Islamic Countries and Sephardi Judaism

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1 PARTNERSHIP PROPOSAL National Museum for Jews from Arab & Rockefeller Museum Complex Jerusalem National Museum for Jews from Arab & Rockefeller Museum Complex Jerusalem

2 MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT OF ISRAEL PRESIDENT RIVLIN

3 EXECUTIVE REVIEW National Museum for Jews from Arab & Rockefeller Museum Complex Jerusalem "The Museum of Sephardi and Oriental Jewry" at the Rockefeller Museum Complex, Jerusalem BEIT MORESHET - National Museum for Jews from Arab & Islamic Countries and for Sephardi Judaism ("the Museum") meets an acute need in Israeli society to present 2,600 years of Jewish history across Arab countries, Iberian Peninsula, North Africa, Southeastern Europe, as well as the unique Jewish history of Yemen and Ethiopia communities, whose culture and heritage have not been properly addressed and enshrined to date. One of the Museum's goals is to have the history of these communities included in the educational system, something sorely lacking since the birth of the State of Israel, so that all Jewish and Israeli societies may acquaint themselves with this rich culture and heritage. The contribution of Sephardi and Mizrahi Judaism to the establishment of the State of Israel and its enormous influence along world history, as reflected in areas such as the economy and commerce, culture and art, is just the continuation of their immense contribution in Torah and Talmud commentaries, Jewish law (Halakhah) and lore, which have yet to be accorded a proper home. This time has come! The Museum will guide young people from Israel and around the world back in time to the magnificent roots of these communities, describe their customs, traditions, achievements, personalities, and contributions throughout history up to our time. In addition, the Museum will, with the help of modern technology, present and thus change the perception of the public regarding these communities and their heritage, as well as provide a forum for in-depth academic research and promote modern artistic creativity as stemming from that age-old fountain of tradition. Another objective is to develop educational programs for the Ministry of Education to be adopted in schools throughout Israel and to create a cultural center to promote the continuation of these cultures deeply rooted in the past. The Museum will tell the history of the expulsion of Jews from Spain and Portugal, the Inquisition, the wandering of Sephardi Jews in the Americas, the persecution and riots against Jews throughout the Muslim world including the 20th century, and recount the extensive amount of Jewish property left behind with the expulsion of Jews from Arab countries, who thus became refugees upon the establishment of the State of Israel. The Museum will work to strengthen the pride of Sephardi and Oriental Jews by presenting the visitors with their extraordinary cultural wealth and guiding the new generation in age-old customs in a manner as to combat the accelerating cultural oblivion and assimilation we are experiencing today. The Rockefeller Museum complex offers a unique architectural landmark located in the heart of Jerusalem, 300 m. from the Western Wall plaza, about 1 km from Safra Square, where the Jerusalem Municipality offices are located, and 400 m. from the National Headquarters of the Israel Police and the Ministry of Justice. We invite you to join us in this important and groundbreaking initiative, to preserve and present the history of the Jewish people for future generations.

4 EXHIBIT CONTENT AND STATE-OF-THE-ART TECHNOLOGIES The "Beit Moreshet" Museum will present the cultural heritage of Sephardi Jewry and Jews from Arab and Islamic countries through cutting-edge technologies, alongside traditional displays, to young groups from Israel and around the world and the general public. It will cover 2,600 years of Jewish history and culture. The following general summary has been prepared as part of the Museum's economic plan and does not necessarily represent the final structure of the exhibits at the Museum. When the work of the academic steering committee and research teams begin, the master plan and details will be re-examined, generating the final display focus that will be exhibited to the museum's visitors. The museum's exhibits will be based on three main areas: A. Stories of Jewish communities in key geographical regions (tentative classification) Iraq (Babylonian Jewry) Syria and Lebanon Turkey, Greece, and the Balkans Maghreb countries (North Africa) Egypt Yemen Kurdish region Iran (Persia) Georgia Bukhara and Central Asia B. The museum will focus on highlighting 7 major themes: 1. Babylonian exile until the end of the Babylonian Talmud A period of 1,000 years that is an introduction to the museum, emphasizing the development and continuity from the 6th century BCE to the period of the Geonim. The unit will also feature Hellenistic culture in Alexandria and other centers such as Persia and Byzantium. It will outline the expansion of the Jewish Diaspora in the East.

5 National Museum for Jews from Arab & Rockefeller Museum Complex Jerusalem 2. The "Geonic Period'' and Mediterranean Jewry in international trade The rise of Islam and the status of the Jews under its rule; the Cairo "Genizah"; description of the integration of the Jews of the Middle East especially as international traders and bankers in the wake of the Muslim conquest. The Jewish Center in Baghdad as a unique Diaspora phenomenon in the center of world Jewry. 3. The unique Jewish-Andalusian culture and creativity in Muslim Spain (10-12 centuries) The variety of fields of knowledge and creativity; the "Renaissance scholar" (Hasdai Ibn Shaprut, Shmuel HaNagid, Yehuda HaLevi, Avraham Ibn Ezra, Rambam); A description of the "courier class" as the basis for Jewish existence; the end of the period with the Muawahidun invasion from North Africa (including North African Jewry); dispersion of Andalusian Jewish culture. 4. The Jews of Christian Spain, including the Expulsions from Spain and Portugal (13-15 centuries) The attitude of Christianity to the Jews; 1391 Persecutions and Conversions; the Inquisition; Expulsion from Spain and Mass-Conversion in Portugal and its tragic consequences; the dispersion of the "Megorashim" / Jewish refugees. We will elaborate on the unique community in Safed and the renewed settlement in the Land of Israel. Possibly to be told through the towering figure of Isaac Abarbanel, leader of the generation. 5. Inquisition and Diaspora of the Marranos in the West This unit will present the anti-jewish activity of the Inquisitions in Spain and Portugal, preferably underground, including "Time Tunnel", leading in its end to the Diaspora and the communities founded in the 17th century: Amsterdam, London, the Caribbean, New York, Montreal etc. Such communities will also be presented in the contemporary context of the global 20th century Diaspora of Jewish demographic upheaval, resettlement and revival. 6. Sephardim and Zionism: Ideology and Aliyah A unit to review the ideologies of "Aliyah" from Yehuda Halevi and the immigration of the Ramban, through the settlement of the "Megorashim" (Safed), the Tiberias project of Dona Gracia and Don Jose Nasi, Aliyah of kabbalists and rabbis (R. Hayyim ben-atar, R. Hayyim Joseph David Azulai [HID"A]), the Sephardim in Jerusalem in the 19th century. Zionist activity in the Arab-Islamic countries (including distant communities such as Yemen, India, etc.). Georgian Jews and breaking through the "Iron Curtain", opening the gates for Aliyah from the Soviet Union in the 1970s. The uprooting of Jews from Arab countries during the period of rebirth of the State of Israel and their immigration to will be included in this unit. 7. Jews of Arab and Islamic Countries in the 20th century: Uprooting and Emigration, Absorption, Integration Presentation of the second half of the 20th century, its upheavals with emphasis on Jews in Arab and Islamic lands. Description of the absorption of the refugees in Israel. A description of the strong Sephardi and Mizrahi communities around the world today. Leading figures in the fields of knowledge, culture, economy, and politics, in Israel and abroad. An optimistic summary and a look into the future. C. The "Virtual Synagogue" Project A unique project that will describe Jewish life in communities and the various community traditions and events. Through the synagogue project, historic synagogues can be presented in their glory and destruction, thereby depicting the "Jewish Nakba" of the Jews of Arab countries in the 20th century.

6 PARTNERSHIP PROPOSAL General: The main parties cooperating toward the establishment of the Museum at the proposed site are: The State of Israel, Ministry of Culture under Minister Miri Regev. The State of Israel, Ministry of Finance, Offices of the Accountant General and the Public Housing Manager. Association for Beit Moreshet - National Museum for Jews from Arab & Islamic Countries and for Sephardi Judaism. Objective: Invite leading philanthropists from the Jewish world to lead the establishment of the Museum at the Rockefeller Museum Complex in Jerusalem. Background: When several philanthropists from around the world learned of the initiative to establish a National Museum for Sephardi and Oriental Jewry in Israel, they expressed great interest in funding the project, but only if it could be built in a suitable location in Jerusalem. At a recent meeting with the Deputy Mayor of Jerusalem Ms. Yael Antebi, and professional staff of the Municipality management, we were fortunate to be offered the site of the current Rockefeller Museum. Site inspection tours were held and the unique advantages of the Museum's premises were personally observed on location. Accordingly, founding members of the Museum approved a resolution to pursue the offer of the Rockefeller Museum site, based on following main considerations: Built in 1936 by the Rockefeller family as a Museum of Antiquities for the Land of Israel, the Rockefeller Museum site is a remarkable international landmark, incorporating approximately 6,000 sq.m. (64,500 sq.ft.) above ground space and thousands of sq.m. of basement warehousing and storage space, on approximately 21 Dunams (21,000 sq.m. or about 5 Acres) of land. The Rockefeller Museum property is owned by the Government of Israel, which expropriated the complex in 1971 and placed it for use by the Israel Antiquities Authority, the current tenant in the compound. Locating our Museum at the proposed complex would save construction costs to the extent of at least USD 20 million, as well as a crucial 4-6 years in land allocation, planning and construction that would be necessary for an alternative site. The Israel Museum operates archaeological exhibits on about 10% of the premises, as a sub-tenant without any direct rights to the property. The Israel Antiquities Authority (IAA) has built a new 36,000 sq.m. (nearly 400,000 sq.ft.) campus at a site in West Jerusalem near the Israel Museum and the Knesset, with support of the Israeli Government, the Schottenstein family and other donors. To complete this campus, the Authority currently is in need of additional funding. Israel's Ministry of Culture, Ministry of Finance, and Jerusalem Municipality fully support the dedication and transfer of the Rockefeller Museum compound for the purpose of housing our Museum.

7 National Museum for Jews from Arab & Rockefeller Museum Complex Jerusalem Process for transfer of the compound: A. After having formed a new Not-for-Profit Association under Israeli Law on 2/2018 ("the Association") as the legal entity responsible for the creation of the Museum, the Association shall present our vision to key donors that can contribute to the funding of the Museum at the proposed site. B. The Association, through its representatives, shall enter into negotiations with the Accountant General at the Ministry of Finance and with the Director of Public Housing to finalize the conditions for the transfer of the Rockefeller Museum compound to the Association. C. We believe that the special significance of this project will allow us to present the Museum as "a single offer" and get an "exemption from tender" regarding the allocation of the land and premises. D. An investigation conducted by Israel's Public Housing Administration revealed that the Rockefeller family currently has no rights to the compound and that the Rockefeller family name may be replaced by our own "Name Donor" that will lead the Museum's funding. E. Economic model for transfer of rights: 1. The Museum's donors will allocate enough funds to enable the transfer of the IAA to its new campus, vacating the Rockefeller Museum. 2. Under the current agreement between the Israeli government and the IAA, the government would match donations for the new campus of the IAA, one for one. 3. The idea raised is to secure a group of Museum donors who would provide the funding needed as "vacating fees", enabling the State of Israel and the IAA to complete the new campus in West Jerusalem. 4. This will permit our Museum to immediately take possession of the Rockefeller Museum compound. 5. It's understood that such "vacating fee" would be substantially less than the alternative cost of acquiring suitable land and building a comparable new museum from scratch in any area of Jerusalem. Timetable: October 2018: (estimated date): Signing of a definitive agreement with the Government of Israel for transfer of the Rockefeller Museum compound. October 2020: Rockefeller Museum compound to be vacated by the Antiquities Authority. October 2021: Opening of "BEIT MORESHET - National Museum for Jews from Arab & " at the Rockefeller Museum compound. We invite you to take part in this initiative of historical significance for the Jewish people and for our future generations.

8 1 EVENTS Paris Feb. 2018: Israel's Minister of Culture Miri Regev meets with leaders from the French Jewish community to discuss the Sephardi & Mizrahi Museum. Sao Paulo The Sephardi & Mizrahi Museum is introduced to leaders of the Syrian-Jewish community. New York Working meeting with Rabbi Marc Angel and Prof. Carole Basri. Sao Paulo - Working meeting with Moshe Abadi at CONIB (Cofederacao Israelita do Brasil) offices. Montreal Presenting the Sephardi & Mizrahi Museum at the opening night of the Sephardi Festival. Israel's Minister of Culture Miri Regev meets with leaders of the Mashhadi community in New York. Museum Forum Israel Speech by Miriam Feinberg, Mayor of Netanya. 3 4

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10 National Museum for Jews from Arab & Rockefeller Museum Complex Jerusalem

11 MUSEUM TEAM AND SPONSORS Project Team Adv. Moriel Matalon - Chairman, Board of Directors Prof. Avraham (Avi) Gross, Chairman of Museum Neil Davis - UK, Founder Chanan Ziderman - Chief Executive Officer Gilboa Weisfish - Chief Financial Officer Arch. David Nofar - Project Design Yaron Meiri - Orpan Technologies Group International Advisory Board Sylvain Abitbol - Co-Chairman, JJAC, Montreal, Canada Prof. Carole Basri - New York, NY Prof. David Bensoussan - Montreal, Canada Arch. Assaf Drori - Montreal, Canada Rabbi Daniel Galimidi-Hadar - Miami, FL Marc Gueron - Miami, FL Rabbi Ariel Yeshurun - Miami, FL Sponsors Rabbi Eli Abadie - The Syrian-Jewish Community; Co-Chairman, JJAC; New York, NY Yael Antebi - Jerusalem, Israel Mike Beily - Manager of Projects, Keren Hayesod Meni Beinisch - Honorary Ambassador of Georgia in Israel Prof. Meir Chet - Honorary Member, Israel David Dangoor - President, American Sephardi Federation (ASF), New York, NY Freddy Gindi - São Paulo, Brazil Bob Kamaly - The Mashhadi Community - New York, NY Edgar de Picciotto - Friends of the Museum, São Paulo, Brazil Moris Reyna - Tel Aviv, Israel Armand Sibony - Paris, France Amnon Shalhov - New York, NY Robert Wetkin - Panama Nina Wiener - Chairman, ISEF Foundation USA, New York, NY Board Members Adv. Benny Don-Yechiya - Vice Chairman Adv. Shlomo Politis - Vice Chairman Sharon Abadi-Sa'ar Rony Aranya Sara Cordova Ilana Mushkin Dov Maurice Pellas - Paris. France Joseph Rejwan Adv. Deborah Srour-Politis

12 National Museum for Jews from Arab & Rockefeller Museum Complex Jerusalem Registered charity in Israel ( ) Prof. Avi Gross, Active Chairman Phone: / agross@bgu.ac.il Contact Person: Chanan Ziderman, CEO Phone: / sodz2@zahav.net.il