Israel not alone
Who says that Israel is a nation that dwells alone? The Foreign Ministry can vouch for the fact that Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions, terrorism, incitement and a few other evils have failed to deter dignitaries from many countries from visiting Israel. In 2016, there were 322 visits by heads of state and government and by official delegations.
Next week, Jamaican Prime Minister is expected to arrive, as are the speakers of the Greek and Cypriot parliaments at the invitation of their Israeli counterpart, and in the week after that, Polish President
is scheduled to come on a state visit. There may also be some overseas visitors at the Knesset on January 16, to attend the Shimon Peres memorial session, which will pay tribute to Israel’s ninth president, who was the longest-serving legislator.
ANYONE WHO has visited the residence of the US ambassador cannot help but notice the art on the walls. Some of it is personal, reflecting the taste of the occupants of the day, but most of it is part of the US State Department’s Art in Embassies project, which helps to promote the art of both American and local artists in each country in which there is an American Embassy and/or Consulate. The works are displayed in both, as well as in official residences.
These cross-cultural exhibitions, by their very nature, are mostly temporary, but some are permanent and play an important role in public diplomacy and cultural exchanges. It’s not only the art itself but also the artists who engage in exchange programs and travel to their fellow artists’ countries to help foster greater mutual understanding. Professional curators and registrars create and ship to American consulates, embassies and residences approximately 60 exhibitions each year.
The American residence in Herzliya Pituah has an added art dimension in the variety of mezuzot on the doorposts collected by outgoing US Ambassador and his wife, Last Friday, Fisher hosted a reception to show off the art in the residence. It is not certain whether the Shapiros will take the mezuzot with them when they depart or leave them for incoming ambassador
who will be the fourth member of the Jewish faith to serve in the position in Israel. Besides Shapiro, the other two were
and
HER MANY friends and admirers thought that Romanian Ambassador was doing such a good job in Israel and that she spoke Hebrew so fluently that she would be stationed in Israel for years to come. But she’s leaving much sooner than anticipated, because she has been promoted and appointed Romania’s minister for diaspora affairs.
JUST OVER a week ago, it was reported that former Ashkenazi chief Rabbi had reached a plea bargain agreement with state prosecutors whereby he would plead guilty to some of the charges of corruption being leveled against him in exchange for a reduced prison sentence. Metzger stands accused of accepting more than $2 million in bribes and skimming from donations targeted for charitable causes. Metzger was arrested in 2013 toward the close of his 10-year term.
Metzger will not be the first Israeli rabbi to go to jail, but he will be the first to have served as chief rabbi – yet another first in the ranks of public figures such as former president former prime minister former finance
and minister past and present Interior Minister
Other ministers who served time include and MKs who’ve experienced life behind bars include
and A whole bunch of others were fined, given suspended sentences and ordered to do community service.
More than a half-dozen mayors and former mayors have also seen the inside of a jail cell. If all of the above could take their punishment and afterward succeeded in getting on with their lives after doing time,
can also take his punishment with grace and emerge a stronger human being afterward.
ALTHOUGH IT would appear that the political Left is all but passé, it should be remembered that politics, like anything else, moves in cycles. While the Right is currently in the forefront, the Left has not abandoned hope. Former Meretz leader
will speak on Sunday at the Jerusalem Press Club on “Challenges and Opportunities for Israel.” Needless to say, his perspective will be somewhat different from that of the current administration.
IT’S NOT every day that a contingent of intellectuals from Maghreb comes to Jerusalem to sit with Israelis of all stripes and faiths to dialogue and influence goodwill between people of Maghreb backgrounds, particularly Muslims and Jews from Arab lands and Israelis and Palestinians. This friendly dialogue, which represents a significant breakthrough in both political and religious relations in the region, will take place January 10-14 at various locations, including YMCA, the library in the Clal Building, and the North African Heritage Center in Jerusalem, and will culminate at the Yeshiva High School of Sderot.
The opening session will take place on Tuesday evening at the North African Heritage Center and NECHAMA RIVLIN unveils the cornerstone of the Negev’s first rehabilitation hospital to be built in the Aleh Negev-Nahalat Eran village. will be moderated by Dr.
the organizer of the conference, who will introduce
the key representative from Morocco, and Dr.
the chairman of Tikun Lehithadshut Pnei Hahevra V’hatarbut B’Israel, a movement for the renewal of society and culture in Israel. Buzaglo will speak on “The Maghreb Jewish Heritage beyond the writings of Bernard Lewis and Edward Said.”
The venue for the opening is significant in that this restored building is all that is left of what used to be the area of domicile of early immigrants from Morocco in Jerusalem. During the restoration process of the premises, expert craftsman were brought from Morocco to ensure the authenticity of the tiling and other traditional features.
ORIGINALLY, THE president’s schedule for last week called for both him and his wife, Nechama, to attend the cornerstone-laying ceremony for the Negev’s first rehabilitation hospital to be built in the Aleh Negev-Nahalat Eran village for people with physical and/or mental disabilities. who has a breathing problem, always takes her small oxygen tank with her wherever she goes, and did so again on this occasion. Her breathing disability gives her a special sensitivity toward anyone with any kind of disability. She stood in for the president, who suddenly had other obligations, and after the ceremony she made a point of touring the village to personally meet both adults and children who live there.
Rivlin characterized the village as being integral to the Zionist vision, in that the services it provides enables all of its residents to reach their individual full potential in the knowledge that they have not been discarded by society. She praised the devotion of the staff, in particular Maj.-Gen. (res.) who received the Israel Prize in recognition of his work for Aleh.
Almog said that the person who had been deserving of the Israel
GINDI TLV Fashion Week, which is eagerly anticipated by the fashionistas of Tel Aviv and beyond, was initially scheduled to be held January 29-February 2, but unfortunately that’s not going to happen. In late December, it was announced that the event would be held in conjunction with the 60th anniversary of Gottex.
The announcement listed a bunch of designers and brand names that would also be participating under the direction of veteran fashion show producer
Among them were and others.
The venue, for the fourth consecutive year, was to be the Gindi TLV Fashion Mall, which boasts the largest number of fashion boutiques under one roof in Israel. The event was also set to provide an opportunity for students and recent graduates of Shenkar College of Engineering, Design and Art to showcase their creativity alongside the creations of well-established designers. But less than two weeks later, organizers announced that for “technical reasons” which were not specified, Fashion Week would be delayed till March 12.
Still, every cloud has a silver lining. The weather in mid-March is likely to be much better than at the end of January, and in Tel Aviv one might even be able to wear summery clothes to the opening.