As autumn starts, run through Tel Aviv or enjoy the oud

The country swings into fall and the latest season of culture continues, as the clock changes and the evenings feel longer.

There’s storytelling in Haifa, lectures at Tel Aviv University, a night run in Tel Aviv, donkeys at the Islamic Museum and the annual Oud Festival at Jerusalem’s Confederation House.

Manofim, the introduction to Jerusalem’s art season, also continues through next week, with a long list of events, gallery viewings and performances throughout the city.

And now, some details about what’s new for next week:

1) Sipur Haifai, or Haifa Story, is a festival of storytelling in the port city, beginning October 25 and running through November 1. For the fifth year, residents of the city will have the opportunity to get to know each other and hear stories about Haifa, using images of the past and present. It’s all part of the city’s efforts to push past the events of the summer and back into a situation of coexistence and tolerance. Go to the Haifa Story website for more information, events and locations.

2) Head to Tel Aviv University for Atnahta (the Hebrew term for Intermission), a monthly series of lectures given by Tel Aviv University professors, lecturers and academics. The topics will be varied, ranging from philosophy and culture to biology and chemistry, with short, TED-style lectures ending with a screening of a film related to the subject. Each Atnahta lecture is free, but must be booked in advance. The first lecture, on October 26, will be about the world of bacteria, hosting a group of professors as well as sommelier Roni Saslov, who will discuss bacteria in the wine-making process. Meetings will be held in the Smolarz Auditorium from 6 pm until 10:30 pm.

3) It’s too late to register for the sixth Tel Aviv Night Run, but you can go watch the 25,000 runners and plan ahead for next year. Both experienced and newbie runners hail the night run, a relatively easy 10k that starts at Rabin Square and ends at Yarkon Park. The entire run has the feel of a nightclub — sort of — with DJs playing music and strobe lights, and this year’s route focuses on urban running, taking the runners through Dizengoff Street, Rothschild Boulevard and Habima Square. October 28, 8 pm.

4) Looking for an exhibit? Head to Jerusalem’s L.A. Mayer Museum for Islamic Art and its latest exhibition, “Diary of a Donkey.” The much-maligned pack animal is the subject of this intriguing art exhibit that includes paintings, drawings and photographs of donkeys and their ongoing role in Israeli society. What’s interesting is the group aspect of the exhibit, which includes Jewish and Arab artists, such as Benni Efrat, Ashraf Fawakhry, Nahum Gutman, Talia Keinan, Reuven Rubin and Ammar Younis.

5) Get your tickets now for the Oud Festival, at Jerusalem’s Confederation House, from November 6-15. It’s the 15th anniversary of this annual celebration of the lesser-known string instrument and its haunting music, and it opens with Corinne Allal’s interpretation of Ecclesiastes and closes with Greek vocalist Savina Yannatou and the Primavera en Saloniko ensemble. In between, you can catch Moroccan oud players and Azerbaijan vocalists, Rabbi Hacham David Menachem from September’s Sacred Music Festival, or a joint performance of vocalist Hadass Pal Garden and Yaniv Ovadia with the Max Doehlemann jazz ensemble from Berlin. Go to the Confederation House website for information and tickets.