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"Emmi" cinema • A personal appeal to the mayor, Yona Yahav

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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

contact: At watsapBy email

Yoram Katz
Yoram Katz
Graduate of the Israeli hi-tech industry, journalist, writer and blogger. Link to my website and to purchase the books Born in Haifa (1954), studied at Geulah School and Harieli School. Graduated in philosophy and psychology (Hebrew University) and computer engineering (Technion). Books: • "Lethal Scripture" (English) – a historical suspense novel • “Days of Redemption” – childhood stories from the neighborhood of "Redemption"

More articles from the same reporter

92 תגובות

  1. She joins the mayor in front of her and asks why closing a cinema especially loved by the adults who built the third age is an achievement for the municipality? The place served as a warm home for quality films and the audience that came to watch them. See a Shavit cinema that became a scrap...

  2. You will get another chance to see how the wonderful mayor you elected does not lift a finger.
    As if we need more opportunities, after 15 years like this.
    You re-elected those who destroyed Haifa.
    Eat all this porridge. Yoram and everyone who has not yet realized what you have done to us.
    When the municipality is only interested in combines and real estate contractors, then don't be surprised at the results.

  3. And I also saw the white Feng there as a child. And I was so happy to be with my people at Eli's, and to see movies that I like to see and a refined and pleasant audience.
    Court, lease, conditions, ownership, municipality, private individuals. I don't know the details. I would like the municipality, and directly you the mayor, to return the situation to its original state. That not everything will burn like a movie from Heaven.

  4. Agree with every word. It was almost the only cinema we used to go to, thanks to the intimacy. I don't connect to the big cinemas with the strong sound. I would be so happy if you would honor the residents' request to leave this cultural gem as it was.

  5. Really unbelievable! Folk cinema is an asset of Haifa and its continued activity must be preserved and encouraged and not stick sticks in the wheels, all "for the good of the public"!
    I personally know people from Kasaria who used to come to Haifa especially for this cinema because of its quality!
    It attracted a lot of people outside of Haifa
    Please ignore your ego, the municipality must encourage the continuation of this high-quality historical enterprise!

  6. I expected Yona Yahav to behave a little differently than what we have in the government. Listening to the voices of the citizens and not destroying everything when there is something excellent like "popular"

  7. Ammi Cinema is an old Hamed corner full of nostalgia, a last remnant of the cinemas of old in Haifa. He uploads quality films,
    and attracts a quality crowd that also enjoys the indulgent buffet. In front of the cinemas that are in the big and busy shopping malls, it is easy to reach the quiet and pleasant corner of Amami. Please let's save it.

  8. I join the writers in hoping that the mayor will be attentive to the audience
    Definitely a favorite place with quality movies!!!

  9. The Americans say ""if it works why break it" (my very free translation).
    Popular cinema managed to provide quality content to a population group that requested a certain type of cinema.
    The armchairs weren't the most comfortable, the toilets weren't anything, and there was no lack of accessibility for people with disabilities.
    Still, the place was loved by the spectators, and to some extent served as a place for social gatherings.

    In view of the municipality's performance in other areas, I have a fear that all the municipality's plans will end with the closing of the cinema, as it is written, "The road to hell is paved with good intentions".

    Mr. Mayor, do us a favor: solve the bureaucratic and legal problems quickly, and return the popular cinema to us quickly.
    It is very likely that all the other alternatives are much worse.

    • The only cinema where you feel at home. You can come with slippers. High-quality movies, amazing atmosphere, in short, what you need. What is right should not be fixed or spoiled. Please keep the cinema as it is

  10. Konoe Ammi Haifa is one of the most coveted attractions of this city. How is it that a place like this should be closed?
    Yona Yahav, would you agree that such a move would be on your watch?

  11. I have been from Haifa for 8 years. I came from the center. This is the only cinema in Haifa where you can watch quality movies. In the center there is the "Lev" cinema chain with quality films, in Haifa there is none except Amami. It is not clear why you close it

  12. This important cultural institution must not be closed!! From the time of my childhood, Neve Shanan was a 'popular' cinema for us as a house of culture. It is forbidden to close 'Ammi'!

  13. Agree with every word. A precious, homely and beloved place from my childhood days to this very day. We wish for the preservation of the magical place as it is.

  14. Hello Yoram, first of all thank you for your personal and moving contact. I agree with every word, including the comparison to the desire to close the excellent and high-quality Channel 11. Personally, I feel even more connected because my family has lived in Nash for several years. It is a place that is part of good childhood memories, from a place that symbolized culture, neighborhood and quality, I wish we would hear good news.

  15. I would like to join the petition to the mayor. Please take care of resuming the operation of a popular cinema.

  16. BSD
    Thank you Yoram Katz for your activity in this matter,
    Let's hope in Gaza, that the mayor will consider the reactions of the residents and retract his decision to close the 'Ammi' cinema...

  17. The cinema of my childhood. I would love for it to stay and not be destroyed. There are lots and lots of good memories.

  18. I saw Yael's response

    There is no connection between the Cinematheque and Ticotin Hall to our topic.
    Folk cinema is greedy. And its location also adds to its charm. Far from the center of Carmel. Here next to us, next to the Hana Shananim

  19. The last true gem of the city, for those who want to spend time in a real cinema without the commercialism of shopping malls.
    I really hope that the anxiety of the environment will not finally close this cinema.
    Not disturbing or noisy on Saturdays.

  20. We will build it
    petition
    declaration
    to the mayor
    Don't touch the stone
    in the chair in every item
    This greedy puller
    rooted in our hearts since Nam Ben Benzion Raifer spoke
    And since then there were Holocaust Day ceremonies 70 years ago
    There is no way to destroy it!
    Really heartbroken

  21. I was very happy when you returned to lead Haifa. Because I knew you care about Haifa and their quality of life. You are not "parachuting from the outside". You feel the Haifa people.
    So please, please, don't let God's little piece of folk cinema be destroyed.
    The place is managed pleasantly. I really missed the kind cashier and the host of the films for the "old people" at the Schleiks factory.
    Even the coffee corner is equipped.
    Until we have something nostalgic that does us good in these sad days.... Please reconsider, and come meet us. leave him
    Best regards

  22. so sad !
    Destroying every historical icon in Haifa with a heavy hand. They don't know how to preserve history. What is better in innovations? Why does the past have no value???

  23. Dear Yoram Katz:
    For the sake of full disclosure, I write that we were both from the same cohort in Reali:
    1. It recently became clear to all the residents of the State of Israel following the massacre and the terrible war that our people's elected representatives in the Knesset and the government do not respect us and that is putting it mildly.
    In fact, we began to understand that the State of Israel is a corporation!
    And its leaders receive instructions from the United States of America.
    2. Maybe you will begin to understand what, unfortunately, I understood already two months before the Yom Kippur War / 73!
    which is actually the place of the state
    The municipality of Haifa has always been the most corrupt municipality.
    3. I wish our mayor Yona Yahav long life and good years
    But there is no apparent connection
    Between being the mayor of Haifa
    and our existence here as residents of the city of Haifa.
    He feels he can do it
    As much as he likes and we are a run over escopa and we have no importance.
    That's how it's always been
    There was no real connection between
    the murmurs of the residents' hearts
    And among all the mayors of Haifa
    We were simply used to it
    that we are murdered slaves
    And the mayors of Haifa will do
    They do what they want for their own good.
    And I hope I'm wrong
    There is nothing new under the sun
    Why are you surprised?

  24. Dear Yona and Rebecca
    Culture-loving senior citizens like me/us
    Turning to you as mayor - I chose you
    I have lived in the city for 46 years, moved from Tel Aviv and stayed
    Following dear Ishii.
    My first meeting was with a folk cinema, with the children of the Weissman family who, in addition to the movies, allowed us to draw in the great hall and we sat on the wooden chairs and the models were on the stage.
    magical days
    Since then, the cinema has gone through changes and we have won.
    It is true that my gang and I continue to go to the movies in all the cinemas.
    It is true that the screens there are better.
    But folk cinema has no substitute for warmth and intimacy
    For the hot cider that you take to the hall and coffee before the movie.
    For a moment you think that all the people who come to the movies on Friday are one big group and they really aren't...groups groups couples couples and also single people who felt comfortable and safe coming alone.
    There is a commotion when you leave the movies and enter the second show, meeting the people of Haifa for a moment.
    And in the evening and on Saturday morning my girlfriend and I meet for a movie and coffee.
    The films shown are quality films
    The placement of the films was clever and spread over several screenings.
    I have no doubt that a smart solution can be found between the municipality and the franchisee, you will be satisfied with a good and profitable investment and we will return the old love.
    This…
    Hope our request will reach attentive ears.
    Thank you and Shabbat Shalom

  25. I agree with all that was said in Yoram Katz's letter to Yona Yahav, Ammi Cinema has over the years maintained its status as a neighborhood cultural institution and deserves to remain so for the benefit of the residents as well as for the other viewers who come from all over the city, with the aim of enjoying high quality films and a family atmosphere.

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