Friends and supporters from across the UK joined the Jerusalem Foundation’s international family in Jerusalem for three unforgettable days celebrating the Foundation’s 60th anniversary.
The conference brought together more than 100 delegates from around the world to celebrate six decades of achievement, visit projects across the city and meet some of the remarkable people helping to shape Jerusalem’s future.
For the UK delegation, the celebrations began with a special evening at Mishkenot Sha’ananim. Rick Sopher, co-author of Illuminating Scriptural Connections: A Qur’anic Commentary on the Torah, joined former Israeli Ambassador to the UK Daniel Taub for a fascinating conversation about the connections between the Torah and the Qur’an and the potential for deeper understanding between Jews and Muslims.
It was a thoughtful and compelling discussion – and the perfect beginning to our time together in Jerusalem.
Over the following three days, the UK delegation joined the international conference programme, travelling across Jerusalem to see the Foundation’s work in action. From community leadership and support for people coping with trauma to music, culture, education and shared living, the visits offered a vivid reminder of the extraordinary breadth and impact of the Foundation’s work.
Some members of the delegation also had the opportunity to visit projects with particularly strong UK connections.
At the new home of the Jerusalem Conservatory Hassadna, we donned hard hats to see the building taking shape. This purpose-built music centre will give children and young people from across Jerusalem’s diverse communities the space and facilities in which to develop their talents and fulfil their potential. We hope to return with another UK delegation in the spring to celebrate its opening!
Delegates were also able to visit the new Beit HaKerem Scouts building and see how investment in young people and youth leadership is helping to strengthen Jerusalem’s communities for the future.
Our time in Jerusalem concluded with a special guided walk along part of the new Dangoor British Heritage Trail. Beginning at Mishkenot Sha’ananim, the trail explores the centuries of history and the many people, events and ideas that connect Britain and Jerusalem. It was a fascinating way to discover another layer of the city’s story – and a particularly fitting finale for the UK delegation.
The conference ended with a magnificent gala dinner at the Tower of David Museum, looking back with pride at all that has been achieved and forward with hope and ambition to the Jerusalem of the future.
Thank you to everyone from the UK who joined us and helped make this such a memorable celebration. After 60 years of partnership, friendship and shared achievement, we look forward to writing the next chapter together.
Photo credit: The Jerusalem Foundation