Journal of the Babylonian Jewry Heritage Center
No.13, Summer 2001



 
EVENTS AT THE CENTER
REVIEW OF EVENTS
Yigal Loushi, Managing Director

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On 4-11-99, an evening study was held on the occasion of publishing Mr. Tsafrir Eliezer's book "Ana Kurdi", which relates the Mossad's activities in Kurdistan in the seventies.

On 26-12-99 a study evening was held commemorating the passing away of Rabbi Yosef Hayyim, 90 years ago. Over 300 people attended.

On 2-1-2000, 500 people took part in the annual ceremony commemorating the martyrs executed by order of the Iraqi authorities, with the participation of Deputy Defense Minister Mr. Ephraim Sneh and Or-Yehuda Mayor, Advocate Yitzhak Bokhobza.
On 28-2-2000, the Ambassador of India Mr. Ranjan Matahi with his wife visited the Center and accompanied Mr. Ben-Porat on a tour of the museum.

Staff members of the Registrar of Associations visited the Center on 8-3-2000 and were impressed with the activities and the well organized management of our association, following the 'seal of approval' given our Center for its excellent administration and after the accounts had been passed by the Registrar's auditors.

On 14-5-2000, 50 members of the police veteran association visited the Center. They included former senior founding officers of the Israel Police Force. Mr. Yigal Loushi is a voluntary President of the veteran association.

On 15-5-2000, the Center assisted Ulpan Akiva to organize a "Babylonian Day" in their Ulpan. The Center loaned the Ulpan a whole collection of exhibits in order to lend the event a Babylonian atmosphere. The Center also assists other public bodies in the region to organize Babylonian activities such as in Moshav Beit Ezra, in Petah Tikva, in Afula and in Kiryat Ata. The Center encourages such activities to bring the public closer to its Iraqi heritage.

On 19-5-2000, Mr. Yosef Sarid, Minister of Education visited the center for the second time.

On 25-5-2000, a meeting of chartered accountants of Babylonian origin took place at the Center. The meeting was organized by Messrs. Edward Mandelawi and Menashe Ben-Hayyim, both members, who aimed at getting various sectors interested in the Center and to examine the potential of those sectors and their ability to assist in finishing the building project.

On 25-5-2000, a meeting of the Public Council of the Center took place. Its membership consists of public figures and prominent persons of finance and trade. The aim of the meeting was to organize future events commemorating the 50th anniversary of Babylonian Jewry's immigration.

On 19-6-2000, a study day was organized at the Center with many participants on the subject of the heritage common to Kurdistan and Babylonian Jews.

On 28-6-2000, a ceremony was held to commemorate and unveil the plaque of the exhibition depicting the Jewish exiles from Babylon, donated by Mrs. Habiba Shabtai. Mrs. Shabtai and her family, Gila Ironi, Beni and Gilad Shabtai were among the 100 participants. The Mayor of Ramat-Gan, Mr. Zvi Bar and his wife were also present. Mr. Arie Shemesh, Deputy Chairman of the Center gave a speech acknowledging the generosity of the Shabtai Family and their backing of the Center. Mr. Mordechai Ben-Porat thanked the family for their generous donation. Prof. Yitzhak Avishur gave a lecture on the Senharib Era. >>>