Center Bulletin, Volume 3, Issue 39

Volume 3, Issue 39
July 11, 2007

Total Number of Visitors Since October 2004: 301,167


Begin Center Reaches 300,000 Visitors

Last weekend, visitor number 300,000 entered the Begin Center and, in all probability, visited the museum. The Rohr Family Parashat HaShavua Program was in full swing with lecturer Rabbi Yoel Bin-Nun teaching the Parasha. The Jerusalem International Film Festival had opened in the Sultan's Pool and the program started in the Begin Center and will continue throughout this week. Other events big and small were taking place in every available lecture room and seminar room. Large numbers of museum visitors were waiting to be ushered in to the main attraction of the building.


New Booklet Published By Begin Center

A very interesting and important new booklet (in English and in Hebrew) written by Ziv Rubinovitz, a research assistant at the Begin Center, was released last week. It is now on sale at a nominal price at the souvenir shop of the building.

"The Menachem Begin Heritage Center and Its Vicinity" tells the story of the unique, magnificent location on which the living memorial to Menachem Begin is built. It gives the historic background of the area, which goes back to the time of the First Temple, describes its roles in the days of the Second Temple and through the various phases of history, including the liberation of Jerusalem in September 1917 by the British forces led by Field Marshall the Viscount Allenby, and then of course the present time, when the magnificent building stands proudly in this historic vicinity. The booklet describes some of the features within the center. It was written a few years ago before other features were added. These will be included in subsequent editions.


Emunah College Fills The Center With Student Art

Emunah College, an art school in Jerusalem for religious women, is currently exhibiting the final projects of its Graphic Arts students. The projects range from a design for a youth club in Judea to labels for wine bottles to illustrations for poems, and will be on display until July 19.

Emunah College was involved in a project at the Begin Center earlier in the year, in which students were invited to design t-shirts relating to Menachem Begin. The designs were displayed in the Center's lobby, where visitors were invited to vote on their favorite design. The winner of the contest, which received coverage in Israeli newspapers like Makor Rishon, will be announced tomorrow, and a t-shirt featuring her design will be available in the souvenir shop at the Begin Center.


A Visit From Tel Aviv VIPs

A small group of distinguished public figures from Tel Aviv visited the Begin Center last Friday. The visit was initiated by Mr. Etan Haber, a well-known journalist who was the director of the bureau of Prime Minister Yitzchak Rabin. The group included Mr. and Mrs. David Kolitz, Mrs. Tal Lipkin-Shahak, Mr. Reuben – son of the famous painter Reuben Reuben – and Mrs. Esther Reuben, and several others. Although in their private lives some of them had disagreed with Menachem Begin, they were impressed by the building and the representation of the life and works and achievements of Menachem Begin. The group was received by the Founder and President of the Menachem Begin Heritage Foundation, Harry Hurwitz, and by the Chairman of the Center, Herzl Makov.


In Memoriam

Samuel Rothberg, the distinguished American Jewish leader, who played a major role in the establishment of the Israel Bonds organization and the development of the Hebrew University over many years, died last Saturday in Peoria, Illinois at the age of 97.

For many years, he served as chairman of the Board of Governors of the Hebrew University. He established the Rothberg International School, the School for Overseas Students, and provided living accommodation for thousands of students.

Samuel Rothberg was a founder of the Menachem Begin Heritage Foundation, and was a member of its International Board. Prime Minister Menachem Begin appreciated his devotion to the Jewish people in all respects, and told his associates time and again: "Whatever Sam asks, please do for him."

Samuel Rothberg is survived by his wife Jean, his children Heidi, Kathy, Michael and Patrick, and his six grandchildren. We extend our heartfelt condolences to all the family.


Visitors

· Mr. David Moffson from Johannesburg and his assistant\companion Solly and Mr. Moffson's son Mike from New York toured the museum and met with Harry Hurwitz.

· Professor Kenneth Stein of Emory University, Atlanta, who had been among President Carter's close assistants and participated in the development of the Carter Center, paid a brief, private visit to the Begin Center last Friday. He is today a foremost critic of Carter's policy and attitude to Israel, Zionism and Begin.

· Mr. Benni Penzig of Ramat HaSharon and a friend visited the Begin Center and met with Harry Hurwitz. They then toured the Menachem Begin Museum. The Penzig family was very active in the Zionist Revisionist Organization in Pretoria, South Africa for many years.