NORTH Israel Railways announced Sunday that Nahariya and Acre stations would be closed for safety concerns. Trains heading from north to south therefore started at Kiryat Motzkin. The decision was made after a routine check carried out at Israel Military Industries (Rafael) facilities containing dangerous substances discovered a possible chemical leak. Other lines operated as usual and Israel Railways put on shuttle buses between the closed stations. IR apologized to the public for the inconvenience. In a statement, IMI said that “during a routine check of one of our facilities, we discovered an 'uncharacteristic feature.' In order to ensure the highest levels of safety, we have decided to close off the areas and send employees home. The matter is being dealt with and we have coordinated our moves with the highest authorities.” Northern book-lending initiative continues between schools The Education Ministry in the northern district said this week that it will continue a book-loaning scheme in the next school year, according to the Local website. Northern district director Orna Simhon was quoted by the Local website as saying: “The educational book-loaning project for the year 5776 is an important social and pedagogical process which advances social justice and equality. This is an important step to close gaps and strengthen equal opportunities for students in the public education system in general and specifically in the northern peripheries.” The project allows students in the district to receive a set of books, regardless of their socioeconomic background, and saves parents from having to dole out cash repeatedly for textbooks. Northern District spokesman David Gorali noted that over the past year, 227 schools took part in the book-lending program and this number is expected to grow in the coming year. CENTER Construction worker injured in fall from roof A construction worker fell from the roof of a building in the industrial zone in Petah Tikva on Sunday morning, United Hatzalah reported. Emergency rescue volunteers provided him with initial treatment at the scene, and he was then taken to The Rabin Medical Center-Beilinson Campus for continued treatment. SOUTH Canadian UIA president visits Sderot The president of the Jewish Federations of Canada-United Israel Appeal, Linda Kislowicz, visited Sderot last week in a round of visits conducted by the Foundation's partners in Israel. Other towns and areas involved were Eilat, Beersheba, Kiryat Shmona, the Upper Galilee and Bat Yam. The president began her visit at a kindergarten where she received a warm welcome by the children, who presented her with an album of their drawings. Kislowicz spoke with the parents, staff and the children themselves to gain insight into how the fund's project impacts upon young families who live in the city and those considering relocating to Sderot. After her visit to the kindergarten, Kislowicz met with Mayor Alon Davidi to discuss his vision for the city and the continued partnership between Sderot and communities in Canada. Kislowicz promised to examine the option of building partnerships between Sderot and small communities in Canada, in addition to the partnership with Toronto which began in 2007 and took a giant leap after Operation Protective Edge. She invited Davidi for a visit in Canada in November to advance matters related to the partnership. Following their meeting in his office, Kislowicz paid a visit to the community center, where she met youth representatives. The UIA fund has supported the children and youth of Sderot over the past eight years out of the belief that the city's future and hope lies with the youngsters. The youth director described to Kislowicz the importance of the fund's activities for them, their role during last summer's war and how routine activities give them the strength and ability to function as an “urban auxiliary force” during times of emergency. Kislowicz expressed satisfaction with the progress she saw in the city, saying: “This was my first visit to the city and I'm glad to see the city in full swing, with discourse on its development, despite the many problems.” The fund has committed, for the next four years, to continue investing in the STE program to develop mathematical thinking and promote education in science, technology, English and math for all grade levels in Sderot's school system with an investment of NIS 1 million a year. In addition, the foundation is investing some NIS 1m. a year in the field of youth and children, providing scholarships and advancing the field of sport. Eilat names section of Route 12 'Beersheba Way' in gesture to Negev's capital A section of Route 12 in the jurisdiction of the city of Eilat was inaugurated in a ceremony held last week in the presence of Beersheba Mayor Rubik Danilovich and Eilat Mayor Meir Yitzhak Halevi. “The roots between the city of Beersheba as the capital of the Ne - gev begin in Eilat. Thus, it is natural and appropriate that the western entrance to Eilat will be called the Beersheba Way, Halevi said. He added that the connection between the two cit - ies is the realization of the vision of David Ben-Guri - on. The decision to call the new road linking the two cities by its new name was approved unanimously by the street names committee and the city council. Danilovich praised the decision and thanked Ha - levi for the gesture. “This is wonderful news and a courteous gesture to the metropolitan city and its residents.” Route 12 is a road in the southern Negev that sur - rounds the Eilat Mountains from the west and north and connects Eilat with Route 10 and Route 40, which lead to the center of the country. The highway is 71 kilometers long. The circumstances of the accident were under investigation. Pedestrian dies after being hit by car A 44-year-old pedestrian died on Sunday after being run over by a private vehicle next to Beit Dagan junction. United Hatzalah volunteers arrived at the scene to find the woman fatally injured after being hit by a car when she tried to cross the pedestrian crossing. Paramedics pronounced the woman dead at the scene. A boy who was in the car was also treated at the scene and evacuated to the hospital in good condition. Police launched an investigation into the incident. Young International Artist winner to exhibit her work at TA ArtPort Winner of the 2015 Young International Artist Award, Ohio-born Hinda Weiss, will present her video work at Tel Aviv's ArtPort on Tuesday. The award was created by the Outset Contemporary Art Fund Israel and the Tel Aviv Arts Council, which seek to further their organizational missions “to strengthen and celebrate the creative culture of Israel.” The organizations plan to join together each year to support, highlight, and honor a young Israeli-based artist who was not born in Israel and who explores the roles of various cultures and perspectives in creating an authentic Israeli creative voice. Specifically, the award's grant will be used by the honoree to create a gallery show of original works at a nonprofit artistic institution. Weiss's award-winning video “Postcard From Tel Aviv” will be followed by a private tour of the studios at ArtPort. ArtPort Tel Aviv, at 55 Ben-Zvi Street, is the new art arena of The Center for Young Art, a nonprofit organization founded by Jason Arison, chairman of The Ted Arison Family Foundation. ArtPort strives to be a home for emerging artists, a place that could represent the turning point in the lives of talented artists and serve as a platform for an alternative artistic dialogue between the local contemporary art scene, international organizations and independent artists worldwide. The Young International Artist Award includes a grant toward original work in a public/nonprofit showing; local and international public relations and marketing assistance; and exposure in the young international arts community in Israel.
(photo credit: MARC ISRAEL SELLEM/THE JERUSALEM POST)Updated: Read More