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Click here
to download an English version of our programs
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Who We Are
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BEIT AVI CHAI, established by the AVI CHAI Foundation, is a cultural center that addresses major issues and fields of thought and creativity in Jewish and Israeli society. BEIT AVI CHAI seeks to collect and publicize the various facets of Israeli-Jewish society, provide them a forum, and let them influence Israeli society and culture.
The building is located in the heart of Jerusalem, at the juncture of different neighborhoods, communities, and cultures. Designed by the architect Ada Karmi, it has become part of the Israeli and Jewish mosaic that already existed in the area: the Yeshurun synagogue, the Jewish Agency, the Great Synagogue, the Prime Minister's Residence, and a wide variety of cultural institutions, including the Jerusalem Theater, Beit Shmuel, Schocken House, Yad Ben-Zvi, and the Van Leer Institute.
The four-story building has a 270-seat auditorium with a stage suitable for lectures, film screenings, and small-scale shows; eight rooms of various sizes equipped with state-of-the-art technology for the various lectures, workshops and activities; and a unique reading room that specializes in photography books about Israel and the Jewish people, as well as basic books on Judaism and Zionism. There is a coffee shop in the building.
The Jewish People is the focal point of the story told by BEIT AVI CHAI: the Jews in Israel and abroad and the Jews with their various trends, stormy disputes, variations, memories, and dreams.
A broad spectrum of activities and events characterizes the BEIT AVI CHAI experience-symposiums, lectures, workshops, performances, and diverse cultural events. BEIT AVI CHAI targets a variety of audiences in an effort to create a productive, challenging encounter of cultures and worldviews. It provides opportunities for members of different Jewish communities in Israel and the Diaspora to meet one another. BEIT AVI CHAI welcomes speakers, artists, thinkers, and dreamers, as well as everyone with a thirst for knowledge and culture or simply curiosity. It is an open house that practices hospitality in the full sense of the age-old Jewish custom-a constant source of vitality and renewal, of listening and learning. A home where people can genuinely come together.
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Areas of Activity
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Study and Philosophy
The Jewish people-the People of the Book-are blessed not only with a glorious heritage of academic creativity but also vibrant contemporary life: scholars, philosophers, critics, and artists enrich Israeli society and the Jewish people with their thinking and activity through hundreds of institutions, research institutes, and academic forums in Israel and abroad. BEIT AVI CHAI regards itself as a home for creators of new Jewish thought and as a place where members of the general public can meet them, thereby deepening their understanding of and familiarity with the world of Jewish and Israeli thought. BEIT AVI CHAI serves as a center for study and hosts lectures, symposiums, and conferences in an effort to take part in the constant revitalization of Jewish and Israeli thought.
Culture and the Arts
From the poet Rabbi Judah Halevi to musician Ehud Banai, from author S. J. Agnon to Zeruya Shalev, and from the Purimshpil to Hanoch Levin the Jewish and Israeli world constantly renews its culture and produces dynamic, fascinating art. BEIT AVI CHAI hosts concerts and cultural evenings, and presents film screenings and exhibitions featuring the best art and culture created in Israel and the Jewish world. In addition, BEIT AVI CHAI is a home for young artists taking their first steps in the art world. The sounds of jazz improvisation, ancient piyyutim, Israeli music, contemporary works appear in conjunction with classics of Jewish literature are all heard here. At Beit avi Chai arts, styles, and opinions come together in the great, infinite discourse known as "Jewish culture."
Social Affairs
Israeli society, with its myriad trends and hues, invites encounters between east and west, between tradition and modernity, between different socioeconomic classes, between various customs and traditions. At the crossroads of the many trends and hues, BEIT AVI CHAI opens its doors to all of them so that everyone can hear and be heard, inspire and be inspired. BEIT AVI CHAI hosts discussions, and symposiums on the pressing issues in the Israeli society. Under our roof, the various trends and hues in Israeli society and the Jewish people have the opportunity to meet.
Exhibitions
Art is regarded as an important facet of the Israeli and Jewish culture, and thus BEIT AVI CHAI hosts art exhibitions, making them an integral part of the building's milieu. Renowned artists from Israel and abroad, as well as young people taking their first steps in the art world, display their work at BEIT AVI CHAI.
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The BEIT AVI CHAI Staff -
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Dani Danieli, director, (02) 621-5310
Michal Nakar, deputy director and director of programs and projects, (02) 621-5304
Noam Novick, administrative and finance director, (02) 621-5310
Prof. Avigdor Shinan, academic advisor, (02) 621-5310
Ran Zeira, director of IT and multimedia, (02) 621-5312
Yafit Ben-Guy, office manager, (02) 621-5310
Daniela Tzukler, secretary of the Programs and projects department, (02) 621-5304
Esther Nadav, bookkeeper, (02) 621-5314
Igor Bregman, superintendent, (02) 621-5300
Itay Bargig, maintenance, (02) 621-5300
Hussein Shahwan, maintenance, (02) 621-5300
Shoshana Levy, housekeeping, (02) 621-5300
Ronit Bekker-Blankovsky, program coordinator (02) 621-5304
Tamar Berliner, program coordinator (02) 621-5304
Yael Boim-Fein, program coordinator (02) 621-5304
Gabriel Vinocur, , program and marketing coordinator, (02) 6215-382
Sharon Guini, publications coordinator, (02) 621-5384
Vered Lyon-Yerushalmi, director of public relations & communications, (02) 621-5383
Yotvat Feiereisen-Weil, website editor, (02) 621-5319
Efrat Hazoni, website projects producer, (02) 621-5300
Dina Levant, administrative assistant & exhibitions coordinator, (02) 621-5317
Nurit Sharotzevski, operator, (02) 621-5300
Rozi Yael, operator, (02) 621-5300
Judith Wainshtain-Gros, operator, (02) 621-5300
Lidor Mizrahi, operator, (02) 621-5300
Sharon Lagon, cashier, (02) 621-5900
Nitzan Bakshi, cashier, (02) 621-5900
Gal Tamir, cashier, (02) 621-5900
Nissim Califa, cashier, , (02) 621-5900
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Information for Visitors
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How to reach us:
BEIT AVI CHAI is located at 44 King George Street, Jerusalem.
Entrance to the parking lot:
The parking lot entrance is on Keren Kayemeth St.
Buses to BEIT AVI CHAI: 4, 7, 8, 21, 31, 32, 74
Contact us:
Tel.: (02) 621-5300
Mailing address:
BEIT AVI CHAI, P.O.B. 71061, Jerusalem 91710
Reservations:
Tickets may be purchased by calling the BEIT AVI CHAI box office at (02) 621-5900 or through an online form on this website (only credit card purchases). Tickets can be also purchased at the automated ticket kiosk located at the lobby.
The box office is open Sunday through Thursday, 1:00-9:30 PM, and on Fridays from 9:30 AM to 12:00.
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