Dear Mayor,
I read the verdict regarding the "popular" cinema, which calls for the vacating the place within 90 days. I also read your statement that this is a significant legal achievement in the municipality's fight to "return the historic cinema building to the public".
Like many residents, I am confused and worried.
"popular" It is the last remnant of Haifa's historic neighborhood cinemas. It is also a high-quality and much-loved cinema, truly a historical Haifa cultural icon since 1949. "People's Cafe Cinema" brands itself as a special Haifa institution of high-quality cinema, a kind of "Cinema Paradiso", with wide public sympathy.
The verdict calls for vacating the premises within 90 days. Should we expect that within this short period of time the seats will be uprooted, the projectors will be removed, and the cinema will cease to exist?
I can't believe you don't know how precious this place is to the Haifa people. Are you really willing to stand by and watch the disappearance of this special cultural institution?
You wrote to me personally that the place will remain a public cinema. I was very happy to read these words.
But if this is the case, why reverse the order of the world?
Why take such a quality cultural institution, which is also the last vestige of a bygone era, from the hands of operators who managed to do what no other neighborhood cinema in Haifa has managed?
What is the incentive of the Haifa municipality to do this? After all, the place paid its debts to the municipality (as the court also determined) so for what and why?
There is a private entrepreneur who successfully operates the place, to the satisfaction of the public. What is the logic in reinvesting millions of shekels (from the already empty public purse?) in equipment, audio and video systems, and an elevator (the place needs accessibility), and this in order to give the residents a cinema, which at best will reach the level of what we already have today?
So it is true that a generation ago there was some formal flaw in the leasing process (the municipality's consent to the lease was not given), but does that justify taking such a gem from the residents? is this serious
Forgive me for the association, but I find it difficult to avoid the comparison with the attack of our excellent government on another cultural icon - Channel 11. But there we are talking about system madness, power intoxication and loss of values. I know you're really not like that!
Does the municipality's financial dispute with Itzik Meshi (on other issues unrelated to "Ammi") prevent the municipality from exercising common sense? And all this when Meshi has been begging for months for a mediation meeting with the municipality's legal counsel, who undertakes to accept the mediator's ruling, and is being ignored. By the way, the owner of "Kol Carmel" which operates "Ammi" is actually Eli Zeidan, Meshi's brother...
you are the mayor The ruling does not prevent you from resuming work with "Kol Carmel" and its owner, Eli Zeidan. Let him continue to operate this property, which is his life's work. The municipality owns the place. You can demand from the operator anything reasonable you want regarding the conduct of the place, if it is not to your satisfaction (not that I can think of such a thing...).
Please read the comments from concerned residents to the article we published last week, and listen to the murmurs of your public's heart, who want to hear your voice on this very Haifa issue.
You are the mayor, please, respect your public, and don't let this candy be destroyed.
Yoram Katz
It's a shame that we are fighting a successful venture like a folk cinema that brings quality films and manages to attract many residents of the neighborhood and outside of it. Folk cinema is a historical institution in Neve Shanan and deserves to be preserved. It will be a cry for generations.
It is indeed a historical building, but the cinema will remain intact.
Liran - Spokesperson for Haifa Municipality
Whoever believes that the municipality will know how to operate the cinema will be restored!
As the saying goes, "If it ain't broke, don't fix it!" - the municipality can settle financial disputes without taking responsibility for an issue that will only draw money from the public purse without bringing added value compared to the situation that existed. Instead of benefit, the public may be harmed!
honest
There are no writers, on Keno…
Because if, as it stands...
Mayor Yona Yahav, whom I greatly respect, was elected in order to protect our dear city, its residents, its retirees, its veterans, and make the remaining time enjoyable for them.
Please, as your long-time seller, renew its activity and not demolish it in favor of contractors.
Discs and tapes of satanic movies should be burned! Complain about copyright against satanic films! Gives bad ideas for criminals, you should also download pornographic films!!!!
You have to behave with the municipality and towards it as it behaves.
Sell to the rich who will build a luxury apartment tower like the whole ugly 38 Tama in Carmel
They sold the Carmel with the money of the residents and the contractors and now it is one big traffic jam between huge and ugly buildings in gray and white and around them there are no trees, no gardens, only buildings that are next to each other and a competition of who is more bulky and ugly
Please find the correct version to keep the cinema working. A very dubious achievement for a municipality that does not care about the residents.
I agree with every word, why destroy what gives so much to the residents, enjoyment and a sense of belonging to the city and culture, it was the last dinosaur of the cinema and it's a shame that the municipality has no sensitivity to the sentiments of its residents and reacts only coldly to economic matters and personal struggles and revenge. I expected that after the war it would open again I hope that the common sense and the connection to the residents and our responses, culture lovers And the history will provide an answer to alienated decisions unrelated to the culture and history of Haifa
Beyond the fact that the Haifa municipality's coffers are far from empty. We are in second place on the list of the "richest" cities in Israel, after Tel Aviv.
I agree with every word. It's really hard to say goodbye to a cinema that is a historical landmark in Haifa. On the contrary, it is possible to help him recover and still leave him in his original status.
I elected Yona Yahav for mayor, but recently, in light of his elections, statements that I didn't really connect with - I wonder if I did the right thing. It is clear to me that he is not building on another term, and it is easier to destroy than to help restore... But maybe, after all, you will prove that I was not wrong in my choice, that you believe in the history of the most beautiful city in Israel, and are ready to fight for it?
As is the way of politicians, promises and empty words, you promised that he would stay, what made you change your mind? Maybe someone close to you has an eye in the direction?
There is the Cinematheque, Tikotin Cinema.
Don't cry about an outdated cinema with a bad screen that closes.
The residents of Neve Shanan enjoy going there. Quality movies and good company. Good attitude to viewers. There is no reason to close the cinema. Neve Shanan is a very large neighborhood and it is desirable to have a community cinema there.
As former Haifaites who immigrated to the Mashgav Regional Council, we continued to go to the Cinema Cafe Ammi regularly and so did other residents of Mashgav. Going to the cinema is often accompanied by additional entertainment in Haifa, which contributes to the city's economy
Since the cinema closed on October 7.10.23, XNUMX, we found ourselves with a new card that we just purchased and which cannot be used... and... with a new place to watch quality movies.
Outside Haifa.
A real shame.
We loved the city very much.
The place is a gem. And it is very, very important that the cinema remains.
Now all that remains is for the Haifa Municipality to return the cinema to the Neve Shaanan Veba LeZion and Emmi Goel committee.
Very right!!! A cultural relic of an old neighborhood!!!
Indeed, why close such an authentic place.
On the contrary, the municipality should help subsidize tickets.
How does it serve the public?
Ammi Cafe Cinema is a valuable asset to the Neve Shanan neighborhood. My wife and I enjoyed walking there almost every week, buying good coffee and cake, sitting with them at one of the tables, sometimes with another couple, and enjoying ourselves until the movie started. On Tuesdays it was a favorite place for senior citizens. The movies were of high quality, and there were also cultural lectures with light refreshments. Don't take this gem from us!
I agree with every word in the article. Strengthens the opinion about the importance of the cinema and its quality.
In these difficult days, when all world orders are in disarray, one should maintain culture, quality, respect for others, a place that is good for a person
The place is excellent as it is now!
Please do not destroy, too bad! Why does nothing last here?
The place is a historical asset for the city of Haifa. It must be preserved. They have already destroyed houses with a significant history, accidentally or not.
I wish folk cinema would remain as it was. A modest and special place that enhances the good and comforting cultural atmosphere of Haifa as before.
Please keep the lovely quality gem we have left. Not everyone wants to see the latest Hollywood blockbuster. Leave a corner for the eclectic, for Rocky Horror, for a bit of culture.
Please don't close the popular cinema!
Dear Mayor,
Mythological folk cinema is no longer a movie theater, it is a whole world. no less.
Please, in your wisdom, look at the place not only as a real estate asset that brings profits to the municipal coffers, alternative solutions can be easily found.
See the good of the culture-seeking public as it once was, in its simplicity and vernacular.
Do not give your hand to the closing of this historical place.
"Emmiko" = the tastiest "Palace" falafel for "beautiful Haifa"...!!!@@@
And since all the historical movie theaters: in Israel, including Lala - were closed! And so in Haifa... the nostalgic "folk" remains in Haifa... which I knew as an "Etudaite" in Haifa... and in recent years - "from time to time", when I put down a pen... so, don't make a "mistake" = "renovation "For the sake of "upgrading" for the benefit of the residents...
A cinema where I saw good and quality movies, service
Excellent, good atmosphere. Please keep the popular cinema as it is the old one that many citizens of Haifa have experienced and enjoyed
I'm also in favor of keeping popular cinema, our home cinema!!! We were really sorry when it suddenly stopped working!
Even if the municipality of Haifa is the owner, it is still the duty of the public to preserve the unique place so dear to the hearts of Haifaites
It's really sad to destroy this cute corner. I wish the mayor would think again and change the layout
Such a shame. The beloved tights of our childhood are disappearing from our lives. sad
As Carmel has the theaters and the cultural center in the auditorium operated by Athos, it was appropriate to renew and add functions to a folk cinema in Neve Shanan and in no way change its purpose.
If it is operated for many years by a franchisee, an operating agreement must be made for the property owned by the municipality and invested in its development as with any old property that needs to be invested in upgrading it.
Mr. Yona Yahav Shalom,
Folk cinema is a great cinema, we used to go to watch its movies almost every week.
This cinema is a nature reserve of the cinemas that used to be in Israel.
My friends and I enjoyed spending time there thanks to the quality movies, and thanks to the convenient entrance to it from the street and not through a mall.
Since the beginning of the war I have been checking every week again, maybe by chance it will be possible to go see a movie there again.
Please, sympathetically accept our requests, citizens of the city, and work to cancel the sentence, and allow it to be reopened.
In these troubled days, we the citizens are so in need of a leadership that will listen to the whispers of our hearts. If we don't get this from the government, at least here in the city we will get a listening ear.
Thanks in advance
I agree with the subject of the article, we miss this friendly and high-quality cinema. The atmosphere there was warm and special and quality films were shown. Hope we can get back there soon.
Without getting into all the politics, popular cinema is a pleasant and warm neighborhood cinema, a descendant of the cinemas of my childhood, with quality films and a cute cafe, one that makes you want to leave the house and meet good friends there.
Please Mr. Yona Yahav, leave this lovely cinema for the sake of the satisfied citizens
Yoram Katz's appeal is 100 percent correct.
A *popular* cinema is a gem left over from the wonderful past of the Neve Shanan neighborhood!
To the mayor Mr. Yona Yahav Shalom, "Ammi" cinema, a neighborhood movie theater, good movies, courteous and nice staff, and so was the service. Please keep the place active and we can continue to enjoy an almost historic place in the neighborhood. Thank you
I agree, I would be so happy if this wonderful institution was preserved. from Haifa who loves and misses watching movies there
The cinema of my childhood and youth. Haifa municipality must preserve such a gem.
If the cinema closes, the city can also be closed. Follow money killed this world. I support that the charming and high-quality cinema will remain
More than a year ago, we returned and entered the website of the Ammi cinema, hoping that it might be operating again, and raise a screen. Again and again we saw the last weekly program on October 6.10.23, XNUMX... we thought it was closed because of the war in the north and south... we had no idea that this was an internal war with the municipality...
But if that's the case Yuna, then by all means, help the owner to lift the curtain again and give us back a little feeling of "the way it used to be" and renew the good old days..
Yona Yahav, as a Yomin veteran who inaugurated the opening of the cinema on its first day when I was a 9-year-old girl. A girl who was born in a neighborhood that still had only two and a half blocks, begs you to listen to the whispers of all of us here in the neighborhood and give us back the local, cultural and artistic gem.
As a citizen of Haifa for 85 years, I expect you, as someone who always nurtures the film festival in the city, and as someone who has already made the city his home for a second term, that you will not pass the law of the neighborhood cinema as the law of Cinema Paradiso.
I expect you, as a citizen who pays taxes to the municipality, to also receive a clear and reasonable answer.
Dear Lord Yahav
Emmi is a symbol, just like Ben Gurion Boulevard is a symbol, and the following gardens are a symbol, the Ticotin Museum is a symbol
Popular cinema is a symbol for the culture lovers of the past, good movies a quality place, and not all the big and alienated halls. We and our friend, came from Kirov to see movies myself, because it felt homely, high quality and Haifai!!!!
If you want the benefit of the city of Haifa, don't change its symbols!!!
Neighborhood cinema is good for all of us, young and old. Accessibility from home to the cinema and not like the cinemas in centers and malls. Arriving on foot or by bus.
It is true that in recent years it began to suffer from a bit of neglect and it is necessary to renovate a bit and take care of it. At the same time, we must not give up a small and modest place that does good for so many people.
I agree with your words. A place of cultural and architectural value. The residents of Haifa enjoy this place so much. It connects them to the old days. It's a shame, a shame, a shame. Please leave this place. Improve it, but don't destroy it. It has many important qualities. Everyone is waiting for it to come back to life .
"Folk" cinema is a historical cultural icon. We - veterans of the Neve-Shaanan neighborhood - fondly remember many activities over the years (various ceremonies and more). We are worried and afraid of changes, which will not necessarily promote the culture in the neighborhood. We ask all the parties in the municipality to do everything in their power to continue operating the building as it currently operates.
I join in this request on behalf of many good people. Naomi Lehman
I enjoyed it so much, like my family
Thank you very much for this appeal to the mayor to save Amami cinema, which is a dear and beloved neighborhood place for many years for quality movies! They even come from Kiryat and the Carmel center to enjoy a friendly, intimate, and high-quality movie theater. I really hope that this request will be accepted!
I would be happy if the cinema continued to operate as before 7.10.
quality movies. Pleasant atmosphere.
Folk cinema is an important institution. The light of culture.
Yahav is a flightless businessman…..
Every word carved in stone!!!
I really hope that your words will reach a listening ear.
We are with you in the war to bring back folk cinema - the cultural gem for the public's enjoyment.
The mayor himself would come to the movies, I would personally meet him
The place is guaranteed for the ultra-Orthodox
All the best to you my dear friend Yoram Katz. Shabbat peace and blessings to you.
I join the request to return and operate the cinema, an important cultural site!!
I am asking not to age Amami Cinema, the best place to watch quality movies.