Israel Non Profit News » Jerusalem

Tower of David Museum Project Promotes Tolerance Among Children

Pamela Deutsch — Tue, 03 Aug 2010 07:29:57 +0000

An Enchanted City is a ground-breaking program created by the Tower of David Museum that promotes tolerance among children from a very young age. Geared towards Jewish, Muslim and Christian kindergarten children, the program focuses on the special character of Jerusalem which makes it magical for all children. An original fable tells about an enchanted city and emphasizes that children who do not share the same language, customs or religion, in fact share much more than they realize. By focusing on the similarities as well as the differences among them, the children become aware that they share common ancestors and roots.

This pilot program was created with the support of the Jerusalem Foundation. With help from supporters of the Museum, we hope to expand the program to include children throughout the city. The program is also being tailored for religious and secular kindergartens to foster tolerance among them.

Tower of David – Museum of the History of Jerusalem

Pamela Deutsch — Mon, 12 Apr 2010 06:48:22 +0000

The Tower of David Museum strives to offer everyone the opportunity to better understand the history of Jerusalem and its significance. The Museum is committed to reaching out to impact on groups who may not otherwise be able to visit by making access available to all and by creating programs which answer the needs of underserved communities.

The Museum creates special programs for groups which include schoolchildren with special needs, children and youth at risk, and a unique program for young soldiers in the Israeli Defense Forces. Special courses for young people teach them to be junior guides in the Museum. The Museum also hosts new immigrant groups and populations from the geographic and cultural periphery who are not usually exposed to either the Museum or the legacy of Jerusalem.

One of the goals of the Museum is to be receptive to the interests of diverse communities and so we create group-specific programs for varied populations.For example, special programs which respect cultural differences are offered to Ultra-Orthodox Jewish groups and programs are offered to Arab visitors..

Working together with local authorities, organizations and business groups, the Tower of David Museum hopes to continue to serve and involve the community.

Ethiopian Jews Realize their Jerusalem Dream

Pamela Deutsch — Mon, 12 Apr 2010 06:43:58 +0000

The Jerusalem Dream project has been a rewarding experience at the Tower of David. It has successfully focused on the significance of Jerusalem to the Ethiopian community and has helped to preserve that heritage. Graduates of the first guiding course for young Ethiopian Israelis have taken more than 20 groups of new and veteran Ethiopian immigrants from all over Israel through the exhibit halls of the Museum. These very special tours emphasize the connection between Ethiopian traditions and the city of Jerusalem. The response of the Ethiopian community has been both enthusiastic and moving as elders of the community come together with the young generation torenew their ties to the city. This year, the program has again received funding through the Jerusalem Foundation and will continue by offering a second guiding course beginning this month. A film that documents the unique human aspects of the program can be viewed here.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Festival BeShekel’s Wraps Up Another Successful Summer

Pamela Deutsch — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 07:09:38 +0000

21,000 people attended three festival’s in Israel’s periphery; enjoying a community cultural experience in Gilboa, Jerusalem`s neighborhood Katamonim, and Lod. Each festival was produced in cooperation with a “Cultural Leaders group” made up of local youth, led by our organization`s peer mentors, and in cooperation with the local council or municipality. It was a thrilling experience to see cultural Jewish-Arab cooperation come to life for the first time in these communities.

Each festival was a happening for the whole family. At the beginning of the evening, young children and parents enjoyed creative workshops, drum circles and “Loftgisheft” street theater. During the remainder of the evening, everyone enjoyed the performances put on by the best local and national talents.

On 30 June, the Festival took place at the Harod Spring National Park; 2009`s first Festival BeShekel. About 9,000 people enjoyed the spectacular festival for the affordable coast of a symbolic one Shekel. The event in Gilboa was our first ever Jewish-Arab Festival. It was a tremendous success, drawing one of our biggest audiences ever.

On 6 July, the Festival took place in Jerusalem`s Katamonim neighborhood, at the Elmaliach Park. About 7,000 attended the event. Artistic Director Shaanan Streett noted “The festivals bring a family atmosphere and allow everyone to participate. I saw three different generations enjoying the event, having walked from nearby buildings and homes.”

On 8 July, the final Festival took place in the municipal Gandhi Park, in Lod. Some 6,000 people attended the festival, produced together with the “Cultural Leaders” group – Jewish and Arab youth from Lod.