30th anniversary annual report -...

The Jerusalem Institute

for Israel Studies (JIIS)

30th Anniversary

Annual Report

2008

JIIS Annual Report 2008 > Introduction: Thirty Years, Thirty Greatest Achievements

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Contents

Introduction: Thirty Years, Thirty Greatest Achievements ............................................. 3

Outgoing and Incoming Chairmen .................................................................................. 11

A New Web Presence........................................................................................................ 12

Events................................................................................................................................. 15A. Special Events........................................................................................................................... 15B. Conferences and Seminars....................................................................................................... 20

New Publications............................................................................................................... 31A. Jerusalem.................................................................................................................................. 31B. The Arab-Israeli Conflict ............................................................................................................ 37C. The Environment....................................................................................................................... 38

Projects............................................................................................................................... 40A. Jerusalem Studies..................................................................................................................... 40B. Israel and the Palestinians – Conflict Management................................................................... 50C. Environmental Policy................................................................................................................. 51

In the Media........................................................................................................................ 57

Funds and Resources....................................................................................................... 59

List of Supporters.............................................................................................................. 61Overseas Donors in 2008 .............................................................................................................. 61Israeli Donors ................................................................................................................................ 62

Governing Bodies, Researchers and Staff ..................................................................... 63Governing Bodies .......................................................................................................................... 63Researchers .................................................................................................................................. 67Staff ............................................................................................................................................... 69

40 Years in Jerusalem

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The Jerusalem Institute for Israel Studies (JIIS) was established in 1978 through the initiative of

Mayor Teddy Kollek. It was initially established by a partnership between the Jerusalem Foundation

and the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, but it was not until 1981, when the Charles H. Revson

Foundation in New York began to support the JIIS that the JIIS achieved its position as an

independent, policy oriented think tank such as it is known today.

We are very grateful to the Jerusalem Foundation, the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and

especially to the Charles H. Revson Foundation for their confidence, inspiring interest and gracious

help.


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Introduction: Thirty Years, Thirty Greatest Achievements

In 2008 the Jerusalem Institute for Israel Studies (JIIS) celebrated its 30th anniversary. No official

celebrations were held, but looking back we note with satisfaction the products of lasting value we

have created that have left their imprint on Israel's policy priorities and have

effected considerable progress. Moreover, we now enjoy the reputation of a

well-established enterprise known for its credibility. Our reflections are

somewhat nostalgic, especially when we think of those who are no longer with

us. Our modest beginnings and steady growth were always accompanied by a sense of communal

intimacy. Our dedication to the quality of our research and its

relevancy has enabled JIIS to pursue innovation while keeping

in touch with the needs of policy makers. This is what has

made our work relevant and rewarding for all of us.

It is impossible to envision the JIIS without the Charles H.

Revson Foundation of New York which became our main

financial mainstay since 1981. The entrance of the Revson

Foundation signaled a turning point in every possible way. The

Foundation sought to encourage the creation in Israel of a

policy institute along the lines of the Brookings Institute, and examined several alternatives with that

aim in view. Its process of assuming support of the Institute was carried out gradually and carefully.

At first, annual grants were approved, based on performance in the previous year. In 1986, after

thorough examination of the Institute's activities, commitments became long-term: ten years, seven

and then five years. The long term support of the Revson Foundation opened a new era for the JIIS,

providing us with a basis for activities independent of the establishment, and enabling the JIIS to soar

and design itself according to circumstances of time and place.

The Revson Foundation served as a lever to spring the Institute from a dependent and weak body to

one assured of its existence, able to plan its activities for several years ahead and develop its

potential. The Foundation turned out to be an ideal supporter: on the one hand, non-intervening in

the choice of topics, modes of publication and modes of action; on the other hand keenly interested

and involved, attentive to problems at all times, and encouraging bold and independent attitudes. The

Foundation's Presidents, played a decisive role visiting (with or without members of the Foundation’s

Board) the JIIS, holding meetings and discussions with researchers and directors, expressing great

interest in the contents and areas of activity of the JIIS, and always appreciating and commenting on

the manner in which it is managed. The sympathy and interest were fueled by intellectual curiosity

and sincere willingness to drive the institute to spread its wings and seize every opportunity to

become recognized and influential. As such each visit had an energizing and challenging impact on

the continued work of the Institute.

Jerusalem Institutefor Israel Studies

Noah's Dove, a street sculpture by Francois Lalanne, (1978), not far from the institute. It inspired our logo (above)


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The interaction with the Revson Foundation

stimulated growth. With their backing we became

bolder in our search for additional sources of funding

and more daring in initiating projects with the seed

contribution to be later supplemented by other

organizations. This is how we went from a budget of

$50,000 in 1978 to a budget of $2,000,000 thirty

years later, always more than matching the non-

designated Revson grant by other contributions

As the issue of independence is critical to us and we

do not receive support from any governmental

source, either national or local (except for specific

projects) we highly prize the Foundation’s policy of

non political affiliation. We are extremely grateful for

its long term support and as a measure of

appreciation the Revson Foundation is credited on the cover and the title page of each end every

JIIS publication.

It is almost impossible to sum up the breadth and depth of three decades of policy research. Thus we

have chosen to highlight 30 of the most noteworthy accomplishments of the JIIS that have influenced

policy in Israel and Jerusalem in particular over the past 30 years:

1. We have built the most comprehensive data bank

on Jerusalem and turned it into a point of

reference for all policy makers;

2. We have boldly broken the taboo against openly

discussing frameworks for future political and

practical solutions for Jerusalem;

3. We have developed political options for managing

the conflict over Jerusalem – a key issue in the

Middle East dispute – options that have greatly

influenced peace talks with the Palestinians and

have been incorporated into them;

4. We have changed social and planning policies in

Jerusalem through a series of master plans that

have been adopted by local and national

authorities as binding policy guidelines. These

include: the master plan for the development of the Professor David Amiran, Founding Head of the JIIS

Professor Yaacov Bar-Siman-Tov, Head of the JIIS since 2003


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Jerusalem region, the master plan for Arab education in Jerusalem, the master plan for public

libraries in Jerusalem, and a master plan for cultural institutes for the Ultra-Orthodox Jewish

community;

5. We have assessed the costs and benefits of the decision to unify Jerusaelm, soberly evaluating

40 years of Israeli rule in Jerusalem and addressing issues such as the question of how the city

should be managed to advance its development and to reverse some of the negative trends.

Similar evaluations were carried out 20 and 25 years after the unification of Jerusalem;

6. We have documented and analyzed the architectural heritage of Jerusalem through a

monumental and award-winning series of 20 books which has become a cultural landmark

(abbreviated versions have been published in 4 languages);

7. We have set the guidelines for the preservation of Jerusalem's architectural heritage and have

created a comprehensive listing of over 1,200 buildings marked for preservation;

8. We authored a policy study that resulted in major change and helped position Jerusalem at the

forefront of the bio-technology industry in Israel. After demonstrating that the bio-technology

industry was a potential engine for pulling the city's ailing economy forward, JIIS

encouraged national subsidies, private and public investments, and innovative academic

involvement that resulted in positioning the city in the forefront of the bio-technology industry in

Israel;

9. We have conducted

pioneering policy research on

the Ultra-Orthodox population.

As early as the 1980's, JIIS

demonstrated that an

economic crisis would

eventually tip the delicate

balance in the city and lead to

change. Following that, JIIS

went on to develop plans for

helping non-working Ultra-

Orthodox Jews into the

workforce or into institutions of higher education;

10. We created the "Jerusalem Lexicon" – a guide containing all the basic information a policy-

maker needs to know about the city;

Frameworks of Peace Task Force


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11. We helped putting Jerusalem on the national agenda as a matter of national strength, and

provided indicators for the annual assessment of Jerusalem's perceived strengths and

weaknesses;

12. We monitored and influenced the decision-making process surrounding the largest construction

project in four decades – the security fence around Jerusalem;

13. We built a center of unmatched knowledge and expertise about all dimensions of life in present

day Jerusalem that has produced over 200 policy-oriented books on the city;

14. We have drawn attention to migration patterns in and out of Jerusalem through a widely cited

series of reports and publications on the city's population and demographic balance;

15. We have warned policymakers about the problems and consequences of neglect in the Arab

neighborhoods of East Jerusalem – several of which recommendations have been adopted;

16. In the 1980s, we shifted conventional wisdom from the notion that emigration from Jerusalem

was motivated by cultural reasons to a recognition that job opportunities and housing were the

main factors. The eventual result was the establishment of the Jerusalem Development

Authority which became the central governmental tool for development in the city;

Three former Heads of the JIIS (from left): Professor Avraham (Rami) Friedman, Professor David Amiran, and Professor Amiram Gonen


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17. We have established a

reputation as the most

reliable and accurate source

available to both Israeli and

foreign media on issues

pertaining to Jerusalem;

18. We established an

environmental policy center

in Israel and produced a

large body of literature in

Hebrew on environmental

policies;

19. We have influenced

environmental legislation through studies on air and land pollution, recycling, and similar issues.

20. We have employed scientific methods in order to establish the causes of the shrinking of the

Dead Sea and the formation of sinkholes on its shores. The Israeli government has adopted

our work on the subject as its own basic policy directive for future planning in the region of the

Dead Sea.

21. We have undertaken an assessment of the

causes of erosion of the coastal cliffs and have

authored policies for preventing such erosion.

Policy makers in the Israeli government are

currently awaiting our final report before making

their policy decisions.

22. We, together with the Peres Center for Peace,

have launched an initiative to define the water

needs of Israelis and Palestinians in order to

establish new guidelines for water sharing.

23. We have cooperated with Palestinian academics

in drafting plans for improving the quality of life

and better management of some of the most

difficult aspects of life in and around Jerusalem.

24. We have formed expert "Dream Teams" on

topics concerning Jerusalem and matters of

conflict management and conflict resolution.

Mayor Teddy Kollek (left), with Mr. and Mrs. Elyachar at the dedication of our home

Head of the JIIS, Professor Yaacov Bar-Siman-Tov (right) and Chairman of the Board, Dr. Emanuel Sharon


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25. Through the publication of factual weekly

columns in the press, we have made essential

issues affecting policy accessible to the public.

26. We have formed a "neutral zone" where policy

makers, stake holders, the public and experts

meet to discuss policy and share concerns.

27. We have built a large body of literature on the

immigration to Israel from the former Soviet

Union following the arrival of over one million

new immigrants in Israel. We have

accompanied policy studies with a hands-on

focus group of immigrant intellectuals.

28. We have reformed the Israeli government's

method of supporting industrial growth by introducing new concepts and systems that

encourage innovation as well as cooperation between industry and academia. Our policy

recommendations were crucial for the development of Israel's high-tech industries.

29. We have created powerful new methods for introducing and cultivating innovative thinking in

small and medium size low-tech industries. Government support and our guidance has enabled

many firms to recover from periods of decline and to thrive.

30. We have significantly contributed to the development of a new area of policy research in Israel:

sustainability and quality of life in local authorities.

Building a data bank then: The StatisticalYearbook team and staff, with one of the first issues, in the 1980's

And now: the team with the new Yearbook and the companion volume Facts and Trends

A chapter heading from Forty Years in Jerusalem


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Founding Fathers (deceased): Baruch Yekutieli (1926-1989), Professor Joshua Prower (1917-1990), Abraham (Abe) Harman (1914-1992), Haim Kuberski, (1923-1997), Professor David Amiran (1910-2003), Professor Arie Shachar (1936-2006), Teddy Kollek (1911-2007),


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As we reach the end of 2008, we are well aware of the international financial crisis. Our income in

dollars has been reduced by a third and we have had to make adjustments accordingly. Yet we are

proud to note that in 2008 we were able to produce some outstanding publications that have

contributed to the formulation of policy over a wide range of issues, from the peace process to

cultural and environmental policies.

These publications included the book, Forty Years in Jerusalem, 500 carefully laid-out pages in

which we made the greatest investment we have ever made in a single publication: beautiful

photographs were incorporated into the text of learned experts in a variety of fields. David

Kroyanker's book on the German Colony reveals the fascinating urban and social history of this

special neighborhood of Jerusalem. Yitzhak Reiter's book War, Peace, and International Relations in

Contemporary Islam: Muslim Scholars on the Peace Treaty with Israel covers dozens of Arabic

documents, translating them and analyzing their significance. If and when the peace process is

renewed, these documents may serve as the ideological basis for peace between Israel and the

Islamic world.

We extend our thanks to all the foundations, institutions, and individuals who have supported us and enabled us to accomplish all that we have succeeded in doing thus far.

Finally, a personal note: thirty years ago, Professor David Amiran invited me to join him in the

establishment of the Jerusalem Institute for Israel Studies. I could not have imagined at that time that

I was entering a life-long adventure and that thirty years would go by like a few exhilarating days. I

hope that the coming thirty years will be as productive and rewarding as the thirty years we are now

concluding.

Sincerely,

Ora Ahimeir, Director

Ora Ahimeir, early 1980s And today

JIIS Annual Report 2008 > Outgoing and Incoming Chairmen

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Outgoing and Incoming Chairmen

Emanuel Sharon, our Chairman since 1995, decided to

complete his duty after many years of excellent leadership and

having set new standards for the Institute's democratic and

orderly management. Sharon was always very generous with

his time, devoting much to JIIS affairs and contributing greatly

to our work as an active participant in our efforts. His voice

was decisive in matters of ethics and was held by us as well

as others in high esteem for his honesty and wisdom. We are

truly grateful for his immeasurable contribution and will miss

his steady guiding hand.

Sharon was formerly Director of State Revenues and the Civil

Service Commission at the Ministry of Finance and subsequently Director-General of the Ministry of

Finance. He served as chairman of the Board of Directors of Bank Hapoalim and headed the kibbutz

debt arrangement program. Sharon also acted as a senior advisor for the World Bank and played a

leading role in the development of many major Israeli firms.

The new Chairman, Dan (Danny) Halperin, has held numerous

positions in the Ministry of Finance including adviser to the

minister, spokesman, and Deputy Director-General for

International Affairs. He spent many years as the Ministry's

director of anti-boycott activities and served for seven years as

the Israeli economic attaché in Washington, DC.

Halperin has served on the board of directors of El Al, the

Israeli Electric Company, and various Israeli firms, such as

Yashir, Mutual Funds; The Caesarea Edmond Banjamin De

Rothschild Foundation; The Caesarea Edmond De Rothschild

Development Corp. Ltd.; The First International Bank, Gemel;

Academon; OLIMPIA (a construction co.); Edmond de Rothschild Portfolio Management (Israel) and

is currently Chairman of the Israel Festival in Jerusalem. Now working in the private sector, Halperin

is Managing Director of IFTIC Ltd., a consulting firm formed together with Major General (Ret)

Menachem Meron. Its main line of business is advising Israeli and American companies of ways to

expand their mutual business. In addition Dani has focused his civil activities in the last twenty year

on promoting cultural activities in Jerusalem such as the Jerusalem Israel Festival, The Yellow

Submarine and Mishkenot Sha’ananim.

We look forward to working with him and learning from his wide-ranging experience.

Danny Halperin

Dr. Emanuel Sharon (right) with former JIIS head, Professor Avraham (Rami) Friedman

JIIS Annual Report 2008 > A New Web Presence

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A New Web Presence

Today, technology and new media are central

tools for obtaining information and integrating

into the modern world. More and more people

acquire their values and ideas through

technology, which makes a wealth of

knowledge far more accessible and opens new

possibilities for education, enrichment, and

broader horizons. As part of these

developments, policy institutes have started

using web sites as a means of communicating

better and of providing their audiences with a

wider range of data and new forms of

accessibility.

Thus, one of the ways the Jerusalem Institute

is honoring the thirtieth anniversary of its

founding is with the launching of a renewed

internet site, both technologically upgraded and

enriched in content.

We have three main goals in developing this

site. First, we intend to extend our reach and

to impact new and relevant audiences --

especially policy makers and

researchers. Though in the past we mainly

targeted Hebrew speakers, the new site will

emphasize English as our main language of

communication on the web. Much thought was

given to the structure and design of the site in

order to help it reach our target audiences. The

new site has a clear design and focuses on the

content itself rather than on its surroundings.

The site also offers comfortable, user-friendly,

and easy navigation through our vast information resources. Search engine optimization tools will be

used to draw attention to our web site and to direct our target audiences to specific content. The new

site will be more attractive and user-friendly and will incorporate higher quality technologies and

better resolution pictures, graphics, and simulations.

JIIS Homepage, 1998

JIIS Homepage, 2002


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The second goal is to provide access to a much

wider range of the Institute's research and

activities. The site will be enriched by the

transfer and digitalization of resources that the

institute now holds in more traditional forms,

such as books, maps, and research reports until

now distributed only in hard copy. Our

statistical databases - important research tools

that have made their name as accurate and informative -- will be available both as graphic sources

and as raw data on excel files that can be

downloaded, free of charge.

The third goal is to make our research available

in more innovative forms by shifting to a more

advanced web 2.0 use of the medium. This

includes granting access to all of the (PPT)

presentations that are being produced and

presented as part of the Institute's work. It also

will entail offering live broadcasts of seminars,

lectures, and conferences, as well as allowing

storage of these events in the form of video on

demand (VOD) available to anyone with

internet access. In addition, the Institute will be

able to initiate the production of movies and

other media forms, or provide storage of such

from other sources and real simple syndication

(RSS).

The new site will serve as an on-line bulletin

board for announcing events and the release of

new publications, publishing news and

commentary on topics relevant to the Institute's

work and links to blogs of the Institute's experts

on current events. It will also serve as a

platform for introducing the variety and diversity

of researchers working with the institute.

The JIIS blog

JIIS Homepage, 2004

JIIS Homepage, 2008


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By utilizing the options made

available by the new site, the

Institute will be able to offer our

public – policy makers, public

employees, researchers, and

anyone interested in our fields of

research -- a wide range of richly

detailed information in the form of

maps, statistics, planning outlines

and research papers. The

Institute's work on matters as

diverse as the international legal

views on the partition of

Jerusalem and the long-term

prospects for the Dead Sea will become easily accessible in the form most appropriate for the user.

Upon launching we will issue a special press release, will notify our e-mail list, and advertise on

principle web sites serving our targeted audiences abroad. We expect that the introduction of the

Institute's new site will be a fitting celebration of the thirty years spent amassing the resources we will

now be making freely available to the public.

A preview of the new website, scheduled to go on-line in December 2008 -- January 2009

Efrat Saar, Editor of the JIIS website and blog

JIIS Annual Report 2008 > Events

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Events

In 2008 the Jerusalem Institute was involved and organized many successful events, conferences

and seminars and participated in important agenda-setting policy forums in Israel and abroad.

A. Special Events

1. Briefing the Israeli Cabinet -- Jerusalem Day

Ora Ahimeir, director of the Institute, and Dr. Maya Choshen were invited to speak at a special

meeting of the Israeli government devoted to the subject of Jerusalem.

Ahimeir and Choshen opened by explaining that the Jerusalem Institute of Israel Studies has been

dealing with research on the capital for 30 years. The Institute's approach has been to conduct

academic research aimed at policy-making, without any special interests or political funding. The only

considerations driving the work have been the search for accuracy and the desire to provide

decision-makers with a sound basis for determining policy.

The Institute's representatives addressed the untenable gap between the tens of practical decisions

the cabinet has made to strengthen the city and their lack of implementation. If the government is

serious about its intentions to improve the situation in the capital, it must translate these intentions

into action. There is no lack of plans and strategies, Ahimeir and Choshen pointed out: both the

Institute and other bodies provide these -- but without significant change in Jerusalem the moral

claims regarding the status of the city will become invalid.

A review of the demographics of Jerusalem, the trends of development among the population, and

the deteriorating economic situation was presented. All are currently available for viewing in both

Hebrew and English on our website, www.jiis.org.il.

Excerpts from the presentation to the government


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2. Visit of the President of the Revson Foundation to the Institute

The new President of the Revson

Foundation, Julie Sandorf, and

member of the Foundation's Board

of Directors, Susan Gluck, visited

the Institute. In a meeting that

lasted a number of hours,

representatives of several

generations of researchers

presented selected projects. The

special relationship between the

Institute and the Foundation was

discussed, and Galit Cohen, of the

Ministry of Environmental

Protection, spoke as a

representative of a governmental

decision –making body on the important connections between her ministry and the Institute.

The guests from the Revson Foundation were also taken on tours of the city by Israel Kimhi and Dr.

Maya Choshen and to Yad Vashem, the Holocaust Museum.

Julie Sandorf, President of the Charles H. Revson Foundation and Board member Susan Gluck on a tour with Israel Kimhi

Confering the Revson Foundation the title of "Guardian of the City" for its contribution to Jerusalem and the Jerusalem Institute (from left) Dr. Matina Horner – Chairwomen of the Revson Foundation's Board, Eli Evans – President of the Revson Foundation and Mayor Teddy Kollek, 1993


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3. International Conference in Switzerland: Defining Water Needs

Access to water is one of the

crucial sources of conflict between

Israelis and Palestinians. The

project "Water Needs" addresses

this issue through a study of the

needs for and availability of water

in this region. As a first stage in

the project, The Environmental

Policy Center of the Jerusalem

Institute for Israel Studies together

with Palestinian researchers, the

Peres Center for Peace, Green

Cross France and Green Cross

Switzerland, held an international

conference in Geneva from May 2-

4, 2008. Its goal was to define

water needs in order to develop

guidelines that will help Israelis

and Palestinians to determine the

needs of the two economies in the

future.

Approximately twenty-five

researchers participated in the

conference. The team of

Palestinian researchers was

headed by Dr. Abed El-Rahman

Tamimi, the team of Israelis was

headed by Prof. Eran Feitelson,

and a number of world-reknowned

experts from U.S. and Europe also

took part.

Additional information is available on the Institute's site (www.jiis.org.il)

(from right) Yaacov Bar-Siman-Tov, Oren Bolnder (Peres Center for Peace), Galit Hazan (JIIS), Eran Feitelson (Hebrew University and JIIS), Amer Marei (Al-Quds University), Samuel Pohoryles (Peres Center for Peace), and Abed El-Rahman Tamimi (The Palestinian Hydrological Group)

Members of the delegations at the discussion table in Geneva


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4. The Eighth Herzliya Convention

The Herzliya Convention on the

International Balance Between

Strength and Security has become

over the years one of the best-

known forums for discussions of

Israeli policy. Prominent

politicians, researchers, and

policy-makers from Israel and

abroad take part. The

Interdisciplinary Center in

Herzliya, headed by Prof. Uzi

Arad, initiates and organizes the

annual conference, which attracts

great media attention.

Two years ago the Jerusalem

Institute was invited to appear at the conference to present the approach that Jerusalem’s strength is

a component of Israel's national strength. Israel Kimhi and Dr. Maya Choshen presented indicators

according to which national strength can be assessed, and explained how these indicators are

checked by annual surveys.

This year Ora Ahimeir, the Institute’s Director, addressed the

centrality of Jerusalem as a starting point for the Institute’s

work. The central messages of her talk to decision-makers

were:

1. Jerusalem is representative of the country's national

strength – the city’s strength is essential to the strength

of the country;

2. Jerusalem is and will continue to be a central issue in

peace arrangements.

Worrisome statistics were presented on the trends of migration

out of the city and the growing poverty, together with four

positive, driving forces for growth that have the potential to

jump-start the city’s economy and to change the conditions for its employment opportunities:

Ora Ahimeir presenting the institute's work at the 2008 Herzliya Conference


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1. A positioning of Jerusalem as the center for the biotechnology industry – both for Israel and for

the international community;

2. Strengthening Jerusalem’s new media companies, where technology, art, and media overlap –

as in computer games and animation;

3. Supporting the city’s academic institutions and the marketing of Jerusalem both as Israel’s

leading academic center and as a center for study for the Jewish people, including special

tracks of study and a widening of cooperation between different institutions.

4. The Haredi (Ultra-Orthodox) community as a force for economic growth, including developing

possibilities for higher education for this segment of the population.

5. Briefing for Ambassadors and Israeli Representatives Abroad

All the Ambassadors and Heads of Delegations from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs who were due to

depart in 2008 for duties abroad took part in a seminar on Jerusalem run by the Institute. The

seminar was the initiative of Reuven Merhav, former Director-General of the Ministry of Foreign

Affairs and today a fellow of the Jerusalem Institute; Israel Kimhi directed it and lectured.

Enterance to the JIIS conference room before (left) and after renovation


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6. Annual General Assembly of the Institute

Fifteen new members joined the General Assembly and

took part in two of the Institute's annual gatherings. The

primary research units of the Institute were presented –

Jerusalem, conflict management, environmental policy and

innovation – as well as new books and publications. A

management report was presented and the 2007 financial

report was approved; an accountant and auditor were also

approved.

7. Meeting of the Knesset Committee on Foreign Relations and Security

Prof. Yaacov Bar-Siman-Tov, head of the Jerusalem Institute, and Prof. Mari Fitzduff, Director of the

Conflict and Coexistence Programme at Brandeis University, were invited to take part in a discussion

devoted to obstacles to conflict resolution held by the Knesset's Committee on Foreign Relations and

Security. Prof. Fitzduff visited the Institute following the meeting.

B. Conferences and Seminars

Jerusalem

1. The Historic Basin of Jerusalem

The Institute has been researching this core issue of the Israeli-Palestinian dispute, with the support

of the Richard and Rhoda Goldman Fund, for the last two years. The primary findings and

recommendations to the governmental and municipal decision-makers were presented at a public

conference on the subject and included:

Dan Halperin, a new member of the JIIS Board

A view from Mt. Scopus: the Historic Basin of Jerusalem


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1. Guidelines regarding

preservations of views since

the 1920s that should

continue to be observed;

2. Guidelines regarding proporti

ons of buildings, building only

in chiseled stone, and the

restrictions on

additions should be enforced

in all new building in the

visible basin;

3. Immediate steps should be

taken to improve the quality

of life, public services, and

infrastructure;

4. Immediate steps should be taken to encourage economic growth and local employment,

especially tourism..

The research was conducted by a multi-disciplinary team directed by Israel Kimhi. Additional

information is available on the Institute's site (www.jiis.org.il).

Researchers Neri Horowitz (left) and Lee Cahaner at the conference "Israel 2028 – Vision and Socio-Economic Strategy in the Global World"

MK Dov Hanin (left) at the conference "Planning Bicycles for Jerusalem"


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2. Between Church and Nation

The seminar "Between Church and Nation" celebrated the

publication of a book by Prof. Raymond Cohen, Saving the

Church of the Holy Sepulchre by Oxford University Press. The

book presents the disagreements over the development of the

church from 1967 to today.

Most of the experts warned of the disaster that might occur and

the immeasurable national damage that would be incurred if a

fire were to break out in the Church. These concerns are

growing over the rites involving fire held by the Orthodox Church

and the Armenians on the "Sabbath of Light" that takes place

there annually on the Christian holiday of Easter. The experts

fear that if any disaster does take place, blame will be laid on

the Israeli authorities for failing to have brought the conflicted

sides to an agreement.

Dr. Amnon Ramon, a senior fellow at the Institute, noted that to this day there is no Israeli body or

government office clearly in charge, and no one is taking responsibility for dealing with these

problems. "The Church of the Holy Sepulchre is one of the holiest sites to the Christian world and

draws millions of pilgrims whom the state must not neglect. If -- god forbid -- a tragedy happens, the

Christian world will blame Israel."

3. Trends and Changes in the Ultra-Orthodox Community

A special conference on the issue

of employment among the ultra-

Orthodox – trends and changes

among the Ultra-Orthodox

(Haredi) community was held as a

tribute to Prof. Menachem

Friedman, the first researcher at

the Institute to focus on the Ultra-

Orthodox.

Today, among certain circles of

the Ultra-Orthodox population,

there is a growing willingness to

take an active part in the civil and

social life of Israel -- despite a

District planner Guy Kav-VeNaki presenting at the JIIS


·· 23 ··

continuing rejection of the society's liberal and democratic values. In addition, the Ultra-Orthodox

have begun to adopt certain aspects of modern life, such as modern technologies (cell phones and

internet use), economics (integration into the job market) and Israeli politics, provided they do not

come into conflict with the Ultra-Orthodox way of life.

The change that is taking place does not relate to a large portion of the population and in fact refers

only to a very small group of a few thousand among the Ultra-Orthodox. Meanwhile, the Ultra-

Orthodox population is expanding rapidly and is beginning to engulf the religious Sephardi

community and the nationalist Orthodox camp, while the non-religious population seems to become

more tolerant of them. There is something of a paradox in the fact that as the Ultra-Orthodox

community grows it loses, to a certain extent, its ideological backbone and comes into greater

contact with non-Orthodox society.

The Israeli Ultra-Orthodox world in fact depends on the open, liberal, and modern welfare state.

Ultra-Orthodox society is characterized by very low rates of participation in the work force, especially

among men ( 27%, as compared to 84% among Jewish men who are not Ultra-Orthodox), and

extremely high birth rates (7.7 children to a woman) as well as great gaps in education levels. This

constellation of factors leads to a very high poverty rate. The Ultra-Orthodox population constitutes

9% of the Israeli Jewish population over the age of 20, a quarter of which resides in Jerusalem.

There is growing activity directed at this population surrounding professional training, employment

programs, and career direction largely run by the Joint Distribution Committee, the Ministry of

Industry, private employment companies, and Ultra-Orthodox colleges. Ultra-Orthodox men are

interested in higher education. There is great potential for growth which is likely to be met by

integrating young Ultra-Orthodox into the labor market – something which has not happened until

now because of structural and social problems.

4. The Urbanist

The Institute held a special

event for Israel Kimhi to celebrate

both his 70th birthday and 50 years

of work on the planning of

Jerusalem. Ora Ahimeir, Director

of the Institute, opened with

remarks in Kimhi's honor and Dr.

Maya Choshen lectured on a

variety of his projects. Architect

Mike Turner spoke on

preservation in Jerusalem and

Prof. Joseph Shweid spoke about Dina Ratchevski, former Director-General of Planning Administration at the Ministry of Interior and JIIS board member at "The Urbanist" conference


·· 24 ··

plans for Jerusalem in the 1960s and 1970s.

5. Jerusalem Schools and Demographics

A conference for the principals of elementary schools in

Jerusalem was held with lecturers from the Institute and the

Jerusalem Education Authority (JEA). Demographic issues

and educational dilemmas in a heterogeneous city were

discussed.

6. Special Conference at the Knesset on the Economic Future of Jerusalem

This special event, organized at the initiative of MK Colette

Avital, was held at the Knesset and featured lectures on the

state of the capital. Dr. Dan Kaufman of the Jerusalem Institute

gave a presentation based on his work on forces for economic

growth in Jerusalem.

The Arab-Israeli Conflict

1. Between Militarism and Policy

In cooperation with the Institute for Diplomacy and Regional Cooperation of Tel Aviv University, this

conference was held to celebrate the publication of the book Between Militarism and Policy in Israel:

Bio-tech and Software Clusters in Jerusalem

Economist Dr. Dan Kaufman, innovation management


·· 25 ··

The Influence of the Army on the

Transition from War to Peace by

Dr. Kobi Michael, a senior

researcher at the Jerusalem

Institute.

Michael claims that Israel stands

before three first order challenges

to its security: the Gaza Strip, the

Iranian threat, and the Syrian

arena. The experience of recent

years and especially from the Oslo

process and the Second War in

Lebanon indicate the notable

weakness of Israel's national

leadership and its growing dependence on the military echelons. This dependency perpetuates the

problematic asymmetry between military strategy and national strategy in a way that leads to the

hegemony of the first over the latter. Given this reality and both the conditions of a low level of public

confidence in national leaders and a high level of confidence in military leaders, Israel is apt to find

itself caught in the logic of military thinking in a way that might inhibit it from dealing in a wiser way

with all the threats and challenges with which it is presented.

2. Thirty Years Since Sadat's Visit to Jerusalem

This conference was held to celebrate the publication of the

book Between Cairo and Jerusalem: Normalization Between

Arab Countries and Israel – the Egyptian Example, by David

Sultan. The program included a lecture by Prof. Yaacov Bar-

Siman-Tov, head of the Institute, entitled "Is the Peace

Stable?"; a lecture by Prof. Elie Podeh, from the Hebrew

University, on "Israel and Egypt: (Almost) Normal Relations";

and a talk by the author, former Israeli Ambassador to Egypt,

on "Israel's Attitude Towards Normalization". Abstracts of the

lectures are available at the Institute's site: www.jiiis.org.il.

Dr. Kobi Michael, conflict resolution and political science


·· 26 ··

The Environment

1. "Green" Conferences and Workshops

The Institute held two “green”

conferences that drew large crowds, in

cooperation with many NGOs as well

as governmental and municipal

institutions. Among the organizations

that took part: The Society for the

Protection of Nature, The Zionist

Council for Israel, the Organization of

Senior Civil Servants, Israel on the

Bicycle Path, Yes – Wheel, Shatil,

Sustainable Jerusalem, Roots for a

Green Environment, The Fund for a

Green Environment, Israel’s Bicycle

Path, Sustenance, Shvoong, Groupy,

the Jerusalem Municipality, The

Ministry for Environmental Protection,

The Ministry of Transportation, the

Ministry for Building and Construction,

and the Company for Community

Centers and Administrations.

1. Green Jerusalem – with the participation of the Minister of Infrastructure, Benjamin Ben-Eliezer.

With lectures and discussions on positioning Jerusalem as a leading city for fostering concern

for the environment and as Jerusalem as a model for research, development, and the use of

alternative energies.

2. Planning Bicycles for Jerusalem – with the participation of the Minister of Transportation, Shaul

Mofaz. With lectures and discussions on urbanism and bicycles in urban conditions, bicycles

and public transportation, and policies to encourage bicycle-riding.

MK Ofir Pines-Paz (center), head of the Knesset committee for internal and environmental affairs, at the conference "Planning Bicycles for Jerusalem"

A view near the Sherover Promenade: the Historic Basin of Jerusalem


·· 27 ··

2. Seminar on Social Aspects of Policy and the Determination of Social Indicators for Sustainable Development in Israel

The goal of this workshop was to determine a set of social indicators that could assist in monitoring

social trends in Israel and adapting them to the concept of sustainable development. The discussion

encompassed issues of principle and methodology. The participants were experts from a variety of

fields: Ora Ahimeir, Dr. Maya Choshen, Prof. Arza Churchman, Galit Cohen, Prof. Eran Feitelson,

Prof. Rasem Hameisi, Galit Hazan, Dr. Hagai Katz, Naama Ringler, Dr. Elisheva Sadan, Prof. Yossi

Shelhav, and Dr. Erez Tsafdia.

3. Workshop on Indicators for Measuring Effectiveness and Compliance in Matters of Environmental Protection

The workshop, led by Attorney Orr

Karassin, was held in the

framework of the Institute's Center

for Environmental Policy.

Research was presented that

focused on the goals of

enforcement, indicators for

measuring improvement or lack of

it, and indices for monitoring the

effectiveness of the enforcement.

In addition, discussion was held

with high officials from the Ministry

of Environmental Protection on the

means for implementing models

proposed in the research: Itzhak Ben David, Deputy Director for

Enforcement; Dalit Dror, legal adviser to the Ministry; Amir Levin,

head of the Green Police, Rani Amir, in charge of the seas and

shores, and Ilan Nisim, responsible for solid waste in the Ministry,

were among the participants. Legal and other experts on

implementation also took part.

Attorney Orr Karasin (left)

Changing the Deposit Law on Beverage Containers- a Cost-Benefit Analysis, Doron Lavie, 2008


·· 28 ··

Israeli Society

1. Israel 2028

A conference was held to discuss the

document "Israel 2028 – Vision and Socio-Economic Strategy in the Global World".

It was presented to decision-makers in Israel

by a public committee headed by Eli

Horowitz, Chairman and Former CEO of Teva

Pharmaceuticals.

The conference began with a presentation of

the proposal by David Brodet, the document's

editor and a member of the Institute's Board.

Mr Brodet is currently chairman of Ben-

Gurion University and has held many key

economic posts in both the government and

private sector, including Director-General of

the Ministry of Finance and Chairman of the

Board of the United Mizrahi Bank. Sami

Friedrich, a member of the project's Steering Committee and Chairman of Shaldor (a leading

strategic management consulting firm), spoke on institutional tools for managing strategy on a

national level.

The second session addressed issues of long-term planning and Israeli strategy in the context of the

global economy. Dr. Neri Horowitz, a member of the team that prepared Israel 2028 and of the

Mandel Leadership Institute, presented a lecture on employment and changes in the work market as

part of strategic planning. Dan Kaufman of the Jerusalem Institute and Lee Kahaner, from both the

Jerusalem Institute and Haifa University, spoke about education, employment, and trends of change

among the Ultra-Orthodox community.

2. The Role of Evaluation Studies

In recent years a small cluster of evaluation projects has been developed at the JIIS by Dr. Maya

Choshen and between 6 and 8 such projects are now being conducted each year. In a full day

conference on the role of evaluation as "hands on" and policy-oriented was examined: Yaacov Bar-

Siman-Tov presented a talk on evaluation as a learning process, Prof. Ilan Yaniv spoke about

psychological barriers to evaluation, and Dr. Rita Sever gave a talk on evaluations as a dialog.

David Brodet, at the conference "Israel 2028 – Vision and Socio-Economic Strategy in the Global World"


·· 29 ··

On a second panel, Sarit Beach-

Morai of the National Insurance

Institute talked about the issues

and lessons to be learned from

research assisting the

development of social services.

Dr. Maya Choshen, of the

Jerusalem Institute, talked about

evaluation from the standpoint of

the person doing the evaluating.

Aharon Malach from the NGO

"House of Hopes," spoke about

evaluations from the standpoint of

the subject being evaluated.

On the third panel, Dr. Maya

Kahanoff of the Jerusalem

Institute and the Hebrew

University gave a talk on the challenges of conducting assessments in the background of ongoing, a-

symmetrical conflict. Dr. Hagai Agmon-Snir of the Jerusalem Inter-cultural Center spoke about

assessing the results of Israeli-Palestinian projects. Dr. Hagit Hacohen-Wolf, of the Hebrew

University, addressed the effects of funding and surrounding conditions on the success of an

evaluation. Udi Spiegel, of the Jerusalem Foundation, ended the conference by expressing

appreciation on the Foundation's behalf to all those involved.

3. The Generation of Giants and Thereafter

Honoring the launching of the book by Yuval Elitsur, 31 Leaders – Founders of the Nation, the

Institute held an evening event that included lectures by former minister Uzi Baram, Dan Bavly, Prof.

Yehiam Weitz, and Prof. Yaacov Bar-Siman-Tov.

4. Majority-Minority Relations in Israel: A Theoretical Framework for Dialogue Between Jews and Arabs

A seminar of the team on this subject was led by the initiator of the project, Dr. Yitzhak Reiter. The

participants were: Prof. Yaacov Bar-Siman-Tov, Galit Hazan, Dr. Kobi Michael, Dr. Sarah Ozacky-

Lazar, Dan Patir, Prof. Edna Ulman-Margalit, Dr. Alex Yaacobson, and Avigail Yaacobson.

Dr. Maya Choshen, demographer and editor of the statistical yearbook


·· 30 ··

The goal of the seminar was to prepare a first draft of an Israeli document on the issue. The idea

behind the document was to present a liberal Jewish approach to Arab-Jewish relations that could

serve as an ideological basis for Jewish discourse regarding majority-minority relations in the

country, as a basis for discussion with the Arab sector, and as an instrument for influencing and

implementing policy. At the heart of the document is a proposal for inclusive citizenship for greater

equality and integration.

At the conference "Planning Bicycles for Jerusalem". from left: Yair Maayan, Director-General of the Jerusalem Municipality; Yotam Avizohar, Head of Israel for Bikes;Minister of Transportation Shaul Mofaz; and Naomi Tsur, then head of the Society for the Protection of Nature - Jerusalem chapter, and today - a member of the Jerusalem city council

A meeting with government ministers Rafi Eitan (2nd from right) and Haim Ramon (center) at the JIIS

JIIS Annual Report 2008 > New Publications

·· 31 ··

New Publications

The Institute's average output is between 15 and 20 publications annually. In 2008 we maintained

this level of activity but among those produced a number of sizeable and substantial books aimed at

a wider public, and not primarily at policy makers. Examples are the book Forty Years in Jerusalem

and the book by architect David Kroyanker on the Jerusalem neighborhood known as the German

Colony.

A. Jerusalem

Forty Years in Jerusalem

Edited by Ora Ahimeir and Yaacov Bar-Siman-

Tov

522 pages, in Hebrew, forthcoming

Now celebrating 40 years as a re-united city

under Israeli governance, this book is a

collection of papers by a variety of experts on

different aspects of the city and its residents

during the past four decades. Rich in visual

elements, including hundreds of quality

photographs, it brings to life the immeasurable

beauty of the city as well as the complexity of

its problems. The books conveys both alarming

messages regarding the city's decline as well as evaluations outlining measures that can be taken to

reverse the problematic trends and help revive the

city.

The Statistical Yearbook of Jerusalem

Edited by Maya Choshen

471 pages, in both Hebrew and English

This book of essential data is produced by the

Institute annually in cooperation with the Jerusalem

Municipality, drawing on information both from the Dr. Maya Choshen and PM Ehud Ulmert (then Mayor of Jerusalem) at the inauguration of a new yearbook

Forty Years in Jerusalem – our latest publication


·· 32 ··

city and from Israel's Central Bureau of Statistics. This year, thanks to the gracious assistance of the

Pratt Foundation, the yearbook is graphically superior to all previous editions and has been

distributed internationally to Jewish Institutes, academic centers, and diplomatic missions as well as

to local and national policy makers.

Jerusalem: Facts and Trends, 2005-2006

Edited by Maya Choshen and Michal Korach

67 pages, published separately in Hebrew and English

Published as a companion volume to the Statistical Yearbook,

the booklet offers a concise and up-to-date picture of

Jerusalem as it is today as well as information on trends of

change. A wide range of topics are covered: population,

employment, education, tourism, construction, and more. Also

included are surveys on attitudes towards Jerusalem as a

component of Israel's national strength.

Jerusalem – The German Colony and Emek Refaim Street

By David Kroyanker, in conjunction with Keter Publishers

403 pages, in Hebrew

Written by the foremost expert on

Jerusalem's architecture, this book

contains many unique first-

published photographs in addition

to text. It sheds light on one of

Jerusalem's most central and

fascinating neighborhoods – the

German Colony. Built by a devout

German-Christian community, its

residents supported Nazi

Germany during World War II and

were deported by the British

regime in the 1940's. Today the

neighborhood is one of the most German Chancellor Angela Merkel and David Kroyanker with his new book Jerusalem – The German Colony and Emek Refaim Street


·· 33 ··

attractive business and residence areas of the city. This book tells the story of the Colony's builders,

their unique communal traditions and their contribution to the modern heritage of Jerusalem.

Community Strategies for Dealing with Poverty in Jerusalem

By Roni Strier

62 pages, in Hebrew with an abstract in English

This publication is a follow-up to the Institute's 2006 book by John Gal and Idit Weiss on poverty in

Jerusalem. In recent years poverty in the city has been constantly growing and policies for halting

and reversing the trend are desperately needed. This paper proposes to harness the communal

structure of Jerusalem's neighborhoods to save families, and especially children, from cycles of

indigence. Some of the methods have been helpful in other cities and could be applied in the capital.

A Master Plan for Cultural Institutions for the Ultra-Orthodox Population in Jerusalem

By Maya Choshen, Israel Kimhi, and Michal Korach

100 pages, in Hebrew, with an abstract in English

Aimed at developing a more in-depth understanding and recognition of the needs of this community,

the research is timely and

important given the growth of the

Ultra-Orthodox population. Its

needs for cultural centers of its

own are addressed here as part of

the universal demand for such

services to all the city's residents,

in keeping with general standards.

The report discusses specific

institutions that should be created,

sets priorities for their

establishment, and indicates

possible sites that might be

utilized.Institute researcher Michal Korach and Ultra-Orthodox municipality officials on a study tour of Ultra-Orthodox cultural institutions


·· 34 ··

David Kroyanker presenting one of his first books in the series Jerusalem Architecture to Teddy Kollek at an Annual Book Fair

Researchers Dan Bendel and Naomi Solomon selling the Institute's publications at the Annual Book Fair, 2007


·· 35 ··

Jerusalem as a Destination for Internal Migration of Young

Palestinian-Israeli Women

By Asmahan Masri-Harzallah

Published in conjunction with Floersheimer Papers


This publication examines the situation of young Arab women

who settle in Jerusalem after completing their academic

studies. It presents Jerusalem in the context of movement and

change in Israel's Arab population, from a perspective rarely

given voice.

A Vision for Jerusalem

Edited by Gur Ofer and the research team of "A Vision for Jerusalem"


Now in the midst of many years of decline, the participants in a project on Jerusalem's rejuvenation –

academicians and professionals -- propose a series of steps for revivifying the city economically,

culturally, and socially. The project was initiated by three leading foundations – among them the

Jerusalem Foundation. The academic team was directed by Professor Gur Ofer, an economist at the

Hebrew University, and the public committee directing it was headed by David Bloomberg.

A Vision for Jerusalem -- Executive Summary, By Gur Ofer, 60 pages, in Hebrew with an English

abstract

This is an abbreviated version of the aforementioned work on Jerusalem's renewal.

Higher Learning, Job Training, and Employment in the Ultra-Orthodox Community

By Assaf Malchi, Bezalel Cohen, and Dan Kaufman


The problems of the Ultra-Orthodox in terms of poverty and low participation in the work force are

increasingly acknowledged; this study examines the possibilities for developing education in this

Jerusalem as a Destination for Internal Migration of Young Palestinian-Israeli Women


·· 36 ··

sector to confront both of these problems. The research entailed examining the attitudes of the Ultra-

Orthodox towards the pursuit of academic education and identified the primary obstacles to their

integration into different paths of academic study. Included are conclusions and recommendations

regarding possible means for informing, assisting, and supporting the Ultra-Orthodox in the pursuit of

higher education and subsequent integration into the work force.

The Holy Places of the Old City of Jerusalem: Options for their

Management in the Framework of an International Agreement

By Yitzhak Reiter, 29 pages, in Hebrew

In contrast with other issues debated between Israel and the

Palestinians -- such as borders and refugees, which are bi-

lateral disputes -- the matter of the holy places is a multi-

lateral issue. This book by Middle East expert lays out options

for the future based on agreements in the past, beginning with

the Sultan's Edict of 1852, and with consideration of the

religious complications and demands by the competing actors

in the dispute. These range from the position of the

Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC), which brings

together 57 countries, to the expectations of Israel's government, and from the Vatican to the Jewish

Diaspora.

(from left) Christian, Muslim, and Jewish institutions in the Old City


·· 37 ··

Community Believes in Education, By Maya Choshen, Michal Korach,

In cooperation with the Jerusalem Foundation and the Company for Community Centers in

Jerusalem, 80 pages, in Hebrew

This publication investigates the implementation of an innovative project, first introduced in

Jerusalem in 2000, and now successfully reproduced in other Israeli cities, for community

empowerment. The study focuses on two of seven neighborhoods in which the program ran: it

includes lessons learned by the authors who closely followed and helped to shape the project. As a

joint effort of professionals and agencies working in Jerusalem, the project aimed at galvanizing local

residents and resources for engagement in setting public priorities, pressing for change, and

effecting policy in education and community management. The authors relate to the project's

successes as well as its failings.

B. The Arab-Israeli Conflict

War, Peace, and International Relations in Modern Islam:

Religious Decisions on the Subject of Peace with Israel, By

Yitzhak Reiter and Galit Hazan


This singular book presents Islamic edicts, some translated

for the first time into Hebrew, on the subject of peace

between Islamic countries and their neighbors. Written with

a focus on peace between Israel and its neighbors, the

analyses reveal far greater flexibility and complexity than is

commonly attributed to the Islamic world. If and when the

peace process is resumed in a serious manner, these texts

could provide the basis for a pragmatic and viable bridge

between followers of Islam and other religions.

The Evaluation of Cooperation Between Palestinian and Israeli NGOs

An Assessment –

By Maya Kahanoff, Walid Salem, Rami Nasrallah and Yana Neuman

In cooperation with UNESCO and IPCC

Religious Decisions on the Subject of Peace with Israel, Yitzhak Reiter and Galit Hazan, 2008


·· 38 ··

170 pages, in Arabic (versions in Hebrew and English published previously)

This publication is a report on work undertaken with the support of UNESCO, which commissioned

an assessment of cooperation between Israeli and Palestinian NGOs. In the resolution of many

deep-rooted conflicts around the world, NGOs have played a key role in building the conditions

essential for a peacemaking environment, including developing alternative visions for the future. To

this end, this work offers in-depth evaluation of dialogue initiatives, past and present, reviews of

literature from which lessons can be drawn, and proposals and recommendations for the future. A

cooperative effort in itself, this report has also been published in English and in Hebrew.

The Disengagement – a Conflict of Identity, Edited by Yaacov Bar-Siman-Tov, in cooperation with

the Adenauer Foundation, 209 pages in Hebrew with an abstract in English

In 2005 Israel withdrew from the Gaza Strip and evacuated some 8,000 Israelis in a traumatic

process that is analyzed in this volume. Eight experts examine the long-range repercussions of the

disengagement from the Gaza Strip on Israeli society and its possible impact on future withdrawals

from the West Bank -- either within the framework of a peace agreement or as a unilateral decision.

C. The Environment

Patterns in the Utilization of Constructed Land in Israel, By

Moti Kaplan,


The major issue with which national planning has been

trying to cope for the last decade is the demand for

building and development, which has come in response to

the rapid increase in population and the rise in housing

standards. Different databases are available to the

national planning authorities of Israel, but these have been

built up in different ways, using different methods, over

different periods of time. The data base that this project

has created is intended to be used as an agreed upon

base on a national level: it presents a solution to the lack

of a single set of data at a single point of time and can be

used as a starting point for the coming years.

Patterns in the Utilization of Constructed Land in Israel, 2008


·· 39 ··

Changing the Deposit Law on Beverage Containers: A National Cost-Benefit Analysis, By Doron

Lavie


A Deposit Law on Beverage Containers came into effect in Israel in 2001. This work examines, from

a wide perspective, the implementation of the law in light of its goals and recommends further steps

that should be taken in keeping with them. The feasibility of proposed changes in the law is

addressed, including options aimed at increasing market competition, increasing public involvement,

or both. The Ministry of Environmental Protection and the Ministry of Finance have adopted the

principles suggested in this work and on the basis of these have proposed amendments to the

Deposit Law.

Indicators for Sustainability in Local Authorities, By Yair

Assaf-Shapira, Lia Ettinger, Maya Choshen, Noga Lev

Zion-Nadan and Israel Kimhi


In cooperation with Ministry for Environmental Protection –

Urban Environment Department

One of the means now employed for bringing about

improvement in environmental conditions and awareness

is the development of indicators that can be used for

monitoring these conditions. This publication reviews the

current literature, presents different types of indicators and

offers recommendations for making use of what has been

successfully introduced elsewhere to create new

measurements that will be of relevance in Israel. The

proposed indicators show how environmental, social, and economic factors change over time and

indicate how both objective conditions and the successes or failures of policy have helped or

hindered in the reaching of standards that have been set.

Indicators for Sustainability in Local Authorities

JIIS Annual Report 2008 > Projects

·· 40 ··

Projects

A. Jerusalem Studies

Jerusalem has always stood at the core of JIIS activities. The Institute has continuously provided

new perspectives on a range of issues, identified critical trends, and played a central role in creating

and disseminating new knowledge about the city. The JIIS often takes bold steps in criticizing

policies, exploring options and seeking unconventional answers to difficult questions. Thus, over the

years, it has become known nationally and internationally as a key source of information about

Jerusalem.

In 2008 the Ministry of the Interior advanced one of our projects from the research phase to

implementation by initiating the process for turning it into a binding statutory document. The project

Master Plan for the Jerusalem Region was prepared by a large team of experts led by Israel Kimhi: it

sets principles for the development of the city and all of the region.

Core Issues

1. The Historic Basin of the Old City of Jerusalem

Concluded in 2008 and now being

edited as a book, this

groundbreaking work provides both

a detailed data base and a policy

directory for the area that is at the

core of religious and political

disputes in Jerusalem (see p. 20 –

Events). Topics covered:

Geology and Ground Structure

Visual Aspects of Architecture,

Planning, and Landscaping

Churches, Communities, and

Christian Property

Population and Education

Mapping the Issues and Problems of JIIS researcher Michal Korach viewing the Historic Basin on a study tour


·· 41 ··

the Arab Neighborhoods

Services and Relations with the Metropolitan Area

Coordinator: Israel Kimhi

Research team: Yair Assaf-Shapira, Eran Avni, Dr. Maya Choshen, Dr. Amir Eidelman, Israel Kimhi,

Michal Korach, Mohammed Nakhal, Amnon Ramon, architect Mike Turner, and Dr. John Zeligman.

Research Assistant: Aviel Yelinek

Supported by the Richard and Rhoda Goldman Fund

2. Jerusalem as a Central Component of National Strength

An annual survey is conducted of indicators for evaluating

Jerusalem's strength and public opinion towards central issues

regarding it. Over the course of the year various activities and

follow-up are conducted to widen and expand the information

available.

Researchers: Dr. Maya Choshen, Israel Kimhi, and Michal

Korach

Research Assistant: Shiri Borenshtein

Supported by the Charles H. Revson Foundation

3. Regional Initiatives in Jerusalem

A three-year project that was concluded in 2008, it deals with designing strategies for encouraging

economic initiatives in the Jerusalem region in order to take advantage of the area's potential. The

project compares the situation in Jerusalem with areas in Europe that have succeeded in formulating,

assimilating, and executing similar strategic plans.

Researchers: Dan Kaufman, Assaf Malchi, Naomi Solomon

Jerusalem as a Component of Israel's National Strength


·· 42 ··

In cooperation with the European Union and the Authority for the Development of Jerusalem

Supported by the European Union

4. The Security Fence in Jerusalem

This is an Israeli-Palestinian project to assess the effects of the

separation fence in Jerusalem on the lives of the two

communities. Part of the project entails annual polls of over

1,000 families. This project is an on-going one and has related

to a number of different aspects of life in the city and the

repercussions of the fence's construction. So far there have

been four publications stemming from the project.

Team heads: Shahed Vaari, Dr. Maya Choshen, Dr. Rasem

Hameisi, Israel Kimhi

In cooperation with the Palestinian International Peace and

Cooperation Center (IPCC)

Supported by the Ford Foundation

5. Neighborhood Autonomy

A possible model for the independent management of both the

Jewish and the Arab neighborhoods of Jerusalem may be

accepted, if only as an interim solution until the status of

Jerusalem is finalized in the framework of a permanent peace

agreement.

A work group of the Institute evaluates the conditions and

arrangements for the establishment of neighborhood autonomy

with authority granted through international involvement.

Work group: Ora Ahimeir, Prof. Yaacov Bar-Siman-Tov, Noam

Gilad, Prof. Moshe Hirsch, Dr. Maya Choshen, Prof. Ruth

Lapidoth, Dr. Kobi Michael, Reuven Merhav, Dr. Robbie Sabel,

Dr. Dan Kaufman, and Israel Kimhi.

Supported by the Frankel Foundation and the Charles H.

Revson Foundation

A JIIS proposal for a map of Jerusalem's neighborhood councils


·· 43 ··

Data Bases

6. The Statistical Yearbook of Jerusalem

The Yearbook includes more than 200 charts and graphs,

with up-to-date statistics on a wide range of subjects: land,

climate, population, migration, standard of living, employment,

industry, services, building, transportation, tourism, education,

culture, sports, health, welfare, communications, public order,

religion, public budgets, and more. The Yearbook is

published in Hebrew and English and also appears on the

Institute's site – www.jiis.org.il (see also p. 31 in

"Publications").

Editor: Dr. Maya Choshen

Research Assistant: Eitan Bluer

Graphic Designer: Yair Assaf-Shapira

Chair of the Steering Committee: Prof. Moshe Sicron

Supported by the Pratt Foundation and the Municipality of Jerusalem

7. Jerusalem: Facts and Trends

A companion volume to the Statistical Yearbook, this publication analyzes changes and trends

throughout the year.

Researchers: Dr. Maya Choshen, Michal Korach, and Yair Assaf-Shapira

Supported by the Pratt Foundation and the Municipality of Jerusalem.

8. Research Resources on the Internet

The large research pool of the Jerusalem Institute of Jerusalem maps and papers, some published

and some not, are catalogued, sorted, and turned into an information network and internet portal in a

user-friendly and dynamic format. This portal will enable users from all over the world to learn,

become informed, and engage in dialogue with the Institute's experts. The new portal will greatly

expand the access to the Institute's research and information and will widen its exposure to the

general public (see also p. 12 in "A New Web Presence").


·· 44 ··

Technical Support: Eitan Eliram, "Interactive", www.intv.co.il

Supported by the Blaustein Foundation, the Frankel Foundation, and the Charles H. Revson

Foundation

Population and Society

9. Christians in Jerusalem

In recent years there has been an increase in the number of complaints heard from the

representatives of Churches and Christian Institutions in Jerusalem about Israeli treatment of

Christian affairs. These complaints have received great international attention. The goals of this

research are to survey the activities of the various Israeli bodies that deal with these issues and to

undertake in-depth research on the roots and relations between Israel and the Christian presence in

Jerusalem.

Researcher: Amnon Ramon

In cooperation with the Jerusalem Center for Jewish-Christian Relations

Supported by the Charles H. Revson Foundation and the Jerusalem Center for Jewish-Christian

Relations

10. Migration Into and Out of Jerusalem

This project is the continuation of two previous research projects on migration that were conducted in

the 1980s and 1990s and draws on existing data bases. The aim is to learn about the characteristics

of people choosing to leave Jerusalem and those who come to live in Jerusalem, as well as the

factors they consider in making their decisions.

This information is essential to reaching appropriate conclusions as to what can be done to

strengthen the city and its population.

Researchers: Dr. Maya Choshen, Israel Kimhi, and Michal Korach


Foundation


·· 45 ··

11. Ultra-Orthodox Cities in Jerusalem's Metropolitan Region: Their Influence on the City of Jerusalem

The creation of Ultra-Orthodox cities has brought about significant changes in the patterns of

migration of the Ultra-Orthodox population. These cities are mostly populated by young families that

have left Jerusalem proper.

The research examines the connections between the population of these cities and Jerusalem itself -

- both the short-term and long-term consequences of creating these cities and the relations between

their residents and the residents of the capital.

Researcher: Lee Kanahar

Supported by the Gaas Foundation

12. Boys' Education in Ultra-Orthodox Schools

The research presents the state of affairs in Jerusalem's school system for Ultra-Orthodox boys in

the 3-18 age range. It examines the structure and the legal status of the system, the forces at work

that set the educational policy, the social structure, the pedagogical framework and study plan, the

physical infrastructure, the budgets, and compares them to the criteria in the rest of the Israeli

educational system; in addition it addresses the innovations and changes that are beginning to be

introduced.

Researcher: Udi Spiegel


Foundation

A conference on Ultra-Orthodox cultural institutions


·· 46 ··

Planning and Development

13. Neighborhood Profile

Since 2007 work has been under way to prepare descriptive

material to outline neighborhoods in Jerusalem: their history,

territory, population, public services, infrastructure, major

problems, etc. The goal is to formulate and publish information

in the form of profiles that will be continuously updated.

Researchers: Dr. Maya Choshen, Michal Korach

Research Assistant: Efrat Saar

Supported by the Charles H. Revson

14. Innovation and Organizational Creativity

This is the translation of the successful work done at the Institute

for the encouragement of innovation and growth in

industry to build plans for backing private and third

sector enterprises in Jerusalem. The basic

assumption is that creative ideas are the best

foundation for change, renewal, and growth. The

project is conducted with the assistance of

innovation advisers who direct workshops on

creative thinking and management for teams of

senior managers; they also encourage

organizations to coordinate their work and

undertake joint projects. The Jerusalem project is

experimental, and lessons and conclusions drawn from it will be available for future application and

adaptation.

Researcher: Nir Ben-Aharon

Research Assistant: Dan Bendel

Supported by the Authority for the Development of Jerusalem

Neighborhood Profile: a map of Rehavia

Neighborhood Profile: a map of Romema


·· 47 ··

15. The City Center

A collection of articles on renewal in the city center from a broad perspective: the renewal of city

centers around the world, the historical development of the city center, the center's current

population, social make-up, culture, transportation, commerce, policy and strategy for renewal,

aspects of preservation, economics, and leading projects, the city center as a cultural center, and the

presentation of a model for the economic self-management of the area.

Editors: Amnon Ramon and Assaf Whitman

Research Assistant: Aviel Yelinek

Supported by the Authority for the Development of Jerusalem

Scenes from Jerusalem's City Center


·· 48 ··

Environmental Policy

16. Indicators for Environmental Quality and Quality of Life in Neighborhoods of Jerusalem as Factors for Attracting Residents

In the first stage, this research project evaluates the quality of life in the residential areas of the city

according to their environmental conditions. The standards for quality of life are set according to

environmental indices formulated as part of the study. The overall goal is to encourage the relevant

city authorities to bring about improvements in environmental quality and thereby to discourage as

much as possible the departure of city residents due to quality of life standards tied to environmental

conditions. Another aim is to heighten the appeal of selected neighborhoods whose quality of life is

high or is expected to rise, in order to attract more established sectors of the population who might

be drawn to living in these neighborhoods of Jerusalem. At a second phase of the project, indicators

for evaluating standards of environmental quality and quality of life will be defined for the city.

Project coordinators: Dr. Maya Choshen, Israel Kimhi, and Yair Assaf-Shapira

Supported by the Environmental Policy Center/ The Charles H. Revson Foundation

Evaluation Research

17. Community Believes in Education

Now concluded in a publication,

this is an evaluation of a project

that has a holistic approach and

focuses on the community and

education on the neighborhood

level. Its goals are: to locate

sources of strength in the

individual and in the community;

and to articulate a vision and

means to realizing it through

defining outcomes and measures

of success (see also p. 37 in

"Publications").

Researchers: Dr. Maya Choshen,

Michal Korach, Research Assistant: Shiri Borenshtein

Community Believes in Education: a Jewish-Arab meeting


·· 49 ··

In cooperation with the Association of Community Centers in Jerusalem, the Jerusalem Foundation,

and Joint-Israel

Supported by the Israel Association of Community Centers

18. The Integration of the Elderly in Community Gardens

An evaluation of a project of the Jerusalem Foundation that allocates open areas for the cultivation of

community gardens by the elderly.

Researchers: Dr. Maya Choshen, Michal Korach, Research Assistant: Shiri Borenshtein

Supported by the Jerusalem Foundation

19. Joint Educational Activities for Jews and Arabs

An evaluation of joint educational activities for Jewish and Arab children conducted at Jerusalem's

Ein Yael Center.

Researchers: Dr. Maya Choshen, Dr. Maya Kahanoff

Supported by the Jerusalem Foundation

20. Advancing the Health of Women in the "Golden Age" Within the Community

Evaluation of a project for advancing the health of elderly women in the framework of the community

in the neighborhood of Gonenim (the Katamonim) in Jerusalem. The Hadassah Medical Organization

runs the project and a team from

the Jerusalem Institute

accompanies and assesses the

project – its accomplishments,

difficulties encountered, and

recommendations.

Researchers: Dr. Maya Choshen,

Michal Korach

Research Assistant: Shiri

Borenshtein

Supported by the Hadassah Advancing the Health of Women: the first group of volunteers


·· 50 ··

Medical Organization

B. Israel and the Palestinians – Conflict Management

1. The Management of the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict

At the center of this project is a re-evaluation of the

basic assumptions of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict

and the possibilities for managing and settling it in

the context of recent events: the takeover of Gaza

by Hamas, the emergence of two Palestinian

entities (one on the West Bank, one in Gaza), the

Annapolis Summit, and possible outcomes of the

renewed negotiations.

Coordinators: Prof. Yaacov Bar-Siman-Tov, Dr.

Kobi Michael

Work Group: Dr. Yossi Ben-Ari, Efraim Halevy,

Prof. Moshe Hirsch, Prof. Tamar Herman, Prof.

Dan Zakai, Efraim Lavie, Reuven Merhav, Prof.

Elie Podeh, Yohanan Tsoref, Dr. Avi Kover, Dr.

Yitzhak Reiter, Dr. Hanan Shai (Schwartz).

Supported by the Konrad Adenauer Foundation and the Charles H. Revson Foundation

2. Relations Between the Arab Minority and the Jewish Majority in Israel

The study explores theoretical and practical options for stabilizing the relations between the Arab

national minority and the Jewish majority in Israel.

The analysis relates to the following issues: world views regarding the history of the conflict and the

effects of internal relations among Jews and Arabs, the legal and de facto status of the Arab minority

within the democratic framework of Israel, guidelines for the reform of majority-minority relations.

Coordinators: Dr. Yitzhak Reiter, Prof. Yaacov Bar-Siman-Tov

Work Group: Prof. Edna Ullman-Margalit, Dr. Sara Ozacki-Lazar, Prof. Ilai Alon, Prof. Daniel Bartal,

Dr. Kobi Michael, Prof. Zeev Tsachor, Dr. Eli Reches, Prof. Yedidiya Stern

Supported by the Charles H. Revson Foundation

Professor Yaacov Bar-Siman-Tov


·· 51 ··

C. Environmental Policy

The Environmental Policy Center

was established with the support

of the Charles H. Revson

Foundation in the year 2000. The

Center conducts research,

publishes its findings, runs work

groups and distributes its ideas

and proposals to further

awareness of environmental

issues. The center directs is work

both to policy makers and to the

general public, and offers

assistance in the form of

information and recommendations

for the implementation of policy stemming from its research.

1. Dynamic Processes along the Cliff Shores of Israel

The Prime Minister's Office, in conjunction with the Ministry

for Environmental Protection, initiated the preparation of a

policy paper that would present ways of dealing with the

gradual collapse of Israel's cliff shores. The preparation of

the paper, in the framework of the Environmental Policy

Center, was undertaken in cooperation with the Geological

Institute, the Institution for Israeli Oceanographic and

Limnological Research (IOLR) and a team of experts

assembled for this purpose. The goal of the project is to

assess the physical state of the cliff shores, to construct

models for predicting changes in them, to estimate the

damage that can be expected due to current and planned

land usage; to examine the social and legal aspects of the current state of the cliffs; to analyze

options for dealing with the problems anticipated; and to determine a set of priorities for allocating

resources within a framework for government action.

Coordinators: Dr. Amos Bein and Dr. Amir Eidelman of the Jerusalem Institute; Galit Cohen of the

Ministry for Environmental Protection.

Supported by the Ministry for Environmental Protection and the the Environment Policy Center / The

Charles H. Revson Foundation

Institute researchers on a study tour of the coastal cliff

Dr. Amir Eidelman, Director of the Environmental Policy Center


·· 52 ··

2. The Definition of the Water Needs of Israel and its Neighbors

In the framework of the project the water needs of Israel and the Palestinian Authority were defined,

as can best be done based on various scenarios of different demographic and economic trends. In

May 2008 an international workshop was held in Geneva, Switzerland (see also p. 17 in "Special

Events"); the final, concluding paper will be presented to Israeli and Palestinian decision-makers.

The leaders of the Israeli team: Prof.

Eran Feitelson of the Hebrew

University, Dr. Amos Bein, Prof.

Richard Laster of the Hebrew

University, Dr. Amir Eidelman of the

Jerusalem Institute, and Gadi

Rosenthal.

The leaders of the Palestinian team:

Dr. Amer Marei of El-Quds University,

Dr. Abed Al-Rahman Tamimi of the

Palestinian Hydrology Group, and

Mahe Abu Laban.

Supported by Green Cross Switzerland, the Peres Center for Peace, and the French Foreign

Ministry.

3. Indicators for Sustainable Development in Local Authorities

This goal of this project is the development of indicators for measuring sustainable development in

local authorities, according to which it will be possible to examine progress or regression in the

management of local authorities in terms of sustainability and the environment.

Researcher: Dr. Nachum Ben-Elia

Supported by the Ministry for Environmental Protection and the Environmental Policy Center / The

Charles H. Revson Foundation

4. Indicators for Sustainable Development – The Social Aspects

The research focuses on the social aspects of sustainable development, including the identification

and definition of the social and environmental aspects for different population groups, especially

those whose status requires the special attention of decision-makers.

Researcher: Carmit Lubanov

Researchers Professor Eran Feitelson (right) and Dr. Abed El-Rahman Tamimi of the Palestinian Hydrology Group


·· 53 ··

Supported by the Environment Policy Center / the Charles H. Revson Foundation

5. The Effectiveness of Enforcement and Supervision on Environmental Crimes in Israel

The research, now concluded, examined the means of supervision and enforcement for the

prevention of environmental crimes in Israel and then defined measures of their effectiveness. The

measures allowed for comparative evaluation over the years, and made it possible to articulate

recommendations for change in the current enforcement procedures and for the adoption of new

measures in the future.

Researcher: Orr Karassin


In conjunction with Jewish National Fund (JNF)

6. The Enforcement of Building Laws in Open Spaces

The policy of Israeli authorities in general, and that of planning authorities in particular, ascribes great

importance to the protection of the country's open spaces. However, without proper enforcement,

these policy goals will not be met.

There are three primary goals to this project. First, to characterize different types of building

violations and to analyze their repercussions on planning, the environment, and social and economic

conditions. Second, to review the system of law enforcement, different types of enforcement

according to the type of violation, successes and failures in various categories, and in the end to

recommend means of improvement. The third and central goal is to establish priorities for

implementing policy and mechanisms for enforcement that will make the commission of crimes

economically unwise.

Researcher: Iris Han

In conjunction with the Deshe Institute

7. Israeli Information Center on Climate Change - A Feasibility Study

A large part of the world's nations are preparing, with the cooperation of the international bodies of

the United Nations, for climate change – due to the global rise in greenhouse gases. As part of the

preparations it is proposed to assess the possible establishment of an Israeli Information Center that

will address technological issues, organizational matters, and research dealing with solutions for the

effects of climate change on the Mediterranean basin. For years Israel has been developing


·· 54 ··

capabilities and undertaking research for adapting to semi-arid conditions: this knowledge and its

translation into sustainable technologies may be of assistance to many other countries that are now

in the first stages of preparation. The Center will be based on the information and world-wide

acclaim that Israel has won for its accomplishments in the fields of water, agriculture, solar energy,

desert control, forest management, and more. The project evaluates the feasibility of creating such a

center.

Researchers: Giora Shaham and Liron Amdor

In cooperation with the Head Scientist, the Ministry for Environmental Protection

8. Policy Options for a National Program on Invasive Species

The central problems created by invasive species in Israel are: damage to the biological diversity,

damage to agriculture, damage to infrastructure and threats to public health. A number of recent

cases of invasive species in Israel can serve as examples of the currently existing limitations to the

legal and institutional framework for dealing effectively with the problems that have emerged; they

expose the need for the preparation of a work plan. This project serves as a basis for such a plan

and will propose guidelines for policy and action.

Researcher: Attorney Ronit Justo-Hanani

In cooperation with the Nature and Parks Authority

Supported by the Environmental Policy Center/ The Charles H. Revson

Foundation

9. Invasive Plant Species in Israel

This research formulates a set of priorities for treating invasive plants in

Israel. It includes a survey on the status of plants that have been

invading open, protected areas in Israel -- nature reserves and national

parks as well as other open areas. It presents a listing of invasive

vegetation and their distribution, with an analysis of the level of their

effects according to accepted classification.

Researcher: Dr. Jean Marc Dufour-Dror

In conjunction with the Science Division of the Israel Nature and National Parks Protection Authority


Invasive Plant Species in Protected Areas in Israel'sCentral Regions


·· 55 ··

10. Planning for Agricultural Expanses in the Central Region

The agricultural land in the Central Region, which constitutes the majority of the region's open

spaces, is under constant pressure from ongoing development.

This project analyzes the problems in the coordination between national decisions and local

implementation; between local residents and national decision-makers; between professionals and

local planners; and identifies and characterizes the kind of planning required. The results of the

research will serve as a tool in setting out a program for planning in the rural expanse in the country's

central region.

Researcher: Dr. Larisa Fleischman

Project initiated by: Nekudat Chen – For the Advancement of the Environment and Expanses in the

Agricultural Areas in Israel

11. Factors Influencing Environmental Innovation in Industrial Firms

This project entails an investigation of environmental innovation

projects that industrial firms in Israel have conducted over 15 years

(1989-2004) and the factors that assist as well as stymie such

innovation. In addition, a survey of public programs that support

industrial firms in Israel to assess the potential of these programs to

encourage environmental innovation.

Researcher: Nir Ben-Aharon

Supported by the Environmental Policy Center/ The Charles H.

Revson Foundation

Environmentally Friendly Industrial Innovation


·· 56 ··

And Now: Visit of H.E. Mr. Zhao Jun (left), Ambassador of China to Israel

Then: Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg with representatives of the Israeli-Palestinian Jerusalem Arbitration and Mediation Center of the JIIS and IPCC at the United States Supreme Court, 1996

JIIS Annual Report 2008 > In the Media

·· 57 ··

In the Media

Interviews with the Institute's researchers or quotes from

them, reports, and data analyses were featured in over

250 printed articles, TV and radio programs in 2008. The

accurate sum of our citations in the media is most

probably much higher – this represents only the quotes

we could follow in the Israeli press. Our estimate is that the inclusion of

publications abroad and unidentified local publications would increase the count

to 350, some 30 per month.

Our concentrated effort to increase the JIIS presence in the English press paid off: 33%

of the quotes were in English. The most significant development in this field this year

was the institutionalization of a bi-weekly column, written by JIIS researchers, in the

Friday edition of The Jerusalem Post. The columns in this year of municipal elections

focused on information that is crucial for enlightening the voter:

demography, patterns of previous elections, education, communities

etc. At the same time, we continue to publish weekly columns in the

Jerusalem local Hebrew paper "Kol Ha-Ir" and all columns appear

immediately in our website. Other languages of quotes are:

Hebrew (54%), Russian (8%) and Arabic (2%).

The news forums most likely to quote us are: national papers (75%) – mostly the leading paper

Haaretz and the economic press; the local press (15%); and

electronic news sites (10%). As always, our data bases are

our most popular attraction, accounting for 46% of all

citations. Surrounding the annual publication of the

Jerusalem Statistical Yearbook we get heightened coverage.

Other popular topics are the Israeli-Palestinian conflict (15%),

the environment (12%), planning and development (10%), the

Ultra-Orthodox population (8%), Christian affairs (5%), and

economic and industrial innovation (4%).

Whenever Jerusalem is under discussion in a political context,

when a major twist in Israeli-Arab relations occurs, or when an

important new publication appears, we are particularly in

demand. On such days hurried crews of TV teams and

journalists come in and out and the outcome is not easy to

follow – especially when the foreign press, which has a special interest in Jerusalem, is involved.

Israel Kimhi

JIIS Annual Report 2008 > In the Media

·· 58 ··

Our seminar room then, 1995

And now, 2008

JIIS Annual Report 2008 > Funds and Resources

·· 59 ··

Funds and Resources

Due to the sharp decline in the exchange rate of the U.S. dollar in 2008, the JIIS suffered a reduction

of one third in its overseas income -- as did most organizations depending on contributions from the

U.S. In addition, a rent renewal contract with the American Friends of the Hebrew University resulted

in a four-fold rent increase. The decline in available income was thus most significant and forced us

to streamline and adjust the annual budget. The gradual growth we have witnessed in recent years in

our budgets was significantly reversed.

As always the financial management has continued to be conservative and carefully planned.

Expenses and plans never exceed our means.

The main financial goals of the JIIS continue to be:

1. We will continue to pursue and broaden the efforts to establish an endowment fund that will

secure the ongoing activities of the institute on a permanent basis. A considerable portion of

our fundraising efforts are dedicated to this purpose, and it will be possible to name the institute

after the appropriate donor or donors to such a fund;

2. We will make a focused effort to supplement the trend of non-designated grants – a trend which

boosts innovation and independence and which has grown in recent years. Our goal is to base

60%-70% of the budget on non-designated giving;

3. We will continue to seek designated grants and sponsorships and to match funds for specific,

defined activities such as special projects, conferences, seminars and publications. For

example, in 2008 a grant from the Richard and Rhoda Goldman Foundation helped us to

complete a book and a short movie on the Historic Basin of Jerusalem. A grant from the Jacob

and Hilda Blaustein Foundation assisted in adding an English expert to our team, which

increased our effectiveness and productivity. A grant by the Meyerhoff Foundation helped in

strengthening public activities such as seminars.

The fiscal forecast for 2009 is not bright, but we have been able to weather stormy periods in the

past and our conservative and cautious management will doubtless prove again to be of great value.

JIIS Annual Report 2008 > Funds and Resources

·· 60 ··

The Statistical Yearbook of Jerusalem, Then…

And now

Annual Program, Then… And now

JIIS Annual Report 2008 > List of Supporters

·· 61 ··

List of Supporters

We are grateful to each and every one of the following supporters who have helped us attain our

goals.

Overseas Donors in 2008

The Charles H. Revson Foundation – main supporters

The Konrad Adenauer Foundation

The Beracha Fund

The Jacob and Hilda Blaustein Foundation

CRB Foundation

The European Union

The Raymond Frankel Foundation

The Gaas Foundation

Green Cross Switzerland

The Richard and Rhoda Goldman Foundation

The Joseph and Harvey Meyerhoff Charitable Funds

The Pratt Foundation

Adv. Michael Young, N.Y

Anonymous

JIIS Annual Report 2008 > List of Supporters

·· 62 ··

Israeli Donors

Hadassah Medical Organization

The Jerusalem Development Authority

The Jerusalem Foundation

The Municipality of Jerusalem

The Ministry of Construction and Housing

The Ministry of Industry, Trade and Labor

The Ministry of Environmental Protection

Nature and National Parks Protection Authority

The Municipality of Tel Aviv-Yafo

JIIS Annual Report 2008 > Governing Bodies, Researchers and Staff

·· 63 ··

Governing Bodies, Researchers and Staff

Governing Bodies

A. Board of Directors

The Board of Directors directs, approves, and oversees annual and multi-year working plans

following their approval by the Academic Committee. It approves annual budgets and balance

sheets, directs and oversees spending, monitors internal and external auditing, and presents its

recommendations to the General Assembly.

Dr. Emanuel Sharon, Outgoing Chairman, Former

Chairman, Bank Hapoalim, Tel Aviv

Daniel Halperin, Incoming Chairman, Managing

Director of IFTIC Ltd.,

Avraham Asheri, Former Director-General,

Discount Bank

Dan Bavly, Accountant

David Brodet, Chairman, Board of Directors, The

Jerusalem Foundation

Ruth Cheshin, President, The Jerusalem

Foundation

Prof. Sergio DellaPergola, The Avraham Harman

Institute of Contemporary Jewry, The Hebrew

University of Jerusalem

Prof. Hanoch Gutfreund, The Racah Institute of

Physics and Former President, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem

Dr. Ariel Halperin, Director, Tenram Investments

Ben-Zion Nemet, Director of the Jerusalem Education Authority

Dina Rachevsky, Architect, Former Head of the Planning Division, Ministry of the Interior

Judith Shalvi, Director of Avney-Rosha Institute

Outgoing Chairman of the Board, Dr. Emanuel Sharon


·· 64 ··

Professor Ilan Solomon, Department of Geography, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem

Dr. Ehud Shapira, Chairman, Phoenix Holdings

Then: First Head of the JIIS, Professor David Amiran, with staff and research assistants, 1979

Institute staff, researchers, and research assistants, 2008


·· 65 ··

B. Academic Committee

The Academic Committee recommends research priorities, approves research projects, and

endorses annual and multi-year research programs. The Committee oversees the Institute's

publications, seminar policies, and activities. The Academic Committee also appoints a steering

committee of professionals for each research project.

Prof. Yaacov Bar-Siman-Tov,

Head of the Jerusalem

Institute for Israel Studies;

Department of International

Relations, The Hebrew


Prof. Arza Churchman, Dean

of the Department of

Architecture and Urban

Development, The Technion,

Haifa

Prof. Gidon Czapski,

Department of Physical Chemistry, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem

Prof. Sergio DellaPergola, The Avraham Harman Institute of Contemporary Jewry, The Hebrew


Prof. Jacob (Kobi) Metzer, Department of Economics, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem

Prof. Frances Raday, Faculty of Law, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem

Prof. Rabbi Naftali Rothenberg, The Van Leer Jerusalem Institute

Prof. Yosef Schweid, Bezalel Academy of Art and Design, Jerusalem

Prof. Moshe Sicron, Advisor, Central Bureau of Statistics

Prof. Alex Weingrod, The Department of Behavioral Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the

Negev

Academic Committee members Profesoor Sergio DellaPergola (left) and Professor Moshe Sicron


·· 66 ··

C. General Assembly

The General Assembly includes the Board of Directors and the Academic Committee as well as the

members listed below:

Attorney Moshe Argov

Valerie Brechia, Deputy Director-General for

Planning Policy, Ministry for Environmental

Protection

Zvika Chernichovsky, Director-General,

Jerusalem Association of Community

Councils and Centers, Ltd.

Dr. Miki Haran, Director of Studies of

Environmental Management, The Academic

College of Kiryat Ono

Alan Freeman, Vice President of the

Jerusalem Foundation

Dan Halperin, Economic Adviser

Eitan Melinarsky, Head of the Department

for Investment Counseling, Bank Leumi

Reuven Merhav, Diplomat and Middle

Eastern specialist, research fellow at the

Jerusalem Institute

Dr. Udi Prawer, Educator, Prime Minister's

Office

Dani Rubenstein, journalist, Haaretz

Rabbi David Rozenne, Director of

Interreligious Relations, The American

Jewish Committee

Dr. Robbie Sabel, International Law, The

Hebrew University of Jerusalem

The old balcony then…

turned into a small meeting room now


·· 67 ··

Marcel Sagiv, journalist and Middle East expert

Dr. Uri Ullman, Director of the Department of

Strategic Planning, Jerusalem Municipality

Dr. Edith Weiss, Shapell School of Social Work,

Tel Aviv University

Researchers

Nir Ben-Aharon, Economics and Industrial

Innovation, also researcher for the Environmental

Policy Center

Dr. Maya Choshen, Demography, Statistics, and

Education

Dr. Amir Eidelman, Geology and Director of the

Environmental Policy Center

Prof. Eran Feitelson, Geography and

Environment

Prof. Moshe Hirsch, International Law

Motti Kaplan, Planning

Dr. Dan Kaufmann, Innovation Management

Israel Kimhi, Coordinator of Jerusalem Projects,

Planning

Michal Korach, Statistics, Planning, and Social

Services

Prof. Ruth Lapidoth, International Law

Assaf Malchi, Economics and Political Science

Amb. Reuven Merhav, International Relations,

Middle Eastern Affairs

Dr. Kobi Michael, Strategic Studies

"The Urbanist", urban studies expert Israel Kimhi with (from top): Professor Yehoshua Ben-Arie, Mohammed Nakhal, and former Head of the JIIS Professor Amiram Gonen


·· 68 ··

Dr. Amnon Ramon, Christian Affairs

Dr. Yitzhak Reiter, Middle Eastern Affairs

Naomi Solomon, Economics and Business

Administration

Yair Assaf-Shapira, Statistics, Planning and GIS

Mapping

Research Assistants: Eran Avni, Eitan Bluer,

Shiri Borenshtein, Aviel Yelinek

Environmental Policy Center

Dr. Amos Bein

Nir Ben-Aharon

Ron Benari, Engineer

Dr. Nahum Ben-Elia

Dr. Jean-Marc Dofour-Dror

Prof. Eran Feitelson

Dr. Larisa Fleischman

Dr. Ron Frumkin

Dr. Iris Han

Ran Haklai

Attorney Ronit Justo-Hanani

Moti Kaplan

Attorney Orr Karassin

Dr. Oded Katz

Israel Kimhi with architect Mike Turner (top), JIIS Head Professor Yaacov Bar-Siman-Tov, researchers, staff, colleagues, family and friends


·· 69 ··

Maha Abu Laban

Prof. Richard Laster

Carmit Lubanov

Attorney Rami Manoach

Dr. Amer Marei

Gadi Rosenthal

Dov Rosen, Engineer

Sand Salhut

Giora Shaham

Leonardo Stadler, Engineer

Dr. Abed El-Rahman Tamimi

Staff

Yaacov Bar-Siman-Tov, Head of the Institute

Ora Ahimeir, Director-General

Hamutal Appel, Coordinator of Seminars and Publications

Dr. Amir Eidelman, Director, The Environmental Policy Center

Galit Hazan, Project Coordinator for the Environmental Policy Center

Ada Leibovitz, Accountant

Efrat Saar, Site Manager

Ilanit Segen, Administration and Marketing

30th anniversary annual report -...

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