Weekly Update 10

November 1, 2024

Hello, everyone.

This week, I’ll be sharing updates on the following topics:

First—the use of development fund monies and issues referred to the Ministry of the Interior for clarification. In the previous newsletter, I shared important information that came up at the council meeting following my questions, revealing that the council is using funds from inappropriate sources for projects where it is doubtful whether these funds may be used. I explained that this is not a technical issue but a substantive one—because, according to the law, it is prohibited to mix different funds. I attached to that newsletter my letter of inquiry to the Ministry of the Interior regarding this matter and the very general response I received from the Ministry. Well, I did not give up because this is a matter of principle that has previously led the council to massive deficits under the same current council head. I contacted the Ministry of the Interior again regarding this and other issues—but I have yet to receive clarification and guidance on the lawful use of these funds. I will continue to monitor the situation and keep you updated. The issue of the lawful use of public funds is of the utmost importance, and it is our duty as elected officials to ensure that these funds are used in accordance with the law.

The second issue is the resignation of Alon Shnir, the successful and highly regarded director of the Zamarin Community Center. Next week, after seven successful years managing the center, Alon will conclude his tenure as director. Alon chose to step down, but his significant contributions will continue to positively influence community activities in the town.

It is important to me to express gratitude for the transformation Alon brought about in all aspects of the community center, and to recognize that the community has lost one of its best managers, who was forced to leave—though not fired—after realizing he could no longer function under the current council head. We were blessed with seven excellent years of a community center that operated under a supportive council head like Ziv Deshe, with whom a talented director like Alon could flourish and provide great value to the public.

Alon also led the community center to a balanced budget and worked together with Council Head Ziv Deshe to settle obligations imposed on the community center a decade ago that were required to be fulfilled. There are deliberate rumors claiming that Alon resigned because of the deficit he put the community center into—that is a lie!! We have seen the financial reports, and the community center is not in deficit. Quite the opposite. With a budget that is not large compared to the size of the community, Alon managed to provide us, the residents, with countless activities.

Alon led the community center to become an essential component of community resilience and a community anchor for the entire population across all age groups. Alon is an entrepreneur at heart and a manager who knows how to lead people and other managers to achieve various goals. Alon increased the community center’s annual budget from approximately 14 million NIS to approximately 25 million NIS for the benefit of the community. This growth stems from maximizing municipal resources, securing external funding, and, most notably, a dramatic expansion in the scope and variety of public-service activities.

The range of activities Alon Shnir led includes the “Lestrada” event on the pedestrian mall during summer vacation, transforming the old Ya’abetz Building/100 Ha-Meisadim into a hub for community activity, subsidized summer performances in the park, outdoor art exhibitions, neighborhood events, a variety of leisure classes, the H.Z.B. Club for senior citizens serving thousands of seniors, a singing club, a conservatory, a community workshop, activities for the LGBTQ+ community, a youth center, classes and activities for children with special needs, Jewish culture, “Spring Creators” at artists’ homes, national ceremonies and memorial days, the establishment of a community center branch for the ultra-Orthodox community, musical vehicles during the pandemic, youth activities and an award for an outstanding youth department, an avant-garde club for youth, after-school programs, and the list goes on. It’s amazing, but behind all these initiatives stood Alon, who first launched most of them in Zichron Yaakov

Both during the pandemic and the Iron Swords war, the community center became a municipal hub for aid. For example, the community center coordinated all care for evacuees who arrived at hotels in Zichron Yaakov. Another example is the community food bank, which has been providing thousands of hot meals a week to soldiers at war for over a year—this is a volunteer initiative that flourished and operates within the community center’s facilities.

Unfortunately, Alon Shnir is neither the first nor the last director to resign since the current council head was elected. When we see so many successful people leaving, the conclusion is clear. Although they were not fired, they were forced to resign after realizing that the council is no longer the one they once served. And we, the residents, are paying the price.

Yours,

Limor Zar Gutman

The “Lema’an HaMoshava” Party