About the project
The Jerusalem Foundation helped establish the Gerard Behar Center, a 650-seat theater located next to Beit Ha’am in 1983. The center is a major cultural venue for dance, theater and musical performances. Since the center’s establishment, the Jerusalem Foundation has undertaken several renovation projects, including repair and replacement of chairs, installation of new carpeting, and improvements to the electrical and air conditioning systems. The Jerusalem Foundation also has supported cultural events at the center, including: the Competition for Young Artists, an annual event organized by the Israel Broadcasting Authority for musicians between the ages of 18 and 30 that culminates in a festive concert at which three scholarships and the Gerard Behar Grand Prize are awarded; the annual Rabbi Shlomo Carlebach Memorial Concert, and the Machol Shalem (Whole Dance) Festival that brings together contemporary dance troupes and choreographers for public performances. The A.N. Pritzker Plaza is located in front of the center. The Gerard Behar Center was incorporated into the Jacob & Hilda Blaustein Civic Center complex in 1987.
