In 1977, as part of a huge project intended to rehabilitate disadvantaged neighborhoods in Israel, dozens of community buildings underwent complete change: apartments were enlarged and buildings were renovated with the help of Jewish communities around the world. The fundraising initiative was the product of an exceptional vision by Prime Minister Menachem Begin – “Twin Cities”. Sderot received a warm embrace from its twin city of Milan. The Morasha neighborhood of Ramat Hasharon suddenly took on a Dutch flavor. Britain adopted Ashkelon and Dimona, South Africa was twinned with Ofakim and so on. The idea developed from the hardships of the residents of poor neighborhoods in Israel that no one had been able to solve. The combination of a creative and inspiring idea and the support of Keren Hayesod and the Jewish Agency for Israel turned the dream into a reality. Over the course of 30 years, 160 disadvantaged areas in Israel were rehabilitated and are currently home to over one million Israelis.
Photo: Prime Minister Menachem Begin with the President’s Mission at “Komkommer”, a KH Belgium-supported social project, 1981