culture ecosystem.

Photo credit: Yair Meyuhas

הפוסט Manofim at 18: Celebrating Jerusalem’s Contemporary Art Scene הופיע לראשונה ב-.