Israel Expands Discount Ticket Program for Cultural Events
Translated & summarized from Mignews by baba
Israel's Histadrut labor federation has expanded its FRIENDS program, offering up to 40% discounts on tickets for concerts, theater, and other cultural events across 38 venues nationwide. The initiative, designed to make cultural activities more accessible, also provides special access and discounts for union members and has established WhatsApp groups to reach Russian-speaking residents. The program plans to launch a mobile app and add more venues.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- Israel's FRIENDS program offers up to 40% discounts on cultural event tickets.
- The program, run by the Histadrut, covers 38 venues across Israel.
- Over 40,000 tickets are sold monthly through the subsidized initiative.
- Histadrut members receive additional ticket discounts and benefits.
- Regional WhatsApp groups are used to inform Russian-speaking Israelis about events.
- FRIENDS plans to expand venues and launch a mobile app.
Israel has expanded its FRIENDS program, an initiative by the Histadrut labor federation, to offer subsidized tickets for cultural events, including concerts and theater performances. The program provides discounts of up to 40% on tickets, making cultural activities more accessible to the public. The network currently encompasses 38 venues nationwide and sells over 40,000 tickets monthly, utilizing 12 owned halls and collaborating with local authorities on 26 additional sites. Discounts are available to all residents, though Histadrut members receive additional benefits, such as purchasing up to two adult tickets or four children's tickets at reduced prices. The program also includes cinema screenings starting from 10 shekels.
Established by the Histadrut at the initiative of its chairman, Arnon Bar-David, the FRIENDS project aims to make cultural leisure more affordable for workers and their families. Special provisions are made for retired union members, with savings on a single ticket potentially exceeding their monthly union fee of 12 shekels. The discounts apply to both large venues and events in smaller towns.
A dedicated effort is being made to increase access for Russian-speaking Israelis. The program has created three regional WhatsApp groups for residents in the north, center, and south of the country, disseminating local event listings. These groups collectively have around 150,000 members. In addition to Russian-language productions, the program offers events in Hebrew, including concerts, opera, and stand-up comedy.
Looking ahead, FRIENDS plans to further expand its network of venues and launch a mobile application for event discovery and ticket purchasing.