CELEBRATE ISRAEL PARADE
The city’s month-long celebration of Israel began on May 1 with Yom Ha’Atzmaut and the annual Upper West Side Celebrates Israel festival, and is ending Sunday with the annual Celebrate Israel parade. Grand Marshal Rabbi Haskel Lookstein leads this year’s march up Fifth Avenue, which becomes a sea of blue and white. Joining the rabbi as honorary grand marshals are Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat, former Giants running back Tiki Barber, celebrity chef Jamie Geller and mixed martial arts fighter Haim Gozali. The N.Y.-based Afro-Hebrew band the Milk & Honeys performs, along with veteran rock/folk jam band SoulFarm. Grab a good spot along the route and cheer on the floats and marching bands. And wave one of those cute little Israeli flags. — Sunday, June 4, 11 a.m.- 4 p.m., start at Fifth Avenue and 57th Street, celebrateisraelny.org. Free.
CELEBRATE ISRAEL FESTIVAL
When you’re done marching or viewing, get a taste of Israeli-American culture at the Israeli American Council’s family-oriented after-party. Top kids’ entertainer Rinat Gabay and her friend Yoyo the Robot (Guy Freedman) take the main stage; other attractions include a media room, a toddler lounge, family activities, an Israeli food court and more. This year’s theme is Jerusalem is reunification at 50; there’ll be mockups of various Jerusalem sites, a replica of the Western Wall and interactive exhibits for kids. — Sunday, June 4, 2-6 p.m., Terminal 5, 610 W. 56th St., israeliamerican.org/celebrate/Israel.
LOWER EAST SIDE SOUNDS
Celebrating the diverse immigrant life of the LES, the Eldridge Street museum presents a mash-up of Chinese, Yiddish and Puerto Rican folk music. On tap: klezmer clarinetist and vocalist Zisl Slepovitch, founder and leader of the rhythmically explosive klezmer-punk group Litvakus, below; Grammy-nominated Latin jazz drummer Bobby Sanabria, right; and his group Quarteto Ache mine the rich rhythmic vein tapped by Dizzy Gillespie; and Susan Cheng and members of Music from China present a sampling of traditional and contemporary Chinese music. For the finale, all three groups will jam in a sign of what the Lower East Side is all about. — Wednesday, June 7, 7-9:30 p.m., Museum at Eldridge Street, 12 Eldridge St., (212) 219-0302, eldridgestreet.org. $15/$25 seniors and students.
Dance
WORLD’S FAIR OF
ISRAELI FOLK DANCE
Israeli folk dance has, over the years, pulled in influences from around the globe but retained its roots. The four-day World’s Fair of Israeli Folk Dance Festival reflects that fact and offers evening dance parties, performances and workshops with celebrated choreographers and master teachers. The festival culminates with a gala performance featuring Lehakat Hora Herzliya, Re-Vital Israel and Galgal Ba’Ma’agal, Israel’s acclaimed wheelchair dance group. (Sunday, June 11, 3-5:30 p.m.) —Thursday, June 8-Sunday, June 11, Queens College, 65-30 Kissena Blvd, Queens, israelidanceinstitute.org.
Theater
YIDDISH AND BRITISH ON BROADWAY
The Jewish People’s Philharmonic Chorus’ annual springtime show features Yiddish translations of some classics, always with an intro from the group’s conductor, Binyumen Schaechter (and a full translation in the concert program). On tap are works by Gilbert and Sullivan, Mordechai Gebirtig and songs from the Second Avenue Yiddish Theatre. Guest performers include Cantor Joel Caplan and Temma Schaechter, with Seth Weinstein at the piano. — Sunday, June 11, 4:30 p.m., Symphony Space, 2537 Broadway, (212) 864-5400, SymphonySpace.org.
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INDECENT
Cited as one of the best plays of 2016 by The Times, “Indecent” follows the original cast of Sholem Asch’s “God of Vengeance,” who risked their careers to perform a risqué work at a time when art, freedom and truth were on trial. The work is playwright Paula Vogel’s Broadway debut. Rebecca Taichman directs. — Through Sept. 10, Cort Theatre, 138 W. 48th St., telecharge.com.
OSLO
One of 2016’s best-reviewed plays, J. T. Rogers’ “Oslo” moves to Broadway. A complex tale of political intrigue and back-door negotiations, this darkly funny play centers on the months of talks between Israel and Palestine that led to the historic 1993 Oslo Peace Accords. Directed by Tony-winning Barlett Sher (“Fiddler on the Roof”). — Through June 18, Lincoln Center Theatre, 150 W. 65th St., (212) 375-3708, lct.org.
Film
THE ISRAEL FILM CENTER FESTIVAL
JCC Manhattan’s 5th annual festival features several New York premieres: Erez Tadmor’s drama “Home Port” details the efforts of a former sailor and the newly appointed head of Ashdod’s Marine Department to uproot corruption (Thursday, June 8, 7 p.m.); Meni Yaish’s “Our Father” follows the misadventures of a Tel Aviv night club bouncer who takes up working for the Israeli mob (Tuesday, June 13, 7 p.m.); and “Mr. Predictable,” Roee Florentin’s comedy-drama about a mild-mannered “nice guy” whose world is rocked when he meets and falls in love with a “wild girl” (Friday, June 9, 6 p.m.). Also: a special preview of the Holocaust documentary “Aida’s Secrets,” set to open in theaters in the fall. (Monday, June 12, 7 p.m.) — June 8-13, JCC Manhattan, 334 Amsterdam Ave., (646) 505-4444, jccmanhattan.org.
FANNY’S JOURNEY
Based on a true story set in 1943, 13-year-old Fanny and her two younger sisters are sent from their home in France to an Italian foster home for Jewish children. When the Nazis arrive in Italy the children attempt to do the impossible — reach the Swiss border. — Thursday, June 8, 7 p.m., Museum of Jewish Heritage, 36 Battery Place, (646) 437-4202, mjhnyc.org.
KOSHER LOVE
What happens when a matchmaker, a newly married couple and a single, religious hip-hop artist explore the precise meaning of true love? “Kosher Love” takes a humorous look at the search for true love and marriage in the Orthodox world as it pushes back against runaway secularism. Produced by Academy Award-winner Frederic Rohbot and directed by Evan Beloff. Part of the Lower East Side Film Festival. —Sunday, June 11, Sunshine Cinema, 143 E. Houston St. (bet. First and Second avenues), lesfilmfestival.com.
NANA
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Written Serena Dykman and David Breger and directed by Dykman, “Nana” documents the filmmaker’s journey with her mother as they retrace her grandmother’s Auschwitz survival story, and investigates how her lifelong fight against intolerance can continue to be taught to younger generations. Part of the Lower East Side Film Festival. —Tuesday, June 13, Sunshine Cinema, 143 E. Houston St. (bet. First and Second avenues), lesfilmfestival.
Music
NOAM WIESENBERG QUINTET
Israeli-American bassist/arranger Noam Wiesenberg and his group perform new and original compositions, bringing together Wiesenberg’s background in classical music, his love for flamenco and his years of playing in the New York jazz scene. With young Israeli-American pianist Gadi Lehavi, saxophonist Immanuel Wilkins, trumpeter Philip Dizack and drummer Kush Abadey. — Monday, June 5, 10:30 p.m., Smalls Jazz Club, 183 W. 10th St., (646) 476-4346, smallslive.com.
DIDA PELLED
Hailed for her “simplicity and warmth” (All About Jazz), the New York-based, Israeli-born jazz/folk guitarist and vocalist writes and performs playfully sexy and intelligent vocal and guitar standards. With Israeli-American Or Bareket on bass and Andrew Millar on drums. — Monday, June 5, 8:30 and 10:30 p.m., La Lanterna Bar Next Door, 129 Macdougal St., (212) 529-5945, lalanternacaffe.com.
TAVCHE GRAVCHE
Tavce gravce is a traditional Macedonian dish of baked beans. It is also a multinational Balkan, flamenco and jazz-infused acoustic ensemble that blends traditional Macedonian and Mediterranean flavors with explosive, danceable Balkan music. Founded and lead by Israeli Jazz bassist Daniel Ori, the group’s first album, “Our Village,” became an overnight hit in the Jewish-Balkan music scenes. —Sunday, June 11, 11 a.m.- 2 p.m., City Winery, 155 Varick St., (212) 608-0555, citywinery.com/newyork/tickets. $10.
DAVID YAZBEK
The Jewish-American composer and singer is best known for writing the music and lyrics for Broadway musicals such as “The Full Monty” and “Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown.” Accompanied by a live band, Yazbek, who also did the music for the stage adaptation of hit Israeli film “The Band’s Visit,” performs songs from his many albums and shows. The Times has hailed the show as “a thrill-ride at a volcano’s edge.” With special guest, multiple Tony Award-winner Michael Cerveris. — Monday, June 12, 7 p.m., 54 Below, 254 W. 54th St., (646) 476-3551, 54below.com. $55-$85.
Exhibitions
CITY OF GOLD, BRONZE AND LIGHT
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Timed to coincide with the 50th anniversary of the Six-Day War and the reunification of Jerusalem, this new exhibition explores the tensions between imaginary and physical Jerusalem. Combining paintings, drawings, prints, photographs and other media, the exhibit juxtaposes visual and material characterizations of the Holy City from the 17th to 21st centuries with a series of Talmudic, prose and poetic passages. — Through July 30, Yeshiva University Museum, 15 W. 16th St., yumuseum.org.
ANISH KAPOOR
Celebrated Jewish-Indian sculptor and Genesis Prize-winner Sir Anish Kapoor brings his large-scale installation, “Descension,” to Brooklyn Bridge Park. Twenty-six feet in diameter, the work is a continuously swirling whirlpool filled with an all-natural black dye, producing the illusion of an ever-churning black hole. — On display through Sept. 10, Pier 1 of Brooklyn Bridge Park, Brooklyn, publicartfund.org.
FLORINE STETTHEIMER: PAINTING POETRY
Through her critically acclaimed poems, paintings and drawings, as well as a selection of costume and theater designs, photographs and ephemera, The Jewish Museum will offer a timely reconsideration of poet/painter Florine Stettheimer, an icon of Jazz Age New York. — Through Sept. 24, The Jewish Museum, 1109 Fifth Ave., (212) 423-3200, thejewishmuseum.org.
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