Last week the workshoppers had a mini-seminar over the course of Monday, Thursday and Friday, where they looked at the Socio-Economic status in Israel today.
The seminar started at looking at Herzl's vision of a utopian society in his book - Altnueland; and examining what the vision for Israel each of the workshoppers had. A number of 'concepts' including - Im Tirzu (if you will it); Private Ownership; Cooperatives; Labour; Education; Care for the elderly and Universalism were looked at from Herzl's vision. This followed with an exhibition on the Histadrut (Trade Labour Federation), which was the organization that eventually helped found and create many of the institutions Herzl wrote about before his death.
The following part of the seminar looked at the dismantling of the Israeli welfare state and how privitisation has progressed in Israel today. This culminated in a siyur (excursion) on Friday to various Tel Aviv neighbourhoods - HaTikva (The Hope); Ha'argazim (The Crates); Neve She'anan (Oasis of Tranquility) and Kikar HaMedina (State Square), each of which are unique its in makeup.
HaTikva is a poor southern Tel Aviv neighbourhood, made up of a mainly elderly, North African population, which has recently become more popular with young trendy Israelis. Just next to HaTikva, is Ha'Argazim which is an unrecognized suburb in Tel Aviv - despite that it has existed since the 1940's. It is remarkable to see this suburb, where the houses literally look like crates (argaz = crates) and much-needed infrastructure such as roads, is missing. Next stop was Neve She'anan, near the Central Bus Station, a 'workers' suburb founded in the 1920's after the Arab riots in Jaffa. Today the suburb is populated almost exclusively with foreign workers from Africa and Eastern Europe. The final stop of the day was at Kikar HaMedina, an upmarket, North Tel Aviv area well known for its expensive shopping. Finally, the seminar conclusion looked at the 'privitization' of Aliya in Israel today, and the workshoppers role through their Kaveret messimot in taking an active part in the Israeli society today.
Monday, February 25, 2008
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