Saying “So-long”Ruth Ben-Dov, our loved and respected fundraiser is moving on. All of us at Neighbors wish Ruth the best success and happiness in her new endeavors. Replacing Ruth is Tamar Meisel – welcome.
Street Mapping: a Pilot Project in Judeide-Maker
Neighbors is collaborating with the Progressive Forum to create an orderly system of street signs and addresses in Arab cities and villages, something that does not exist today. The initiative began with a pilot project in the village of Judeide-Maker. A minimal investment in infrastructure generates great social, democratic and economic gains. In addition to increasing accessibility of residents to services and businesses and vice versa, while making it much easier for tourists and visitors to find their way, perhaps the most significant outcome of the project will be enabling freer and more democratic elections, as polling stations will be assigned to neighborhoods, rather than allocated according to last names, as in the current system, one that increases pressure on voters by extended family clans (hamulot). Developing and finalizing a system for mapping and designating streets and houses turned out to be the most challenging aspect of the project. In retrospect, creating a system that would take into account future construction as well as unofficial paths and alleyways had the added benefit of furthering long-term planning for the town. This project, nearing its completion presents a new Judeide-Maker with street and home signs. A big change!
Lectures and ToursNeighbors has been asked to share its vision and voice its opinions in a variety of venues:
٠Technion Campus, Haifa, Israel On June 14, Co-Directors Naim Daoud and Tovi Alfandari and Neighbors member Michal Belikoff spoke about the area in which we live and the challenges facing us.
٠Yizreel Valley This February, a lecture was given to Jews and Arabs of the Yizreel Valley and the issue of the importance of urban planning in making social change was discussed.
٠ From the observation point at Eschar,Tovi Alfandari has become the local authority on the demographics of the area and does this from the vantage of the view at Eschar.
These are just a few of the many activities in which we are involved. We invite you to enter our website – www.neighbors.org.ilto read more.
2009/10 The Challenge ContinuesThe financial crisis does not seem to be near its end, and we at Neighbors are grateful to all who grant us the privilege to carry on with our work.
We are committed to continuing our work on strengthening the Galilee through heightened equality and cooperation between Arabs and Jews. One strategy that will enable us to do that is to raise many small contributions. We invite you to consider giving Neighbors a gift of whatever sum you can.
Tax-deductible contributions of $100 and up may be made through the New Israel Fund. The check should be made payable to the New Israel Fund and designated in an attached letter as donor-advised for Neighbors for Joint Development in the Galilee for NPO – 5172. The address in the U.S.: New Israel Fund, P.O. Box 91588, Washington, D.C. 20090-1588
Non tax-deductible contributions may be sent directly to us at the address below, and written to Neighbors for Joint Development in the Galilee |
P.O.B
61, Sah'nin, 20167. Tel. 04-6744898 info@neighbors.org.il