By PEGGY CIDORChabad School in Ir Ganim 521(photo credit: Flash 90)Class president President Shimon Peres opened the school year, accompanied by Mayor Nir Barkat, at the Chabad elementary school in Ir Ganim. Peres shook the hands of the excited young pupils on their first day in the education system and led them through the courtyard to their classrooms. The children seemed very impressed as they listened to the president deliver strong encouragement for them to study seriously in order to succeed in life.“Those who won’t study, won’t develop,” Peres said, adding that he and the mayor loved all the children. He concluded by wishing them to be “good citizens and excellent pupils.”Part of the visit was held under a canopy made of prayer shawls, which were distributed to the children on their first day at school.The president didn’t miss the opportunity to stand under the canopy with the pupils for a while. Although the school is run by the Chabad movement, it is a state religious school. The president had requested to visit the school because it has many students from Ethiopia, whom he wanted to meet.The more classrooms the better There has been a substantial increase in registration for state schools and kindergartens. As a result, for the first time in more than a decade, additional classes will open in the state stream, both secular and religious. This year, 19 classes – seven secular and 12 religious – have been added to the state kindergartens in new and old neighborhoods. As for elementary schools, six new first-grade classes have been added in various schools. In east Jerusalem, 42 new first-grade classrooms have been built for this school year.In general terms 9,510 pupils will study in state kindergartens this year (compared to 8,882 last year), and 4,763 students will start first grade (compared to 3,537 last year).The Education Department at the municipality sees these figures as a clear message that the residents have confidence in the state education system and believes it is an indication that fewer young families are considering leaving the city.Eco park A project to upgrade Independence Park and turn it into a center for art, entertainment and leisure was launched this week.The municipality, together with the Jerusalem Development Authority and the Moriah and Eden companies, will invest NIS 10 million in developing the park. The project, which will take about eight months to complete, will include an eco-friendly coffee shop that will produce green energy, as well as sports facilities, a playground and an infrastructure for cultural events and performances.Secular stance If you don’t observe the requirements of religion strictly, does that mean you are not connected to your traditions? Not so sure, thinks Dr. Gideon Katz, a senior staff member of the Ben-Gurion Institute in the Negev. This week at Yad Ben- Zvi he will launch his new book, On the Matter of Secularism, which suggests that being secular is perhaps a modern way to be observant. The institution, which published the book, promotes studies in Jewish history and culture. The issue of secularism in a society with a large number of traditional Jews is the focus of the book’s research.Among other questions to be discussed are the issue of the influence of Zionism on Judaism and whether this encounter has created a new form of traditionalist secularism.The launch takes place on Thursday at 6 p.m. at Yad Ben- Zvi, 12 Abarbanel Street. Info: 539-8833.Civilian service and studies It is already a year since the law regulating civilian service instead of army duty was passed. Until now, only residents of the periphery were entitled to a tuition-free year of university studies as a mean to encourage this duty. Jerusalem is not included in this arrangement, but that may change due to the large number of people living below the poverty line in the city.Sar-Shalom Jerbi, the general manager of the national civilian service unit at the Prime Minister’s Office, asked Deputy Minister Gila Gamliel (Likud) to promote the proposal. Starting at the end of October, local residents who have completed full national civilian service and want to study at university will be entitled to an attractive package deal that includes no tuition fees for the first year of university and other benefits.Holistic benefit The annual benefit sale on behalf of the Yuri Shtern Holistic Center will take place on Friday at the Beit Yehudit community center (ICCC), 12 Emek Refaim, between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. The sale will feature designer clothing, children’s clothes, accessories, jewelry, flowers, music and food.
The annual event is held to raise funds for the Holistic Center, which helps people and their families dealing with cancer. Yuri Shtern was an MK who battled cancer through natural and holistic ways, such as healthy nutrition, massage and a spiritual approach to the disease.On the right track Hamesila Park, the new green area along the old railway tracks, was inaugurated on Sunday in the presence of Mayor Nir Barkat, the director-general of the Jerusalem Development Authority, Moti Hazan, residents and guests. Barkat said that the park is part of a list of projects designed to make the city a a better place for its residents. He also mentioned the planned upgrading of Independence Park and the refurbishment of the old railway station.Hamesila Park is the result of close cooperation between residents and the authorities, after a group of residents of the neighborhood decided to wage a struggle against the original plan to build a highway there. The park is a phase of a larger project to build bicycle paths around the city.
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