Something for everyone at upcoming Israeli festivals

School’s back in session, and the high holidays don’t roll around until October, which means there’s still plenty of time to enjoy the current round of exhibits, performances and events taking place over the next few weeks.

From three nights of alternative music in Haifa and gay-inspired comic art in Yeruham, to jazz photographs in Jaffa and wine appreciation in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv, we’re recommending a variety of people, places and activities for your perusal.

Now it’s just up to you to get out there and try them out.

1) Haifa//100//Live begins Tuesday, September 6 and runs for three nights, through Thursday, September 8, offering up indie music acts and entertainment in Haifa’s downtown area. Opening with Assaf Amdursky, and including Geva Allon’s Vegan Friendly band, there are 46 artists from Haifa, offering a stage to musical acts and performers who aren’t as well-known but want to be. Head to Haifa’s IrTachton, its hip downtown scene for Haifa//100//Live, where the musical acts begin at 8 p.m. each night, continuing into the wee hours.

2) It’s jazz time in Jaffa, as the 2nd Jaffa Jazz Festival opens September 15, augmented by “Jazz Mosaic,” a group exhibition of nine leading photographers capturing some of the best-known Israeli names in jazz, alongside legendary greats. The exhibition features the works of Digi Dekel, Gangi, Ido Halevy, Margalith Hersonski, Abraham Kabilio, Victor Muperophoto, Bob Rosenbaum, Peter Vit and Yossi Zwecker. Mandel Cultural Center, Jaffa, September 15-30, free entry to photo exhibition.

3) It’s tough being queer in the periphery, according to two dozen comic works and illustrations in “Queerpheria,” an exhibit opening at the Design Terminal in Yeruham, that desert city in the Negev periphery. The works describe social pressures, stigmas, family issues and life in the far-flung desert town, and has traveled to other Israeli cities as well. For now, however, it’s another excuse to visit Yeruham, where the ‘other’ Ramon crater beckons. Queerpheria, Design Terminal, Beit Ha’am, Yeruham. Opening Sunday, September 18, Sunday-Thursday, 9 a.m.-2 p.m., Sunday and Tuesday, 7 p.m.-9 p.m.

4) Looking to imbibe some vino? Well, there’s always the annual Wine Festival at Jerusalem’s Israel Museum. This celebration of Israeli wines is already underway, running through Thursday, September 8, at NIS 95 for a wine glass and lots of wine to taste.

If you miss the festival, try Wine Wednesday which takes place next Wednesday, September 14, in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv, where oenophiles gather as part of this now worldwide charity event to meet and drink with fellow wine lovers, and do some good at the same time, raise money and awareness for different grassroots projects.

Started in Jerusalem and taking in place in Tel Aviv too, the charity event is now going global this month, and taking place in 15 cities around the world. On September 14, Wine Wednesday Tel Aviv will be supporting Microfy, which helps lower income communities create independent sources of income by developing micro-businesses. In Jerusalem, funds will support Bakehila, a local non-profit supporting social change. Participants must donate at least NIS 30, and bring a bottle of wine meant for two. In Tel Aviv, Langa Club, 1 Ben Yehuda Street. In Jerusalem, 44 King George Street.

5) No need to wait until the October holiday of Sukkot to visit Sindyanna of Galilee.

Held at the Kfar Kana center founded by a two women, one Arab and one Jewish, to promote fair trade, local crafts and dialogue, Sindyanna’s also known for its olive oil, handwoven baskets, weaving workshops, as well as for the jars of homemade honey, beer, wine and za’atar (hyssop spice blend) always available at the center.

The second Sindyanna festival will take place during Sukkot, or beat the traffic and go now. Sindyanna Festival, October 17-23, Kfar Kana, Galilee.