Electronic newsletter no' 5

Dear Friends,

As we conclude an excellent summer of events and activities, followed by the Jewish New Year high holidays bustling with tourists, we offer the 5th newsletter to you, so you can share in our lives and be updated of all that occurred.

In addition to the information presented in this issue, I am pleased to report that our town is showing many signs of recovery from the crisis of Summer 2006. Unemployment rates are down, visitor's numbers are significantly up and many new construction and infrastructure projects have begun.

I hope you share our optimism and keep staying in touch with us in the future.

Respectfully,

Zohar Oved.

Dear friends of Tiberias in Israel and abroad,

As we have begun doing in the past months, we are offering the 5th issue of "Tiberias-up-to-date" newsletter to you. The Foreign Affairs committee has decided to create a new and independent web site open to all. You may reach the newsletter through a link from the official municipal web site www.tiberias.muni.il , click "English information" and read all the latest news and events.

This issue offers links to other related sites including: information on the Second Lebanese War, the archeological excavations web site, touristic information and much more. We are sure that you will find the information interesting and get a wider perspective of the various activities and projects taking place in the city.

On October 25th, a municipal delegation lead by Mayor Oved, including myself and other leading businessmen from Tiberias will be visiting Wuxi in the Peoples Republic of China for the signing of a Twin city agreement between Wuxi and Tiberias. We plan to develop new collaborative efforts in areas of culture, sports, economy and other friendly relations. One major area of cooperation being discussed is the establishment of the new Research and Development incubating center for the development of inventions in areas such as environment, medical and para-medical products and industry. We see in our new ties with China a fit with the global trends. China is undergoing massive development in recent years and the connection with Tiberias and Israel is of great importance.

As in every issue of the newsletter, we welcome your comments and suggestions leading to strengthening the ties with our friends abroad.

We invite you to come and visit Tiberias, the historical city which is currently renewing infrastructure and image.

With sincere feelings of appreciation and friendship,

Eitan Oved,
Chair of Foreign Affairs Committee
And Councilman

Events and Celebrations

A summer of world cultures
The Events department organized a full schedule of activities during the month of August. The city that saw the largest surge in tourists since 2005, welcomed the visitors with a full program showcasing various cultures of the world: a fire and sound legends show, Chinese circus, African drummers and circus, "Los Brazileos" brazilian dance show, Russian circus, and a special illusion and magic performance.

Sukkot (Tabernacle) events in Tiberias
Celebrating the Sukkot holiday with a surge in tourists in September-October, the city offered a multitude of events for the visitors and Tiberias residents. An open Sukkah was set at the promenade offering fun activities for children, public sing-along and joint folk dancing. The tourism department produced a “Seak the Treasure” family game throughout the ancient sites and buildings of the city with prizes for the winners as well as special guided tours of the town. On October 2nd, the Watoto children choir from Uganda performed an exciting concert at the archeological park amphitheater. Many of the crowd stayed after the show to speak with the children of their courageous journey from homelessness and orphanage to becoming Uganda’s future leaders.

Culture

Tiberias performing arts school concludes three years of activity
July 2007 marked 3 years of activities for the Tiberias performing arts school at the Yad Shitrit cultural center. Every year has marked an expansion of productions and participants with 4 acting groups and over 70 participants ages 6-70. This year, 4 successful plays were produced. The coming year will introduce additional workshops dealing with stage lighting, sound, management and directing classes.

Tiberias 10 year old Viki Gelman candidate for "Star of the Future" award
10 year old, Viki Gelman, a promising young violinist has been chosed as a candidate for the title of "Star of the Future" award. This is a very popular award offered by the Channel 9 national television network.



Education

A successful opening for the school year
On Sunday, September 2, the academic school year opened with over 10'000 students in the various educational settings. Specially trained volunteer safety instructors where assigned throughout the city, briefing students on the importance of keeping safe on the road.




Environment and public health

Open air Yoga classes – open to the public
The municipal department of sports has initiated a unique program of open-air yoga classes every Sunday in the evening during the summer months at the Archeological park. This project is part of the general Public Health project promoting a healthy lifestyle and includes workshops on physical activity, group walks and nutrition.




Cleaning up the shores of the Sea of Galilee
As part of a special initiative of Raanana highschool students, the Robotics department, a full day of cleaning the shores of the Sea of Galilee took place in August. The students wanted to promote an initiative for the betterment of the environment and together with Council for a Beautiful Israel they decided to go with the cleaning up project.





Hayim Park renewed
During August, extensive renewal works were performed at the Hayim park. This is part of the municipal priority for upgrading the public parks and playgrounds around town and expanding the green lung effect. The Hayim park was renovated at a cost of 1.2 million NIS, with new paying facilities, lighting, benches and gardening.

Removing Cellular antennas from public buildings in Tiberias
August 2007. In an effort to reduce rediation exposure, Tiberias municipality is leading a major project for removal of cellular antennas from public buildings. Following a meeting of Mayor Oved with a group of Tiberias residents, a decision was made to move forward with the removal, starting with the municipal buildings.







Electricity saving and efficiency system in Tiberias
September 17, the municipal department of Electricity hosted delegations electrical engineers from Cameron and Denmark who have come to learn of the unique street lighting system operated in the city. The system that was installed three years ago, utilizes a special control system that promotes energy saving of approximately 25-35%.




October: Cancer awareness month
Monday, September 24, Mayor Oved launched the Cancer awareness month of October. The project lead by Dalya Sluzki, Director of the Tiberias Cancer Prevention Society will include a fundraising drive and campaign. The Cancer Awareness Society in Tiberias is one of the oldest operating in Israel for over 50 years. The society offers workshops for cancer prevention awareness to the public, schools students, support groups to families and cancer patients and more.


Foreign Affairs

Tiberias – China relations
A delegation of senior economic journalist from the leading “Asian Business Leaders” journal in China have arrived on August 26th for a tour and an interview with Mayor Oved on economic topics and overcoming the security crisis. The journalists were particularly interested in the unique achievements in Tiberias that exhibited an impressive economic growth in 2006 despite the Second Lebanese war of Summer 2006. Other topics discussed were the ssister city relations with Wuxi and the intended collaboration in the Technology incubator and the water purification system in Tiberias. At the end of October a delegation lead by Mayor Oved will be visiting Wuxi for the official signing of the Sister city agreement and participation in the Wuxi Sister city conference.


Journey to Tiberias (Masa) Volunteers
On August 20th, the second group of Masa volunteers to Tiberias has arrived. Once the school academic year began, they immediately started volunteer work in the schools, teaching English. In addition, the young American volunteers assisted in food distribution for disadvantaged families through the Latet and Shachen-Tov (Good Neighbor) organizations. They will also be involved in volunteer work in army base Naftali near Tiberias. Some of the members have opted for special volunteering projects in Poriya Hospital doing unique research and medical work. We are proud to report that one of the volunteers this time is Julie Waisbren from our partner city Milwaukee Wisconsin. We hope to expand the number of volunteers arriving from our partner communities in future.


Expanding public services

Open Office Policy
As part of the process for improving services to the residents and strengthening the connection with the citizens, in September the Mayor has begun a new tradition of "open office", inviting the residents to meet with him on a regular basis. Any citizen of Tiberias is invited to meet personally with the Mayor in order to communicate relevant concerns. The office of Citizen's Services, will then follow up and see each issue to its completion.

The municipal 106 hotline – an increase in public utilization
2007 has marked an increase in public utilization of the hotline and treatment of reported problems. The hotline operates 24 hours a day with a volunteering unit. 92% of appeals to the hotline have been treated successfully. On September 9th, the hotline was made accessible through the municipal website as well.




Community and Welfare

Flying kites – remembering the MIA's
On July 26th, the Fani Kaplan community center network produced a kite flying demonstration involving all summer camp participants across the city. Over 700 children participated with the purpose of reminding the public of the 3 Israeli abducted soldiers still in captivity in Lebanon and Gaza.





Paz after school center and Zas House for the elderly opened
The opening ceremony for the Paz after school center and the Zas home for the elderly took place on July 31st. The Paz center, named after the late Dalya Paz, a child and youth inspector who dedicated years for the benefit of at-risk youth and children. The center was established with the support of Sacta-Rashi foundation, the Friendship foundation of Rabbi Ekstein and IVN. The center operates 5 days a week and offers an enriching and treatment environment to at-risk children (ages 6-12) after school hours.



Shimshon military base soldiers adopting Tiberias welfare projects
The Tiberias Welfare department has set a goal of developing collaborative efforts with various community and state organizations. As part of this goal, during September, a partnership was struck with the Shimshom military base at Golani junction near Tiberias. The soldiers serving will get involved in the various welfare programs. The first initiative took place during the September high holydays where they conducted an extensive cleanup drive for the Center for the Blind and the Egoz after school center where murals were painted on the walls. The soldiers will continue volunteering in these facilities as instructors.


Economy and development

A new French Technology Research & Development center
On July 22nd, Mayor Oved announced the establishment of the Technology R&D center TIBERTECH by the Tiberias Economic Development company in conjunction with the Israel –France Association. This is the result of the successful visit of The Tiberias delegation to France in June, lead by Mayor Oved. The center will house scientists and inventors and provide all the necessary services for developing unique inventions in areas environment and water purification, plastica and para-medical products. Tiberias was chosen to host this initiative due the fact that it provides a proper setting and infrastructure. Inventors for French speaking countries will be invited to submit their project for development.

10% decrease in unemployment for January-June ‏2007
According to official statistics, a positive trend is being shown, marking a decrease of 10% in job seekers in comparison with the previous years data.

Renovation of public bomb shelters
A major renovation project of the public bomb shelters in the city has begun in September. The municipality has allotted over 800.000 NIS for this project. This is the first stage in the preparation of the emergency services in Tiberias, which will be followed by a joint private shelter renovation project as well.



Archeology

New digging season at the excavation site – the Roman and Byzantine city
Following the tragic death of Professor Yizhar Hirschfeld who lead Tiberias excavation for over 10 years, at last a new diging season was approved for March 2008. Hopefully this will allow for the conclusions of the massive work of Prof. Hirschfeld and publication of a book on the topic. This will enable to set up a continuing plan for continues excavations with a new archeologist.



Visits

The Chief Israel Rabbi visit in Tiberias
Israel Chief Rabbi, Shlomo Amar paid a visit to Tiberias, September 17th. Rabbi Amar toured the various schools and then performed a personal prayer session at the Rabbi Akiva tomb. A reception at the Mayor’s office concluded the visit, followed by the annual gathering of all municipal synagogue workers.

Sports

Tiberias rowing coach appointed to head Israeli national handicapped rowers team
The Israeli national handicapped rowing team won 3rd place in the world championship B that took place in Munich Germany. Genadi Sapoznikov, the Tiberias coach was a 4 time Soviet champion and Bronze medalist at the 1987, Silver medalist at the 1988 World championships. He has been heading the Tiberias rowing team since 1996.




More achievements for the Tiberias Rowing club
September 6-8, the Tiberias rowing club returned from the Tel Aviv Open Championship with several gold medals. The team lead by coach Genadi Saposhnikov won first place in the various courses including the eighth race, the quarter as well as several youth races. The championship was concluded with a Dragon boat demonstration sail on the Yarkon river.




October 5-6, at the Israel Rowing Championship

held in Tel Aviv, the Tiberias rowing club won all possible gold medals. The winning rowers will participate in the Nice, France tournament in November as the Israeli national team.