The school year starts and summer fades away, giving everyone a relief from the heat. A new Hebrew year commences and the holy city offers a most enchanting music festival while Tel Aviv celebrates its art and culture.

The International Chamber Music Festival, Jerusalem

3-16 September 2011

Hosting musicians from around the world alongside local virtuosi, the International Chamber Music Festival in Jerusalem is one of the most impressive classical music festivals to take place in Israel and a real joy for chamber music lovers. All the concerts take place in the beautiful YMCA music hall, which boasts a unique atmosphere. On the program, you will find many exciting works executed by some of the finest chamber music musicians, some visitng the festival for the first time and others returning.

From the festival's website:

"Another theme weaving its way through the 2011 Festival is the extraordinary generation of Jewish composers who, had they survived the Holocaust, would have changed the course of musical history. In each concert we will reveal some of the music of this lost generation whose future was eliminated, leaving a huge chasm."

The YMCA Hall, 26 King David St, Jerusalem,

For tickets and further details: 02-6250444, http://www.jcmf.org.il/EN/Default.asp?pid=1

Rosh HaShanah

29-31 September 2011
Rosh Hashana (literally meaning the head of the year) is the Jewish new year's event, and it is very much a family holiday.  The customs of this holiday have a lot to do with food (as is the case in many other Jewish holidays).  Apple with honey so that all will have a sweet year, Pomegranate seeds so that all will have a fruitful year and the head of a fish so: "We shall be a head rather than a tail".

Rosh Hashana attracts many Jewish tourists who come to Israel to enjoy the holiday in the Promised Land itself.  It offers yet another day in Tel Aviv worthy of a celebration.