Weekly Update 07

September 27, 2024

Hello everyone,

The previous newsletter, which discussed the 100 Founders / Old Ya’abetz Building, received many responses asking, “So what should we do?”

There is overwhelming agreement that this unique public space must not be turned into yet another residential building in the heart of the moshava.

I also received information confirming everything I wrote—that it was decided to neglect the old Ya’abetz Building and not invest in it. I was told that there were also plans to establish a center for the moshava’s artists there. Part of the building was intended to serve as studios where artists could meet, create, and hold exhibitions. Another huge loss for a community that was blessed with a large artistic community.

We cannot wait until neglect leads to the building being closed as a structure slated for demolition!

We cannot wait until plans are submitted, because by then it will be too late—the public’s ability to influence the outcome will be very limited, and the matter will end up in court!

We must create a broad public movement now that will unite the entire community around the vision of the Founders 100 as a building for the public good. Just as it was planned and carried out during Ziv Deshe’s tenure and is now being cut short by a council head who appears committed to contractors rather than residents.

To raise public awareness, we need to produce a video filmed at Founders 100 that will convey what I have written to you at length. A video to be shared on social media and throughout the community to encourage people to join the project to save Founders 100.

And this is where I need your help. I had the previous video, which dealt with the improper appointment of the security officer, produced by an outside company, and it cost me thousands of shekels. An attempt to raise funds for it from residents yielded only 10%.

That’s why I need volunteers here who know how to edit videos. At the most basic level—a video of a few minutes with effects, music, and information. You don’t have to be a professional in the field, just someone with experience. Even a teenager would be suitable for the task.

Fortunately, there is already a very talented amateur videographer in this group with professional equipment who volunteered to film the previous video and promised to film the next ones with me.

But we need an editor for this video and for the ones to come. And I have no doubt they will come—there is something worth defending.

And then we need all of you to share the video—reach out to friends and on social media so that the mayor understands that the public opposes the demolition of 100 HaMeysadim and the construction of housing there. Before plans are submitted and promises are made to developers.

This is also an opportunity to ask anyone who thinks they can volunteer to help in any way to contact me.

Limor

The “Lema’an HaMoshava” Party