How can we imagine the colors, shapes and faces of what was the routine life of Jerusalemites more than 2,000 years ago?
By PEGGY CIDOR(From left) Itai Betsalel of the Company for the Reconstruction and Development of the Jewish Quarter, Deputy Mayor Meir Turgeman and Jerusalem Affairs Minister Ze’ev Elkin at the mosaic launch ceremony in the Cardo(photo credit: YACHATZ)Erez Biton effectShould cultural events involving Mizrahi heritage receive special budgets and support, or just be included in any cultural event, as an integrated way of emphasizing inclusiveness? This issue – evident during the aftermath of the recent report presented by poet Erez Biton to the Education Ministry on promoting Mizrahi culture and heritage – was raised earlier this week by city councilman Dov Kalmanovich (Bayit Yehudi). Kalmanovitch sent an urgent letter on the matter to the ministers of culture, sport and education, requesting an integrated approach to promoting inclusiveness, which he said is “the natural Israeli way to do it.”Instead of wasting time and money on raising the profile of Mizrahi culture alone, he said, we should opt for programs that broadly promote the values and cultures of Jewish communities and share them all, as Israelis. “We should combine piyutim and hazanut, Eastern and Western styles of Jewish culture, and not continue to separate paths until some equality is eventually obtained,” he concluded, asking the ministers to fund this option.Back on duty They disappeared a few months ago and are now back: the security guards on Jerusalem’s light rail and buses. Some of them remained on duty, mostly on buses, but since the foiled terrorist attack on July 17 at the light rail’s Jaffa Center station, the number of guards at stations and on board buses and the light rail has dramatically increased. This is part of a larger plan to significantly increase the number of police and guards on public transportation, as well as in the streets. The plan’s goal is attaining a high level of security everywhere in the city on a regular basis – with special emphasis on tourist hot spots and the city center – and not only as a temporary measure in the wake of terrorist plots or attacks.Construction permitsThe municipality is promoting a policy to grant residents who live along light rail routes (already existing and planned) more building rights. As of this year, construction permits along light rail routes will increase. This is the latest decision taken by the municipal planning and construction committee, chaired by Deputy Mayor Meir Turgeman. Turgeman is one of the strongest supporters of enhancing mass transportation for the city.The decision, taken last month, will allow building rights along the already existing Red Line, and the projected Blue and Green lines. Building permits are expected to jump by as much as 360% – although conservation limitations have to be taken into consideration. High-ranking committee officials said such limits do not apply to the neighborhoods constructed after 1967, since they are not part of the “historic city” where conservation aims are in effect.French dreams Always dreamed of speaking French? Do you hope to read the menu at the coffee shop on the Champs-Élysées during your next visit to Paris? The French Institute (L’Institut français de Jérusalem – Romain Gary), located at 9 Safra Square, can help you realize your French dreams. A few more spots are open for an intensive summer course, with small class sizes and an attractive price. With a high turnout in July and now running into August, the course aims to give participants the tools to hold a conversation in French and enjoy the aromas of French culture, here and abroad. For more information, contact Hannah at (02) 625- 5831.Artists with special needs“To paint from the soul” is the name of an exhibition set to open on August 1 at the cinematheque. It displays the creations of autistic residents of the village of Kfar Shimon, located in the Eila Valley. Eleven artists with various levels of special needs live in the village and produce artwork following their own pathways of expression and creativity.All the paintings will be on sale after the exhibition, which will run through August. The proceeds will go toward enhancing and supporting the tremendously important social work done with the residents. For more details on artistic projects at Kfar Shimon, on the daily life of the residents and on the exhibition, call Dalia at 054-301-8938.Jerusalem of mosaicsHow can we imagine the colors, shapes and faces of what was the routine life of Jerusalemites more than 2,000 years ago? Imagination is of course a good way to start, but when artistic skills and some vision are added and joined in a common effort, the results may become really awesome. That is what is happening these days in the Old City – more precisely in the Cardo, the Roman street reconstituted in the heart of the Jewish Quarter. The effort began earlier this past week, on Monday morning, with the unveiling of nine mosaics reconstituting what stores along the Cardo looked like in those days and how they operated. Artist Dudu Harel worked with a team of experts employing drawing, painting and mosaic art to bring the mosaics back to life for the benefit of locals and visitors.According to the municipality and the Company for the Reconstruction and Development of the Jewish Quarter, about two million visitors a year explore this important spot in the life of the city. Many participated in the project, including the Jerusalem Foundation and the Jerusalem Affairs Ministry. The launch ceremony of the new project ended with Jerusalem Affairs Minister Ze’ev Elkin revealing the 10th mosaic – a reconstitution of the Madeba Mosaic of the city of Jerusalem during the Byzantine epoch, which is located in Jordan.
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