Conference taveng::bagels

1342.0. "Jerusalem 3000" by SOFBAS::MAYER (Reality is a matter of perception) Sat Jun 12 1993 00:36

                               JERUSALEM 3000,
                             CITY OF DAVID 1996


In 1996, we shall mark the Trimillennium of  Jerusalem,  3,000  years  since
David the King chose Jerusalem as the Capital of the Kingdom of Israel. From
that time, the city has become the symbol of the  unity  of  the  people  of
Israel, the focus of the Jewish experience, and an inspiration for musicians
and artists and writers over the centuries.

Jerusalem is a city also holy to Christianity and to Islam. In  the  quarter
century since the reunification of Jerusalem, we have made every  effort  to
restore and preserve the many holy places of  the  three  religions  and  to
ensure freedom of worship to all.

Many wars were fought in Jerusalem. Many peoples ruled Jerusalem. But it was
only the nation of Israel which, decisively, made its capital in Jerusalem.

The response of David the King and his legendary being will be the focus  of
the celebrations. We are planning major cultural events on an  international
scale. We are planning social and recreational activities for people of  all
ages. We are planning symposia and conferences  on  a  variety  of  subjects
connected with David the King.

It is our hope that  on  this  occasion,  we  shall  have  the  pleasure  of
welcoming visitors from all over the world and that  we  will  forge  strong
ties which will continue over future generations. Indeed, it is  the  future
generations which we have in our thoughts and one  of  the  focuses  of  the
Trimillennium will be on youth, both here and abroad. Many of  the  programs
being planned are for young people, for it is they who will begin the city's
fourth millennium. It is the young people who  will  ensure  the  future  of
Jerusalem as a city of understanding and coexistence,  of  culture  and  the
arts, of learning and science, of tourism and economic development.

Do join us on this occasion. It happens only once in 3,000 years.

Sincerely yours,
Teddy Kollek


Decision of the Government of the State of Israel
=================================================
The year 1996 (5756-57) has been declared the "Trimillennium  of  Jerusalem,
the City of David," with the city of Jerusalem and the figure of King  David
at the center of the planned events.

The Bible devotes more time to David than to any other king. Generations  of
believers as well  as  artists  have  been  inspired  by  David's  legendary
personality  and  his  many  faceted  persona  -  as   statesman,   warrior,
legislator, poet and musician.

The events will establish Jerusalem's place  as  the  heart  of  the  Jewish
nation in the collective consciousness of Israel and the  world,  they  will
enhance its status and image  as  the  capital  of  Israel,  and  they  will
contribute  to  economic  development,  tourism,  infrastructure,  and   the
cultural and social lives of the city's residents.

Mr.  Teddy  Kollek  will  serve  as  the  chairman  of  the  board  for  the
Trimillennium of Jerusalem, City of David events.

Ever since King David made Jerusalem the capital of his  kingdom,  the  city
has become the center of Jewish  existence  and  the  heart  of  the  Jewish
people,  the  focus  of  its  faith  and  historical  memory.   Since   most
researchers, experts and archaeologists  estimate  that  the  conquest  took
place in year 1004 BC, the year 1996 AD was set, therefore,  as  Jerusalem's
3000th anniversary as the capital of the Kingdom of Israel.

Jerusalem is the tangible historical testimony of the  Jewish  religion  and
its heritage on the one hand, and the independence and  sovereignty  of  the
Jewish people on the other. This  identification  of  Jerusalem  as  both  a
spiritual and national symbol emphasizes the unique and eternal tie  between
the city and the Jewish people, a tie which has no parallel in  the  history
of nations.

No other nation has ever made Jerusalem its capital in such an absolute  and
binding fashion. The Temple was built in Jerusalem, and to it the  religious
made their pilgrimages thrice annually; chapters of the Bible  were  written
within its walls, and there the prophets preached their prophesies.

Christianity and Islam, too, hold Jerusalem sacred, and the many holy  sites
of all three faiths make the city a world spiritual  and  religious  center.
Israel's capital is also a cosmopolitan city with the rich and varied mosaic
of different races, peoples, religions and sects, which have lived  together
for many generations.

Israeli rule over the united city has brought unprecedented  prosperity  and
progress, and despite the tensions between the various communities within it
- the city has not enjoyed such a position of import since its heyday  as  a
kingdom.

The 3000 years celebrations will highlight the figure of King David. David's
legendary  multi-faceted  personality  as  statesman,  fighter,  legislator,
lover, poet and musician - whom the Bible discussed more than any other king
- has been an inspiration to a wealth of artistic creations.  Some  of  this
artistic diversity will find expression in these celebrations.

King David holds a fundamental position in the collective  consciousness  of
the Jewish people and is also an important figure in Christian  culture.  By
making him the centerpiece and focus of the festivities, in a visual display
that will appeal to millions all  over  the  world,  the  celebrations  will
excite the imagination and add a special flavor to the events.


Statement of Purpose
====================
To place Jerusalem at the focus of attention both in Israel and  the  world,
and to strengthen its status and image as both the  spiritual  and  national
capital of Israel and the Jewish people.

To present Jerusalem as a universal religious, spiritual and cultural center
with room for all religions, peoples and traditions. A varied  and  tolerant
city in which all enjoy freedom of worship and creation.

To strengthen the economy of the capital by  bringing  guests  and  pilgrims
from Israel and abroad, which will provide a massive boost to tourism. In
addition, the city will not only enjoy the celebrations, there will also  be
varied cultural and social activities for the benefit  of  its  citizens  as
well as for the benefit of the  city's  existing  cultural  and  educational
institutions.

To encourage all organizations and institutions currently active in the city
to participate in the  various  planned  projects,  in  such  a  way  as  to
strengthen and expand their activity, and  secure  their  future  status  as
well.

To speed up the development and construction processes of  various  projects
and initiatives for the benefit of the city's residents.

To instill youths  in  Israel  and  the  Diaspora  with  educational  values
relating to Jerusalem and its place in Jewish existence.

For further information:.
The Jerusalem Fairs and Conventions Bureau
P.O.B. 6001, Jerusalem 91060, Israel.
Tel: 972-2-240663, 245142, 528556.
Fax: 972-2-243144