Ultra-Orthodox cultural complex planned in Jerusalem
Municipality advancing first-of-its-kind culture center for city's haredi sector, which will include film-screening halls, exhibition gallery, workshops and studio areas for haredi artists.
According to the plan, the center will include a number of halls for screening films, a gallery for exhibitions, workshops and studio areas for different artists, training rooms for haredi culture and advanced infrastructure for artists.
The location being looked into by the municipality is the Schneller compound, a former army base, and the plan is to renovate one of the main buildings in the complex.
The issue has been discussed by the municipal Culture Committee and the initiative is being advanced by than secular Deputy Mayor Ofer Berkovitch, chairman of the Wake Up Jerusalem (Hitorerut) faction.
As the haredi council members naturally support the surprising move, the initiative is expected to receive wall-to-wall support in the City Council and different committees and obtain all the required permits.
At the moment, there are no estimates regarding the initiative's costs, but it will be included in the proposed 2016 budget the municipality is working on these days. The Communal Administration will also be involved in the establishment of the haredi cultural center.
As for the concept and content, the center will receive assistance and guidance from an academic institution in the field of arts. The Plastic Arts School, operating in cooperation with the Bezalel Academy of Arts and Design, will serve as a role model.
According to haredi sources, the cultural area in the sector is being neglected and many ultra-Orthodox artists have no place to perform in. The developing haredi cinema and haredi women's films are being screened in banquet halls and youth cultural centers in inappropriate conditions.
In addition, a significant number of haredi cultural institutions have failed to receive official recognition, and this is another issue the municipality plans to advance vis-à-vis the Culture Ministry.
