In mid-June, we gathered for our annual summer meeting of representatives from leading organizations on Mount Zion, which includes resident Mount Zion institutions, ranging from religious leaders and stakeholders, including municipal and government officials. The meeting was convened in the context of Window to Mount Zion, a project created and led by JICC in 2015 to promote understanding and collaboration among relevant stakeholders on Mount Zion, in the hope of easing religious tension.
The forum’s diversity reflects its vital importance, enabling all parties to communicate and promote shared interests regarding life on Mount Zion. This year, we were honored to host the St. Savior Armenian Church and Monastery, Dormition Abbey, and Monastery of St. Francis Ad Coenaculum, along with rabbis from the Diaspora Yeshiva and Sephardic Synagogue. Further important stakeholders attended from King David’s Tomb, the Harp of David, Greek Garden, Jerusalem University College, and Dajani family, along with senior police officials responsible for securing Mount Zion.
During the meeting, all participants shared their desire and commitment to further and develop collaboration between all parties, not only for the sake of Mount Zion, but also as an inspirational model for fruitful shared life in this historically complex environment.
The forum expressed deep appreciation to Merav Horowitz-Stein for her dedicated work since 2015, and welcomed Tami Lavie Nissim, the new project manager.
This was a particularly special annual reunion as we reflected on the milestones in our work thus far, and embarked on a hopeful new chapter with renewed energy and leadership.
