Jerusalem is Israel’s largest and most diverse city, home to a wide range of communities—Jews and Arabs, secular and religious, and people of all faiths. Each community has its own unique needs, yet all are affected by times of emergency.

The Jerusalem Foundation sees it as its responsibility to remain closely engaged with local organizations and communities, monitoring evolving needs and stepping in where support is most needed.

The Jerusalem Foundation continues to respond and adapt to urgent and emerging needs. Among the most pressing:

Jerusalem Community Centers – Community centers across the city have become vital hubs of support, providing access to public shelters, emotional and physical care, food deliveries, and enrichment activities—both online and in person—for vulnerable residents and children. Looking ahead, these centers are working to establish comprehensive, long-term support systems that address both immediate and ongoing needs. This includes emotional support and emergency assistance for families of reserve soldiers; preserving and strengthening volunteer and community leadership teams, incorporating lessons learned for improved future response; providing professional training in areas such as resilience, first aid, mediation, and conflict resolution (particularly for managing tensions around shelter access); and offering appreciation, recovery, and wellbeing activities for staff and volunteers who have carried the burden throughout the crisis. Increased funding is essential to sustain and expand these critical efforts.

Welfare, Health & Community Support – In partnership with the Municipality, local organizations are delivering food, mental health care, and shelter services, while also supporting single mothers, people with disabilities, refugees, and others without family support. These programs offer both immediate relief and a sense of stability, but continued operation depends on sustained funding.

Support for East Jerusalem – Following recent events, it is clear that emergency teams in East Jerusalem—and the training they receive—must be strengthened well in advance to ensure they are fully prepared to respond swiftly when crises arise. At the same time, community initiatives continue to address urgent needs, including the cleaning and preparation of long-neglected bomb shelters to prevent future unpreparedness. Culturally adapted mental health programs and resilience workshops in Arabic are also underway, helping communities build strength, stability, and readiness for the challenges ahead.

We continue to hope for the well-being of all Jerusalem’s residents, the safe return of the hostages, and a future of lasting peace for Israel. Your support during this time is both meaningful and deeply appreciated.

For details regarding specific programs in need of support click here

הפוסט Recovery and return to routine – July 2025 הופיע לראשונה ב-.

We are deeply saddened by the passing of Alan G. Hassenfeld z’l, former Chairman of the Jerusalem Foundation, Inc.  Alan was a renowned philanthropist and former CEO of Hasbro Inc. toy company.   His family has a long history of a deep commitment to Jerusalem and Israel.  His parents were both supporters of the early State of Israel and friends of legendary Mayor of Jerusalem, Teddy Kollek.  Alan and his mother, Sylvia, helped Teddy establish the Merrill Hassenfeld Amphitheater in Sultan’s Pool, in memory of his father, in 1981.

Alan founded the Hassenfeld Family Foundation and continued to support many Jerusalem projects as he also led the Jerusalem Foundation, Inc. in the United States as Chairman for more than 25 years.

Alan and the Hassenfeld Family established the Hassenfeld Community Center in Kiryat Yovel and the Hassenfeld Youth Center in Wadi Joz.  He personally spearheaded the establishment of Teddy Park in 2013, honoring the memory of Teddy Kollek in Mitchell Parks and Gardens, as a destination for inspiration, alongside the walls of the Old City of Jerusalem.  He created the Hassenfeld Family Fountain that brings joy to children from all over Jerusalem and beyond.

He also established the Hassenfeld Family Initiative, a nonprofit organization that focuses on women and children’s rights and safety globally.  He cared deeply about people all around the world while also caring particularly for the community of his home state of Rhode Island and the people of Jerusalem.

He will be deeply missed.

Read the obituary published in eJewishPhilanthropy

הפוסט The Jerusalem Foundation mourns the passing of Alan G. Hassenfeld z’l הופיע לראשונה ב-.

As an avid believer in equal opportunities for all, the late Jerusalem Foundation President Shai Doron z’l, always returned to the promise and the power of young leadership to positively impact and guide communities in the complex and richly diverse city of Jerusalem.

It is in this spirit that the Shai Doron Fellowship for Future Leaders of Jerusalem has launched, to continue the vision Shai championed during his tenure as president starting in 2019 until his sudden passing in the summer 2024. From creative culture to communal strength, Shai was drawn to and animated by the city’s brightest trailblazers, innovators and social architects working in, and for all, the city’s neighborhoods.

The Shai Doron Future Leadership Program is moving forward with significant momentum as a strategic investment in civil society in Jerusalem for the next decade. The program aims to identify and empower young civil society leaders in Jerusalem, equipping them and encouraging them to expand their leadership influence in line with the inclusive and visionary legacy of Shai Doron z”l.

In February 2025, Yoav Rothschild was appointed full-time Program Director. Yoav is responsible for the overall planning, coordination and execution of the Shai Doron Future Leadership Program. Prior to this appointment, for the past eight years Yoav has served as Director and Urban Planner of the East Talpiot Community Center.

A Call for Applications was published in February and closed on March 17, 2025. We were delighted to receive 85 applications from experienced managers and professionals across Jerusalem. The applicant pool reflected impressive diversity in gender, sector and professional background, fulfilling one of the program’s core goals. Following a thorough interview process, led by the Jerusalem Foundation Management a respectable panel of professionals, 11 leaders were chosen to partake in the first Cohort of the Shai Doron Future Leadership Program.

The Shai Doron Leadership Program: Meet the 11 Chosen Leaders

Daud Alyan is a veteran social activist, who has spent the past two decades advancing social justice, human rights, and intercultural education in Jerusalem. He heads the Atta’a Center—part of the Jerusalem Intercultural Center—where he leads a wide-ranging support, counseling, and rights-access program that serves thousands of East Jerusalem residents.

Previously, Daud managed a youth-at-risk center in Issawiya, coordinated projects with marginalized communities, and facilitated bi-national Jewish-Muslim dialogue groups. Certified as a facilitator in violence and racism prevention, he frequently works at the intersection of municipal policy and grassroots community action.

Daud was selected for the program for his rare combination of cultural sensitivity, extensive hands-on experience, and deep commitment to building a shared future in Jerusalem.

Keren Apfelbaum Riff is the founder of the Public-Jewish-Community education system in Jerusalem, offering families who lead secular or masorti-traditional lifestyles alternative schools with extensive Jewish education—independent of sectarian labels.

She holds a Master’s in Jewish Education and is a graduate of the Mendel School of Educational Leadership, as well as the Kerem Institute Israeli Rabbinate Program. Keren has been a key community builder and thought leader beyond mainstream religious systems. As VP of Mabua Beit Midrash, she helped establish its community, synagogue, and Beit Midrash. She also leads the Kolot congregation in Gonenim. Keren was also of the founders of the Jonathan Sacks Elementary School in Gonenim, a modern-orthodox school priding itself in implementing an innovative educational approach. Following October 7, she became principal of the Kerem School for evacuee children, providing stability and routine during the crisis.

Keren was selected for the program in recognition of her deep commitment to Jerusalem and her leadership in creating unique educational-community spaces that bridge diverse identities and cultivate shared belonging—helping to shape a more inclusive future for the city.

Yafa Busso leads the field of Haredi women entrepreneurs at the “Temech” organization, spearheading programs in empowerment, networking, and the promotion of women-led entrepreneurship in Jerusalem. Over the years, she has initiated and led educational and community projects within the Geula Bucharim Community Center and developed leadership programs for youth in the Haredi sector.

Yafa was selected for the program for her unique ability to bridge the worlds of community, entrepreneurship, and female leadership within Jerusalem’s Haredi community.

Yehuda Cohen is the founder and director of “Juda’s Yard,” a groundbreaking Jerusalem-based initiative that provides comprehensive support for individuals who have left the ultra-Orthodox community, helping them rebuild their lives in all manners. A former member of that community himself, Yehuda has spent the past eight years building an innovative supportive framework that includes personal guidance, emotional support and psychological treatment, informal education, and bridges between different worlds. His program is unique in the emphasis it provides to mending family relations, helping foster mutually respectful relationships with their diverging lifestyles. Under his leadership, “Juda’s Yard” has become a home for hundreds of young people seeking to grow through identity challenges and rise above the challenges they face.

Yehuda was selected for the program for his unique leadership style and capability to mend social rifts, lead sensitive processes within the ultra-Orthodox community, and overall offer hope to residents of Jerusalem.

Fadi Dekaidek has worked as a paramedic for 14 years, and before that, he volunteered for six years with the Magen David Adom emergency organization. Notably, he was of the first respondents  at the 2023 Neve Yaakov shooting, earning the President’s Distinguished Service Award for his courageous actions.

Fadi has led an unprecedented initiative integrating hundreds of East Jerusalem youth into volunteer and professional roles with Magen David Adom (MDA)—a move that strengthens the city’s civic resilience and fosters a sense of belonging and shared opportunity in a shared Jerusalem.

Fadi was selected for the program in recognition of his pioneering efforts to uplift the East Jerusalem community and its members through MDA. His persistent leadership bridges communities, fosters trust, and drives meaningful change throughout Jerusalem.

Dr. Mishy Harman is a cultural entrepreneur and the founder of the leading podcasts Israel Story, and the accompanying event line Jerusalem Story, which have become central platforms for exploring identity, complexity, and shared humanity in Israel and beyond. Under his leadership, the podcast has evolved into powerful community tool in Jerusalem—featuring dozens of storytelling events across the city (both East and West Jerusalem), partnerships with civic organizations, and the production of content during both routine and times of crisis. Mishy holds a PhD from the Hebrew University and is a graduate of Harvard and Cambridge. He is a leading figure in the field of storytelling in Israel.

Mishy was selected for the program in recognition of his exceptional ability to build bridges between diverse Jerusalem communities and to harness the power of storytelling to shape a better future for the city.

Neta Meisels is a cultural entrepreneur, curator, and researcher based in Jerusalem. He has been a key figure in innovative urban projects focused on art and community. In 2011, he co-founded Empty House, an artist collective exploring creative spaces and communities. Since then, he has led major initiatives, including HaMiffal (Hebrew: “the Factory”), a pioneering urban renewal project founded in 2016 that transformed an abandoned building in central Jerusalem into a vibrant cultural hub and social platform uniting people from diverse backgrounds. Since 2020, Neta has served as the CEO of New Spirit, an NGO committed to cultural and social impact in Jerusalem. He is currently focused on expanding HaMiffal’s unique model into a national network of cultural platforms.

Neta was selected for the program for his deep cultural vision, his ability to connect creativity, community, and leadership, and his contribution to shaping Jerusalem’s civic spirit.

Meredith Rothbart brings almost 15 years of leadership experience with Israeli and Palestinian NGOs. She holds an MA from Hebrew University in Community Development and a BA in Politics, Philosophy and Economics from the University of Pittsburgh. Meredith has addressed the United States House Committee on Foreign Affairs, the White House, the Delegation of the European Union to Israel, the UN Security Council and continues to be a strong voice for civil society peacebuilding.

Meredith was selected for the program for her combination of a deep civic vision, proven experience in leading complex systems, and her commitment to working from Jerusalem toward a shared and inclusive future for the city.

Daniella Seltzer is a socio-ecological entrepreneur. Her upbringing, split between Jerusalem and Toronto, has cultivated a profound connection to urban landscapes and a genuine curiosity about people from all walks of life.

In 2019, Daniella co-founded and now co-directs the Jerusalem Food Rescuers, a pioneering initiative committed to fostering a more just and sustainable urban food system while working with the municipality and government to inspire institutional change. Through innovative strategies, the organization strives to catalyze social change by harnessing the power of food and connections.

Daniela was selected for the program in recognition of her role in advancing a unique urban model that builds communities, bridges sectors and transforms the food and sustainability landscape in the city of Jerusalem.

Mahmoud Thaher is an activist and leader in the field of education. He has led the activities of the “Chotam” organization in East Jerusalem for six years, developing training programs for local teachers and principals with a focus on equal opportunities and strengthening the municipal education system. He initiated the “Jerusalem Leadership” program—the only educational management training program in East Jerusalem—training dozens of educators for influential roles. Simultaneously, Mahmoud established the “Kna’an” program, facilitating training for East Jerusalem teachers to integrate Hebrew as a second language into the curriculum.

Mahmoud was selected for the program due to his deep commitment to building local educational leadership that will transform East Jerusalem’s education landscape, as well as bridge gaps between the cities Jewish and Arab communities.

Ori Zadok is the Jerusalem District Director of SAHI (Special
“Hessed” Unit), an educational organization that empowers disadvantaged youth through acts of giving, solidarity, and transformative leadership in their local communities. In this role, Ori guides young people from marginalized areas of Jerusalem, helping them grow into responsible, engaged citizens—and often, future leaders. Under his leadership, 11 youth groups have been established across Jerusalem, operating weekly with hundreds of teens and volunteers from all sectors of the city.

Ori was selected for the program for his ability to harness the values of kindness and care into inspiring educational leadership, driving deep community change from the ground up in Jerusalem.

הפוסט The Shai Doron Leadership Fellows Program is launched הופיע לראשונה ב-.

These special events brought together donors, academics, students, civic leaders, and community members to explore how diversity—when truly embraced—can become a city’s greatest asset.

In Vancouver, the event was hosted by Rabbi Jonathan Infeld and Congregation Beth Israel, where the Rabbi led a heartfelt and conversation with Mayor Lion. In Calgary, the evening took place at Beth Tzedec Congregation, co-hosted with the Calgary Jewish Federation, in a warm, community-driven setting.

Mayor Lion shared powerful reflections on what it means to govern Jerusalem, a city composed of three distinct populations—secular, ultra-Orthodox, and Arab—each with their own needs, identities, and aspirations. His central message: leadership is not about uniformity, but about making space for every community to thrive.

“My biggest challenge,” said Mayor Lion, “is to ensure that every resident—no matter if they are religious or secular, Jewish or Arab—feels that Jerusalem belongs to them and they have what they need from the Municipality. That they have access to education, housing, and culture. Only then can we truly live side by side.”

He spoke of investing in East Jerusalem, building thousands of new apartments throughout the city, and launching large-scale infrastructure and cultural initiatives—all in service of a shared future.

Representing CFHU, Dina Wachtel VP Community Affairs shared how Hebrew University of Jerusalem, now marking its 100th anniversary, embodies these same ideals. With over 24,000 students —Jews, Arabs, Druze, Christians, religious and secular— local and international from more than 90 countries,  Hebrew University is a beacon of coexistence, academic excellence, and innovation. Whether through its new HUJI-Tech Park, which is set to create 5,000 jobs, or the future Albert Einstein Museum, Hebrew University is deeply interwoven with Jerusalem’s present and future.

Arik Grebelsky, President of the Jerusalem Foundation joined the conversation and gave moving testimony about the Double Impact initiative— offering cultural programming to evacuees after October 7th, reminding us of the power of community, healing, and the arts during crisis. Arik emphasized that Jerusalem is a living model of coexistence, and that the work of the Foundation is to ensure that all of the city’s communities—Jewish, Arab, secular, religious—can live side by side with dignity and opportunity.

“If we succeed,” said Arik, “we are bringing hope not just to Jerusalem, but to the entire country—and perhaps to the world.”

These events were about shared values and the idea that diversity is not a challenge to be managed, but a strength to be celebrated. And that from Calgary to Vancouver to Jerusalem, we all have a stake in building a more inclusive and resilient future.

Thank you to everyone who made these evenings possible—our hosts, partners, volunteers, and guests. And thank you to those who continue to support Jerusalem not just as a city of history, but as a city of hope.

הפוסט Diversity as Strength During Challenging Times: Mayor of Jerusalem Visits Canada in Conversation with Community. הופיע לראשונה ב-.

Why is it important to you to be involved with the Jerusalem foundation of Canada?

I’ve always been very involved in arts. It’s a common language between all people joining in the history of the past, the present, and the future, and it brings people together. And one of the three pillars of the Jerusalem Foundation, along with communal strength and future leadership, is creative culture.

So, when I first got involved with the Jerusalem Foundation of Canada in 2016 as a gala honouree, the project I selected to sponsor was Muslala, which is a garden roof Terrace/Art Center in Jerusalem. Muslala has a lot of similarities with a Calgary shopping centre I managed for nine years: a courtyard, an open shopping center and diverse communities gathering in a beautiful place.

In addition, and this is where it may differ from Calgary, is that Muslala is also used as a therapeutic space, which offers creative and immersive activities for evacuees, survivors and families in need, incorporating structured workshops and open art studios, led by local artists and therapists.

It is a project open to not just Jews, but to Christians and Arabs, and it was to bring harmony to the city, and it just reverberated with me. I was in Jerusalem in 2018 when the rooftop was officially opened.

Which Jerusalem Foundation Project are you most excited about now? Why?

The Shai Doron Fellows Leadership Program is probably to me the most amazing one right now, because that is something that Israel, and especially Jerusalem, are really going to need. Strong young leadership—young adults who have already seen so much war and are now contributing to a civil society that values diversity and living together.

These young leaders are stakeholders in that vision and are acting to make it happen. Through the Fellows program, we are supporting leadership that can stand up and take control in building a future with strong relationships across all identities, and neighbourhoods in Jerusalem.

What do you wish more Canadians knew about Jerusalem Foundation and its programs?

First, awareness that our foundation exists and is incredibly active and impactful in Jerusalem. And it’s a mitzvah to do anything to honour the city of Jerusalem. Jerusalem is not just a Jewish city. It’s a city that is the heart and soul of the three Abrahamic faiths. As the Mayor Moshe Lion, who recently visited Calgary said, if you can have peace in the city of Jerusalem, which is a city that’s probably seen more war and bloodshed than any other city, Jerusalem can be a model for the whole world. It is possible to bring people together in harmony.

Second, the Jerusalem Foundation is a visionary foundation. It’s an organization that has the possibilities to bring around great change by ripple effect.

Carol Ryder is a member of the Jerusalem Foundation of Canada Executive and has been a member of our board since 2021. Carol has had a distinguished career spanning private enterprise, not-for-profits, and all levels of government. She is Chair Emerita of Alberta University of the Arts, having led its evolution from a college to Alberta’s only university dedicated to arts and design. Her 19 years of leadership in post-secondary education include key roles at Bow Valley College and across Alberta’s educational landscape, including as Chair of various provincial and national post-secondary boards. She also helped found Contemporary Calgary and served on Alberta’s Promise, supporting youth initiatives. Her contributions have been recognized with numerous honors, including the Premier’s Leadership Award, Alberta Centennial Medal, and Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal. She resides in Calgary.

הפוסט Jerusalem Foundation of Canada Board Member: Carol Ryder הופיע לראשונה ב-.

Dear Friends,

Since the devastating Hamas attack on October 7, 2023, Israel has faced one of the most difficult periods in its history. The war that followed displaced over 100,000 residents from the north and south and has caused the tragic loss of thousands of lives and left deep emotional scars—especially for families still waiting for the return of hostages held in Gaza. Life across the country—and particularly in Jerusalem—has been profoundly disrupted.

Now, 20 months later, Israel is facing a new and dangerous escalation—this time on the Iranian front. Missiles are being aimed at major cities, including Jerusalem where an astounding 76% of residents’ homes lack safe rooms or bomb shelters, leaving thousands vulnerable. The country has re-entered a state of emergency. Schools and businesses are closed. Residents are urged to stay near bomb shelters.

Jerusalem is the largest and most diverse city in Israel with complex community groups including, Jews and Arabs, Secular and Religious and all faith groups.

The Jerusalem Foundation continues to respond and adapt to urgent and emerging needs and I wanted to share a brief update about the situation in the city and some of our planned activities. In support of the people of Jerusalem.

Arik Grebelsky, President

The Jerusalem Foundation

The Jerusalem Foundation continues to respond and adapt to urgent and emerging needs. Among the most pressing:

Jerusalem Community Centers – Community centers across the city are vital hubs of support, providing access to public shelters, emotional and physical care, food deliveries, and enrichment activities—both online and in person—for vulnerable residents and children. Increased funding is essential to sustain and expand these efforts.

Welfare, Health & Community Support – In partnership with the Municipality, local organizations are delivering food, mental health care, and shelter services, while also supporting single mothers, people with disabilities, refugees, and others without family support. These programs offer both immediate relief and a sense of stability, but continued operation depends on sustained funding.

Support for East Jerusalem – Community initiatives in East Jerusalem are tackling urgent needs: cleaning and preparing neglected bomb shelters, distributing emergency supplies, and providing therapeutic support, especially for seniors, people with disabilities, and children. Culturally adapted mental health programming and resilience workshops in Arabic are also underway.

Cultural Relief Programming – Jerusalem’s cultural institutions are offering uplifting, accessible programming to foster connection and calm. Initiatives include shelter performances, free concerts, online workshops, and museum access for evacuees and the broader public.

Education System Partnerships – With schools online, enrichment programs have moved to digital platforms. From live math lessons and interactive nature sessions to workshops in VR and AI, these programs support both academic continuity and emotional well-being. As summer nears, demand for such programming will only grow.

We pray for an end to this prolonged emergency, the safe return of hostages, and lasting peace for Israel and Jerusalem. Your support at this critical time is deeply appreciated.

הפוסט Jerusalem Foundation Emergency Response, June 2025 הופיע לראשונה ב-.

By Bonnie Boxer

The history of Museum on the Seam (MOTS) is written on its once very elegant façade.  Originally the home of a Palestinian family, it became an Israeli army outpost, from 1948 until 1967, on the dividing line between West and East Jerusalem, Israeli Jerusalem and Jordanian Jerusalem.  When the building was refurbished, to reflect its history and as a reminder of the cost of war, the entrance was left broken, the windows boarded up and a row of sniper holes still in place.  But the museum the building contains has been reinvented more than once.

In 1983, led by Mayor Teddy Kollek and the von Holtzbrinck family, it became a museum depicting the story of Jerusalem’s division and reunification.  The Jerusalem Foundation supported conversion of the structure for museum use as well as its content and program development through the years.  In 1999, its agenda was recreated and dedicated to dialogue, understanding and coexistence.  Since 2005, it has been a museum of social and political art, using the language of contemporary art to showcase social and political issues.  It was the first such museum in the world and remains the only such museum in Israel.

MOTS seeks to provoke public consciousness and conscience by highlighting issues of relevance to Israeli society, like tensions and encounters among Jerusalem’s diverse populations – Arab, Jewish; secular, orthodox and ultra-orthodox Jewry – as well as ecology, women’s rights, workers’ rights, minority rights, the loneliness of life in the technological 21^st century, protest movements of the past 50 years, pluralism, liberalism and more.  It shows the work of both Israeli and foreign artists and, therefore, the exhibitions feature issues relevant in both Israel and elsewhere around the world.

In addition to a repertoire of five or six exhibitions a year, MOTS offers guided tours, panels, gallery talks and workshops for the public.  MOTS has an ongoing relationship with all the art-related schools in Jerusalem and Israel, making its facilities, like its library and rooftop café, available to young artists.

Located on the seamline between highly varying Jerusalem populations, the museum draws energy from the contrasts and conflicts of the surrounding neighborhoods while also respecting their way of life.  For example, as it is adjacent to an ultra-orthodox neighborhood, the museum is closed on Shabbat/the Jewish Sabbath and religious holidays.  This reflects MOTS’s core values of respect for other communities.

MOTS believes and demonstrates that art is a language with no boundaries and that a museum can impact issues of significant social concern.

הפוסט MUSEUM ON THE SEAM הופיע לראשונה ב-.

By Bonnie Boxer

Art Cube’s Artists’ Studios was launched by the Jerusalem Foundation in 1982 in order to support Jerusalem artists, to facilitate their working in Jerusalem and to enrich Jerusalem’s cultural life.  In 2009, the foundation purchased what has become Art Cube’s permanent home, in a busy industrial area, and now is enlarging it by building more meeting spaces on the roof.

“The heart of Art Cube,” says director Lee He Shulov, “lies in its 13 studios, which accommodate between 13 and 17 artists from Jerusalem.”  Selected by a committee of artists and curators who choose for excellence and aim for variety, artists are given free use of the space for three to five years.  They might be beginners or longtime artists.  They work in a wide variety of media – painting, sculpture, photography, video, installation and new media – which creates interesting interactions.  The studios are large and light-filled.  Art Cube also has several gallery spaces and changes exhibitions four times a year.  These exhibitions may include artists from outside of Jerusalem.

Painter Matan Ben Tolila remarks, “I am very happy here.  This place has wonderful conditions.  Being an artist can be very isolating, so interacting with other artists is refreshing.  Curators come here every month or two.  There is a lack of affordable studio spaces in Jerusalem, and Art Cube answers a real need for artists.  I am grateful.”

Art Cube helps its resident artists develop their careers.  In addition to meeting curators on a regular basis, there are workshops on relevant professional subjects with consultants who advise on building and maintaining a career.  There is another program for young artists who graduated art school in the previous three years or began their careers without going to art school.  Says Shulov, “In this young incubator, we teach them what they don’t learn in art school: how to build a career, budgeting and bureaucracy, the availability of grants, residencies and the like.”

Art Cube itself is a creative hub as well as being a valued home for creative artists.

Art Cube sees art as means of social activism, a way of bringing people together.  There are programs for elementary school children, high schoolers and senior citizens.  There is a summer program that introduces participants to active artists, to expose growing circles of people to art and what it has to offer. There is a bilingual program for elementary school children and their parents from both West and East Jerusalem.  “This is not a dialogue program, but a rare opportunity to learn and create together.  It has helped Art Cube itself become more diverse, including the studio’s own staff,” notes Shulov.

In 2008, Art Cube launched what has become an annual festival of original contemporary art, using spaces all around the city, including some not associated with art exhibitions, like an outdoor promenade or historical churches.  Manofim (impetus) shows the work of Jerusalem artists, artists from elsewhere in Israel and occasionally from abroad.  The intent is to expose the Jerusalem public to art and its potential for interaction with the city and people’s lives.

הפוסט Art Cube’s Artists’ Studios הופיע לראשונה ב-.

For over 60 years, the Jerusalem Foundation of Canada (JFC) has been a proud supporter of creative culture in Jerusalem, standing as the largest supporter after the municipality itself. Among the many cultural institutions it has nurtured is the Sam Spiegel Film & Television School, founded in 1989 as a joint venture between the Ministry of Education & Culture and the JFC. This year, at the Toronto Jewish Film Festival (TJFF), two extraordinary Jerusalemite filmmakers of different generations will take the spotlight, thanks to the JFC’s ongoing support.

Renen Schorr: visionary founder of the Sam Spiegel Film School (virtual cinema: June 10-12)
One of the featured creators is the late Renen Schorr Heller, the visionary founder and longtime director of the Sam Spiegel Film School. His impactful work, Wake Up, Grandson, is part of the TJFF’s “virtual cinema.” This film explores a deeply personal and ideological rift through a 25-year exchange of letters between Renen and his devout grandfather, Rabbi Avraham Heller, a hero of the 1948 Battle of Safed. As Renen pursues his passion for filmmaking, his grandfather urges him to abandon the arts and carry forward the family’s rabbinical tradition. This poignant exploration of generational conflict will be accessible online, allowing audiences to experience it at their convenience. For more information and tickets, visit the film on the TJFF website.

Photo of Ronen Schorr in 2019 at TJFF:

Acclaimed Jerusalemite director Dani Rosenberg at TJFF (June 12 and June 14)

In addition to celebrating the legacy of Renen Schorr Heller, the JFC is proudly sponsoring the appearance of acclaimed Jerusalemite director Dani Rosenberg at TJFF. Rosenberg, known for his powerful storytelling, will present Of Dogs and Men, an Official Selection of the 2024 Venice Film Festival. This film, set in the aftermath of the October 7th attack, follows Dar, a teenager returning to her Kibbutz in search of her lost dog. Audiences can attend the screening on June 12, followed by a Q&A session with Rosenberg himself. Secure your tickets here.

Rosenberg will also join a distinguished panel on June 14 to discuss the impact of the October 7th events and the ongoing war on Israeli storytelling in cinema. The panel will feature other renowned filmmakers, including Danae Elon and Yotam Shazar, with Professor Ron Levi of the Munk School moderating. This free event promises to offer valuable insights into the role of film in capturing complex realities. Reserve your spot here.

הפוסט Experience the Best of Jerusalem’s Creative Culture at the Toronto Jewish Film Festival הופיע לראשונה ב-.

הפוסט Jerusalem Foundation of Canada Board Member Profile: Jacques Gauthier, PhD הופיע לראשונה ב-.