Reflections on Ramat GanMIKE RAKOWSKYAs we departed Sky Harbor for Israel, I had in mind two separate, and hopefully complementary, goals.First, as president of the Phoenix Sisters Commission, I wanted to make sure that we would construct a solid foundation for a long-term relationship with Ramat Gan, Arizona's first Israeli Sister City. Secondly, to personally enjoy and absorb some of the magic of the Promised Land and make contact with relatives I had never met and only recently heard about. To the first task I brought some experience. I have been involved with Sister Cities for some five years and find the nearly endless possibilities for exchanges along educational, cultural and commercial lines to be absolutely fascinating and the chance to make real friends with people, young and old, from distinctively different backgrounds fantastic. I chaired our active Hermosillo, Mexico, committee for four years, and have worked to help other committees make sure they maintain active relationships with our sister cities. I was determined to make sure that our linkage with Ramat Gan got off to the right start, and would be satisfying to both sides. The second carried more uncertainty - what would be my reception? What would my cousins be like? How emotional an experience would this be? I am pleased to report that both went extremely well, and the experience is one I'll not soon forget. We were really there, however, to resolve a potential snag in our ties. Ramat Gan had heretofore had sister city relationships centered only on cultural and educational exchanges, a not-uncommon phenomenon. Increasingly, however, Sister Cities incorporates business and commercial ties as well, to the benefit of both parties, and Phoenix is very keen on an emphasis in that area. We saw great potential for linkages with Ramat Gan's famous Diamond Exchange, and tech and biotech businesses in Ramat Gan and elsewhere in Israel. The original gap in our perceptions was much better bridged in person. In the excellent formal presentations and in side conversations, we were able to convey the importance and potential benefit of this "third leg of the stool." Mayor Zvi Bar warmed up to this idea, and he and other city and business leaders began to see real possibilities. In addition to a special tour of the Diamond Exchange, we were treated to a trip to the top of the Middle East's tallest building - 68 stories - for a breathtaking view of the region. We got an up-close view of nearly all aspects of the local educational system, from preschool to university, and were impressed by the pervasive commitment to excellence and to educating all students, from recent immigrants to those with birth defects. We saw an enthusiasm for learning on the part of both the students and the teachers. We even heard about a project where Jewish and Arab Israeli students first communicated via Internet, then pursued a common project by computer until matters progressed to the point where they actually wanted to meet each other. They did, with positive results. At the same time, during our visit, in the National Stadium in Ramat Gan, the Israeli Cup Soccer Championship was held, complete with the president of Israel, flags, anthems, etc. For the first time ever, the Arab- Israeli team won, 4-1, sparking celebrations and interesting commentary in Ha'aretz. We were impressed with the Disability Centre, which serves some 2,000 clients per week, adults and children, and which, with outstanding volunteer support, carries on basketball, soccer and other activities in addition to specialized therapeutic treatment and education. Our official stay in Ramat Gan was capped by a beautiful banquet which included nearly all of the city council and their spouses, clearly signaling that Mayor Bar had considered our proposals carefully and determined that this would, indeed, be something special and significant for the City of Ramat Gan, and that he was prepared to commit his entire city. Deputy Phoenix City Manager Andrea Tevlin and I both spoke as we presented gifts and expressed our appreciation for their outstanding hospitality. Moshe Meron addressed me simply as "Moshe," connoting, I thought, both friendship and respect. Our hosts were aware of my personal journey. My father, born and raised in America, had a first cousin, Lipa, in Israel, whom he never met. Through his daughter, I was able to meet him, though his condition at 88 years was difficult to see. His wife, Esther, however, was warm and full of both life and memories. Through her son-in-law, Aaron, we were able to share a lively exchange. Her big smile spoke more eloquently than all of our words. Afterward, my cousin Ilana, Aaron and I went to share a great dinner in Tel Aviv, schmoozing away like old friends. We vowed to keep in touch, and have already begun to do so. Our whirlwind visit concluded with a daylong visit to Jerusalem, akin, I guess, to Sedona or the Grand Canyon in that you simply must be physically there to understand and appreciate if fully, though with centuries of history and spirituality that make it unique. It is difficult to reduce to words the awe one feels and the impressions that come to mind. The intense proximity of everything, the eons of history, the abundance of incredibly unique places (King David's Tomb, the Wailing Wall, etc.). As we were there on Thursday, we were witness to scores of b'nai mitzvah celebrating at the Wailing Wall - 13-year-old Jewish boys of all shades, triumphant, posing for photos. In a "kids are kids" moment, one black bar mitzvah tapped me on the shoulder, then, as I turned around, pointed accusingly at his buddy as they both chuckled. All in all, I saw Israel as an incredible land of contrasts - yes, the violence we hear about on television, but also the peaceful streets where we comfortably walked to the National Park at 11 p.m. for a hike. The ancient walls of Jerusalem matched with the ultramodern skyscrapers of Tel Aviv. I thank Sister Cities Director Paula West for all of her work in arranging this trip, Rabbi Robert Kravitz, Cathy Wolf and Eitan Ben-Ami for everything they have done to bring this dream to reality and everyone in our delegation for the special contributions they made. I invite all of you to contact Cathy Wolf at the Jewish Community Relations Council or Paula at Sister Cities and join with us in what promises to be a rich and exciting adventure. Mike Rakowsky is the president of MR International, LLC, his international business firm. |
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