Stay in Jerusalem, please

Op-ed: Vitality, well-being of Israel's capital will be threatened without young seculars

Reuters | Published: 02.07.11, 23:55

I, a 23-year-old secular American, made aliyah to Jerusalem. And this may sound crazy, but I do not want to move to Tel Aviv. I have slowly witnessed the departure of my friends, and when I visit my continuously growing contingency of friends in Tel Aviv I am inevitably met with the question: “So Emily, when are you going to move to Tel Aviv?”

Tel Aviv is a fantastic city for a young secular person to live. It is also a great place to visit, but a visit is all I need. I want to continue living in Jerusalem and if you are a young person then I want you to join me.

Jerusalem houses thousands of students who come here to study at one of the many academic institutions. But then school ends and the students leave. I say, I ask: please stay! I am scared of what happens when the young people leave.

A city needs a population that will be supportive, participate in its industry, and keep it alive. The city cannot exist if its residents do not give back. An inevitable correlation must exist between the percentage of young people leaving the city and its well-being. Young people support the economy and embark on entrepreneurial endeavors.

The young are the future, representing the generations to come. Jerusalem needs them to thrive.

The capital of Israel cannot lose its representative nature. It should embody a spectrum of beliefs and opinions. I am apprehensive about the day when the Israeli government sits in a city that mainly represents one non-pluralistic segment of society. The young and secular populations are a vital part of keeping the city representative, domestically and internationally.

Jerusalem is a complicated city to lead, but Mayor Nir Barkat realizes the importance of Jerusalem’s young population. Regardless of what is happening politically, Barkat has initiated a transformation. Jerusalem sponsors a growing number of concerts, beer, wine, film, book, and craft festivals, sporting events, and weekend winter events. Culture abounds here. Walk down the streets, see the art, hear the music, it is all around. Go to a bar. Stay out all night. The city is alive, even on Shabbat.

Honor Jerusalem's history

In partnership with other organizations, such as Ruach Hadasha, new opportunities are being created for young adults (such as internships, funding for the arts, and community projects), cultural events are receiving more exposure, transportation is being improved, and the city is being updated! In an attempt to make housing affordable, the city actively subsidizes rent and purchase prices for the young. Similar municipality initiatives exist for the creation of a thriving business sector. The streets are being cleaned, bus stops rebuilt, and pedestrian malls beautified.

Jerusalem needs its young population to stay in order to enable these improvements to continue. If the young and secular populations leave then these efforts will be in vain. Making a change is not about instant gratification; it is about caring so deeply that you are willing to give of yourself.

The young are not alone in this city. The mayor and other organizations are here to help make the proper changes. But all of this takes a partnership. Indeed, great changes occur when people take it upon themselves to make a difference.

Jerusalem is at the heart of Israeli and Jewish history. Countless wars and battles have been fought here since before the country’s inception. Our people gave of themselves so that today we can live, pray, and celebrate here. That history needs to be honored; it cannot be but a squandered memory. Without Jerusalem, Israel loses an enormous part of its Jewish and historic value. It is a cause the Jewish people have fought in favor of for thousands of years, why stop now?

Jerusalem is filled with color, culture, and history. The young need to stay and foster the city; Jerusalem deserves at least that much.

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