A Night Out In Jerusalem

Lately I've been busy wondering why Ehud Olmert, the prime minister of Israel, decided to have some cosmetic surgery done on his eyes while his political ship has been sinking fast. Could he have been planning a second career as an eyewear model?

But the headlines this morning explained everything; that rascal finally allowed the publication of the biggest news around here since the war last summer. Israel and Syria have secretly been negotiating a peace agreement for the past two years. It started out with a chance meeting between Bashar Assad and a low-level Israeli diplomat in a Turkish hotel and ended with a document that turns the entire Golan heights into a park and sends Hezbollah and Iran to hell in a handbag. Of course, Olmert couldn't appear for any 'New Middle East' photo ops with those huge shopping bags under his eyes, hence the browlift. In a classic levantine twist, just when it appeared that the prime minister was chopped liver there's suddenly a new political horizon ahead of us. It will only get more interesting...

This sudden turnaround is a bit exhausting for the average Israeli, so I thought a night out would be in order. Here are the options for reality-weary Jerusalemites looking for a diversion, as they appeared this morning, January 16th, on a billboard at the bottom of Agrippas Street:

*Netivot Tours - transportation to a celebration day at the grave of the righteous one that has delivered blessings to many, Rabbi Yisrael Abuhatzeira, the Baba Sali in Netivot. The excursion will take place on Monday, Jan, 22, the third of Shvat. Buses will leave every hour on the hour from 2 pm until 11 pm from Binyanei Hauma. No need to sign up - just come and get on.
*Har Horev Synagogue - corner of 29 November and Kovshei Katamon. We are pleased to announce to the observant public the opening of the Minhat Horev Center Bet Midrash for the study of the daily Talmud page, under the leadership of Rabbi Arieh Stern, rabbi of the congregation. Schedule of activities, Sun-Thurs: 6 pm - individual study and prep under the rabbi's guidance; 7 pm - lesson on the daily Talmud page with Rabbi Avishai Grussner. Friday lesson takes place in the morning.
*The Interdiscuplinary Arena hosts the virtuoso voice artist Victoria Hanna, in a joint performance with the musician Ilan Ber Ami, Thursday Jan. 18 at 9pm at the Khan Theatre.
*HaDag Nahash with help from The Jam at the Maabada, Thurs. Jan 18. Doors open at 10pm.
*Asaf Avidan and the Mojo Live Cats, live at the Syndrome, Jan. 25 at 9pm.
*The Israel Stage Orchestra of Holon presents a musical experience for the whole family: Pinocchio and the Magic Orchestra, at the Jerusalem Theatre on Jan 16 at 5pm.
*Aeterna Opera, Jerusalem - Don Giovanni, a comic opera in two acts by W.A. Mozart. Conductor - Ilya Plotkin Director - Anna Silores. Grand Opening Monday, Jan. 15, 8 pm at the Khan Theatre.
*Nitzanim Synagogue in Baka, 3 Asher Street, invites the public to a lecture by Rabbi Eli Sadan, head of the pre-military yeshiva at Eli on the subject of 'The Path of Zionism in Our Times,' Jan 14 at 8:30 pm. Next week Rabbi Yirmi Stavitzky, the principal of Himmelfarb high school, whill lecture on 'Modern Orthodox Judaism and Zionism: Can They Walk Together?'
*The Other Dimension - a series of lectures to open a porthole to a fascinating spiritual world. Lectures given by Yoni Elitzur, lecturer in Jewish philosophy and spiritual thought, leader of workshops in Israel and the far East. Wed, Jan 10 - The Hidden World, the Metaphysical Experience: the basis of Jewish thought vis a vis the material world. Wed, Jan 17 - The Genetic Code of the Universe: understanding the secret of the alphabet as a key to the inner dimension of experience. Wed, Jan 24 - What Is the Soul?: the meaning of the soul and its existential test as an independent metaphysical entity. Wed, Jan 31 - From the Tower of Babel to the Twin Towers: the spiritual roots behind human struggle. Arachim - the ICCY, Emek Refaim 12. Doors open at 8:15, lecture begins at 8:30.
*Leah Shabbat in a special performance for women, singing songs of all eras. Jan 16, 8:30 at Shoreshim, 13 Shammai St.
*Steinsaltz Center for the illumination of tradition on the reality of identity, renewal and deepening of faith. New Series - Every Tuesday! At 7 pm with Aviad Cohen, hassidist. Jan 9 - "And the main thing is not to be stubborn" - hints and advice in the writings of Rabbi Nahman from Breslav. Jan 16 - "And the main thing is not to be stubborn" (part 2) - on obstinacy and relaxation in the Mei shiloach book. Jan 23 - "The significance of the month of Shvat on proper eating in hassidic writings." The public is invited. 6 HaRav Iraqi St.
*Jerusalem City Hall presents: A Literary Evening in honor of the publication of Hanoch Bar Tov's book, 'Outside the Horizon, Beyond the Street.' Participants: S. Shifra, Dalia Ofer, Eli Garlitzki, Hanoch Bar Tov. Wed Jan 17 at 8:30 at Authors' House, Gerard Behar Ctr. Free Admission.
*Sivan Shavit in Vanilla - the Exotic Performance. Guitars: Amir Tzorel and Did Erez. Sat night, 9 pm at Syndrome, 18 Hillel St.
*The Giraffes, Live at the Maabada, 28 Hebron Road on Jan 19. Doors open at 10 pm.
*The Land of Israel is Blessed Over all the Lands. We are proud to announce to the observant public that a class in Jewish law will be given by our teacher and rabbi, great leader and keeper of the way of Ben Ish Hai, the glory of his generation, minister of torah Mordehai Eliyahu, Shlita, the Rishon Letzion, who will give a talk on Sat. night of the V'ara torah portion, the eve of the second of Shvat at exactly 8 pm. The Minhat Yehuda synagogue, 10 Navon Street, opposite the bus stop of Mahane Yehuda. Fruit Blessings laws. The public is invited. Women's entrance from Shadal Street.

Which would you choose?