Jerusalem Foundation to honor city's philanthropy

Jerusalem Foundation conference to highlight new press club, school for hearing impaired among philanthropic achievements.

By DANIEL K. EISENBUD
Western Wall (photo credit: www.goisrael.com)
Western Wall
(photo credit: www.goisrael.com)
The Jerusalem Foundation’s annual International Gathering, beginning Tuesday and concluding Thursday, will highlight the capital’s latest philanthropic achievements, feature panel discussions led by foreign journalists and religious leaders, as well as unveil a new school and park.
The event will kick-off with a panel discussion entitled “The Complexities of Covering the Middle East,” at the new Jerusalem Press Club in Mishkenot Sha’ananim, where hundreds of visiting journalists will stay each year.
“The Jerusalem Press Club is positioned to become a world-renowned facility – a place where journalists meet with leaders of Israeli politics and society,” the Jerusalem Foundation said in a statement. “It will be a hub of journalistic activity where the domestic and foreign press have a chance to mingle in a fitting setting.”
The panel will be moderated by Uri Dromi, director-general of the Jerusalem Press Club.
Wednesday will feature a panel discussion at the King David Hotel on bridging the gap between Jerusalem’s haredi and secular communities, entitled “A Strategic Approach to Shared Living, Bridging Gaps, Community Empowerment and Culture.”
Speakers will include Rav Shlomo Pappenheim, leader of the Eida Haredit, Tamar Shiff, director of Misgav Lakashish – which provides services for the elderly in the haredi community, Dr. Hagai Agmon- Snir, director of the Jerusalem Intercultural Center and Rabbanit Adina Bar-Shalom, founder and CEO of Haredi College.
“We will also have informative discussions about the ultra-Orthodox community in Jerusalem and about our work in east Jerusalem with the Arab sector,” the statement continued.
Later that day, the newly upgraded Canada House will be unveiled and dedicated to honor the “commitment of the government and people of Canada to Jerusalem.” The facility will also serve the needs of elderly and disadvantaged populations living in the capital.
“Canada House will make a difference for the next generation of Jerusalemites and for the special community residing in the heart of Jerusalem on the seam line between east and west, secular and religious, struggling neighborhoods and the city center,” the foundation said.
Following the event, the MICHA School for the Hearing Impaired will also be unveiled in the Abu Tor neighborhood.
“Visit the site of the new school building in the Abu Tor neighborhood and hear about the Jerusalem Foundation’s engagement in coexistence from a special observation point overlooking the eastern part of the city,” the statement read.
A dinner in the newly restored historic Jerusalem Train Compound will follow.
The gathering will conclude on Thursday, beginning with a special tour of Jerusalem with Mayor Nir Barkat to the National Sports Complex, Gazelle Valley Development and Masia House for Performing Arts.
Later that day the grand opening of Teddy Park, located in Mitchell Park, and part of the Jerusalem Walls National Park, will honor Jerusalem Foundation founder, the late Teddy Kollek, who was Jerusalem mayor from 1965 to 1993.
“Facing the walls of the Old City and in the center of Jerusalem, the park includes Israel’s only sound and light water fountain and a visitor’s center telling the story of Jerusalem’s development under Teddy’s leadership,” the statement said.
Following the park’s opening ceremony, the Teddy Kollek Award for Significant Contribution to Life in Jerusalem and a lifetime achievement award will be presented to four of the city’s leading philanthropists.