The week in Jerusalem

Peggy Cidor’s round-up of city affairs: It’s my party

By PEGGY CIDOR
Erel Margalit 521 (photo credit: Marc Israel Sellem)
Erel Margalit 521
(photo credit: Marc Israel Sellem)
It’s my party…
The festive gathering last Wednesday at the Lab media center in Talpiot was supposed to be a very moving occasion – a salute to all the boys and girls from across the country who devote one additional year of their life before their military service to work with underprivileged youth in the city and nationwide.
Erel Margalit, a local hi-tech millionaire who funds a large part of the Lab’s activities, was the guest of honor at the annual event, together with other partners such as the Avi Chai Foundation, represented by Beit Avi Chai director Danny Danieli. But the press release sent 24 hours before and the TV and press crews packing the hall revealed something else – namely, Margalit’s plan to announce his decision to enter the political arena and run for leader of the Labor Party.
In his speech, Margalit drew a parallel between the new pioneers – the youth who volunteer today, so different from the youth busy making money or far from any commitment – and people like him, ready to devote their time and money for the sake of society through politics. Although the parallel is praiseworthy and Margalit’s intentions may have been sincere, some of the participants did not appreciate his mixing politics with the youth project.
Danieli, as well as quite a few of the young participants, expressed their concern that Margalit’s speech, well intentioned though it may have been – as some of his assistants and councilors explained – could jeopardize the whole project.
Artistic scholarships
A gala evening designed to raise money for scholarships for the conservatory of the Rubin Academy will take place on May 15 at the Henry Crown Hall of the Jerusalem Theater. Students of the conservatory, as well as guests – acclaimed local and foreign performers – will give the public an opportunity to enjoy themselves and make a donation. Conservatory director Leah Agmon says that the institution, one of the leaders of its kind in the country, aims to give its students the best education and artistic training, without any preconditions and regardless of their financial or background capacities. But to ensure such facilities, financial assistance is necessary, hence the gala designed to raise enough money to create a scholarship fund. Prof. Andre Hajdu was asked to write a work especially for the evening, which will be performed by the Young Chamber Music Orchestra.
For details and tickets, call the Jerusalem Theater at 560-5755.
Yitzhak Ben-Zvi Prize
This year’s recipients of the Yitzhak Ben-Zvi Prize are Galia Bar-Or, Prof. Akiva Friedman and Dr. Sharon Geva. All three scholars have written books and done extensive research on various aspects of the history of Eretz Israel, a topic that was dear to the second president of Israel. The recipients were selected from among dozens of candidates. The Yitzhak Ben-Zvi Prize has been bestowed for many years. Among its laureates are such well-known figures of the modern history of the state as Prof. Yigael Yadin, Ze’ev Vilnai and Prof. Menahem Ben-Sasson.
Remembering them all
The major event to mark the eve of Remembrance Day will take place on Sunday from 8 p.m. at the plaza facing the Knesset, with the participation of some of the most popular performers of Israeli music. The event, now in its second year, offers a different approach to this mournful and meaningful day. Israeli songs are read by members of the Knesset, led by Knesset Speaker Reuven Rivlin, and are sung by well-known singers. The songs, which are depicted as “songs for their memory,” will enable the audience to hear tunes that are closely identified with the Israeli wars and fallen soldiers in an atmosphere of unity with residents and families of the fallen.
Trying to get the picture
Mishkenot Sha’ananim has launched a series of encounters between photographers, who will talk about their work. Israeli photographers will talk with some of the top photographers from around the world, who are spending time in Israel to try to fathom its multifaceted realities. The project, called “Israel: A Work in Progress,” conceived and led by French Jewish photographer Frederic Brenner, enables some of the most acclaimed photographers to spend time here, assuming that only a substantial sojourn in the country can allow foreigners to gain a real understanding of what Israel is about. In the first encounter, Brenner met with Prof. Moshe Halbertal, a scholar in philosophy from the Hebrew University.
On May 29, photographer Wendy Ewald will talk with Miki Kratsman, head of the photography department of the Bezalel Academy of Art and Design.
Yes to the elderly
A special workshop of the nonprofit organization Ken Lazaken (Promoting Seniors Rights) met with great success. The workshop, which dealt with the ways to promote and obtain the rights of and for senior citizens, was attended by about 100 people, who packed a hall at the International Convention Center. Natan Lavon, the chairman of the organization, says that the issues raised – defining the rights of the elderly, how to ensure that they are observed and respected, and how one can find out about these rights – were the main focus.
“Some of the participants were professionals, and others were elderly people anxious to know what the law provides them and how to obtain it. But the large number of participants shows that there is a real need for our organization.”