Leave a mark in Hadera- The story of the Beit Eliezer neighborhood
introduction
The city of Hadera is committed to promoting the involvement of the elderly in the urban space and the Department of Senior Citizens is careful to adopt and promote innovative programs that contribute to this. In this context, we are pleased to be collaborating this second year with the Autographers, an international documentary art enterprise that brings together artists and witnesses to historical events. The joint venture reflects history through the eyes of the people who experienced it through talented artists who document them, and this year focused on the Beit Eliezer neighborhood, one of the oldest and largest among Hadera neighborhoods, which became one of the milestones in its development in the city.
The neighborhood, named after Eliezer Kaplan , who served as the first Minister of Finance of the State of Israel, was founded in 1950. The founders of Beit Eliezer were immigrants from Yemen , Many of them remain to live in it to this day alongside future generations.
The veterans say that At first houses were built with large yards that include an auxiliary farm and the atmosphere was similar to that in the kibbutz. Later, the neighborhood was expanded and with each wave of immigration, another community layer was added to the neighborhood. The Neve Eliezer neighborhood was first built there and in 1973 "Yugoslav housing" consisting of industrialized houses brought from Yugoslavia . In the 1990s, following a large wave of immigration from the Soviet Union , a neighborhood known as the "New House of Eliezer" was built. In this area, the family names of the founders of Hadera were chosen for the street names, as an expression of deep respect for heritage and the past. It is this connection between what was and what is developing, that sets the place and its inhabitants apart.
This venture came to illuminate the part of the veterans who built their lives in the Beit Eliezer neighborhood, shaped its character and contributed to its development.
The products of our journey for the sake of memories, give space and respect to the past and heritage, but also a fresh spirit with a forward look through the eyes of the creators. Through its artistic products that present the stories of the veterans, we will strengthen the many generations connection in the neighborhood and in the city and emphasize the contribution and importance of the third age in our lives.
I would like to thank all the partners in the project - first to the documented people who shared their lives, to the talented writers and photographers, to the staff of the Department of Senior Citizens, to the Beit Eliezer Community Center,
Regards,
Revital Fox
Director of the Senior Citizens Department of the Hadera Municipality
Thanks to our partners:
The mayor's remarks
The "Autographers" project, which is courtesy of Mifal Hapayis, provides us with a window into the many years of work of veterans in a variety of different and diverse fields . Their lives. This venture came to provide a stage for those people in an inspiring exhibition that excites everyone who has been exposed to it.
The stories of childhood and adolescence in a city that shapes its face in the shadow of the development of the country, shed light on whole days in which they were content with little and lived happily and in unity. As in the past, so today - Or Yehuda has maintained its unique character immersed in nature, and continues to inspire and calm its residents and leads families to plant their pavilion there. The connection between our future and our heritage, which is the source of our pride, is our job to nurture, so I see the Autographers venture as an important project that gives a place of honor and strengthens the city's veterans as well as the bond between generations.
The documentation process was led with great success by the talented artists of the area, from all age groups, from the fields of photography and writing. Their beautiful products reveal to the general public, especially to the younger generation, the long journey we have made from the first days of the city to the present day.
I thank all those involved in the craft, first of all to the city's veterans for their contribution and willingness to tell their story and share it with us, to the quality photographers and writers on the investment and documentation, and to the Community Resources Department at the Shahak Division
Regards,
Liat Shochat
Mayor of Or Yehuda
