|
|
December 17, 2004/Tevet 5 5765, Vol. 57, No.16
Rich exchange on horizon
GREG STANTON and
ROBERT L. KRAVITZ
The announcement that Phoenix and Ramat-Gan, Israel, will soon establish an official sister city relationship is exciting news. Not only will it bring people from both communities closer together, but it also will provide tremendous new opportunities for both cities.
While Phoenix and Ramat-Gan may be thousands of miles apart, the two cities have many striking similarities and goals, including advancing medical research, assisting the disabled, educating young people and solving water shortages.
Ramat-Gan is one of Israel's bioscience industry leaders, which parallels Phoenix's efforts to build a similar industry through its Phoenix Bioscience Center and the work of the center's first tenant, the Translation Genomics Research Institute and International Genomics Consortium (TGen/IGC).
Medical researchers in Ramat-Gan focus heavily on cancer and diabetes, which are two of the top priorities of TGen/IGC.
This new relationship has the potential to allow researchers in the two cities to develop a working relationship. It could even lead to economic development opportunities in which Israeli research companies open offices in Phoenix and import-and-export businesses expand between the two cities.
There is a top-rated science high school in Ramat-Gan and an internationally recognized biotech university just outside the city. Both have potential for tremendous student and faculty exchanges with the science high school that Phoenix Union High School District is developing near the TGen/IGC research facility and contacts with the Arizona State University campus in downtown Phoenix.
As a city of only 150,000, Ramat-Gan is working hard to meet the needs of the disabled community through its Spivak Sports Centre for the Disabled. Phoenix has been praised for its activities addressing disability issues.
Ramat-Gan is home to one of Israel's best medical facilities, the Sheba Hospital, which has a special center for Alzheimer's patients. Programs to assist the elderly could be developed, along with joint research into these areas.
Ramat-Gan offers wonderful opportunities for cultural exchanges. Among them are Israel's most prestigious arts school, an outstanding youth orchestra and the world's only harmonica band. There are numerous orchestras, dance groups, museums and cultural groups, and a zoo and safari.
It is clear that Ramat-Gan will make an outstanding addition to Phoenix's current nine Sister City relationships.
Greg Stanton is a Phoenix city councilman. Rabbi Robert L. Kravitz is executive director of the Arizona chapter of the American Jewish Committee.
|
|
