It's 5:30am on a recent chilly March morning.

The streets of Afula are just beginning to wake up but not so at the Emunah Children's Center.

Months of preparation, effort and anticipation were all about to come together as the 11 young members of the "Emunotes" singers stood waiting with their families and friends.

Many tears of excitement, joy and anxiety flowed that morning. Set in the center of downtown Afula, the Emunah Children's Center is a residential and community based program serving over 160 children and adolescents at risk and their families.

Together with 5 staff members, the talented "Emunotes" were about to embark on a voyage of a lifetime - a 2 week trip performing before the Jewish Communities of Connecticut, Rhode Island and Central Massachusetts, comprising the Partnership 2000 SNEC Consortium.

Dar, Danielle, Maria, Natalie, Bar, Ofir, Sapir, Michal, Danielle, Noa & Bat El had never been on an airplane or left Israel before.

The "Emunotes" Singing Troupe was formed three years ago at the Emunah Center, and their repertoire includes modern and traditional Israeli and Jewish music.

The girls performed before enthusiastic audiences in Greenwich, Bridgeport, New Haven, Danbury, Fairfield & Southbury in Connecticut, Springfield MA and Providence & Warwick RI.

In every community they were showered with attention and love and often performances ended with a standing ovation, greatly enhancing the girls' self esteem and confidence.

Young fans stood in line to receive autographs from the "stars" from Israel.

On many of the stops on their tour the "Emunotes" were welcomed by the Jewish Agency Afula-Gilboa shlichim (emissaries) who are serving in the Jewish Communities, who facilitated the encounters between the "Emunotes" and their hosts to create "living bridges".

The essence and importance of the "Emunotes" tour is well illustrated in the words of Mottel, a blogger from Stamford, who met and hosted the girls.

The "Emunotes"  were here for Shabbat, and they were not only adorable but a lot of fun to be around…..On one hand it felt so good to be with these kids and see their faces light up and we applauded their singing, or let them play in the backyard with a basketball.

And on the other hand, it feels awful to know that in a few weeks they will be back in Afula with parents who drink too much, leave them alone too much …but for today and the next week, these kids will be treated like royalty.

I hope memories that are created will last a lifetime!!