Dialogue and diversity, Part 1 The second conference on dialogue between diverse communities in mixed cities took place earlier this week, bringing organizations from across the country to Jerusalem. Workshops on Tuesday and Wednesday at the Zippori Forest Center focused on what a heterogeneous society is and how it can reduce suspicion, fear, prejudice and even hatred – overcoming differences and separations and establishing dialogue. The conference discussed gaps between religious and secular sectors, Jews and Arabs, straights and LGBTs. Emphasis was put on how to listen to and understand the “other.” Academics, volunteers and non-profit associations participated in the conference, co-organized and sponsored by the Adam Institute for Democracy and Peace. The Open House, Beit Berl College, Gesher, the Haifa Beit Hagefen Center and others took also part. Dialogue and diversity, Part 2 “Tolerance Week” is promoted by local social activists seeking to make the city more tolerant through a variety of actions and events. The program this year includes an evening gathering with persons with mental illness with the Enosh association, an evening of culture and music at the Shutaf cooperative, guided tours in the light rail to promote casual encounters with passengers from all the communities in the city, a workshop on sign language to promote understanding of deaf and mute persons and more. Michal Shilor is the young woman who dreamed, conceived and brought to reality more than 80 events to promote empathy. You can find projects that fit your interests on the Jerusalem Tolerance Facebook page. No swan song yet The municipality, encouraged by activist Shamai Glick, announced about half a year ago that it would shut down the Barbur Art Gallery and convert the building, which belongs to the city, to public use – principally a kindergarten. Yet so far the gallery is still alive and kicking. The gallery administration has been avoiding activities could be interpreted as “provocative,” and for the moment nobody is discussing immediate closure. The municipality asked legal adviser Amnon Merhav to look into the matter and he submitted a request to the Jerusalem Magistrate's Court to evict the current occupants from the property. The first hearing on the matter is scheduled for February 22, 2018. Athena and the iPad Named after a Greek goddess, The Athena Fund was established in 2006 by Uri Ben-Ari as a nonprofit to empower Israel's teachers by providing them with tools for self-fulfillment and professional advancement. Earlier this week, Ben-Ari and Mayor Nir Barkat gave iPads, a gift of the Fund, to teachers in the schools for children with special needs. Some 463 teachers from all streams in the city education administration for special-needs children received the iPads to help them improve their teaching and promote new programs in those classes. Increased use of modern technology in all educational streams is envisioned by Barkat, who also holds the education portfolio at Safra Square. Tablets and laptops introduced in all of the city's schools in all sectors have become integral to education programs. Whose trees are they? Who decided to cut down many trees in the Ramot Forest, and why? A municipal spokesperson has explained that while the forest is the property of the Keren Kayemeth LeIsrael-Jewish National Fund (and not the city) the cutting down is being done in full coordination with the tree and forest administration at the municipality. Some recently felled trees have been identified as affected with disease, while others were stricken by last summer's fire there. “Affected trees do not always look diseased to non-professional eyes,” explained the spokesman. Some trees can be treated in order to save them; others are cut down if it is determined that they cannot recover either from infections or fire damage. Saving our home Youth from the Neveh Ya'acov neighborhood are waging a battle in reaction to a decision to build a synagogue on the roof of their center – “the Clubhouse.” Their concern is that a synagogue above them could reduce their freedom to hold activities during Shabbat and would lead, ultimately, to the closure of the club – the only youth club in the neighborhood. The club, which has existed for 20 years in that location, is active every day of the week, including weekends, and provides the only dedicated space for youth social activities. Most of the youth are observant or come from religious families, and as they remarked, they have nothing against a synagogue. They even added that they would be happy to complete a minyan (prayer quorum) if necessary – but fear that a haredi synagogue on the roof of their club is essentially a death sentence for their space. Most of the family members of the young protesters support of their decision and demonstrated with them at Safra Square earlier this week. In the name of the father On the fourth anniversary of the death of chief rabbi Ovadia Yosef, the local committee for naming of streets and squares in the city is likely to honor his name. Deputy Mayor Yael Antebi, president of the committee, raised the idea and the proposal was scheduled for discussion next Sunday (November 19), but the meeting was postponed for technical reasons. The initiative, explained Antebi, is in accord with all the rules: at least three years must pass since the person's death, the person was an important figure for the city and the family has expressed its agreement. In this particular case, it seems that not all Yosef family members initially shared the same view, but now there is unanimity and all hope that within a short time the square located at the entrance to the Shmuel Hanavi neighborhood – to this day considered a stronghold of the Shas movement's followers – will bear his name. Actually, the followers of Yosef are not waiting for the official decision to be announced; they have been calling the location “Kikar Maran” (“The Highest Rabbi Square) for a while already. Between sacred and secular In the coming week, the Jerusalem House of Quality is hosting a series of special events by and for haredi society: exhibitions, gallery talks, a party to celebrate the new Hebrew month (Kislev), artistic representations and on top of all, a series of dance programs by and for women only. The series will close on November 27 with a panel of haredi artists who will share their artistic views and experiences within haredi society. Entry is free of charge. An exquisite building that was once a hospital, the Jerusalem House of Quality at 12 Hebron Road offers workshops and studios for local artists. More details at www.artandemuna.org Sounds from Mevaseret The Mevaseret Choir performs its annual concert this week in Jerusalem today (Friday) at 1 p.m. and tomorrow evening at 8:30 at the YMCA hall. “Hear my Voice” features works by Mendelssohn and Buchenberg, based on the Psalms and the Christian tradition of the Mass. The Mevaseret Choir, celebrating its 25th anniversary this year, has 60 male and female singers, including residents of Jerusalem and surrounding communities. Gila Brill has conducted the choir across the country and abroad, most recently in 2015 in Hungary.
