Haifa, and Hadar in particular, offer us a glimpse into Herzl's Zionist vision as formulated over 120 years ago, and even more so as it was realized throughout the 20th century and up to the present day. Starting with Herzl's description of Haifa as the city of the future, through the War of Independence, when the Haganah liberated the city while the mayor strove to maintain partnership with the city's Arab residents, to the present day, when the wars and social crises of recent decades have exposed both the weaknesses and the strengths of the community in the city in general and in the Hadar neighborhood in particular:
"The Hadar neighborhood is the closest thing to realizing the vision of unity—a variety of cultural and recreational venues where multiculturalism is embodied. The neighborhood has a diverse population that represents Israeli society in all its colors (secular, religious, ultra-Orthodox, Arab, and young and older new immigrants). After struggles by the residents, the Haifa Municipality agreed to their request and established the Hadar Haifa Community Administration to assist the neighborhood's residents and respond to their needs. The administration is a municipal corporation (a non-profit organization under the auspices of the Haifa Municipality), whose goal is to connect with the neighborhood's needs, hold events for all populations, and maintain the delicate human balance that enables people to live together."
From the award committee's explanatory remarks, award ceremony, June 2017
Tour itinerary:
- טיילת לואי: היכרות עם ההיסטוריה של חיפה, עם מקומה בחזון הציוני ועם הדתות השונות הקשורות בה
- בית העירייה: בחירות מנהיגותיות התורמות לחיים המשותפים של כלל תושבי העיר, דרך סיפוריהם של ראשי עיריית חיפה.
- Hadera neighborhood:
- היכרות עם הגיוון התרבותי בשכונה – חוזק או חולשה? בחינת חשיבותו של החוסן החברתי בצל האתגרים של העשורים האחרונים.
- קהילת הדר כמודל מעורר השראה: מפגש עם פעיל/ה חברתי מהשכונה
- סיכום: תפקיד המשטרה במארג החיים בין אוכלוסיות שונות
