Concluded in 2008 and now being edited as a book, this groundbreaking work provides both a detailed data base and a policy directory for the area that is at the core of religious and political disputes in Jerusalem (see p. 20 – Events). Topics covered: Geology and Ground Structure Visual Aspects of Architecture, Planning, and Landscaping Churches, Communities, and Christian Property Population and Education Mapping the Issues and Problems of the Arab Neighborhoods Services and Relations with the Metropolitan Area

 

Coordinator: Israel Kimhi

Research team: Yair Assaf-Shapira, Eran Avni, Dr. Maya Choshen, Dr. Amir Eidelman, Israel Kimhi, Michal Korach, Mohammed Nakhal, Amnon Ramon, architect Mike Turner, and Dr. John Zeligman.

Research Assistant: Aviel Yelinek Supported by the Richard and Rhoda Goldman Fund

 

 

 

An annual survey is conducted of indicators for evaluating Jerusalem's strength and public opinion towards central issues regarding it. Over the course of the year various activities and follow-up are conducted to widen and expand the information available.

Researchers: Dr. Maya Choshen, Israel Kimhi, and Michal Korach

Research Assistant: Shiri Borenshtein Supported by the Charles H. Revson Foundation

 

 

This is an Israeli-Palestinian project to assess the effects of the separation fence in Jerusalem on the lives of the two communities. Part of the project entails annual polls of over 1,000 families. This project is an on-going one and has related to a number of different aspects of life in the city and the repercussions of the fence's construction. So far there have been four publications stemming from the project.

 

Team heads: Shahed Vaari, Dr. Maya Choshen, Dr. Rasem Hameisi, Israel Kimhi In cooperation with the Palestinian International Peace and Cooperation Center (IPCC)

Supported by the Ford Foundation

 

 

 

A possible model for the independent management of both the Jewish and the Arab neighborhoods of Jerusalem may be accepted, if only as an interim solution until the status of Jerusalem is finalized in the framework of a permanent peace agreement. A work group of the Institute evaluates the conditions and arrangements for the establishment of neighborhood autonomy with authority granted through international involvement.

 

Work group: Ora Ahimeir, Prof. Yaacov Bar-Siman-Tov, Noam Gilad, Prof. Moshe Hirsch, Dr. Maya Choshen, Prof. Ruth Lapidoth, Dr. Kobi Michael, Reuven Merhav, Dr. Robbie Sabel, Dr. Dan Kaufman, and Israel Kimhi.

Supported by the Frankel Foundation and the Charles H. Revson Foundation

 

 

 

In recent years there has been an increase in the number of complaints heard from the representatives of Churches and Christian Institutions in Jerusalem about Israeli treatment of Christian affairs. These complaints have received great international attention. The goals of this research are to survey the activities of the various Israeli bodies that deal with these issues and to undertake in-depth research on the roots and relations between Israel and the Christian presence in Jerusalem.

 

Researcher: Amnon Ramon In cooperation with the Jerusalem Center for Jewish-Christian Relations

Supported by the Charles H. Revson Foundation and the Jerusalem Center for Jewish-Christian Relations

 

 

 

This project is the continuation of two previous research projects on migration that were conducted in the 1980s and 1990s and draws on existing data bases. The aim is to learn about the characteristics of people choosing to leave Jerusalem and those who come to live in Jerusalem, as well as the factors they consider in making their decisions. This information is essential to reaching appropriate conclusions as to what can be done to strengthen the city and its population.

 

Researchers: Dr. Maya Choshen, Israel Kimhi, and Michal Korach

Supported by the Blaustein Foundation, the Frankel Foundation, and the Charles H. Revson Foundation

 

 

 

The creation of Ultra-Orthodox cities has brought about significant changes in the patterns of migration of the Ultra-Orthodox population. These cities are mostly populated by young families that have left Jerusalem proper. The research examines the connections between the population of these cities and Jerusalem itself  both the short-term and long-term consequences of creating these cities and the relations between their residents and the residents of the capital.

 

Researcher: Lee Kanahar

Supported by the Gaas Foundation

 

 

 

The research presents the state of affairs in Jerusalem's school system for Ultra-Orthodox boys in the 3-18 age range. It examines the structure and the legal status of the system, the forces at work that set the educational policy, the social structure, the pedagogical framework and study plan, the physical infrastructure, the budgets, and compares them to the criteria in the rest of the Israeli educational system; in addition it addresses the innovations and changes that are beginning to be introduced.

 

Researcher: Udi Spiegel

Supported by the Blaustein Foundation, the Frankel Foundation, and the Charles H. Revson Foundation

 

 

 

Since 2007 work has been under way to prepare descriptive material to outline neighborhoods in Jerusalem: their history, territory, population, public services, infrastructure, major problems, etc. The goal is to formulate and publish information in the form of profiles that will be continuously updated.

 

Researchers: Dr. Maya Choshen, Michal Korach Research Assistant: Efrat Saar Supported by the Charles H. Revson

 

 

A collection of articles on renewal in the city center from a broad perspective: the renewal of city centers around the world, the historical development of the city center, the center's current population, social make-up, culture, transportation, commerce, policy and strategy for renewal, aspects of preservation, economics, and leading projects, the city center as a cultural center, and the presentation of a model for the economic self-management of the area.

 

Editors: Amnon Ramon, Assaf Whitman and Aviel Yelinek. Supported by the Authority for the Development of Jerusalem

 

 

Indicators for Environmental Quality and Quality of Life in Neighborhoods of Jerusalem as Factors for Attracting Residents

 

In the first stage, this research project evaluates the quality of life in the residential areas of the city according to their environmental conditions. The standards for quality of life are set according to environmental indices formulated as part of the study. The overall goal is to encourage the relevant city authorities to bring about improvements in environmental quality and thereby to discourage as much as possible the departure of city residents due to quality of life standards tied to environmental conditions. Another aim is to heighten the appeal of selected neighborhoods whose quality of life is high or is expected to rise, in order to attract more established sectors of the population who might be drawn to living in these neighborhoods of Jerusalem. At a second phase of the project, indicators for evaluating standards of environmental quality and quality of life will be defined for the city.

Project coordinators: Dr. Maya Choshen, Israel Kimhi, and Yair Assaf-Shapira Supported by the Environmental Policy Center/ The Charles H. Revson Foundation

 

 

 

Now concluded in a publication, this is an evaluation of a project that has a holistic approach and focuses on the community and education on the neighborhood level. Its goals are: to locate sources of strength in the individual and in the community; and to articulate a vision and means to realizing it through defining outcomes and measures of success (see also p. 37 in "Publications").

 

Researchers: Dr. Maya Choshen, Michal Korach, Shiri Borenshtein In cooperation with the Association of Community Centers in Jerusalem, the Jerusalem Foundation, and Joint-Israel

Supported by the Israel Association of Community Centers

 

 

 

An evaluation of a project of the Jerusalem Foundation that allocates open areas for the cultivation of community gardens by the elderly.

 

Researchers: Dr. Maya Choshen, Michal Korach, Shiri Borenshtein

Supported by the Jerusalem Foundation

 

 

 

An evaluation of joint educational activities for Jewish and Arab children conducted at Jerusalem's Ein Yael Center.

Researchers: Dr. Maya Choshen, Dr. Maya Kahanoff

Supported by the Jerusalem Foundation

 

 

 

Evaluation of a project for advancing the health of elderly women in the framework of the community in the neighborhood of Gonenim (the Katamonim) in Jerusalem. The Hadassah Medical Organization runs the project and a team from the Jerusalem Institute accompanies and assesses the project – its accomplishments, difficulties encountered, and recommendations.

 

Researchers: Dr. Maya Choshen, Michal Korach, Shiri Borenshtein

Supported by the Hadassah Medical Organization