By GREER FAY CASHMANSimulation de la future ligne de tramway dans Emek Refaim(photo credit: JTMT)
♦ OBJECTORS TO the light rail in Emek Refaim have convened a January 16 meeting of residents and merchants and anyone else opposed to running the Blue Line down the German Colony’s central artery, to learn about the filing of legal objections to the Regional Council. The objectors have obtained a filing extension until March 6.The evening’s agenda will include an update of legal proceedings initiated so far; an explanation of the procedure for filing objections to the Regional Council; a presentation of strategy plus a review of the importance of the objections; hands-on assistance with preparation and filing of the objections, including signatures in the presence of Attorney Eliad Shraga, who is representing one group of objectors in their legal battle.♦ THE SECOND International Conference on The Past that doesn’t Pass, organized by the Shem Olam Faith and Holocaust Research Institute, will be held January 16-17 at the Ramada Hotel, Jerusalem.The main theme of the conference will be Identity, Faith and Culture in Jewish Society in the Shadow of the Holocaust. The conference is being held in memory of Elie Wiesel, who died last year and was the world’s best-known advocate for the preservation of Holocaust memory.Among the speakers will be Prof. Gershon Greenberg of the American University in Washington, whose address comes under the title “When Faith Broke through Silence to Heaven – The She’erit Hapeleitah (remnant) of the Shoah.”♦ OPPOSITION LEADER Isaac Herzog will be almost a fish out of water at the 14th Annual Jerusalem Conference, where he appears to be the only speaker from the Left of the political spectrum. But he may be vindicated by the fact that he is a grandson of Israel’s first chief rabbi, after whom he is named.Speakers at the opening of the conference at the Crowne Plaza Hotel on February 13 will include President Reuven Rivlin and Sephardi Chief Rabbi Yitzhak Yosef. The first session will be devoted to the question of whether Jerusalem is united 50 years after the reunification of the city. Another obvious topic is settlement across the Green Line. As business enterprises across the Green Line have been the prime targets of the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions movement, this too will be discussed, as will religiously observant people in spheres of influence.For light relief, singer and comedian Yishai Lapidot will be on hand.♦ THE ISRAEL Cancer Association, in conjunction with Assuta Oncology Center and the Azrieli Foundation, has introduced a traveling mammography unit that will operate in Jerusalem, Ma’aleh Ephraim and Beit Shemesh, ensuring that all women in these areas have easy access to mammogram testing and early detection of breast cancer, which if caught in its initial stages can be cured in more than 90% of cases.All major health insurance companies will cover the costs of tests for their members. For further information and free booklets call 1-800-599-005. Women in the process of coping with or recovering from breast cancer can receive support by telephoning 1-800- 36-07-07. There is also a valuable exchange of information on the ICA’s website www.cancer.org.il♦ FOR MEMBERS of the Academy of the Hebrew Language, which is located on the Givat Ram Campus of the Hebrew University, it is an ongoing source of frustration when people choose to use a foreign word instead of its Hebrew equivalent.Sometimes there is no Hebrew equivalent and members of the Academy have to rack their brains to come up with one that is relatively easy to remember and pronounce. Even then, there is no guarantee that it will catch on.The academy will hold a Hebrew Language Day seminar in its Jerusalem premises on Thursday, January 19 with Israel Radio’s veteran broadcaster Dan Kaner, who is well known for his meticulous pronunciation, and Ruth Almagor, the long-term language adviser to the Israel Broadcasting Authority providing “lessons” on correct Hebrew.