Media Center in Israel Named in Honor of Jewish Baltimorean

At the dedication of the Ellen Rosenberg Media Center in Sderot are (left to right) national JNF president Dr. Sol Lizerbram, Rosenberg's husband Cary Besmanoff, Rosenberg's daughter Shira Blatt, JNF national campaign director Diane Scar, and JNF CEO Russell F. Robinson. (Provided)

A media center was recently dedicated in the Israeli city of Sderot in memory of Ellen P. Rosenberg, a Baltimore attorney and Jewish community activist who passed away in December of 2017.

Last week, more than 150 lay leaders from Jewish National Fund-USA joined Sderot Mayor Alon Davidi and other community members to commemorate the 10-year anniversary of the opening of the Sderot Indoor Recreation Center, a 21,000-square-foot facility that now houses the Ellen Rosenberg Media Center.

Located less than a mile from the Gaza Strip, Sderot has made international headlines for more than a decade as being a major target of Qassam rockets launched by Hamas terrorists. The western Negev city, with a population of more than 25,000, is known as the “Bomb Shelter Capital of the World.”

The indoor recreation center has become a symbol of the city’s resilience and determination. The Ellen Rosenberg Media Center will benefit the children and families of Sderot.

“I feel that we are a big family, and I know I have a partner in JNF in order to help the community and people of Sderot,” said Mayor Davidi. “Together, we will continue our mission to build a better future.”

The media center was named after Rosenberg, who served on JNF’s national board of directors, due to her passion for Israel and commitment to the stability and growth of the Jewish state.

“My mom stood up for everyone’s rights, loved to dance and sing, and her love knew no boundaries,” Shira Blatt, Rosenberg’s daughter, said at the dedication ceremony. “Nothing exceeded her passion for Israel, and I think about the joy that will fill this room each and every day though music and how it would have filled her heart with so much love.

“There is no better place than Israel to honor her, and JNF was the way she was able to fulfill many of her dreams.”

Following the unveiling of a plaque in Rosenberg’s memory, close friends and family offered remarks on Israel’s role in Rosenberg’s life. “I see a lot of friends here today, and Ellen will always be in our hearts,” said her husband, Cary Besmanoff. “Ellen lived for JNF and Israel, and I was the luckiest guy in the world to be married to her.”

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