Spring 2012 Newsletter

APRIL 2012
NEWSLETTER
THE TEL AVIV-YAFO
FOUNDATION
‫יפו תשע"ב‬-‫שנת האמנות תל–אביב‬
Tel Aviv
Art Year 2012
Dear Friends,
I wish to extend my heartfelt wishes to you and your families this
Passover. For me, this holiday bears a special meaning. Passover
represents a transformation in the life of our people: it is the moment
when our ancestors– a tribal society of slaves– became a nation and
adopted a moral way of life. In their journey from Egypt to the
Promised Land, the ancient Hebrews accepted new values that were
not part of their previous lives: liberty and freedom, respect for all,
and compassion towards the weak and needy. These ideals became
the backbone of our society, and eventually spread around the world
to become the basis of Western civilization as a whole.
When we look at your work through the Tel Aviv-Yafo Foundation today, we see that it reflects the exact same moral values
that our ancestors adopted thousands of years ago. Your ongoing commitment and devotion allow us to care for the Tel
Avivians who are most at risk: Holocaust survivors, new immigrants from Ethiopia, seniors, children, and underprivileged
citizens.
At the same time, the Foundation’s innovative programs and institutions nurture the next generation of Israeli scientists and
entrepreneurs. Through educational programs, community centers, and schools, we ensure that Israel continues to be the
world’s “Startup Nation.”
I would like to take this opportunity to personally thank you for your ongoing support. Your partnership with the Tel AvivYafo Foundation has helped turn dreams into realities which have had a positive impact on the lives of all our residents.
These new projects are a source of great pride for us. This year, Tel Aviv-Yafo opened 3 new cultural institutions: a beautiful
new museum, a new wing to our Cinematheque, and a renovated Habima Theatre. To mark this triple celebration, we have
declared 2012 as Art Year! I hope you find the opportunity to visit us and experience Tel Aviv’s exciting new cultural scene.
Chag Sameach!
Ron Huldai
Mayor of Tel Aviv-Yafo and
International Chairman of the Tel Aviv-Yafo Foundation
THE TEL AVIV-YAFO FOUNDATION NEWSLETTER
Letter From Zvi Kanor
Dear Friends,
I would like to take this opportunity to express my appreciation for your ongoing support of
the Tel Aviv-Yafo Foundation. Through our partnership, Foundation projects continue a
tradition of encouraging our talented, supporting our needy, and bolstering the academic
opportunities for the residents of Tel Aviv-Yafo. Conjointly, we continue to solidify the
unbreakable bond between Israel and the Diaspora.
In 2012-13, the Tel Aviv-Yafo Foundation will focus much of its fund-raising efforts
on education. One of our primary objectives will be to establish 40 of the 200 new
kindergartens urgently needed to accommodate the sudden and significant influx of
young parents and children who have moved into our Tel Aviv-Yafo neighborhoods.
These educational facilities enable strong academic beginnings for our children and
provide a safe haven while their parents are at work or seeking employment
The Rosh Pina Kindergarten,
one of the many kindergartens
we hope to fund this year
opportunities to elevate their impoverished economic situation.
Another focal area will be our ongoing Hemda campaign. With the addition of several
scientific laboratories to the recently completed third floor expansion, Hemda, Tel
Aviv’s unique science education center for the gifted, continues to be a beacon of
academic excellence. This project is a top priority, as these students go forward to
make landmark contributions to Israel’s medical and high tech industries. Equally
essential is the contribution these students make to the IDF’s R&D units, for it is here
The State-Of-The-Art
Hemda Science Education Center
that their scientific know-how is put to use developing the kind of equipment and
programs that Israel will need to protect itself from new cyberspace threats.
If you have recently had the opportunity to visit the Tel Aviv-Yafo Foundation web site (www.telavivfoundation.org)
you would have undoubtedly noticed some exciting new changes. Our new user-friendly site features state-of-the-art
graphics, an updated overview of our current projects and an interactive map that geographically locates all past,
present and future projects. The site also links to both our Facebook and Twitter accounts from which you can receive
the latest news regarding our Foundation. So go ahead and “like” our page and begin “following” our tweets.
I would like to end my remarks by wishing you and your families a Happy Pesach, by thanking you once again for
your support and by extending an invitation to each and every one of you to visit us in Tel Aviv in the near future.
Together we are a formidable force, a force that is truly making a difference.
Sincerely,
Zvi Kanor
Director General
‫יפו תשע"ב‬-‫שנת האמנות תל–אביב‬
Tel Aviv
Art Year 2012
The Marc Rich Israel Cinema Center
The Dedication Ceremony for the Tel Aviv Cinematheque: Marc Rich Israel Cinema Center was hosted on January
16, 2012. The ceremony was given by the Tel Aviv-Yafo Foundation and attended by over 600 guests including:
President Shimon Peres, Limor Livnat (Israel’s Minister of Culture and Sport), Mayor Ron Huldai, foreign
ambassadors, and donor Marc Rich and his family.
Cinematic film, art and culture will be made accessible to Israeli audiences of all ages at the Cinematheque. Locals
and visitors will be able to enjoy annual film festivals, cinematic competitions, independent productions, and global
feature films screened for the public. In addition, the Center will serve as the national headquarters for all of Israel’s
cinematic guilds.
The Uzi Peres Cinema Hall Inauguration
UZI PERES
1951-1992
Uzi Peres was born in Geneva on February 21, 1951. He studied at Ironi Dalet High School in Tel Aviv and served
as an officer in the Israeli army. Uzi majored in film at the Tel Aviv University and then continued his studies at the
New Sorbonne in Paris.
Uzi directed both short and feature length films, many of which received recognition at international film festivals.
In 1977 he became a founding member of the Young Israeli Cinema Group. Here, he worked tirelessly to change
institutional attitude towards Israeli cinema. Uzi perished in a plane crash in Katmandu on July 31, 1992. To
commemorate his passion for film, Uzi’s family donated the Uzi Peres Cinema Hall at the Cinematheque. Uzi’s
uncle President Shimon Peres attended the dedication ceremony
YOU MAKE A DIFFERENCE!
*** DEDICATION CEREMONIES ***
Joe Boat Dedication
On November 8, 2011, The Sea Scouts of Yafo received a gift of a new boat for their fleet. The "Joe Boat”, named after
the late Professor Joseph (Joe) Yaffe, was donated to the Scouts by Professor Yaffe's widow, Gabi El’ Noam Yaffe.
The boat was officially handed over to the Scouts in a moving ceremony that was attended by Mayor Huldai, donor Gabi
El’Noam Yaffe, Tel Aviv-Yafo Foundation Director General Zvi Kanor, Israeli Sea Scout leaders, the Yafo troop and their
friends and relatives.
Professor Joseph Yaffe was a founding member of the Weizmann Institute’s Optics Department. Later, he served on the
board of Israel’s Peace and Security Council and represented Israel at many international events. Joe loved the sea and
lived in Yafo near the port.
The Sea Scouts of Yafo were founded in 1957 within the framework of the General Scouts of Tel Aviv-Yafo. The Yafo
Sea Scout Troop (one of eight Sea Scout troops in Israel) is distinguished by the fact that it has a mixed Arab-Jewish
demographic. The troop meets seven days a week; over 100 of its 250 members are defined as at-risk youth. Having a
safe haven to go to provides these teens with an alternative activity to life on the streets.
Mayor Huldai and Zvi Kanor present a plaque to Mrs. Yaffe
Mrs. Yaffe with leaders of the Yafo Sea Scouts
OUR PARTNERS IN SUCCESS!
Dedication of the Ira & Diana Riklis Family
Multi-Purpose Science, Art, Library and Resource Center
On October 25, the Riklis family dedicated the Ira &
Diana Riklis Family Multi-Purpose Science, Art,
Library and Resource Center at the Hagalil Elementary
School. The dedication ceremony gave students the
opportunity to display their talents and express their
gratitude for the wonderful new facility. The school's
350 students will now be able to benefit from this multi
-purpose facility, which houses:
The Elan Yehuda Library and Resource Center
The Liora Yehudit Art Center
The Zachary Pinchas Science Center
The Avi First Grade Classroom
and The Ayelet Tova Second Grade Classroom
THE RIKLIS FAMILY IN FRONT OF THE NEW MULTI-PURPOSE
FACILITY GENEROUSLY DONATED TO THE HAGALIL SCHOOL
This remarkable family has donated 10 projects to the
City of Tel Aviv-Yafo; changing countless lives!
** IRA AND DIANA RIKLIS AWARDED BENEFACTORS OF THE CITY**
Mayor Ron Huldai was proud to bestow upon Ira and Diana Riklis the title of Benefactors, the highest award
given by the Mayor to individuals who have played significant roles in promoting education, welfare, art, and
the environment. They are the 14th recipients of this title from the Diaspora in the history of Tel Aviv.
The Mayor publically acknowledged Ira and Diana’s generosity and spoke of all the ways in which they have
positively affected the City of Tel Aviv-Yafo. For several decades now, this remarkable family has been at the
forefront of municipal development: building kindergartens, libraries, daycares and home environment
centers in several low income neighborhoods with the goal of improving the lives of Israel’s younger
generation, one child at a time.
IMPACTING OUR FUTURE!
*** DEDICATION CEREMONIES***
Dedication of the Nathan Hevrony Computer Center
The Nathan Hevrony Computer Center was officially dedicated at the Itamar Ben Avi School on October 3,
2011. The ceremony was highly emotional as children, teachers and school principal thanked Nathan and his
family for their generosity.
The majority of the Itamar Ben Avi elementary school’s 300 students come from low income families. The
school’s challenge is to build bridges among varied populations, encourage academic excellence in science and
humanities, and teach social and life skills needed to develop strong citizens. The computer center supports the
school’s curriculum and provides the students with professional, social and technological proficiencies needed
to mold them into productive adults with creative and analytical thinking skills.
Thanks to Mr. Hevrony's donation, the Itamar Ben Avi School is now equipped with a state-of-the-art mobile
computer lab. The 20 mobile laptops with a special portable charging device allow the computer lab to be
moved from class to class, offering accessibility to all students and members of staff. This is extremely
important as many of the students do not have access to computers in their homes. The Nathan Hevrony
Computer Center will provide them the opportunity to keep up with their counterparts from more affluent
neighborhoods.
THE TEL AVIV-YAFO FOUNDATION IS CHANGING LIVES!
NEW SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM STRENGTHENS
TEL AVIV-YAFO’S DISADVANTAGED NEIGHBORHOODS
The Tel Aviv-Yafo Foundation is administering an
exciting new scholarship program, which, in its
first year of operation, is already proving to be a
win-win proposition for both students in Tel AvivYafo and the Municipality. Designed to encourage
demographic revitalization of disadvantaged
neighborhoods, this innovative new program offers
degree seeking students at Tel Aviv University and
the Academic College of Tel Aviv-Yafo the
equivalent of their yearly tuition (NIS 9600 per
year) to take up residence in the low-income communities of Schunat Ha’Tikva, Neve Sha’anan and East Yafo. In
addition, students who receive these scholarships agree to perform up to 100 hours of community service in the
neighborhoods where they live. The 120 students who received residential scholarships in the past year are already
making a significant positive impact in their new communities. Long-time residents are pleased with the regentrification process that is occurring due to the students’ presence and with the social action projects that are
being initiated. Due to the success of the program, it is estimated that in 2012-13 the number of residential
scholarships allocated will be doubled.
This 12 million NIS three-year program is a welcome complement to the Tel Aviv-Yafo Foundation’s already
existing scholarship funds, which award tuition fees to financially-challenged students studying for their bachelor
degrees at institutions of higher education and to talented teens who want to pursue careers in music, visual, plastic
and theatre arts.
Providing Food and Festivity to the Needy this Passover Holiday
Tel Aviv-Yafo Foundation Board Member Joseph Bar-Natan continues his
generosity towards the most needy residents of our city this Passover
holiday season by distributing 700 food baskets to residents in the greater
Tel Aviv-Yafo area. This is the 10th year that Mr. Bar-Natan is hosting
1,000 underprivileged residents of Tel Aviv-Yafo for the Passover Seder.
We commend Joseph for everything he continues to do for the residents of
Tel Aviv-Yafo through our Foundation.
TOP PRIORITY PROJECT!
THE HEMDA SCIENCE CENTER IN TEL AVIV
The future of science, medicine, and technology…. starts today!
Today, Israel proudly stands as a world leader in science, medicine and technology. There is, however, much more
that needs to be done. New medical cures must be discovered, new technology invented and new protection against
cyber warfare developed.
Hemda, is a one-of-a-kind academic facility led by an elite team of educators who come from Israel’s top universities
and research centers. The mission of the Hemda program is to provide advanced science education to gifted high
school students, regardless of their socioeconomic or religious background. These students have the unique
opportunity to study physics, chemistry and computational science at an advanced level with the goal of building the
new cadre of scientists who will, in the near future, staff IDF’s Research & Development units, teach at academic
institutions and lead the State of Israel and the world into the future.
SECURING ISRAEL’S FUTURE THROUGH ZIONISM AND SCIENCE
At this time, it cannot be overemphasized how essential it is
to recruit young scientific minds into the Israel Defence
Forces in order to protect the citizens of Israel against the new
threat of cyber warfare. Until recently, Israel’s main security
threats came from both land and air. Today, the situation has
changed and hackers and computer guided missiles have
become powerful enemies. It is of vital importance for Israel
to retain strategic leverage and not leave itself open or
vulnerable. New recruits with expertise in physics, chemistry
and computer science are a necessity.
Your opportunity to support Israel's brightest study chemistry,
physics, and computational sciences as they prepare to lead us
into the future is here. Opportunities to sponsor a laboratory,
sponsor a class, or receive naming rights to the building are
currently available.
*** Your Opportunity to Make A Difference ***
AROUND THE WORLD
ISRAEL
The Tel Aviv-Yafo Foundation
City Hall, Yitzhak Rabin Square
Tel Aviv 64612
Israel
Phone: +972-3-521-8115
Fax: +972-3-527-9589
Run, and Bring Your Cause with You
Why run alone when you can run for a cause? The staff of the
Tel Aviv Marathon (held March 30th) and the Tel Aviv-Yafo
Foundation teamed up for a novel fundraising challenge.
Previously, the London Marathon and New York Marathon
have both been successful venues for fundraising, and we saw
this race as a wonderful opportunity to make a difference in the
lives of residents here in Tel Aviv, Israel. Runners had the
opportunity to register on an individual fundraising web site and
select one of our numerous projects to support. Projects
included: Café Europa for Holocaust Survivors, enrichment
corners for our kindergartens, computer labs for our schools,
therapeutic services and equipment for those in need and more.
A special thank you to Leumi Card (of Bank Leumi), for their
wonderful donation of $35,000 towards musical instruments for
underprivileged students at the Janice Levin Music Center.
United States
Léonore Haskell
American Committee for the Tel Aviv-Yafo Foundation
1201 Broadway, Suite 802
New York, NY 10001
Phone: +1-212-447-6070
Fax: +1-212-447-9211
[email protected]
Comedian Freddie Roman entertaining guests at the High Ridge
Country Club
Chairmen Bernard & Carol Kossar accepting gift from
Mayor Huldai and Meggie Navon
Palm Beach/Boca Raton Friends Gala Dinner
Friends and supporters of the Tel Aviv-Yafo Foundation attended a gala dinner in honor of Mayor Ron Huldai on
February 4th, 2012 in Palm Beach, Florida. Chairmen Bernard & Carol Kossar, co-chairs Reuven & Natalie Blank,
and David & Dale Pratt were joined by over 100 guests, who enjoyed great food and company, and were entertained
by noted comedian, Freddie Roman. The event raised money for the establishment of a new kindergarten on Yehuda
Ha’nassi Street, which will educate 70 children, ages 3-6. The new kindergarten will provide extended hours to help
support working parents. The complex will have modern facilities and equipment, including a new kitchen, bathroom,
computer stations, educational materials and a yard with new playground equipment.
Bernie’s and Carol’s wonderful relationship with the Tel Aviv-Yafo Foundation began in the early 1990’s with then
Mayor Chich Lahat. Bernie, who has been a valued Board Member ever since, started his philanthropic endeavors by
building with his brother-in-law the Kossar-Karetzky Senior Citizen Center, followed by the beautiful Park for the
Two in Yafo. Thanks to their remarkable vision and leadership, Bernie and Carol gathered an amazing group of
individuals to create the Palm Beach and Boca Raton Friends of Tel Aviv-Yafo. The kindergarten on Yehuda
Ha’nassi Street will be the fifth kindergarten, and fifteenth project, established by this wonderful group. Mayor
Huldai remarked at the event, “The kindergarten that will be built as a result of your generosity will have an important
role in our future...You will directly affect the lives of these children who hopefully, one day, will become the new
academic and scientific leaders of Israel.” He went on to say, “The responsibility for the future of the Jewish people is
shared between you – and us. Only through education we will be able to ensure this common goal. I am grateful to
you for your dedication to our mutual future.” Mayor Huldai thanked the Kossars in particular, for their long-time
support of Tel Aviv. “Bernie and Carol, you have made a tremendous impact on the city of Tel Aviv through your
many projects and by helping rally the Palm Beach-Boca Raton community. Countless individuals, from children to
seniors, have been impacted by your support. Tel Aviv has been blessed by your incredible generosity.” In return,
Bernie Kossar praised the Mayor and the Tel Aviv-Yafo Foundation’s dollar-for-dollar matching program: “I like and
trust the people I am dealing with at the Tel Aviv-Yafo Foundation and I like the structure of the deal.” For Bernie
Kossar, being able to choose exactly which of our projects to commit to has been one of the main reasons he has
supported the Tel Aviv-Yafo Foundation for over 20 years.
More Photographs from the WONDERFUL
Palm Beach/Boca Raton Friends Gala Dinner
Co-chairs Reuven & Natalie Blank with Mayor Huldai
Harold & Valerie Joels—long-time supporters of the
Bialik Rogozin School
Mayor Huldai, co-chairs David and Dale Pratt, Bernard Kossar, Meggie
Navon and Valerie Kossar
Mayor Huldai addressing the crowd
CANADA
Marra Messinger
The Canadian Committee for the Tel Aviv-Yafo
Foundation
330 Dupont Street, 2nd floor
Toronto, ON M5R 1V9
Canada
Phone: +1-888-956-0003
In the past year, the Canadian Committee for the Tel Aviv Foundation
(CCTAF) has been concentrating its efforts on raising funds for
Hemda, Tel Aviv’s unique science education center. The purpose of
this fund-raising drive is to ensure that the next generation of Israelis is
intellectually and technologically prepared to face the business and
security challenges of the 21st century. CCTAF would like to thank
Paul Wynn, Jeff Wynn, Mark Stein, Harry Bloomfield, The Bluma
Appel Community Trust and Gabi Weisfeld for sponsoring new
classes at Hemda. CCTAF would also like to thank Paul Wynn, Jay
Lefton, Renette Berman, Brenda Proulx, Mike Diamond, Karen
Goldenberg, Yossi Behar, Helen Goldlist, Judith Stoler, Congregation
Habonim (Toronto), Temple Emanu-El (Toronto), Congregation Shaar
Hashomayim (Montreal) and
Temple Emanu-El-Beth Sholom
(Montreal) for organizing parlour meetings and screenings of the
Academy Award winning film Strangers No More. These meetings
and screenings have resulted in a vast expansion of our network of
friends and supporters and in projects that will fund educational efforts
at the Bialik Rogozin School, the Tkuma School for Special Education
and the Levin Music Center. Special thanks go out to Julia Zinman and
Josh Granovsky who allocated portions of their bat and bar mitzvah
presents to the Levin Music Center.
In 2012, CCTAF will be collaborating with LOVE (Leave Out
Violence) in order to implement a program at the Arab Jewish
Community Center that will bring Jewish and Arab youth together in
the production of videos that will promote dialogue, cooperation and
community service. Other initiatives in the works include the
establishment of enrichment corners in kindergartens and day care
centers in south Tel Aviv and Yafo.
P r o j e c t s i n P r o g r e ss
Pre-Kindergartens
Hemda- Center for Science Education
 Miami Friends of the Tel Aviv Centennial:
 Barry and Marlene Berelowitz: Adopt a class–
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Shazar Street Pre-Kindergarten–USA
Stanley Black: Ir Shemesh PreKindergarten–USA
Francine and Abdallah Simon Estate:
Dizengoff 316 Pre-Kindergarten–USA
Science & Judaism Foundation: Pre-K on
Akiva Baron Street–Israel
Palm Beach & Boca Raton Friends: Yehuda
Hanassi Pre-Kindergarten–USA
Education
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 Battat Family Sports Fields: Tekuma

USA
 Harry Bloomfield: Adopt a Class–Canada
 Gertner Foundation: technological equipment–
School–Canada
Ruth Begun Social Skills Program at Amiel
Rambam School–USA
Ruth Begun Social Skills Program at
Bialik Rogozin School–USA
British Friends of the Tel Aviv Foundation:
Multi Purpose Youth Centre, Jami Jaffa–
UK
Eli and Edythe Broad Foundation: MultiPurpose Hall at Brenner School–USA
Bernard and Carol Kossar Foundation:
Tekuma School Gymnasium–USA
Hirsch Family Foundation: computer laboratory at Shazar Brener School–USA
The Kremski Foundation Estate: books,
school supplies, daycare scholarships and
computers for orphaned children–USA
Francine and Abdallah Simon Estate:
Ussishkin Gymnasium–USA
Social Services
 The Nassan Foundation: monthly support
for Holocaust survivors using pre-paid
magnetic cards–Israel
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Austria and Israel
Jaime Brener: 3rd floor expansion–USA
Josh Weston: 3rd floor expansion–USA
Linda and Walter Lieber: Adopt a Class–USA
Mark Gelfand: Adopt a Class–USA
Paul Pinky Wynn, Jeff Wynn, and Mark Stein:
Adopt a Class–Canada
The Archie Sherman Charitable Trust: 3rd floor
expansion–UK
The Catherine Lewis Charitable Trust: 3rd floor
expansion–UK
The Rothschild Foundation: 3rd floor expansion–
Israel
Vivien and Jeffrey Ressler: The Jordan Ressler
Physics Class–USA
The Bluma Appel Community Trust: Adopt a
Class–Canada
Gabi Weisfeld: Adopt a Class–Canada
Libraries and Resource Centers
 Francine and Abdallah Simon Estate: Rokach
School Library–USA
Recently
Completed Projects
Education
 Jose and Ana Galicot Family:
Science Laboratory, Hamagen
School–USA
 Lyson Family Computer and Science
Laboratory: Weitzman School–Germany
 Sylvia and Jack Camiel: Enrichment
Corners in pre-kindergarten on Lubetkin
Street–USA
 Amy, Leonard and Susan Feinstein:
Unitaf Daycare Center–USA
Social Services
 The Carolito Foundation: senior citizens
daycare center, Motza Street–Switzerland
Libraries and Resource Centers
 Gottesman Foundation: Library and
Resource Center. Reshit High School–
USA
 The Jose and Ana Galicot Family Library:
Hamagen School–USA
Arts and Culture
 Marc Rich Foundation: New wing at the
Cinematheque–Switzerland
Arts and Culture
Parks and Playgrounds
 The Charles Clore Foundation: The
 Arison Foundation: The Ted and Lin Arison
Charles Clore Park along the Jaffa seaside
Music Conservatory–Israel
–UK
 Leumi Card: Donation towards funding of new  Chaim and Shulamit Katzman: Avshalom
musical instruments for underprivileged students
Haviv Street Park–USA
at the Janice Levin Music Center–Israel
 Children of the Ken Jewish Community
of San Diego: Tekoa Street Playground–
USA
All of us at The Tel Aviv-Yafo Foundation express our sincere appreciation to each of you for your
support and dedication. Working together as partners, we will continue to meet the needs of the
residents of our great city. May we continue to see our joint efforts grow and prosper.