We have much to celebrate this year: the bar mitzvah of Partnership 2000, the 60th year of independence for the State of Israel, sixty years of strong friendship between Australia and Israel, and fifty years of settlement in the Arava. Everyone is agreed that more than one event is necessary in order to mark these milestones, so several ideas are being explored, with the intent to culminate the celebrations in one main event during December 2008, when delegations from Australia are expected to be in the region.

Prior to that, the Partnership is planning to set up a booth at the annual desert street fair -the street fair has been an annual tradition in the Arava for many years, and draws hundreds of the region's residents. Films on the involvement of the Partnership in the development of the region will be shown at the booth, presenting the many ways in which the Partnership has supported and assisted the Arava.

An additional idea is a two-day teaching event at the local school and in schools in Australia, to teach each side about the partner community (including about the country of origin of the community and the characteristics of the country, with all of the ramifications). This is meant to raise awareness among the young generation and in the educational system in general, as well as to create an ongoing tradition in each of the schools. The study materials and lesson plans will be produced by the educational teams in both communities. 

The main event for recognition of Partnership 2000 and its assistance in developing the Arava will take place on December 27, 2008. Graduates of the delegations from the Arava, members of delegations to the Arava who are currently in Israel, residents of the Arava and other activists, Australian Embassy personnel in Israel and others will be invited. This festive event will include an artistic program which will be produced by local talent in the Arava, and will emphasize the folklore of the Arava and Australia. If you will be in Israel on the day, and are interested in attending this event, please contact Nili Lipsky, the Partnership's reciprocal relations coordinator, at the following address:
nilili@jafi.org
We will be happy to see you in the Arava!