By PEGGY CIDORBuildings in the Sha’arei Hessed neighborhood(photo credit: MARC ISRAEL SELLEM)Transparency, my loveCity council decided in 2013 to double the property tax (arnona) on “ghost apartments” – those properties belonging to owners who often live abroad and only spend a few days in them when they come to the city. The problem is identifying exactly those properties and their owners. Until now, the municipality has managed to identify only 1,400 such units, the increased taxes from which amount to NIS 10 million. But due to laws protecting the privacy and identity of some of the owners, only NIS 4m. of taxes have been collected.Last week, municipality representatives brought up the issue during a special committee about access to governmental information at the Knesset, and tried to obtain help in this endeavor.The committee debated how to change the policy, which could have a tremendous impact on the entire country’s housing market. According to the Knesset committee, no fewer than 50,000 ghost apartments have been identified across the country. The decision of the Knesset to double the tax on such properties has to be renewed by the end of this year, and municipal representatives at the committee have asked to change some of the rules, to provide more transparency about the owners.Run for the childrenThe fourth annual run for underprivileged children is kicking off next week, on November 30. Afikim, the only nonprofit founded by a haredi for the sake of non-haredi children and their families, is organizing the event to raise funds for its activities. Moshe Lefkowitz, an Alexander hassid, has devoted his life to reaching out to those who do not share his way of life, and helping them overcome difficulties in school and in finding a job. Despite being ultra-Orthodox, Lefkowitz does not hesitate in encouraging Afikim children to enlist in the IDF once they complete their studies.What is particularly important about Afikim is its holistic approach: Not only do participating children have difficulties in their studies – mostly in math and English – but the parents also experience social difficulties, often on account of their lack of contacts and knowledge of Hebrew. Enriching programs, like theater, concerts and dance classes, as well as tours around the city and country, are also part of Afikim’s program and provided to the children and their families.Afikim is officially recognized by the Education Ministry, and has eight centers in schools throughout Jerusalem as well as additional centers in other cities.The annual run, from Jerusalem to Eilat, is scheduled for November 30; supporters include Gila and Justin Rockman and Jason Gardner. The starting point is at the First Station (at 6 p.m.) and will be presided over by Knesset Speaker Yuli Edelstein and Jeff Kaye, the deputy president of the International Fellowship, one of Afikim’s largest sponsors. Fifty runners are set to participate, including Rabbi Benny Lau.For more information: www.run4afikim.orgIn Trump’s footsteps A routine meeting of the local planning and constructing committee at Safra Square ended earlier this week with a disgraceful remark from deputy mayor Itzhak Pindrus (United Judaism) toward city council member Laura Wharton (Meretz), the head (and sole) member of the opposition. The remark came following a decision of the committee, strongly supported by Wharton, not to approve a construction plan for the haredi sector in Ramat Shlomo, and several additional neighborhoods located beyond the Green Line. During the meeting, Pindrus mentioned that he voted for Trump (both Pindrus and Wharton are American citizens), and that the times when construction beyond the Green Line was problematic are over. The fact that US Vice President- elect Mike Pence is planning a visit within a few days to Jerusalem should not, according to Pindrus, change any construction plans in the territories. On the contrary, he said, president-elect Trump seems in favor of such plans. So far, these are political positions, but Pindrus added, quite viciously, that the times are changing. Addressing Wharton bluntly, he added that the glory days of Meretz women and of the Left are over as well.Bring it on Mayor Nir Barkat has successfully raised NIS 6 million from the Kraft family for the building of the Sportech center in the city. The initiative was part of an effort to make use (but also protect) the green lungs of the Arazim Valley, following the final decision not to build any residential housing there. The Sportech facility is planned to contain a multi-disciplinary center for familial and youth sports activities, and is scheduled to open in July 2017. The Jerusalem Foundation is part of the project.
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